Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Mexican national residing illegally in Laredo has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for assaulting a Border Patrol agent. This was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Guillermo Osto-Navarrete, age 27, had pleaded guilty on February 4.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña issued the sentence, noting the absence of serious injuries during a high-speed chase involving Osto-Navarrete. The pursuit included evading blocks and speeding through residential areas without headlights, culminating in a collision with a Texas Department of Public Safety vehicle.
Post-arrest, Osto-Navarrete assaulted a Border Patrol agent who attempted to check for injuries, leading to his additional charges. After being hospitalized, he escaped but was quickly recaptured by authorities.
The incident was a part of Operation Take Back America, aiming to combat illegal immigration and related criminal activities. U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the risk Osto-Navarrete posed to public safety during his failed escape.
The investigation included the FBI, Border Patrol, DPS, and Laredo Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuting the case. Following his sentence, Osto-Navarrete’s removal proceedings will commence, given his non-citizen status. Authorities affirmed the severe response to violence against law enforcement in the Southern District of Texas.
