Migrant Who Threw Rocks At Helicopter Given 38 Months The Associated Press Published: 04.15.2006
An illegal immigrant who tried to bring down a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter by throwing rocks at it was sentenced to 38 months in federal prison, the U.S Attorney's Office said.
Antonio Eretza-Florez, 33, will be under supervision for 36 months after his release for the July 2004 incident. He was sentenced Thursday.
Eretza-Florez was a passenger in a stolen vehicle packed with immigrants that a Huachuca City police officer tried to stop. A chase ensued, and the officer ran his patrol car into a ditch.
Border Patrol agents arrived to help, and a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle were brought in to search for the fleeing vehicle and its occupants. After the vehicle became stuck, Eretza-Florez ran into the desert and was chased by Border Patrol agents.
As the helicopter flew low to guide agents to him, he threw several softball-sized rocks at the aircraft. The pilot avoided them, and one rock passed through the rotor blades.
Eretza-Florez pleaded guilty Dec. 1 to aggravated assault on a federal agent and a charge of re-entering the U.S. after being deported.