Two illegal aliens from Mexico were quickly recaptured Monday after attacking a female U.S. Border Patrol agent and escaping from federal custody during transport to a Texas detention facility. The suspects, identified as 29-year-old Juan Carmen Padron-Mendez and 23-year-old Juan Carlos Padron-Barron, allegedly launched the assault while en route to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the incident occurred when one of the men freed himself from restraints and began choking the female agent assigned to their transport. The two had been arrested earlier in a multi-agency operation targeting violent criminal aliens in the greater Houston area, with the goal of enhancing public safety by removing high-risk individuals from American communities.
The escape attempt took place along Interstate 45 and North Loop 336 in Conroe. Law enforcement immediately initiated a coordinated search, and the suspects were apprehended within hours just outside the city limits.
ICE officials confirmed that Padron-Barron has a history of illegally entering the U.S., with at least three unauthorized entries and two prior expulsions. Padron-Mendez, on the other hand, had no known previous encounters with ICE or Border Patrol prior to this arrest.
Gabriel Martinez, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, condemned the attack. “It is sickening that another law enforcement officer has been needlessly harmed as a direct result of the continued demonization of legitimate law enforcement activities by political leaders and certain members of the media,” he said. Martinez emphasized the danger posed when federal officers are vilified, adding that such rhetoric encourages further violence against ICE and Border Patrol personnel.
The female Border Patrol agent’s condition was not disclosed, and ICE has yet to announce what additional charges the two suspects may face for the assault and attempted escape.
The operation that led to the arrests was part of a broader initiative during President Donald Trump’s administration focused on removing the most dangerous illegal aliens. These efforts aim to protect communities by prioritizing the arrest of individuals involved in violent crimes and immigration violations.
