http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/113505Tucson Region

Trafficker who fired shots at BP agent gets 10 years
By Alexis Huicochea
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.29.2006

A Mexican citizen who fired several times at a Border Patrol agent while smuggling marijuana was sentenced in Tucson to 10 years in prison.

Herminio Mireles-Sanchez of Mexico City was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson after pleading guilty in September to discharging a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense, according to a news release from the Justice Department.

The charges stem from a July 2004 incident when Border Patrol agent Erasmo Rodriguez III was called out to a remote area on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, the release stated.

Rodriguez was told there was a truck in the area that appeared to be carrying bundles of marijuana, the release stated.

He proceeded to follow the pickup, during which time, Mireles-Sanchez, 28, fired in his direction five or six times from the front passenger window.

None of the rounds struck Rodriguez or his marked Border Patrol vehicle, the release said.

Agents later found the truck abandoned with more than 490 pounds of marijuana.

Mireles-Sanchez, the driver and another occupant were found and arrested, the release said.

Mireles-Sanchez admitted to firing at the agent in an attempt to scare him off, the release said.

In addition to the prison time, Mireles-Sanchez will be under supervised release for five years once he gets out. (On which side of the border I wonder )