McALLEN, Texas – A brutal chapter in the ongoing saga of gang violence has concluded with three members of the Pasia gang facing lengthy sentences for assaulting federal correctional officers. Mexican nationals Oscar Ambrocio Hernandez, Ruben Gonzalez-Balderas, and Roger Emmanuel Lemus have been sentenced to a combined total of over 300 months in prison.
Hernandez, 25, entered his guilty plea in April, followed by Gonzalez-Balderas, 29, and Lemus, 42, who pleaded guilty in July. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton imposed sentences of 137 months for Gonzalez-Balderas, 126 months for Lemus, and 57 months for Hernandez. All are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment.
The assault occurred at the East Hidalgo Detention Center in January, where inmates numbering 12, including these three gang members, overpowered two correctional officers. During the violent encounter, one officer suffered multiple staples in his forehead. The court cited surveillance footage and photographs showing each defendant’s involvement in the assault.
Bryan Hernandez-Ruiz, Francisco Antonio Hernandez-Mora, Adrian David Guzman-Salas, David Ramirez-Bautista, Roberto Fabian Garza-Castaneda, Jose Alberto Resendez-Hernandez, and Jose Ramos-Lerma—also of Mexico—have already been sentenced to terms ranging from 48-114 months. They are all currently serving their sentences.
“Federal correctional officers are essential to protecting the public,” stated U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas will seek severe punishment for criminals or detainees who do them harm.” The investigation was conducted by the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia and Avery Benitez handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at eliminating cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood initiatives.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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