Tucson, Arizona – In a shocking turn of events, a Mexican national has been sentenced to 43 years in prison for assaulting a U.S. Forest Service officer in Arizona.
Jesus Eder Moreno-Ornelas, 31, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 520 months in prison on October 19, 2015.
The evidence at trial showed that on August 23, 2014, Moreno-Ornelas attacked the officer and took his gun, physically assaulting the officer and firing several shots before the officer regained control of the weapon. Moreno-Ornelas also unsuccessfully attempted to steal the officer’s patrol vehicle.
At sentencing, Judge Jorgenson found that the evidence at trial had established premeditated intent to kill the victim and that Moreno-Ornelas had attempted to obstruct justice by threatening a witness prior to trial.
Moreno-Ornelas was a convicted felon who was illegally present in the United States after having been previously deported.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sierra Vista, with the help of the United States Forest Service, United States Border Patrol, Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The prosecution was handled by Carin C. Duryee and Angela W. Woolridge, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
Related Federal Cases
- Gabriel Manzo, Assault on a Federal Officer, Arizona 2020 · Colorado
- Mario Garcia-Estrada, Assault on a Federal Officer, Arizona 2023 · Arkansas
- Thomas Esquivias Ramirez, Assault by Strangulation, Arizona 2023 · Arizona
- Jett Avery Thomas, Assault on Federal Officer, Oregon 2024 · Colorado
- Lonewolf Deray Havatone, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Arizona 2016 · Arizona
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
