Truck Driver Guilty of Threatening to Assault Five BP Agents

Topics:  Daniel Campos Jr.

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
28 March 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 49-year-old Weslaco man has entered a guilty plea to one count of threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

On Dec. 20, 2018, Daniel Campos Jr. entered the primary inspection lane of the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint located near Falfurrias driving a tractor trailer. While there, Border Patrol (BP) agents attempted to question him, at which time Campos became hostile, argumentative and refused to answer questions.

During this exchange, a BP canine alerted to the vehicle. As a result, authorities directed Campos to secondary inspection for further processing. While attempting to get him to proceed there, Campos yelled, cursed and refused to comply with the agents request. Campos eventually relented and proceeded to secondary inspection.

At secondary, he continued to yell, shouting, homophobic remarks and threatened five BP agents. Specifically, he threatened to kick the BP canine in the nose, said he would engage in inappropriate conduct with the agents’ mothers and threatened to harm the agents if he saw them outside of their uniforms.

At today’s hearing, Campos admitted he threatened the agents, acknowledging he did so in order to intimidate, impede and interfere with the agents’ investigation. He also confirmed the threat occurred as a result of the agents performing their official duties as BP agents.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 27, 2019. At that time, Campos faces up to six years in federal prison and possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Campos will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate is prosecuting the case.