New reports released about shooting of deputy as border action heats up

Fri, 06/18/2010 - 00:01

Deputy shooting

A southern Arizona sheriff’s office has released some reports of their investigation in the desert shooting of a deputy, hoping to squelch rumors that the incident was a hoax timed to inflame the debate over illegal immigration and cartel bloodshed.

The independent Department of Public Safety crime scene reports detail parts of the frantic April 30 search for Pinal County Deputy Louis Puroll after he called 911 and reported he had been ambushed by suspected marijuana smugglers in the desert about 50 miles south of Phoenix.

They also reveal that several illegal immigrants caught up in a law enforcement dragnet reported they had been victimized by bandits the same day.

A report of investigators’ interview with Puroll showed that the deputy’s statements mirror those given by sheriff’s officials in the hours after Puroll suffered minor wounds in the shootout.



IN OTHER NEWS …

Ammo intercepted

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the illegal exportation of ammunition concealed in duffle bags aboard a tractor-trailer.

About 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers at the Nogales port of entry were screening travelers headed toward Mexico when they came in contact with a 36-year-old man driving a 1993 International semitrailer. The man was identified as a Mexican national. Officers discovered 6,424 rounds of high-caliber ammunition along with 20 AK47 assault rifle magazines, and a single AK47 high capacity magazine-drum were found inside the two duffle bags. Officers seized the ammunition and conveyance. The man was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.



Border Patrol
Arrests

• Agents from the Naco station arrested an illegal immigrant Wednesday who previously was convicted of sexual battery and criminal confinement.

• Agents assigned to the Naco station arrested an illegal immigrant Sunday who had been convicted of transporting narcotics and indecent liberties. The man was held for prosecution.

• Agents from the Douglas station arrested an illegal immigrant Tuesday who was previously convicted of rape. The subject was held for prosecution.

• Agents from the Douglas station on Monday found that a subject was previously convicted of attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. The subject was held for prosecution.

• Agents assigned to the Douglas station arrested an immigrant alien June 11 who had been previously charged with sexual assault and disorderly conduct. The man was held for prosecution.



Deaths

• Agents assigned to the Ajo station discovered the remains of an individual Saturday. The scene was turned over to Tohono O’odham police.

• Agents from the Casa Grande station discovered a deceased person in the West Desert area Wednesday.

• Agents assigned to the Nogales station discovered human remains Friday near Rio Rico.

• Agents assigned to the Ajo station found human remains last Friday east of Highway 85.

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