Man suspected of assaulting border patrol agent

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents apprehend a 37-year-old Ecuadorian man after being suspected of assaulting an agent.

According to agents, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening on top of a mountain located south of Tucson. Agents responded to a group of suspected illegal immigrants walking near Lone Mountain just outside of Patagonia. As they attempted to apprehend the alleged illegal immigrants, agents say a man from the group struck another agent several times.

Border patrol says the man fought the agent several minutes as they both slid down a hillside. After several minutes, additional agents were able to aid in handcuffing the man and ending the struggle.

Two Mexican nationals, also illegally present in the country, were arrested during the incident. All three men have been transported to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station. Medical personnel evaluated the agent and the Ecuadorian man. Both declined further medical attention.

The Ecuadorian national is facing criminal charges for suspicion of assaulting a federal agent. All three men will remain in custody to be processed for immigration violations.

Assaults highlight safety concerns for agents who often encounter and arrest multiple subjects in remote and isolated locations in rugged terrain.