An El Paso man, Roberto Esquivel, has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for attempting to murder a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a routine immigration stop in New Mexico according to a press release. This incident underscores the ongoing dangers faced by law enforcement officers on the frontlines of immigration enforcement.
According to court documents, the events unfolded on January 5, 2023, when Esquivel, 25, was pulled over by a Border Patrol agent on a rural stretch of New Mexico Highway 146 for a routine immigration inspection. Upon approaching the vehicle, the agent noticed several individuals inside who appeared to be undocumented immigrants. The agent then requested that Esquivel exit the vehicle.
Instead of complying, Esquivel pulled out a firearm and shot the agent twice in the torso. Despite being hit, the agent’s ballistic vest saved his life. Following the shooting, Esquivel attempted to flee the scene but lost control of his vehicle, which rolled multiple times. Esquivel then abandoned the wrecked vehicle, discarded the firearm in the desert, and fled on foot. He was apprehended shortly after by law enforcement officers, who also recovered the discarded weapon.
The Border Patrol agent survived the attack thanks to his protective gear. One of the passengers in Esquivel’s vehicle required airlift transport to a hospital due to injuries sustained during the crash but has since recovered.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Jason T. Stevens, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office Raul Bujanda jointly announced the sentencing. Esquivel’s conviction and sentencing highlight the collaborative efforts between federal agencies to bring justice in cases of violence against law enforcement officers.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office conducted a thorough investigation into the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. McNair led the prosecution, ensuring that Esquivel faced significant consequences for his actions.
Upon completion of his 19-year prison sentence, Esquivel will be subject to three years of supervised release, further ensuring that he remains under legal oversight following his incarceration.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by U.S. Border Patrol agents and the importance of their role in maintaining security and order at the nation’s borders. The swift and decisive action taken by law enforcement and the judicial system underscores the United States’ commitment to protecting its officers and holding perpetrators accountable.
