Man indicted for allegedly assaulting border patrol agent in Arizona

PHOENIX — A man was recently indicted by a federal grand jury after allegedly assaulting a border patrol agent in Arizona last month, authorities said.

Oliverio Moran-Can, 42, of Guatemala, could face up to 20 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the charge, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said in a press release on Wednesday.

A border patrol agent on July 3 was tracking a group of suspected undocumented noncitizens in a remote mountainous area near New Field, Arizona, authorities said.

The agent spotted three people hiding near a ledge, with two fleeing on foot when approached, authorities said.

Moran-Can stayed and was initially compliant but rammed his shoulder into the agent’s torso when the agent tried to handcuff him, authorities said.

Both men fell and tumbled several yards down a rocky slope, authorities said, but the agent was able to gain control of Moran-Can who continued to struggle and handcuff him.

The agent was treated at the hospital for abrasions and bruising on his left knee and hip, authorities said.

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