Assistant U. S. Attorney Loren G. Rene (619) 546-8783
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 9, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Juan Francisco Sanchez-Campos of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced in federal court to 41 months in prison for speeding through a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on State Route 94 near Jamul, intentionally sideswiping and ramming multiple vehicles, injuring several Border Patrol agents and jeopardizing the lives of 10 undocumented passengers he was smuggling into the U.S. from Mexico.
Sanchez-Campos, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of transportation of certain aliens, one count of highspeed flight from an immigration checkpoint, and one count of assault on a federal agent.
During the sentencing hearing last week, Border Patrol Agent Andrew Carlson who was injured during the February 23, 2021, assault described how Sanchez-Campos slowed down as he approached the checkpoint and then suddenly took off, narrowly missing several Border Patrol agents, and then proceeded to weave in and out of civilian traffic at speeds up to 100 mph for approximately 10 minutes. The agent told the court Sanchez-Campos rammed four agents’ vehicles in an attempt to flee, and the agents eventually disabled his vehicle using a box-in maneuver. Although the migrants were uninjured, four Border Patrol agents sustained serious injuries, including, but not limited to, shoulder, back, hip, and neck injuries necessitating ongoing medical treatment.
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo noted that the defendant showed a callous disregard for human life.
“This defendant risked many lives during his reckless attempt to blow through a checkpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “He cared nothing about other motorists, Border Patrol agents or even the people in his vehicle. All he wanted was his payday – a day that will never come, thanks to the brave Border Patrol agents who made sure this defendant was stopped.” Grossman thanked the Border Patrol agents who were injured trying to keep the driver from hurting anyone, and he praised the prosecution team as well as Border Patrol and FBI agents who investigated this case.
“Our current success is the result of the strong resolve and determination of the many men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “Collaboratively, our efforts resulted in the arrest, conviction, and just sentencing of this callous smuggler.”
DEFENDANT Case Number 21-cr-00879-CAB
Juan Francisco Sanchez-Campos Age: 24 Phoenix, Arizona
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Transportation of Certain Aliens, in violation 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(B)(ii)
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
High Speed Flight from Immigration Checkpoint, in violation 18 U.S.C. § 758
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
Assault on a Federal Agent, in violation 18 U.S.C. 111 (a)(b)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Border Patrol