Mexican national takes plea deal in 2017 attack on off-duty Border Patrol agent
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - A 35-year-old man who attacked an off-duty Border Patrol agent in 2017 pleaded guilty Monday in Las Cruces to attempted murder.
Sergio Ivan Venegas-Quiñonez of Las Cruces pleaded guilty in 3rd Judicial District Court to attempted first-degree murder, which is a second-degree felony. Using a Spanish language interpreter, he entered the plea before state District Judge Doug Driggers in state court in Las Cruces.
The plea was the result of a deal with state prosecutors in which two other serious charges and a second criminal case that were pending against Venegas-Quiñonez, a Mexican citizen, were dropped.
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Kidnapping, attack rehashed
In the courtroom, 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office prosecutor Daniel Sewell rehashed the attack, saying the victim, off-duty Border Patrol agent Lorenzo Hernandez, was helping his mother to sell tamales at her tamale stand in northeast El Paso when he was approached by Venegas-Quiñonez and another man. The two men asked for a ride to get some gas. Hernandez obliged, taking them in his vehicle. But, en route, Venegas-Quiñonez pulled out a handgun, while the second man allegedly pulled out a machete.
The pair then forced him to drive more than 40 miles to a location near the Rio Grande northwest of Las Cruces, off Shalem Colony Trail.
Hernandez, who feared for his life, attacked Venegas-Quiñonez, knocking the gun away.
But as the two began to fight, "the co-defendant began hacking Mr. Hernandez with a machete," Sewell said.
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After the men fled, Hernandez, who was "bleeding a great deal," made his way to a nearby home to seek help, Sewell said.
"He had two fingers partially amputated," he said. "Mr. Hernandez has had multiple surgeries to repair torn tendons."
Hernandez's fingers were successfully reattached. He also sustained injuries to his head and chest, authorities have said. Hernandez, who was present Monday morning in the courtroom but who didn't address the judge, is still employed with the Border Patrol. He declined to talk with the Sun-News.
Authorities have said previously that the gun used in the incident turned out to be a pellet gun.
Judge discusses prison sentence
Driggers also highlighted the potential penalties. Venegas-Quiñonez had been indicted by a state grand jury on three charges — attempted first-degree murder, a second-degree felony; aggravated battery (either with a deadly weapon or causing great bodily harm), a third-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony. Had he been convicted on all three, he would have faced a possible sentence of up to 13.5 years, Driggers said. But, per the agreement, prosecutors are dropping the latter two charges, meaning Venegas-Quiñonez faces a possible nine-year prison sentence.
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Prosecutors are recommending that Venegas-Quiñonez receive a seven-year prison sentence; it's up to Driggers whether to accept or reject that recommendation.
Driggers asked Venegas-Quiñonez's attorney, Mario Carreon, whether he thought the plea was in his client's best interests, to which Carreon replied: "I do."
Venegas-Quiñonez was not sentenced Monday. Carreon requested additional time before the sentencing takes place.
Driggers scheduled the sentencing for 8:30 a.m. May 2 in 3rd Judicial District Court.
The second defendant in the case, Fernando Puga, 33, of Las Cruces also was indicted by a state grand jury on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated assault. He initially pleaded not guilty. A four-day jury trial in his case is slated to start Monday. It's possible he could change his plea before then.
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Follow Diana Alba Soular on Twitter: @AlbaSoular
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Mexican national takes plea deal in 2017 attack on off-duty Border Patrol agent
