Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Striking Federal Agent

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 26-year-old undocumented alien from Guatemala has admitted he assaulted a Border Patrol (BP) agent and illegally entered the country, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Edison Sory Velasquez-Velasquez entered a guilty plea today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby.

On Dec. 18, 2018, a group of illegal aliens were spotted walking on the east side of highway 281 on the Viboras Pasture in the King Ranch in Encino. BP tracked the group, but as they closed in, the aliens began to run in all directions.

As one of the agents was apprehending two of the illegal aliens, Velasquez-Velasquez appeared from a thick group of trees. The agent grabbed him and gave commands to stop and get on the ground. Velasquez-Velasquez turned on the agent and swung a plastic bag that contained canned foods and hit the agent in the face.

Velasquez-Velasquez continued to run, was given verbal commands to stop, but refused. The injured agent was able to catch up to him and attempted to subdue him. Velasquez-Velasquez continued to resist and swung at the agent again. The agent was able to evade the second attack and gained control and arrested Velasquez-Velasquez.

In total, agents arrested eight illegal aliens, all of whom were transported to the Falfurrias BP Checkpoint for processing. 

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing May 16, 2019. At that time, Velasquez-Velasquez faces up to eight years imprisonment and a maximum $250,000 fine.

He has been and will remain in federal custody pending the sentencing hearing.

BP and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody Barnes is prosecuting the case.