Two undocumented immigrants from Mexico were arrested at the US border in Texas after a chaotic attempt to escape, which involved an assault on a female border agent.
The incident happened on Monday when Juan Carman Padron Mendes, 29, and Juan Carlos Padron Baron, 23, were caught and taken into custody while trying to enter the country illegally, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
After their initial detention, they were placed in restraints and transported in a border patrol vehicle. However, as their situation escalated, things took a turn for the worse.
While stopped at a red light, Mendes allegedly attempted to strangle the border agent, leading to a dangerous situation. He wrapped his hands around the agent’s neck, as prosecutors described it.
In the chaos, both Mendes and Baron managed to escape on foot, grabbing their belongings while officers called for support.
The two men were soon apprehended in the vicinity and taken to a detention center. They now face charges of assault, resisting arrest, and obstructing federal officers, with a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Gandhi emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that there is a zero-tolerance policy for assaults on law enforcement in Southern Texas.
Gandhi warned, “If you lay hands on an officer, whether it’s a deputy or federal agent, we will pursue all legal avenues to ensure you face severe consequences.” He elaborated that the consequences for such actions could include up to 20 years in federal prison, alongside significant fines.
Both Mendes and Baron are looking at steep penalties as they face potential sentences of up to 20 years for their actions.
