Guatemalan sentenced to two years in prison for attacking US border guard

PHOENIX — A 22-year-old Guatemalan man was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for attacking a U.S. Border Patrol agent stationed in Arizona, authorities said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced that Pedro Anival Coc-Caal pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer with bodily injury and illegal entry of an alien on June 24, according to a press release.

On August 12, 2023, an unnamed U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped Coc-Caal and was about to handcuff him when the man punched the officer on the left side of his face. Coc-Caal then kicked the officer in the arm and tried to flee on foot. The attacker was eventually arrested when a helicopter blocked his escape route.

District Judge John C. Hinderaker sentenced Coc-Caal and Assistant U.S. Attorney Serra M. Tsethlikai prosecuted the case in Tucson court.

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