August 12, 2021

Federal Arrest of an El Paso Man for an Assault on a Federal Officer

On August 11, 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested 37-year-old Ivan Mendoza from El Paso, Texas. Mendoza has been charged by a federal criminal complaint filed today with one count of 18 U.S.C. § 111—Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.

At approximately 12:00 a.m., a United States Border Patrol Agent was allegedly assaulted by Mendoza as he tried to flee in his vehicle from the USBP checkpoint located off U.S. Highway 62/180 in El Paso County, Texas. When the USBP Agent tried to open the door to the vehicle Mendoza was driving, Mendoza sped away, knocking the Agent down to the ground.

At approximately 20:00 p.m., Mendoza was taken into federal custody.

In connection with the investigation, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey said, “The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol work tirelessly to keep our borders safe. Over the past week we have received three assault on federal officer allegations targeting U.S. Border Patrol agents. 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.”

“Our agents continue to display valor and courage in the most trying circumstances. This is just another example of the inherent dangers our agents face every day.” stated U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector Chief Gloria I. Chavez. “Thankfully, this perpetrator was located and will be brought to justice through the combined efforts of our agents and our invaluable law enforcement partnership with the FBI.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation El Paso Division investigated this case with assistance from United States Border Patrol El Paso Sector Intelligence and Ysleta Anti-Smuggling Units, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Serwatka is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.