An informant told an agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection he knew of a “coyote” that had recently smuggled a group of people across the U.S. Mexico border. Two of the people in that group identified as brothers spoke about assaulting Agent Martinez and his partner with rocks, according to the court document.
Agents spoke with the brothers, according to the document. One of the brothers is being held on immigration offense. Neither has been charged in the Martinez case.
Martinez's partner radioed for help while the two were investigating a report of activity on Nov. 18 outside of Van Horn, Texas, about 110 miles southeast of El Paso and about 30 miles from the border with Mexico. The two were found with serious injuries including head trauma and broken bones.
Martinez died at a hospital a few hours later. His partner has recovered, but investigators say he doesn't remember what happened, the
Houston Chronicle
reports.