EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 32-year-old man was arrested on a warrant for battery on a Border Patrol agent in New Mexico stemming from an incident back in September, according to the Office of the Third Judicial District Attorney.
Alexander Vargas-Meza, 32, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 after he attempted to illegally re-enter the U.S., according to the District Attorney’s Office in Las Cruces.
Vargas-Meza was charged with battery on a peace officer and is being held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.
On Sept. 24, a U.S. Border Patrol agent encountered three people on Anapra Road in Sunland Park, who had illegally entered the U.S., according to the District Attorney’s Office.
As the agent approached the subjects to make their arrests, two of them attempted to flee and Vargas-Meza began to fight the agent, the DA’s office said.
According to the District Attorney’s office, Vargas-Meza began to kick and push the agent, all while he was trying to reach for something in his pocket.
The Border Patrol agent was able to place Vargas-Meza into handcuffs and searched him for any illegal contraband. The agent found a pocketknife in Vargas-Meza’s possession, according to the DA’s office.
The New Mexico U.S. Attorney’s Office declined prosecution of the September incident and had Vargas-Meza extradited back to Mexico, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, “The Vargas-Meza case will be accepted under the U.S. Border Patrol and the United States Attorney’s Office agreement for consideration of appropriate state charges. The Third DA Border Prosecution team will coordinate and move forward with prosecution efforts to effectuate results and secure public safety.”
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