Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Shana Jones, Special Assistant Daryl Fields, Public Information Officer (210) 384-7440
November 7, 2007

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS EL PASO MAN FOR ASSAULT ON BORDER PATROL AGENT

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that a federal jury in El Paso found 28-yearold Gerardo Felipe Ortiz of El Paso guilty of trying to run over a Border Patrol agent with his car in April of this year.

Deliberating for less than one hour, the jury convicted Ortiz of one count of assault of a federal officer. Evidence presented during trial revealed that on April 17, 2007, Border Patrol agents Federico Figueroa and Jose O. Garcia were parked in a local business parking lot when they witnessed a suspicious transaction between Ortiz and another individual involving a large amount of cash. Both agents approached Ortiz after he got into his vehicle. They identified themselves as federal agents and repeatedly instructed Ortiz to turn off the engine and exit the vehicle. Ortiz disregarded the agents instructions and fled the scene in his truck. Agent Figueroa, in fear of being seriously injured or killed, quickly moved to avoid being hit by Ortiz and fired one round from his issued handgun.

Ortiz was arrested by FBI agents at Thomason Hospital later that day after he sought treatment for a gunshot wound to his left hand and right shoulder. Authorities also recovered Ortiz’s vehicle from the hospital parking lot.

As a result of his conviction, Ortiz faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2008, before United States District Judge David Briones.

The case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Customs and Border Protection and the El Paso Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William Lewis and George Leal are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.