Two Border Patrol Agents Assaulted in Separate Incidents

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 30, 2018

SAN DIEGO –  Franklin Adriel Rohac-Garci and Frazy Jiron were charged in separate complaints today with assault on a federal officer and illegal entry arising out of incidents that occurred last night. 

As alleged in one of the complaints, the first incident occurred when Border Patrol Agent C. Nelson was conducting routine patrol in the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station’s area of resonsibilitity. At approximately 9:30 p.m., Agent Nelson encountered five subjects, including one later identified as defendant Frazy Jiron.  Agent Nelson approached the subjects, identified himself as a Border Patrol agent, and told the group to not move.  Jiron began to stand up and was ordered to lie down.  As Agent Nelson attempted to handcuff Jiron, Jiron made a statement that caused the rest of the group to begin to stand up.    After a brief struggle, Jiron managed to get back to his feet and the rest of the group stood up and began to run. Jiron threw an elbow behind him that struck Agent Nelson in the chest.  A brief struggle ensued, causing both Agent Nelson and Jiron to fall down a hill.  Jiron was later arrested and admitted he is a Honduran citizen, with no legal right to be in the United States.

The second charging document alleges that at approximately 10:45 p.m., Border Patrol Agent Brian D. Cox was conducting routine patrol at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station. Agent Cox encountered an individual, later identified as defendant Franklin Ariel Rochac-Garcia, running towards his location.  Agent Cox ordered him to stop.  Rochac ignored Agent Cox’s command and instead continued running towards him. As Rochac approached Agent Cox, Rochac reached back with his arm and swung at Agent Cox.  Agent Cox avoided the punch and grabbed Rochac’s sleeve in an effort to restrain him.  Agent Cox and Rochac fell to the ground and Rochac got up and ran south towards the border.  As Rochac attempted to jump over the fence, Agent Cox was able to detain him.  Rochac was arrested after stating he was a citizen of El Salvador without any immigration documents allowing him to enter or remain in the United States legally.

“Assault on federal officers is one of the Department of Justice’s top priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman. “Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting these cases.”

The case against defendant Rohac-Garci is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Colin McDonald, and the case against defendant Jiron is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlos Arguello.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 18 MJ 6082

Franklin Adriel Rohac-Garci

DEFENDANT                                                Case Number 18 MJ 6085

Frazy Jiron

SUMMARY OF CHARGES (both defendants)

Assault on a Federal Officer, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 111 (a)

Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine

Illegal Entry, in violation of Title 8 U.S.C., Sec. 1325

AGENCIES

U.S. Border Patrol

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.