A woman who was shot and wounded by a US Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, Oregon, has been sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to illegally entering the country.
Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras appeared by video link from an immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, for the federal court hearing in Portland. Under the negotiated resolution, she will avoid prison but must comply with location monitoring and nighttime curfew requirements. She will be allowed to remain out of custody in Oregon.
The case was initially filed in Texas, where she was accused of illegal entry, but she waived her right to face prosecution there. The shooting, which occurred on January 8, prompted protests over aggressive tactics during immigration enforcement operations.
According to court filings, the agent opened fire after Luis Nino-Moncada, who was in a pickup truck with Zambrano-Contreras, reversed into an unoccupied car rented by Border Patrol, smashing its lights and knocking off its bumper. The truck struck the agent, who fired two rounds out of fear for his life. The FBI said it had found no surveillance or other video of the incident.
Nino-Moncada has been indicted on charges of aggravated assault on a federal employee and damaging federal property. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody, with a jury trial set for March. The Department of Homeland Security said both individuals entered the US illegally and were affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day confirmed a 'nexus' to the gang, noting they had come to attention during an investigation into a July shooting but were not suspects. Zambrano-Contreras had previously been arrested for prostitution, and Nino-Moncada was present during a search warrant in that case. The judge also ordered Zambrano-Contreras to stay away from areas where prostitution occurs.
