A Tucson man, Patrick Gary Schlegel, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Assault on a Federal Officer, and Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer.
According to the Department of Justice, a complaint filed in the case, the 34-year-old Schlegel was transporting two illegal aliens on Jan. 26, 2026, when he was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Schlegel fled to avoid apprehension and left the illegal aliens in the desert.
The following day, Border Patrol agents again located Schlegel’s Dodge Ram in a remote desert area. Before he could be stopped, Schlegel drove into the desert, got out of his truck and fled on foot. To assist agents in locating Schlegel, an Air and Marine Operations Pilot flew his helicopter over the area. When Schlegel fired shots from a .45 caliber handgun at the pilot, an agent on the ground returned fire, striking Schlegel in the leg and head. Schlegel was then arrested and provided medical care.
A conviction for Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. A conviction for Assault on a Federal Officer carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. A conviction for Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A conviction for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
What did he think would happen next if he DID shoot down the helicopter? On foot in the middle of the desert with every officer looking for him? Wow.
Good thing the Feds charged him, if it was a local prosicuter he would be walking free now. Hope he loves him some Bubba time.
Barring a premature purposive assault on the social order by a “liberal” judge, Mr. Schlegel’s actions – or even existence – should be of no further concern to society for the rest of his days. It is a pity we, the abused and demeaned taxpayers, must feed, cloth, and shelter him for those days, though.
65 years in prison sounds perfect in my mind.
As punishment for these crimes, absolutely. But then consider the cost to the public treasury, which will drag on into the lives of our grandchildren. Unforgivable crimes should incur swift, final — and affordable — justice.
I agree, 100%.
Hopefully he will be removed from society and get justice in prison. Smuggler’s Blues.