EL PASO, TX—On January 4, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Venezuelan national, 22-year-old Agelo Arcila-Cordero, for assaulting a federal officer near Sierra Blanca, Texas.

At approximately 01:00 a.m., United States Border Patrol (USBP) Agents observed Arcila-Cordero leading a group of undocumented non-citizens near mile marker 101 off of U.S. Interstate 10. Arcila-Cordero crouched down, picked up a large rock, and threw the rock at an USBP Agent. Arcila-Cordero then continued to evade arrest by running south across Interstate 10 and attempting to stop traffic while USBP Agents continued the pursuit. Arcila-Cordero was arrested near mile marker 116 off Interstate 10 at approximately 06:30 a.m. The USBP was not hit by the rock and was unharmed, but if the large rock had hit the USBP Agent it could have caused serious bodily injury.

Arcila-Cordero had his Initial Appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne T. Berton today.

Arcila-Cordero has been federally charged with Assault on a Federal Officer with enhancements for human smuggling and assault with a deadly weapon.

“We are grateful the USBP Agent did not sustain any injuries and was able to go home safely to his/her family,” said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey. “Assaults on Border Patrol agents or any other federal agents/officers or task force officers will not be tolerated and will be addressed swiftly by our office so they can continue to carry out their sworn duty to protect our communities.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation El Paso Field Office’s Violent Crime and Gang Task Force investigated this case.

It is important to note the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.