Michael Leroy Witt, a 56-year-old resident of Phoenix, has been sentenced to ten years in prison following his conviction for assaulting a federal officer and smuggling charges. The sentencing was carried out by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker on December 17, 2024.

Witt's conviction on July 11, 2024, included charges of Assault on a Federal Officer Causing Bodily Injury, Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit, and Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit.

The incident leading to these charges occurred on February 20, 2023. A U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped Witt near Sonoita due to suspicions that he was transporting undocumented noncitizens. When instructed to turn off his vehicle, Witt refused and accelerated while the agent was hanging onto the car window. This action dragged the agent into the oncoming lane before they managed to stop the vehicle. Two undocumented noncitizens were found concealed in the backseat.

The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer H. Berman and Ryan P. DeJoe from the District of Arizona in Tucson led the prosecution.