⏱ 2 min read
Ericson Vasquez-Moran, a 22-year-old Guatemalan man, pleaded guilty to deliberately crashing his vehicle into a United States Border Patrol vehicle in New York on May 13, 2026. The incident occurred when Vasquez-Moran drove his vehicle into the Border Patrol vehicle, causing over $1,000 in damage, and then fled the scene, leading to a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement. The motive behind the crash is not clear, but the consequences were severe. Vasquez-Moran’s actions put the lives of law enforcement officers at risk and caused significant damage to government property.
The high-speed pursuit that followed the crash was eventually brought to an end when police deployed a spike strip device, disabling Vasquez-Moran’s vehicle. He then fled on foot but surrendered several hours later and was taken into custody. The investigation into the incident was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, the New York State Police, and the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office.
Vasquez-Moran’s guilty plea is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for November 11, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The guilty plea is a significant development in the case, and it will be interesting to see how the sentencing plays out. The incident highlights the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to combat violent crime and protect communities from perpetrators.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
