U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Texas
Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2007


Shana Jones, Special Assistant
Daryl Fields, Public Information Officer
(210) 384-7440 May 18, 2007


ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING A FEDERAL OFFICER


United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that 24-year-old Francisco Marquez- Fernandez, of Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Junell. Marquez-Fernandez pled guilty earlier this year to assaulting a Border Patrol Agent. He will be deported after serving his sentence.

By pleading guilty, Marquez-Fernandez admitted that on July 13, 2007, a border patrol agent on routine patrol in Upton County, saw a group of vehicles containing what he believed to be illegal aliens. When he approached the group they all fled. The border patrol agent gave pursuit and caught some of the illegal immigrants. The defendant attempted to hide near a thicket - when the border patrol agent located him and ordered him to surrender he charged at the agent and a physical scuffle ensued. The agent was able to subdue the defendant and arrest him.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John Klassen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.