Two illegal aliens have been sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for their role in the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. The two men were found guilty in a federal court in October during a trial attended by the family of Agent Terry.
Jesus Leonel Sanchez-Meza and Ivan Soto-Barraza were convicted for their role in the murder of Border Patrol Agent Terry in October, Breitbart Texas reported. Their attorneys asked the jury to believe they were shooting in self-defense. The jury did not buy the attorneys’ argument.
The two men now face life in prison. They were also sentenced for the additional crimes they committed and were convicted of in October. On four counts of assault on the other Border Patrol agents, the two men received 20 years on each count to run concurrently, court documents obtained by Breitbart Texas revealed. An additional 10 years was added on for each man on the enhancement charge of using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.
In an interview with Breitbart Texas, Kent Terry, Brian Terry’s brother, said, “It’s definitely a start in getting justice for Brian.”
“We have to remember,” Kent continued, “there is still no accountability in this administration for the Fast and Furious scandal. If these guns had not been provided to the criminals under Fast and Furious, Brian would still be alive.”
Brian Terry’s sister, Kelly Terry-Willis attended the sentencing hearing. Reflecting on her day in court, Kelly said in a post on Facebook, “This morning started off with strong nerves running through my body. When the defendants walked into the courtroom one had the nerve to stare me down. I took that power from him and delivered a speech calling them cowards.”
“The room was a sea of men in uniform,” Kelly recounted.” The support was not unnoticed. Thank you for all your kind words and support.” She thanked former ATF agent Jay Dobyns for being her rock during this hearing. She also thanked Pete Hermansen and all of the Border Patrol agents in attendance for their support.
During the hearing, Kelly took the stand and said, “They knew someone could or would get hurt, but that did not stop them because their greed was much more powerful than having a conscience,” according to an Associated Press report on Wednesday.
Brian’s other sister, Michelle Terry-Balogh, also thanked everyone for the support she and her family have been receiving. “I pray every day we catch the remaining two at large [suspects] and convict all those in the [government] responsible for his death,” Michelle said on Facebook. “I also pray every day that no one has to go through this type of pain of not having closure.”
“The sentencing of the two suspects is another step closer to having closure and justice,” Michelle said in an interview with Breitbart Texas. “Our family is satisfied with the life in prison they so deserve. We will keep fighting the fight until everyone responsible, even government officials involved in my brothers death, are accountable for his tragic death.”
The sentencing was handed down in federal court just under one week from the fifth anniversary of Brian Terry’s murder in a canyon in southern Arizona. Terry and his team were responding to sensor reading of activity in the area when they came across a “rip-crew” of bandits. The crew, including the two men sentenced on Wednesday, opened fire, mortally wounding Agent Terry. He died before a helicopter could arrive to provide medical assistance.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter@BobPriceBBTX.
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