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The Justice Department Monday unveiled new charges against Ivan Soto-Barraza and four others for the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
Federal prosecutors on Monday revealed more charges in the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.The indictment, unsealed Monday in Tuscon, Ariz., charges five men with involvement in Terry's death, which is at the center of a controversy over a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) gun tracking operation known as "Fast and Furious."
According to the indictment, Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga, Ivan Soto-Barraza, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes and Lionel Portillo-Meza are charged with crimes including first degree murder, second degree murder, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, use and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, assault on a federal officer and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
The 11-count indictment alleges that on Dec. 14, 2010, five of the defendants engaged in a firefight with Border Patrol agents. Terry was shot and killed in the gunfire.
The defendants illegally entered the United States from Mexico to rob drug traffickers of their contraband, according to the indictment.
In addition to the murder of Terry, the indictment also alleges that the five defendants assaulted Border Patrol Agents William Castano, Gabriel Fragoza and Timothy Keller, who were with Terry during the shootout.
A sixth defendant, Rito Osorio-Arellanes, is charged only with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Two of the individuals involved with the shooting are already in custody: Manuel Osorio-Arellanes was arrested on the night of the shooting and Rito Osorio-Arellanes was arrested by Border Patrol agents on December 12, 2010, on immigration charges.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of the remaining fugitives.
Related: House votes to cite Holder for contemptRelated: Republicans to press 'Fast and Furious' suit
"We will stop at nothing to bring those responsible for his murder to justice," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. "Today's announcement reflects the department's unrelenting commitment to finding and arresting the other individuals responsible for this horrific tragedy so that Agent Terry's family, friends and fellow law enforcement agents receive the justice they deserve."
The defendants illegally entered the United States from Mexico to rob drug traffickers of their contraband, according to the indictment.
In addition to the murder of Terry, the indictment also alleges that the five defendants assaulted Border Patrol Agents William Castano, Gabriel Fragoza and Timothy Keller, who were with Terry during the shootout.
A sixth defendant, Rito Osorio-Arellanes, is charged only with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Two of the individuals involved with the shooting are already in custody: Manuel Osorio-Arellanes was arrested on the night of the shooting and Rito Osorio-Arellanes was arrested by Border Patrol agents on December 12, 2010, on immigration charges.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of the remaining fugitives.
Related: House votes to cite Holder for contemptRelated: Republicans to press 'Fast and Furious' suit
"We will stop at nothing to bring those responsible for his murder to justice," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. "Today's announcement reflects the department's unrelenting commitment to finding and arresting the other individuals responsible for this horrific tragedy so that Agent Terry's family, friends and fellow law enforcement agents receive the justice they deserve."
