Mexican National Enters Plea to Assaulting a Federal Officer

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 39-year-old Mexican National has admitted he injured a Border Patrol (BP) agent by hitting him with arm shackles, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

On April 1, 2019, Salvador Ramirez-Olvera was in custody at the Brownsville BP station for illegal entry. While awaiting transfer to federal court, he slipped out of his arm shackles and hit the agent with them. The agent was hit on his shoulder area, thus causing bodily injury.

After a brief struggle, officers had to use a taser to control Ramirez-Olvera.

He was then arrested and charged with assaulting a federal agent who was engaged in the performance of his official duties. 

He has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing, which is set for Sept. 4, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera. At that time, Ramirez-Olvera faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Esquivel Jr. prosecuted the case.