Fourth Defendant Sentenced in Murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas

SAN DIEGO—Emilio Samyn Gonzales-Arenazas was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for his participation in the July 2009 robbery and murder of United States Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, Jr.

Gonzales, a 25-year-old Mexican national, pleaded guilty on July 25, 2011, admitting he was one of five armed individuals who conspired to rob a Border Patrol agent of his night vision device, which resulted in Agent Rosas being fatally shot during a struggle. He pleaded guilty to murder of a federal officer committed in perpetration of a robbery and unlawful confinement.

Court filings indicate that in July 2009, Gonzales and four others plotted to rob a Border Patrol agent of his night vision device. On July 23, 2009, the group, bearing firearms, traveled by car and foot to the international border near Campo, California. Gonzales entered into the United States at night and waited for a Border Patrol agent to arrive in the area while two co-conspirators stood watch on the Mexican side of the border. After Agent Rosas arrived in the area and exited his vehicle, he was detained at gunpoint. Agent Rosas resisted, and, during the ensuing struggle, Gonzales and his co-conspirators shot Agent Rosas multiple times, killing him. Gonzales and his co-conspirators then stole the agent’s firearm, night vision device, and other equipment and fled back to Mexico.

In August 2010, Mexican officials arrested Gonzales at the request of the United States. Gonzales was extradited to the United States in March 2011.

Gonzales is the fourth defendant to be sentenced for Agent Rosas’s murder. In April 2010, United States District Judge M. James Lorenz sentenced Christian Daniel Castro-Alvarez to 40 years of imprisonment. On November 14, 2013, he sentenced Marcos Rodriguez-Perez to 56 years to run consecutive to a two-year sentence Rodriguez is currently serving for violating his supervised release from a prior alien smuggling conviction. On December 19, 2013, Jose Luis Ramirez-Dorantes was sentenced to 55 years in custody. The last defendant, Jose Juan Chacon-Morales, remains a fugitive, and there is a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest or location.

After Gonzales’ sentencing, United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy expressed her condolences to Agent Rosas’s family and colleagues at the Border Patrol: “For over four-and-a-half years, the Rosas family and Border Patrol have waited for justice to be completed against the individuals who brutally ended the life of a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, colleague, and friend. While I know there is nothing that can be done to bring Agent Rosas home again, I hope the sentences in this case provide some comfort and demonstrate that Agent Rosas and his sacrifice for his country will never be forgotten.”

Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson, of the U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector, said, “Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas was a sincere professional dedicated to securing and defending our nation’s borders. He lost his life in defense of all he held dear: his country, his family and his friends. On behalf of the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol, I want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed countless hours to the investigation and prosecution of this case. Thanks to the cooperation of law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, those responsible for Robert’s murder have been brought to justice.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Daphne Hearn commented, “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to hold those responsible for the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas. Agent Rosas served his country with dedication, honor, and courage. The FBI recognizes that no punishment will lessen Agent Rosas’ death, but we hope today’s sentencing will help bring some closure to the family.”

At the sentencing, Judge Lorenz praised all federal law enforcement involved in the case for their thorough and professional investigation. Duffy also expressed her gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations for their tenacity and dedication. “The investigating agents from FBI and HSI worked tirelessly for many years to solve this crime and bring those responsible to justice. It was their incredible investigative efforts that made these convictions and sentences possible. They are owed much gratitude for their unwavering devotion and dedication to this investigation.”

Defendant in Criminal Case No. 10CR3487

Emilio Samyn Gonzales-Arenazas
Age: 25
Mexico

Summary of Charge

Count four: Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1114 and 2: murder of a federal officer  committed in perpetration of a robbery and unlawful confinement, aiding and abetting

Investigating Agencies

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Homeland Security Investigations