Suspect pleads guilty to assaulting Las Vegas FBI agents

A home invasion suspect pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to assaulting two FBI agents by ramming his rented truck into their cars while they tried to arrest him.

Yatnier Gonzalez, 32, who is in custody, entered a guilty plea to one count of assault on a federal officer. Sentencing was set for March 12 before U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon.

The two agents, members of the Las Vegas Criminal Apprehension Team, a joint task force that seeks fugitives, were not injured, but their cars were damaged, according to a criminal complaint filed in July.

As part of his plea deal, Gonzalez agreed to pay $9,771 in restitution for the damages he caused to the FBI cars and the 16-foot rented truck.

The incident occurred June 2 as CAT team members followed Gonzalez to a gas station at Vegas Valley Drive and Nellis Boulevard, according to the complaint.

FBI agent Christopher McInnes pulled his unmarked vehicle behind the truck and agent Daniel Coxon parked his car in front of the truck to block it from leaving. Other members of the team, including Las Vegas police, were there as well.

Gonzalez backed his truck into McInnes’ car and then moved forward into the front of Coxon’s vehicle, pushing it out of the way, the complaint alleged.

FBI agent Scott Hendrick then drove his vehicle to the side of the truck, pinning it against a curb and prompting Gonzalez to flee the truck. He was then caught.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Find him on Twitter: @JGermanRJ.