Federal Arrest of an El Paso Man for an Assault on a Federal Officer

On August 14, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested 31-year-old Alejandro Morales from El Paso, Texas. Morales has been charged by a federal criminal complaint filed today with one count of 18 U.S.C. § 111 -Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., a United States Border Patrol Agent was allegedly assaulted by Morales. Morales told the Border Patrol Agent that he didn't have to follow commands about how to enter the United States correctly since he was a United States Citizen, proceeded to lunge at the agent and punched the agent in the face.

"The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol work tirelessly to keep our borders safe," said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey. "Assaults on Border Patrol agents or any other federal agents/officers or task force officers will not be tolerated and will be addressed swiftly by our office so they can continue to carry out their sworn duty to protect our communities."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation El Paso Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the United States Border Patrol El Paso Sector, and the United States Attorney's Office.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.