West Texas man arrested on felony warrant from 1998 while trying out for police academy

Antonio Sanchez, 36, was arrested on Sept. 18 and charged in connection with an aggravated assault in 1998 that led to the death of a 19-year-old man, the El Paso Police Department announced on Thursday. Antonio Sanchez, 36, was arrested on Sept. 18 and charged in connection with an aggravated assault in 1998 that led to the death of a 19-year-old man, the El Paso Police Department announced on Thursday. Photo: El Paso Police Department Photo: El Paso Police Department Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close West Texas man arrested on felony warrant from 1998 while trying out for police academy 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

El Paso police arrested a man wanted on an aggravated assault charge in connection with a man's death in 1998 after he tried to apply to become a police officer.

Antonio Sanchez, 36, was arrested on Sept. 18 and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity — aggravated assault after another officer recognized him at a physical agility test for the police academy, the El Paso Police Department announced on Thursday.

Sanchez is accused of assaulting 19-year-old Jesus Sierra with multiple attackers at a party on May 29, 1998. The 19-year-old was left unconscious on the street, according to police.

Sanchez died four days later on June 2, 1998 at Thomason Hospital in El Paso.

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The eight people involved, including Sanchez, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity — aggravated assault, but police believed Sanchez had left the city.

More than 17 years later, an officer recognized Sanchez as he underwent a physical agility test for the upcoming police academy in El Paso, according to the news release.

The officer "took note of [Sanchez's] avoidance" and found the 1998 warrant, police said. Sanchez had not yet undergone a background check.

Sanchez was released from the El Paso County Detention Center the same day on a $25,000 bond.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports