A U.S. Border Patrol agent assigned to the Calexico Station was assaulted last night as he responded to an immigration violation near the downtown area of Calexico.
Last week, another agent working near the same area was also assaulted.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., a Border Patrol agent parked on First Street next to the International Boundary fence, observed a man illegally enter the United States by climbing over the fence.
When the agent attempted to arrest the man, the man resisted and struck the agent’s left orbital eye socket with his elbow.
The man ran away from the agent to avoid being arrested. The agent soon caught the man and a scuffle ensued. The agent quickly subdued the man and placed him under arrest.
“Our agent thankfully only suffered minor injuries from this assault and was able to gain control of his attacker and make the arrest,” said David S. Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent.
“We will not tolerate assaults on our agents by criminals, and will vigorously pursue Assault on a Federal Officer prosecution against anyone who perpetrates such violence.”
The agent suffered a contusion to his left eye, a laceration to his left elbow, and possible injury to his left shoulder.
The man will be charged for his assault on a federal agent, which is a felony punishable by a fine and/or incarceration.
Since Oct.1, 2016 (FY17) there have been eight reported assaults on El Centro Sector agents.
The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats.
We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe.
Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
