2 illegal immigrants broke their plastic handcuffs and strangled a Border Patrol officer in an escape plot
On Sept. 22, 2025 a Border Patrol agent was strangled allegedly by Juan Carmen Padron Mendez, 29, and Juan Carlos Padron Barron, 23, during transport to a detention facility in Houston, Texas.
The two are illegal immigrants and were caught by federal issues. The suspects were put in secured plastic flexicuffs in a Border Patrol vehicle for transport.
While in route, Mendez broke out of his flexicuffs, unbuckled his seat belt and wrapped his arm around the female Border Patrol agent’s neck, suffocating her from the back seat.
Barron allegedly exited the vehicle, retrieved their personal belongings, and fled on foot. Mendez then released the agent and also fled.
The agent immediately called for assistance, and law enforcement quickly apprehended both men within an hour. The victim agent was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment and has since been released.
CBP Senior Advisor Ronald D. Vitiello said:
“This incident underscores the extreme dangers our agents face every single day. Attempting to choke a federal agent is an outrageous and cowardly act. Thanks to the agent’s quick action and the coordinated law enforcement response, the perpetrators are back in custody and facing serious federal charges. We are grateful our agent has been treated and released from the hospital.”
Both men are charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. They face up to 20 years in federal prison.
