An illegal alien from Mexico, who shot a police officer in Seminole, Texas pleaded guilty to a federal firearm crime.
Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez, 28, was charged in October 2022 and indicted later that same month. He pleaded guilty to illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Castillo-Lopez, a Mexican national in the United States illegally, admitted he was pulled over by a Seminole Police Department officer for traffic violations on Oct. 1, 2022.
As the officer approached Mr. Castillo-Lopez’s vehicle, he began firing at the officer with a handgun. The officer was struck but moved to a defensive position and returned fire. Castillo-Lopez exited his vehicle and fled, dropping a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol as he did so.
The officer was able to radio in a description of the defendant, and he was apprehended a few blocks away shortly thereafter.
In an interview with law enforcement, Castillo-Lopez admitted he had been previously deported and was currently in the county illegally. He also admitted to firing the pistol, which he said he purchased from an unknown individual at a traffic light in Midland, Texas for $200.
Castillo-Lopez now faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
The victim officer’s body armor prevented serious injury, and he returned to duty shortly thereafter.