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Seventh defendant gets 50 years in 'fast and furious' murder of Border Patrol agent

In 2017, authorities arrested Favela-Astorga in Mexico. He pleaded guilty in April of this year.

Published: September 22, 2022 3:41pm

Updated: September 22, 2022 4:00pm

A judge sentenced Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga to 50 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to murdering Border Patrol agent Brian Terry in 2010.

Favela-Astorga was the last of seven men sent to prison for their involvement in Terry's death, according to the Associated Press and local outlet News 4 Tucson. Three other defendants received life in prison, while two more received lesser sentences. All were convicted or pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

One more man received an eight-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, the outlets noted.

In 2017, authorities arrested Favela-Astorga in Mexico. He pleaded guilty in April of this year.

Terry died during a Border Patrol operation pursuing a group that robbed drug traffickers. This endeavor culminated in a firefight during which he was fatally shot.

Two  AK-47 rifles recovered on the scene were part of the "Fast and Furious" operation during which federal authorities allowed criminals to purchase firearms with the intent, they said, of tracking them and locating criminal groups. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was unable to track the majority of the firearms sold under the plan.

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