TUCSON, Ariz. — A Mexican national has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Bisbee, authorities announced this week.
Details of the case
Mario Garcia-Estrada, 26, of Hidalgo, Mexico, received a 63-month prison sentence followed by 36 months of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on a federal officer.
The charges stem from a March 4, 2023, incident when Garcia-Estrada crossed the border illegally. After being spotted by surveillance cameras, a Border Patrol agent located and detained him. As she attempted to place him in a patrol vehicle, Garcia-Estrada shoved her to the ground and repeatedly struck her before fleeing.
Injuries and arrest
The agent sustained a fractured nose and other injuries in the attack. With the help of surveillance cameras, additional agents tracked Garcia-Estrada and took him into custody shortly after the assault.
Prosecution and investigation
The FBI’s Sierra Vista office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Houston prosecuted the case in federal court.
