Jose Alberto Izquierdo-Gonzalez, Assault of a Federal Agent, Texas 2013

LAREDO, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, Jose Alberto Izquierdo-Gonzalez, a 26-year-old undocumented Mexican alien, has pleaded guilty to using a motor vehicle to assault a Border Patrol agent and to smuggling aliens, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson today.

According to court records and testimony presented this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker, Izquierdo was seen loading persons onto his Ford F-250 truck on January 8, 2013, near the Rancho Viejo Subdivision in Laredo. Agents observed the truck speed away from the riverbanks after the agents’ vehicles approached. After a short pursuit through a residential area that included the truck traveling on residential sidewalks and knocking down a stop sign, Izquierdo eventually lost control and stopped facing the agents’ vehicles.

With persons still in the bed of the pickup truck, Izquierdo rammed the Border Patrol vehicles, injuring one of the agents. He then sped away until he lost control again and crashed into a nearby ditch. Miraculously, the persons in the truck bed managed to remain in the truck, but were treated for injuries. Izquierdo was apprehended almost immediately by the agents after abandoning his truck and the passengers. Two passengers were identified as aliens illegally in the United States who said they had paid smugglers to get a ride from Izquierdo.

At today’s hearing, Izquierdo denied knowing there were persons in the bed of his truck, claiming he had just picked up his girlfriend and one other person and was giving them a ride.

Izquierdo will remain in custody pending his sentencing to be set at a later date. At that time, he faces up to 20 years for using a dangerous weapon, a Ford F-250 in this case, to assault a federal officer. For smuggling an alien illegally in the United States, he also faces a maximum 10-year term of federal imprisonment. Both crimes also carry up to a possible $250,000 fine.

The matter was investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of Border Patrol, Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Izquierdo’s actions were not only reckless but also put the lives of innocent people at risk. The conviction serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.

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