(WHTM) — A Berks County man will spend nearly half a century in prison after he was convicted in the attempted murder of three FBI agents.

Rafael Vega-Rodriguez, 42, of Reading, was sentenced Wednesday to 45 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.

He was convicted of attempting to kill three FBI special agents.

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The attempts happened in March of 2020 in Reading, where FBI agents were conducting surveillance and looking for Vega-Rodriguez.

He was subject to a state arrest warrant for a parole violation.

Vega-Rodriguez walked past the three agents and, when they attempted to arrest him, he drew a handgun and fired four shots at the agents.

He fled to Leola where, after what federal authorities called an “intense manhunt,” he was arrested days later.

Pennsylvania State Police SERT member shot in Lancaster County

“Rafael Vega-Rodriguez tried to murder three FBI agents doing their job, which, on that day, was to effect his lawful arrest,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero. “He’s proven himself to be a violent, dangerous man, a threat not just to law enforcement, but the community, as well. We’re all safer with him behind bars and today’s sentence ensures that’s exactly where he’ll spend the next several decades of his life.”

“The FBI does not tolerate acts of violence against anyone, let alone against our own,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Each and every day, FBI agents place themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow citizens. Today’s sentencing makes it clear that we will stop at nothing to bring to justice those who commit an act of violence against federal agents.”

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