Sentencing date set for Phoenix man convicted in assault of Border Patrol agent

Michael Leroy Witt of Phoenix will be sentenced Oct. 8 after being convicted this month of several charges, including assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

The 55-year-old was found guilty by a federal jury of assault on a federal officer causing bodily injury, conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit and transportation of illegal aliens for profit, according to a release from the Arizona division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The jury also found  Witt “placed human life in jeopardy during and in relation to his alien smuggling offenses,” the release stated.

On Feb. 20, 2023, a U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped Witt near Sonoita on suspicion that he was transporting “undocumented noncitizens,” authorities said.

After Witt stopped and tried to wave the agent past him, the agent approached the driver’s side window and told Witt to turn off the vehicle.

“Witt did not comply with the agent’s instruction so the agent attempted to turn off the engine by reaching through the window. Witt then hit the gas pedal, leaving the agent hanging from the car window. The acceleration caused the agent to be dragged alongside the vehicle as it veered into the oncoming lane of traffic,” the release stated.

The agent was able to turn the vehicle off and bring it to a stop on the opposite side of the road.

In the backseat, Witt had concealed two individuals who were being illegally transported further into the United States, officials said.

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