22-year-old man pleads guilty to attempted murder of Arizona border patrol agent

PHOENIX — A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty on Thursday to attempted murder of an Arizona border patrol agent in January.

Rey David Marquez-Jimenez of Mexico assaulted the federal agent on Jan. 26 near Hereford, which is located about 25 minutes west of Bisbee, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said in a press release Monday.

The incident began when Marquez-Jimenez tackled the agent as the agent was attempting to handcuff another person, the release said.

The agent was punched several times and Marquez-Jimenez tried to pull the agent’s gun from his holster.

He tried pointing the weapon at the agent before he got on top of the agent and tried to slash and stab him with a knife, the release said.

Once the agent seized control of the knife, Marquez-Jimenez fled on foot and was apprehended by other U.S. Border Patrol agents.

According to terms under the plea agreement, Marquez-Jimenez faces a sentence between 5 to 9 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2023.

The FBI investigated the case.

Related

Phoenix man accused of trying to ram into Border Patrol agent's vehicleAuthorities identify victims, suspect killed in stabbing that led to Gilbert Police shooting28 indicted in Arizona gun trafficking ring that funneled AK-style rifles toward MexicoAlleged sex worker, underage boyfriend arrested in connection with fatal Phoenix apartment shootingDemocrat Katie Hobbs reportedly taps Republican John Giles as her Lt. Gov. running mateSalad and Go files for bankruptcy, will permanently close all locations