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A Salvadoran national was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for biting a U.S. Border Patrol agent, and Mexican national faces federal charges for allegedly attempting to bribe a U.S. Border Patrol Agent after being apprehended for illegal re-entry into the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Photo: Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Sentencing of El Salvadorian Woman for Assaulting Border Patrol Agent
ALBUQUERQUE – A Salvadoran national was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for biting a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
According to the complaint, on May 29, 2024, a Border Patrol agent encountered a group of five individuals, including Erika Jasmin Lobato-Melendez, 27, walking along the border wall. When the agent attempted to take the group into custody, Lobato-Melendez became obstinate, refusing to enter the agent’s vehicle and grabbing onto the border wall.
When agents tried to physically separate Lobato-Melendez from the fence, she bit down hard on the agent’s forearm, causing bruising, swelling, and abrasions. Even after being brought to the ground, Lobato-Melendez continued her aggressive behavior, attempting to bite the agent’s leg and kicking them.
Upon her release from prison, Lobato-Melendez will be subject to two years of supervised release and deportation proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Chief Patrol Agent Walter “Neil” Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation investigated these cases with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. McNair is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Mexican National for Attempted Bribery of U.S. Border Patrol Agent
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national faces federal charges for allegedly attempting to bribe a U.S. Border Patrol Agent after being apprehended for illegal re-entry into the United States.
According to court records, on February 8, 2025, Samuel Mendoza-Torres, 29, was taken into custody along with another individual near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station. While being transported to the station, Mendoza-Torres allegedly asked the agent, “Can we fix this?” and offered $400 for his release.
During a post-arrest interview, Mendoza-Torres admitted to escorting illegal immigrants into the United States from Mexico. He also acknowledged knowing that offering money to the Border Patrol Agent was illegal.
Mendoza-Torres will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Mendoza-Torresfaces 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and Chief Patrol Agent Walter “Neil” Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the U.S. Border Patrol are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.
