Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A 21-year-old man from El Salvador has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for assaulting a Border Patrol agent, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Oscar Adilio Sanchez-Rivera had pleaded guilty on March 4.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton. As Sanchez-Rivera is not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his prison term.
U.S. Attorney Ganjei commented on the case: “The defendant here managed to turn a simple removal case into a multi-year federal sentence.” He added, “Let this case be an example to others who may wish harm on police or federal agents; assaulting law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
The incident occurred on November 1, 2024, during a traffic stop in Rio Grande City when Sanchez-Rivera informed authorities of his alien status. During the arrest attempt, he assaulted the Border Patrol agent by punching him and fracturing his finger, which required surgery.
Sanchez-Rivera fled but was soon captured. He will remain in custody until transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by the Border Patrol and FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuting the case.
