Border Patrol Agent Allegedly Assaulted During Human Smuggling Incident in Texas

A foreign national allegedly attacked a Laredo Sector Border Patrol agent during a human smuggling attempt on a Texas ranch. Agents arrested the Mexican man and charged him with multiple federal felony offenses.

Border Patrol agents arrested Valentin Espino-Hernandez, a Mexican national, after he allegedly attacked a Laredo Sector Border Patrol agent on a ranch near the Texas border with Mexico. The attack reportedly occurred as agents carried out a search of the Espada Ranch for migrants who had recently crossed the border, according to the Laredo Morning Times.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations helicopter aircrew assisted in the search for the migrants on February 26. The aircrew directed an agent to a spot about 200 feet from the group of migrants. As the agent approached, he observed the group sitting on the ground, court documents state. He ordered the migrants to remain on the ground and not run.

At that point, Espino-Hernandez reportedly jumped up and attempted to flee. The agent grabbed the migrant who became combative, the agent’s affidavit states. Espino-Hernandez then allegedly struck the agent in the side of his face with his elbow. This caused the agent to become disoriented and fall onto a rock.

Officials stated that the agent suffered a painful injury to his knee from the fall. Despite the pain, he managed to hold onto the migrant.

The agent continued to fight with Espino-Hernandez and instructed him to stop being combative. Another agent arrived on the scene and helped the agent gain control of Espino-Hernandez.

The agents arrested Espino-Hernandez and 14 others. After fighting with the agent, Espino-Hernandez requested medical attention. Agents transported him to Doctors Hospital in Laredo.

Officials transported the agent to STAT Emergency in Laredo to avoid his being treated in the same hospital as the migrant, officials stated.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior news contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.