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Border Patrol agent accused of strangling handcuffed detainee, hiding body camera footage

A U.S. Border Patrol agent is accused of strangling a handcuffed detainee and hiding body camera footage in Doña Ana County, according to a federal indictment.

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Border Patrol agent accused of strangling handcuffed detainee, hiding body camera footage
(Wikimedia Commons)

Federal prosecutors say Eduardo Prat assaulted a restrained man in Doña Ana County and later tried to conceal video of the incident

Organ Mountain News report

ALBUQUERQUE - A U.S. Border Patrol agent is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he strangled a handcuffed detainee and then tried to cover it up.

A federal grand jury indicted Eduardo Prat, 40, on charges of violating a person’s civil rights and tampering with evidence.

According to court records, the alleged assault happened May 22, 2023, in Doña Ana County. Prosecutors say the detainee was handcuffed when Prat used force against him.

Alleged assault and cover-up

Investigators say Prat later tried to hide what happened by concealing body camera footage of the incident.

According to the indictment, the alleged cover-up took place in the weeks after the incident, between May 22 and June 12, 2023.

Federal charges filed

Prat is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and destruction or falsification of records in a federal investigation.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Court records show Prat has been released pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

Investigation

The case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, along with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the FBI.

Federal prosecutors in New Mexico are handling the case.

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