Latest Legal News from the Federal Criminal Courts in the United States

April 26, 2007

MEXICAN FISHERMAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ASSAULTING US BORDER PATROL AGENT

[BROWNSVILLE, TX] – David Sanchez-Gonzalez, a resident of Playa Bagdad, Matamoros, Mexico, was sentenced to a prison term for assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol Agent who was attempting to conduct a lawful immigration inspection of his fishing vessel, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

In October 2006, Sanchez-Gonzalez was arrested and later charged with assault, by forcible physical contact, for using his motor powered fishing vessel to strike a U.S. Border Patrol vessel being operated by federal agents. Sanchez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to the charged offense in January 2007. Today, April 26, 2007, United States District Court Judge Andrew S. Hanen sentenced Sanchez-Gonzalez to fourteen (14) months imprisonment, without parole, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release, and ordered him to make mandatory restitution in the amount of $4,504.51 for damage to the U.S. Border Patrol vessel. During the hearing, Sanchez-Gonzalez apologized for endangering the agent who was engaged in his duties.

This case was investigated by agents with the Brownsville Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Marposon.