Eduardo Prat, Civil Rights Violation and Evidence Tampering, New Mexico 2023

A U.S. Border Patrol agent from New Mexico has been charged with a civil rights violation and evidence tampering after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed detainee and concealing evidence to obstruct an investigation.

According to court records, on May 22, 2023, Eduardo Prat, 40, allegedly strangled a detainee while performing his official duties as a Border Patrol agent in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The detainee was handcuffed at the time of the alleged assault. Subsequently, between May 22 and June 12, 2023, Prat allegedly concealed and covered up a body camera recording of the assault.

Prat is charged in federal court with deprivation of rights under color of law and destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation. He is on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Prat faces up to 20 years in prison.

The case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector.

The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.

An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/border-patrol-agent-charged-civil-rights-violation-and-evidence-tampering