TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Sonoita Station arrested a 37-year-old Ecuadorian man after he assaulted an agent atop a mountain south of Tucson Wednesday evening.
Agents responded to a group of suspected illegal aliens walking along a remote trail near Lone Mountain outside of Patagonia. As agents attempted to apprehend the suspected illegal aliens, a man in the group struck a Border Patrol agent several times.
agent as he attempted to take the man
into custody
The man fought the agent for several minutes even as they both slid down a hillside. After several minutes, additional agents were able to aid in handcuffing the man and ending the struggle.
Two Mexican nationals, also illegally present in the country, were arrested during the incident. All three men were transported the Sonoita Border Patrol Station. Medical personnel evaluated the agent and the Ecuadorian man. Both declined further medical attention.
The Ecuadorian national is facing criminal charges for assaulting a federal agent. All three men will remain in custody to be processed for immigration violations.
Assaults highlight safety concerns for agents who often encounter and arrest multiple subjects in remote and isolated locations in rugged terrain.