The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of NM announced today that a U.S. Border Patrol agent is facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting a handcuffed detainee in southern NM. According to court documents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for NM, Eduardo Prat allegedly strangled the handcuffed victim while performing his official duties as a Border Patrol agent in Dona Ana County in May of 2023. Prat is also accused of concealing and covering up body cam footage of the assault. Prat’s charges include deprivation of rights under color of law and destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation. Prat is on conditions of release pending trail and a trial date has not been scheduled. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
