Tucson man leads Border Patrol in high-speed chase; charged with multiple offenses

A Tucson man has been charged with multiple offenses after shooting at Border Patrol agents and fleeing an immigration checkpoint near Amado, Ariz. on Christmas Eve.

Authorities say 21-year-old Roberto Ramirez arrived at Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 19 near Amado while transporting two suspected illegal aliens. When agents referred Ramirez for further inspection, Ramirez took off and drove northbound on Interstate 19 at a high rate of speed.

Ramirez was being pursued by agents when he fired several gunshots at the agents and attempted to ram their vehicles. Ramirez eventually lost control of his vehicle and crashed. One of Ramirez’s passengers was ejected during the crash and suffered serious injuries.

Ramirez is facing multiple offenses that include transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury, high-speed flight from a border patrol checkpoint, assault on a federal officer, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.

Several of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

This case is currently being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Border Patrol.