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Phoenix Man Found Guilty of Assault After Dragging Border Patrol Agent During Traffic Stop
A resident of the Phoenix area has been found guilty of assaulting a federal officer after an incident involving a Border Patrol agent during a traffic stop in early 2023. Michael Leroy Witt, 55, was convicted last week by a U.S. District Court jury in Tucson. The trial, presided over by Judge John C. Hinderaker, concluded with Witt being found guilty of multiple felonies on July 11.
The charges include assault on a federal officer causing bodily injury, conspiracy, and the transportation of individuals into the United States for profit. Furthermore, the jury determined that Witt endangered human lives during his alien smuggling activities. The Justice Department spokesperson, Zach J. Stoebe, confirmed these details.
Sentencing for Witt is scheduled for October 8, 2024.
The incident, according to court records, took place on February 20, 2023. U.S. Border Patrol Agent Thomas Gonzalez observed a black Chevrolet Sonic with heavily tinted windows on State Route 82. The vehicle was moving erratically, crossing lane lines and slowing down significantly in a 65 mph zone. Suspecting illegal activity, Gonzalez conducted a registration check and found the car was linked to previous northbound crossings on State Route 80 and had alerts related to non-citizen transportation.
Gonzalez attempted to pull Witt over. Witt initially slowed down and activated his emergency lights but then motioned for Gonzalez to pass him. After being ordered to stop via loudspeaker, Witt complied. However, as Gonzalez approached the car, he noticed two figures under blankets and instructed Witt to turn off the engine. Witt refused, and as Gonzalez reached into the vehicle, Witt accelerated, dragging the agent into oncoming traffic.
Gonzalez managed to stop the car and detain Witt after a physical altercation. Inside the vehicle, two men—Anthony Juarez-Francisco and Nelson Gabriel Olivera-Antonio—were found. Both were in the U.S. without legal authorization and became key witnesses in Witt’s trial. Juarez-Francisco and Olivera-Antonio revealed they each paid substantial sums to be smuggled into the country and were directed by a smuggling coordinator to Witt’s car.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer H. Berman and Ryan P. DeJoe leading the prosecution. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by federal agents in combating illegal smuggling operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.