Gov. Sanders and Col. Hagar Release Statement on Arrest of Illegal Immigrant, Following Assault of ASP Trooper

Hail ASP Trooper and Arkansas Civilian as Heroes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Today, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders slammed Vice President Harris and President Joe Biden for their creation of the worst border crisis in American history and hailed two women as heroes for their quick action to stop an illegal immigrant who refused arrest and assaulted an ASPTrooper.

Last night, a female Trooper engaged a suspect, Angel Zapet-Alvarado, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, after he was speeding on I-49, who refused to exit the vehicle and resisted the Trooper's efforts to remove him. A female motorist who witnessed the altercation stopped her vehicle and assisted the Trooper.

"These two women who put their lives on the line to make sure their communities are safe, are heroes and thanks to their quick, brave action, a criminal illegal immigrant is in custody and off the streets. Even though they deny it and the media covers it up, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have created the worst border crisis in history and they must be held responsible," said Gov. Sanders.

"I pray every day for the safety of our Troopers as they sacrifice their own safety for the sake of our innocent civilians. I thank God today that He kept our Trooper alive and that He placed an unbelievably brave civilian by her side during her time of need," said Col. Mike Hagar. "I have the same fear and frustration any time someone assaults one of our Troopers, but it's even more disturbing that this suspect is an undocumented, illegal immigrant from Guatemala. That shows another level of lawlessness that will not be tolerated in our state."

Zapet-Alvarado was transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, where he was treated and released to law enforcement. He was transported to the Benton County Sheriff's Office Detention Center and charged with Second-Degree Battery and placed on hold for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). Additional charges are pending.

The Trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries she sustained when Zapet-Alvarado assaulted her.

ASP's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident.