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An Arizona man is facing significant charges following a human smuggling bust that ended in a desert shootout.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona just announced a five-count indictment against Patrick Gary Schlegel, a 34-year-old resident of Tucson.
On Jan. 26, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents busted Schlegel transporting two illegal aliens, according to a complaint filed in the case.
Schlegel reportedly abandoned the illegals in the desert and fled to avoid apprehension.
The next day, USBP once again encountered Schlegel’s pickup truck in a remote area near the border.
Schlegel reportedly drove into the desert, bailed out of his vehicle, and attempted to flee on foot.
“To assist agents in locating Schlegel, an Air and Marine Operations Pilot flew his helicopter over the area,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office explained in a press release.
“When Schlegel fired shots from a .45 caliber handgun at the pilot, an agent on the ground returned fire, striking Schlegel in the leg and head.”
Schlegel was arrested and given medical treatment.
Last week, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned an indictment against Schlegel for Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Assault on a Federal Officer, and Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer.
Maximum penalties for convictions on those charges range from 10 to 20 years each.
“Our Air and Marine Agents put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our nation’s borders and communities” said Director Jose Muriente, Tucson Air and Marine Branch.
“Any act of violence against our federal agents will be met with swift action and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
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