LOCKED UP

Cartel Members Given Life Sentences for Murder of ICE Agent

Special Agent Jaime Zapata was killed in February 2011.

Two Mexican cartel members were sentenced to life behind bars for the murder of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and attempted murder of another federal officer, according to a Department of Justice press release. Special Agent Jaime Zapata was killed in February 2011 in Mexico while on patrol with Special Agent Victor Avila when the pair were shot at. Avila survived the ambush. Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, 36, and Jesus Ivan Quezada Piña, 29, were extradited to the U.S. and found guilty of the crimes in July. “This case serves as a reminder, that if you harm a U.S. agent, the U.S. government will pursue you to the ends of the earth to ensure that you are brought to justice,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco said.