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Feds say smuggler hit border agent with rock in California
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SAN DIEGO (AP) — A notorious human smuggler struck a U.S. Border Patrol agent in the face with a rock after a foiled smuggling attempt in the mountains of eastern San Diego County, federal authorities said.The suspect, Martel Valencia-Cortez, is accused of smuggling 14 people through rocky terrain near Jacumba Hot Springs on Sunday evening when agents spotted the group, Border Patrol spokeswoman Mary Beth Caston said.As agents moved in, Valencia-Cortez ran to higher ground. He hurled a softball-sized rock, striking an agent in the face, Caston said.The agent shot at Valencia-Cortez, but authorities don’t believe he was injured. He was last spotted sprinting toward Mexico.The 14 people he was suspected of smuggling into the U.S. from Mexico were arrested and interviewed.
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