Tucson man indicted for shooting at Border Patrol agent in January

PHOENIX — A 34-year-old Tucson man was indicted last week for allegedly trying to murder a U.S. Border Patrol agent in late January.

Patrick Gary Schlegel was given an indictment by a federal grand jury in Tucson for transportation of illegal aliens for profit, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, assault on a federal officer and attempted murder of a federal officer, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

He previously was charged with assault on a federal officer a day after the Jan. 27 incident, where Schlegel fired at a Border Patrol helicopter during a traffic stop near the U.S.-Mexico border in Arivaca.

After allegedly transporting two illegal individuals and fleeing agents on Jan. 26, a filed complaint in the case said Schlegel the next day was driving a Dodge Ram truck away from agents who had once again located him. He attempted to flee again on foot and allegedly shot at, with a “.45 caliber handgun,” a Border Patrol helicopter that had responded to help with his capture.

Agents returned fire and struck Schlegel “in the leg and head,” for which they gave him medical attention.

“This indictment is a reminder that assault on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said in the release. “Officers who are sworn to protect and serve our communities must be able to do their jobs free from intimidation. The FBI alongside our local, state and federal partners will continue to vigorously investigate those who harm, or threaten to do harm, to those who wear the badge.”

If convicted for attempted murder of a federal officer, Schlegel could serve up to 20 years in prison. Conviction for the other three counts in the case along with the attempted murder of a federal officer would mean a maximum of 65 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

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