see also: in April 2007 News Releases:   CBP Officers at O’Hare Seize $6.7 Million Worth of Cocaine   CBP Officers Seize $8 Million Worth of Marijuana at Calexico Port   CBP Border Patrol Rescues Three   U.S., Mexican Officials Announce Grand Opening Of Brownsville SENTRI Lane   Funcionarios de Estados Unidos y México Anuncian Inauguración del Carril SENTRI en Brownsville   First Mobile Sensor Tower Arrives In Arizona   Frequent Traveler Charged with Marijuana Smuggling ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas —U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Paso Del Norte port of entry in El Paso, Texas were assaulted Monday afternoon by a man who was trying to escape from the federal facility. The man was captured after a short foot pursuit and charged with assaulting a federal officer.

The incident began just after 1 p.m. when a 1992 Chevrolet pickup entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers performed computer queries on the occupants of the vehicle and learned that a male passenger was wanted by Wyoming authorities on a variety of charges including sexual assault of a minor, aggravated assault and battery on a peace officer, and aggravated assault of a pregnant woman. As CBP officers were attempting to place the suspect into handcuffs, he punched a CBP officer in the face and attempted to flee on foot. The blow opened a cut above the officers’ eye that required nine stitches to close. A female CBP officer who attempted to stop the fleeing man also was hit in the face.

The suspect ran toward the southbound pedestrian lanes while being pursued by several CBP officers and port security personnel. The officers were able to apprehend the man in the tollbooth area of the pedestrian lanes. Several other CBP officers and port security personnel suffered minor injuries while attempting to apprehend the fleeing fugitive.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents arrived at the port to launch an investigation. They contacted the U.S. Attorney, who authorized federal prosecution of the violator. The subject is identified as 39-year-old Gary Lee Rodriguez. He is a U.S. citizen from Laramie, Wyo., but he had been living in Juarez, Mexico recently.

“CBP officers in El Paso routinely apprehend more than 100 dangerous fugitives every month,” said David Longoria, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Port Director. “Fortunately, most of arrests are made without incident, however, the potential for violence is always present. Every time a CBP officer nabs a fugitive the entire community becomes a safer place to live.”

In addition to this incident, CBP officers working at the ports of entry in the El Paso area apprehended four other fugitives, made six agriculture seizures, stopped 23 attempts to illegally enter the U.S., and made two drug seizures. Anti-terror is the primary mission of CBP, although thorough inspections routinely uncover numerous violations on a daily basis.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.