Salvador Ramirez-Olvera, Assault of Federal Agent, Texas 2019

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A brazen attack on a federal agent landed 39-year-old Mexican national Salvador Ramirez-Olvera in federal court, where he admitted to assault. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick announced the guilty plea, detailing a violent incident that unfolded at the Brownsville Border Patrol station.

The incident occurred April 1, 2019, when Ramirez-Olvera, already in custody for illegal entry, decided a jail cell wasn’t enough confinement. While awaiting transfer to federal court, he managed to slip free of his arm shackles – and immediately weaponized them. He struck a Border Patrol agent directly, connecting with the agent’s shoulder and causing bodily injury.

This wasn’t a simple shove. The agent, caught off guard, was legitimately injured by the makeshift weapon. Officers were forced to react swiftly, deploying a taser to subdue Ramirez-Olvera and regain control of the situation. The use of force, while necessary, underscores the immediate danger posed by the defendant’s actions.

Ramirez-Olvera was promptly arrested and charged with the serious federal offense of assaulting a federal agent engaged in the performance of his official duties. The charge carries significant weight, reflecting the severity of attacking those sworn to uphold the law and secure the border.

He remains in custody, awaiting sentencing scheduled for September 4, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera. The Department of Justice is seeking a substantial penalty for Ramirez-Olvera’s actions. He now faces up to 20 years behind bars in federal prison. This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement on the front lines.

The FBI spearheaded the investigation into the assault, gathering evidence and building the case against Ramirez-Olvera. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Esquivel Jr. skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the guilty plea and paving the way for sentencing. This conviction sends a clear message: assaulting a federal officer will not be tolerated.