SAN DIEGO, CA—Jesus Navarro-Montes was sentenced today to life in federal prison based upon his jury-trial conviction of second-degree murder, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy. According to court records, Navarro-Montes was convicted on April 12, 2011 of second-degree murder in connection with the death of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar on January 19, 2008 and federal narcotics violations.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Navarro-Montes was driving a Hummer H2 on January 19, 2008, in the Imperial Sand Dunes recreation area in Imperial County, California, that struck and killed Agent Aguilar while in the performance of official duties. The evidence further showed that Navarro-Montes conspired to distribute marijuana beginning at a date unknown and continuing up to and including January 19, 2008. United States District Judge Michael M. Anello also sentenced the defendant to serve 480 months each for two counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, to be served concurrently.
United States Attorney Duffy said, “In defense of this country’s borders Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar offered the ultimate personal sacrifice. His courageous dedication to duty will forever shine as a beacon of service to a grateful nation. Agent Aguilar stood, and fell, as a true American hero. His undeserved and tragic fate only strengthened the government’s resolve to bring justice to the Aguilar family. It is my hope that today’s proceedings have helped the family achieve some measure of closure and peace.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter said, “The FBI acknowledges that though sentencing is the last step in bringing Agent Aguilar’s assailants to justice, no punishment will mitigate this brave agent’s death. We again extend our condolences to his family and recognize that he paid the ultimate price for defending this nation.”
“The violence against the men and women who work to secure our nation’s borders cannot and will not be tolerated. Let this case serve as a warning to criminals and criminal organizations alike that the united law enforcement community working on both sides of the border will not rest until justice is served,” said Michael Carney, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego.
Customs and Border Protection Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson said, “Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar was a much loved and respected colleague who was callously murdered while engaged in the defense of this country’s borders. He left behind a loving family, including two young children who are now left without a father. It has been our desire and intent, from the day Louie was killed, that the individual responsible for his murder be held accountable for this crime. The sentencing of Jesus Navarro-Montes today does just that. Justice has been achieved for Louie and his family.”
Codefendants Macedonio Guerrero and Jorge Montes-Leyva previously entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and are pending sentencing.
Jesus Navarro-Montes was extradited from the Republic of Mexico on January 28, 2010, to face the charges in the Southern District of California. The extradition was the result of close cooperation between the United States and Mexican law enforcement authorities. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol - El Centro and Yuma Sectors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Leshner and Todd W. Robinson handled the prosecution for the United States.
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