Federal authorities charged a Honduran man with assaulting a Border Patrol agent earlier this week.
Alexander Salgado-Merlo, who was born in 1978, was arrested after a fight near the Rio Grande by Roma on Wednesday and was scheduled for a first appearance Friday in McAllen federal court.
The complaint against him says the Border Patrol agent was patrolling the area about 6:46 p.m. when he saw activity indicative of an illegal border crossing and proceeded to investigate.
In the course of that action, the agent first heard and then saw Salgado hiding in the brush and in Spanish said: “Border Patrol, don’t move,” according to the complaint.
That’s when federal authorities allege Salgado ran toward the river, but when the agent caught up with him, Salgado became combative and elbowed the agent in the face.
During the fight, the agent used pepper spray, which was not effective, according to the complaint.
When the agent tried to use his radio to call for help, the complaint said Salgado would rip his hand away from it.
That document says the fight continued until both Salgado and the agent were exhausted.
“With both men on their knees, Salgado shoved (the agent) down a 10-foot embankment but was pulled along with the falling agent,” the complaint states.
More agents then arrived and arrested Salgado.
