EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a Venezuelan man accused of assaulting a Border Patrol agent on Wednesday near Sierra Blanca.
FBI agents arrested 22-year-old Arcila-Cordero.
The incident happened around 1 a.m. when Border Patrol agents saw Arcila-Cordero leading a group of undocumented non-citizens near mile marker 101 off of I-10.
Arcila-Cordero crouched down, picked up a large rock, and threw the rock at a Border Patrol agent, FBI officials said.
Arcila-Cordero then continued to evade arrest by running south across I-10 and tried to stop traffic while Border Patrol agents continued the pursuit, officials said.
Arcila-Cordero was arrested near mile marker 116 of I-10 at approximately 06:30 a.m.
The Border Patrol agent was not hit by the rock and was unharmed.
FBI officials said if the large rock had hit the agent it could have caused serious bodily injury.
Arcila-Cordero had his initial appearance before a judge on Friday.
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/office
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