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Date: 06-30-2021

Case Style:

United States of America v. Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria

Case Number: 2:21-cr-00190

Judge: David Morales

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Nueces County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney:


Best Corpus Christi Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory


Description: Corpus Christi, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with assaulting two ICE agents.

Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, 31, a Cuban woman was charged for assaulting two Border Patrol (BP) agents at the Javier Vega Checkpoint.

On Jan. 31, 2021, Ordaz-Echevarria arrived at the checkpoint in Sarita as a passenger on a commercial bus. Law enforcement removed her in order to inquire more about her citizenship status. Ordaz-Echevarria possessed no identification or other documents indicating she was in the United States lawfully. Authorities then escorted her into the checkpoint building for further processing.

Once inside, Ordaz-Echevarria became irate with authorities, refusing to answer their questions. When law enforcement attempted to peaceably escort her into a holding cell, she swung her fists violently. Her aggressive behavior required multiple agents to attempt to restrain her, during which time she continued to kick and punch them.

Two of the BP agents injured at the checkpoint testified and described attempting to subdue Ordaz-Echevarria while she swung and kicked wildly at agents. The jury also saw exhibits documenting their injuries as well as a video depicting Ordaz-Echevarria’s belligerent acts.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that Ordaz-Echevarria’s actions were unintentional and that Ordaz-Echevarria was just angry about possibly being deported for the fourth time. They were not persuaded and found Ordaz-Echevarria guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge David Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 28. At that time, Ordaz-Echevarria faces up to eight years imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

She has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yifei Zheng and Dennis Robinson are prosecuting the case.

ASSAULTING/RESISTING/IMPEDING OFFICERS/EMPLOYEES

Outcome: 06/29/2021 NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Francisco Morales, Federal Public Defender, in case as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed.(Morales, Francisco) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 30 Proposed Jury Instructions by Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed. (O'Connell, Elizabeth) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge David S Morales: JURY SELECTION and1 DAY OF JURY TRIAL as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria held on 6/29/2021. Voir dire conducted. Strikes for cause granted on 8, 28 and 30. Each sides makes peremptory challenges. Jury of 12 plus one alternate are seated. Preliminary instructions given to the jury; jury is sworn in; jury hears opening statements from each side; Testimony from Gvmt witness #1 Agent Cantu; #2 Agent Farias; #3 Agent Bernie; Gvmt rests. Jury is excused. Defense moves under Rule 29 for acquittal. Arguments heard on motion. The Court finds there is some evidence that the assault was intentional and denies the motion. Defense rests. Client is admonished as to testifying in her case. Deft has decided not to testify. The Charge is discussed/argued by the parties. The Court makes rulings as to the Charge on the record. Jury returns. Defense rests before the jury. The Court's closing instructions are given to the Jury. Closing arguments heard from each side. The Jury retires to deliberate. Note 1 received. Verdict reached and published - guilty on Count 1 of the Indictment. Request to poll the jury - completed. The Jury is dismissed. PSI is ordered. Sentencing date announced on the record. Court is adjourned. Appearances:AUSA Dennis Robinson, Yifei Zheng; FPD Elizabeth O'Connell, Frank Morales; USPO Z. Spikes.(Digital # 8:38 - 9:46; 10:14 - 11:57; 1:20 - 1:58; 2:18 -3:09; 3:41 - 3:44)(ERO: Nicole Tirado) (Interpreter: Millie Maccossay and Janis Palma) Deft remanded to custody of USMS, filed.(arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 31 Government's Peremptory Challenges as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed. (arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 32 Defendant's Peremptory Challenges as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed. (arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 33 Jury List as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed. (arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 34 Court's Instructions to the Jury as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed. (arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 35 CERTIFICATION OF TRIAL EXHIBITS as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed.(arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 36 Jury Note 1 as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria, filed. (arodriguez, 2) (Additional attachment(s) added on 6/29/2021: # 1 Unredacted Jury Note 1) (arodriguez, 2). (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 37 JURY VERDICT as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria (1) Guilty on Count 1, filed. (arodriguez, 2) (Additional attachment(s) added on 6/29/2021: # 1 Unredacted Verdict Form) (arodriguez, 2). (Entered: 06/29/2021)
06/29/2021 38 ORDER for Presentence Investigation and Disclosure & Sentencing Dates as to Yaniuska Ordaz-Echevarria. PSI Completion due by 8/12/2021 Objection to PSI due by 8/27/2021 Final PSI due by 9/13/2021 Sentencing set for 9/28/2021 at 02:30 PM before Judge David S Morales ( Signed by Judge David S Morales) Parties notified. (arodriguez, 2) (Entered: 06/29/2021)

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