Illegal Mexican immigrant sentenced to seven years after attacking Border Patrol agent

1/28/2015

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LAREDO (AP) -- A Mexican man must serve nearly seven years in prison for human smuggling and attacking a Border Patrol agent who was checking tunnels for immigrants.

Jose Luis Zavala-Rodriguez was sentenced Monday in Laredo. Zavala-Rodriguez last July was convicted of four counts relating to assaulting a federal agent and immigrant transporting.

A Border Patrol agent in 2013 was pursuing some immigrants believed to be in the U.S. illegally when the search led to drainage tunnels.

Prosecutors say the agent saw several people trying to hide behind some trees next to a building. Investigators say  Zavala-Rodriguez was among the group, lunged at the agent, took the officer's stun gun and told other immigrants to help beat the agent.

The officer fired his pistol, summoning help.

The agent was treated for neck injuries.

(Copyright ©2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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