WASHINGTON ― Perpetrators of a 2011 highway ambush in Mexico that left an ICE agent dead and another injufred received life sentences on Nov. 6, 2017.

Two members of the Los Zetas cartel have been sentenced to life in prison following their murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and their attempted murder of ICE HSI Special Agent Victor Avila.

Defendants Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, aka Juan Manul Maldonado Amezcua, aka “Zafado,” and Jesus Ivan Quezda Pina, aka “Loco,” were among seven Mexican nationals extradited to the U.S. on federal charges related to the case. The two were found guilty of four federal offenses, including murder of an officer or employee of the United States, attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States and using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Government evidence at the trial pointed to Garcia Sota and Quezda Pina as being part of a hit squad targeting an armored Chevrolet Suburban with diplomatic plates driven by Special Agents Zapata and Avila. On the afternoon of Feb. 15, 2011, the agents were heading to Mexico City when they were attacked by the hit squad. The cartel members fired at the car with handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons, leading to Zapata’s death and Avila being wounded.

“This week’s sentencings for those responsible for the murder of ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of Special Agent Victor Avila are the closure and justice we have been working toward since we began our investigation,” Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division Stephen E. Richardson said. “Any attack against a federal agent serving his or her country is deeply personal for us and investigating those attacks remain a top priority for the FBI.”

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