BROWNSVILLE – A man from Honduras convicted of assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent will spend the next 18 months in federal prison.

The sentencing for 35-year-old Hernan Cortez-Mazariegos was handed down Tuesday.

Agents were called out to Azucena Street in Brownsville last November for suspicious activity.

As officials tried to arrest Cortez-Mazariegos, he struck an agent on the side of his face.

The agent sustained minor injuries.

Cortez-Mazariegos is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.