TUCSON, Ariz. — A 21-year-old man from Mexico has pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal agent at a port of entry into the country, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of Arizona.
On March 24, 2020, Cesar Alejandro Avendano-Soto got into a physical altercation with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the DeConcini Port of Entry just south of Nogales.
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During the struggle, Avenando-Soto "intentionally threw the officer to the ground resulting in physical injury," the Attorney's Office said.
The Attorney's Office did not specify the nature of the injury, or provide details on the circumstances that led up to the assault.
After two years, Avenando-Soto pleaded guilty to one count of assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury on Sept. 16. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2023.
A conviction for this crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.
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