Oscar Adilio Sanchez-Rivera, a 21-year-old national of El Salvador, has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for assaulting a Border Patrol agent. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentencing, which followed Sanchez-Rivera's guilty plea on March 4.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton issued the 36-month sentence. As he is not a U.S. citizen, Sanchez-Rivera is expected to face removal proceedings from the country following his imprisonment.

"The defendant here managed to turn a simple removal case to a multi-year federal sentence," said U.S. Attorney Ganjei. "Let this case be an example to others who may wish harm on police or federal agents; assaulting law enforcement will not be tolerated."

The incident occurred on November 1, 2024, in Rio Grande City. Authorities conducted a traffic stop where Sanchez-Rivera notified them of his alien status. As a Border Patrol agent attempted to place him in a vehicle, Sanchez-Rivera resisted arrest. He punched the agent in the face and grabbed the agent’s finger, causing a fracture that required surgery. Sanchez-Rivera then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended.

The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case. Sanchez-Rivera will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.