Border Patrol Agent Hospitalized after Assault near Mission
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NEAR MISSION – A man is facing charges after a struggle between him and a Border Patrol agent ensued during a human smuggling attempt.
The incident happened Friday, Nov. 2 in the Rio Grande near Mission.
Border Patrol says agents came across a raft carrying people who were suspected of crossing into the U.S. illegally.
One of the agents tried pulling the raft closer. At the same time, a man, later identified as Mexico citizen Fernando Martinez-Aguilar, began swimming toward the raft.
The agent got a hold of him but Martinez began pulling the agent. The agent lost his footing and was pulled underwater.
He resurfaced and gained control of Martinez.
The agent began pulling the suspect toward the river bank on the U.S. side and Martinez pulled the agent down into the water a second time.
He was taken to the Rio Grande Regional Hospital for a medical examination.
Martinez was charged with assaulting a federal officer.
His detention hearing will take place next week in McAllen.
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