Assailant Sentenced to 24 Months for Assaulting United States Border Patrol Agent

TUCSON, Ariz. - Pedro Anival Coc-Caal, 22, of Tectitan, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 24 months in prison. Coc-Caal pleaded guilty to Assault on a Federal Agent Inflicting Bodily Injury and Improper Entry by an Alien on June 24, 2024.

On August 12, 2023, a United States Border Patrol agent was in the process of arresting Coc-Caal for illegal entry into the United States. As the agent attempted to handcuff him, Coc-Caal struck the agent on the left side of the agent's face, causing the agent's head to snap downwards and knocking his sunglasses off his face. As the agent tried to prevent Coc-Caal from escaping, Coc-Caal kicked the agent in the arm, causing the agent to fall backwards onto jagged rocks, causing injury to the agent's finger. Coc-Caal escaped into the desert but was eventually apprehended after a foot pursuit aided by helicopter.

Customs and Border Protection's United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Serra M. Tsethlikai, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01369-TUC-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-120_Coc-Caal

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