Federal prosecutors announced charges against a U.S. Border Patrol agent who they say handcuffed and strangled a detainee, then tried to conceal the body camera footage of the incident.
The indictment, handed up last month and announced by the U.S. attorney in New Mexico on Friday, does not say what led to the confrontation involving Eduardo Prat, 40, and an unidentified victim.
It does say Agent Prat was working in Dona Ana County, which covers the state’s boundary with Mexico. The incident took place on May 22, 2023.
Prosecutors said he then “concealed and covered up a body camera recording of the assault.”
He is charged with a civil rights violation for the alleged assault, and evidence tampering for the body camera cover-up. Local media reported that the detainee survived.
He was granted an unsecured $10,000 bond.
Gabriel Perez, Agent Prat’s lawyer, called him a dedicated agent who “served in a challenging and demanding role along the New Mexico border.”
“Mr. Prat denies any unlawful use of force. We look forward to presenting the full facts in court, where we are confident the evidence will demonstrate that his actions were lawful and appropriate under the circumstances,” the lawyer said.
Customs and Border Protection didn’t respond to a question about Agent Pratt’s current employment status.
The agency did call the behavior “unacceptable.”
“We expect all agents, officers and employees to perform their duties with honor and distinction, while they are working to keep our country safe,” the agency said.
