Border Patrol's El Paso Sector is reporting a sharp increase in assaults on its agents, prompting a reminder of the legal consequences of attacking federal officers. Since the start of Fiscal Year 2024, 66 Border Patrol agents in the sector have been on the receiving end of such attacks. This follows a total of 104 assaults on agents during Fiscal Year 2023 in the sector, which also covers all of New Mexico.
El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony S. Good emphasized the gravity of such crimes in a statement:
"Assaulting federal agents is not just a crime; it is an affront to our principles of justice and the safety of our nation. The brave men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol and all our law enforcement partners that work alongside with us safeguarding our nation's borders. We will not tolerate any harm to the well-being of those dedicated to protecting others. Our law enforcement partners stand with us in bringing those responsible to justice."
The statement goes on to note that various methods have been used in these assaults, including "hands, fists, feet, teeth, firearms, knives, vehicles, and rocks, along with other items used as weapons to purposely inflict harm on federal officers while performing their duties."
To further illustrate the risks Border Patrol agents face, CBP describes two recent incidents. In one case, agents at the Santa Teresa station were assaulted by an individual who resisted arrest by spitting on and attempting to bite them. The other one involves a firearm:
"While conducting an immigration stop within the Lordsburg area of responsibility an agent was shot twice in the torso. The agent survived the shooting due to his ballistic vest. The man was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for attempting to murder a U.S. Border Patrol Agent."
The penalty for assaulting a public servant is classified as a third-degree felony. This can result in a jail sentence of 2 to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
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