A Lexington woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers during an attempt to arrest a fugitive. U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence to Xochitl Sonia Navarro, 45, on Wednesday.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on October 8, 2024, when officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) sought to arrest Jorge Iban Cuellar-Avendano, a Mexican citizen who had previously re-entered the United States illegally. Cuellar-Avendano had earlier avoided capture by fleeing in a vehicle.
During the operation, officers saw Navarro driving with Cuellar-Avendano as a passenger. When law enforcement approached their vehicle, Navarro refused to open the doors and attempted to flee by accelerating. In the process, three officers sustained injuries including cuts and bruises; one officer was knocked down and dragged by the vehicle, resulting in deep lacerations on both arms. Officers ultimately broke a window to stop the car.
Federal law requires Navarro to serve at least 85 percent of her sentence before becoming eligible for release. After serving her prison term, she will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Cuellar-Avendano received a separate sentence of 12 months in prison for illegal reentry after deportation and will face deportation after completing his sentence.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Sam Olson, Director of ICE-ERO’s Chicago Field Office announced the sentencing jointly.
The case was investigated by ICE-ERO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker prosecuted the case.
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