ARIZONA NEWS

2 men arrested for allegedly assaulting border agents in Arizona in separate incidents

May 18, 2023, 11:01 AM | Updated: 11:02 am

Image of Border Patrol truck to illustrate story on assaults on agents in Arizona....

(U.S. Customs and Border Protection Photo)

(U.S. Customs and Border Protection Photo)

PHOENIX – Two men were recently charged with assaulting Border Patrol agents in separate incidents in Arizona, authorities said.

Adbiel Martinez-Barrera, 21, of Mexico faces charges of assault on a federal officer and illegal entry into the United States for the first incident, which occurred May 5 in a remote area near Douglas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said.

The maximum sentence for assault on a federal officer is eight years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Martinez-Barrera allegedly climbed on an agent’s back and forced the agent’s face into the ground, prosecutors said. The suspect and a woman he was with then ran off but were later apprehended by the Border Patrol.

Prosecutors say Martinez-Barrera entered the country illegally through a port of entry.

On May 8, agents encountered Alfredo Perez-Rodriguez, 18, of Mexico in a group of five people believed to be in the country illegally in the San Pedro River area near the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Perez-Rodriguez allegedly got into a fight with an agent who was trying to arrest him and got control of the agent’s taser. Another agent helped subdue the suspect and take him into custody.

Perez-Rodriguez was charged with assault on a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

The number of people driving more than 90 minutes to get to work has dropped in the Valley. (Jim Po...

Brandon Gray

Update: Backup cleared on I-17 in Northern Arizona.

Memorial Day travel is causing heavy traffic on southbound Interstate 17 in northern Arizona.

18 hours ago

(Pexels Photo)...

KTAR.com

1-year-old dead after drowning in pool in Mesa

  A 1-year-old boy died after being pulled from a Mesa pool over the weekend, officials said.

18 hours ago

(Twitter Photo/@AZGFD)...

Alex Weiner

Endangered Mexican wolf pups fostered in Arizona packs this month, wildlife officials say

Three Mexican wolf pups were fostered into a pack in Arizona in efforts to increase genetic diversity in the endangered wild populations. 

18 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Dunkin')...

Brandon Gray

Here’s how you can get free coffee for a year at Mesa’s new Dunkin’ location

A new Dunkin' location is set to open in Mesa and some lucky customers will have the chance to get free coffee for a year. 

18 hours ago

In addition to the towers in the first phase, South Pier will have more housing units and retail th...

Ron Davis/Phoenix Business Journal

Developer secures large loan for multibillion-dollar Tempe Town Lake project

The developer of South Pier along Tempe Town Lake has secured a hefty loan to finance the completion of the first phase of the mixed-use project.

18 hours ago

(Facebook Photo)...

Associated Press

Mother pleads guilty after Arizona boy starves to death

An Arizona mother has pleaded guilty to murder and child abuse charges stemming from the death of her 6-year-old son who had been locked in a closet and denied food.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

How to identify the symptoms of 3 common anxiety disorders

Living with an anxiety disorder can be debilitating and cause significant stress for those who suffer from the condition.

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

2 men arrested for allegedly assaulting border agents in Arizona in separate incidents