Killer of Border Patrol agent gets 40 years (with personal account and photos)

A Mexican teenager who pleaded guilty to killing Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas last year was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison.

Christian Daniel Castro Alvarez, 17, was sentenced in federal court in downtown San Diego. About 100 Border Patrol agents in green uniforms filled the courtroom and lined the hallway outside to observe the court proceeding.

Rosas, 30, was killed July 23 while on patrol near Shockey Truck Trail in Campo. About 9 p.m. that night, he was heard on his radio saying that he was tracking a group of illegal immigrants near the fence that marks the international border.

Two to three hundred Border Patrol Agents filled the courtroom and lined the hallways of the Dozens of Federal Agents were present. With his family seated behind him, Christian Daniel Castro Alvarez appeared downcast as he sat in an orange jump suit, resting his chin in his hand while his attorney spoke for him.

He confessed that he, with two others suspects he lured Rosas by leaving footprints along the road. He then attempted to rob Border Agent Rosas, who resisted and was shot. Castro, maintains the other two suspects were the shooters, but this as not been confirmed. The other two suspects remain at large, in Mexico. Some details were unclear. The judge indicated the case remains under investigation and that additional information remains "under seal." Castro was reportedly injured in the attack and his blood was found at the scene and his identity confirmed by DNA. His age- 16- at the time of the murder was noted as was his poverty in Mexico. Castro admitted prior involvement in the Human Trafficking trade, with no prior criminal convictions.

A statement was read from Richard Barlow, acting chief patrol agent for the San Diego sector noting the devastating impact the murder had on the Border Patrol Agency, stating that it "tested the very fabric of our sacred oath."

Robert Rosas' two sisters, Arlene and Sylvia, broke down as the spoke of their love for their brother and their overwhelming loss. They spoke of Robert's kindness. One noted that their father had been killed in a car accident when Robert was two years old and he felt the loss as he was growing up, vowing to be the kind of father to his children that he dreamed of having when he was growing up. They spoke of Robert's love for his country and of the Border Patrol and the "lack of respect" afforded the Border Patrol.

Rosa's widow, Rosalie, spoke in a clear, calm voice, alternately looking directly at the judge and at the Castro, asking for the maximum sentence, on behalf of herself, her children and "the Citizens of the United States of America. " She stated she was sustained by her faith in God and her belief that justice would be served. She noted the loss to her and her children who point to every American flag they see and say "Papa's Flag." She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support she received. noting her husband would be especially proud of the support of the Border Patrol. She told the judge she has but one request, and that is for justice, not only for Castro, but for all the involved parties. Applause broke out when she was finished.

The judge reviewed the sentencing process. The prosecution was asking for 40 years ; the defense for 30 years. The prosecution, for reasons under seal, had agreed to not ask for the mandatory life sentence and therefore the sentencing guidelines were for "30 years to life." The judge referred to the killing as an "execution" and sentenced Castro to the 40 years requested by the prospection.

After the sentencing, Shawn Moran Vice President South at National Border Patrol Council spoke to the press. He expressed the opinion that the sentence should have been even stiffer and would be of "no deterrent" to the Drug Cartels who "did not care." He called for the deployment of Combat Troops on the Mexican Border. He noted the lack of political will to secure the border and that the Border Patrol needs to be "unhandcuffed" to fight the Drug Cartels who have declared war on them. He noted the impact of the case of the Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean on the Agent's ability to do their job.

One of the sketch artist was the cousin of Arizona Rancher Rob Krentz who was killed earlier his month one his property, by a suspected illegal alien.

April 29, 2010

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://sandiego.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/sd042910.htm

Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Murder of Border Patrol Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr. was Killed While on Routine Duty on the U.S. - Mexico Border in July 2009

SAN DIEGO—Christian Daniel Castro-Alvarez, 17, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz to serve 480 months in federal prison based on his guilty plea in the death of Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr., U.S. Attorney Karen P. Hewitt for the Southern District of California announced today. Agent Rosas was shot and killed on July 23, 2009, while he was on a routine patrol near San Diego. The defendant previously pleaded guilty to the murder of a federal officer committed in perpetration of a robbery.

U.S. Attorney Hewitt said, “Agent Rosas was tragically murdered in the line of duty as he protected the border and our nation. His proud career as a federal law enforcement officer stood for seeking justice and upholding the rule of law. Because of today’s sentence of imprisonment, the next 40 years the defendant serves in prison shall also echo those important principles—justice and the rule of law—for which Agent Rosas paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

According to the plea agreement, Castro-Alvarez admitted that during the evening of July 23, 2009, he illegally entered the United States for the purpose of robbing a Border Patrol agent of government property. While Agent Rosas was engaged in the performance of his duties, Castro-Alvarez and his co-conspirators lured Agent Rosas out of his vehicle for the purpose of robbing him. During the course of the robbery, Agent Rosas and the defendant struggled over a firearm and Agent Rosas was shot multiple times by the defendant and one or more of the co-conspirators. Agent Rosas died as a result of the shots fired. According to court documents, Castro-Alvarez was a minor at the time the offense was committed, and he voluntarily surrendered to the United States to face criminal charges. The defendant also agreed to transfer proceedings from juvenile disposition to adult criminal prosecution.

“This brutal act of violence on a U.S. Border Patrol agent cannot and will not be tolerated,” Acting Chief Patrol Agent Richard A. Barlow of the U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector said. “Although Mr. Castro-Alvarez has well earned this long custodial sentence, his punishment will never repay the debt he owes to those he has affected and who grieve the murder of Agent Rosas.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter commented, “Agent Rosas was a brave man who gave his life defending our nation’s borders. Without thoughtful investigative work and cooperation of law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, today’s sentencing would not have come. Though the death of Agent Rosas was tragic, I am pleased to see this individual brought to justice.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. U.S. Attorney Hewitt noted that the agents of the FBI San Diego Field Division deserve special thanks for their swift, professional, and comprehensive action in investigating Agent Rosas’ death. The investigation was assisted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection - U.S. Border Patrol, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted in San Diego federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Pettit and Seth Askins.

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