Man gets 20 years for strangling ICE officer with badge cord

(KWTX) — An illegal immigrant from Mexico was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for violently attacking an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during an arrest attempt in February, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.

Diego Barron-Esquivel pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal officer on Dec. 3 and received the maximum penalty allowed under the law, federal authorities confirmed.

On Feb. 28, two ICE officers were trying to arrest Barron-Esquivel, who had been harassing his former spouse. Officials said Barron-Esquivel has an extensive criminal history that includes arrests for domestic battery, violating protection orders, property damage, aggravated robbery, felony theft, criminal restraint, drug paraphernalia possession and improper use of a car.

According to authorities, Barron-Esquivel fought back by punching one officer in the face and head, then strangling the officer with his own badge cord.

The officer nearly passed out before breaking the badge cord. Barron-Esquivel ran away but was later caught by local police, officials confirmed.

“This barbaric criminal illegal alien, with a rap sheet a mile long, violently punched one our officers in the face and head and then began strangling the officer with his own badge cord,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “Our officers are facing a 1150% increase in violence against them as they arrest the worst of the worst.”

McLaughlin added that Secretary Noem has made clear that anyone who attacks law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Authorities said Barron-Esquivel entered the country at an unknown date and location.

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