Suspect in killing of BP agent held for trial in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — A man suspected of running over and killing a U.S. Border Patrol agent has been held over for trial in Mexico on migrant smuggling charges.

The federal Attorney General's Office announced late Sunday that a judge had ordered a trial for Jesus Navarro, 22. It did not say when his ruling was issued.

The agency said officials also believe that Navarro ran over U.S. border agent Luis Aguilar in the Imperial Sand Dunes but are still gathering evidence in that case.

Local officials with the Border Patrol referred questions to the FBI, the agency that would be behind extraditing Navarro to the U.S.

Officials with the FBI's San Diego office were not available for comment Monday.

Navarro was previously sought in Mexico for allegedly smuggling migrants and faces between six and 12 years in prison if convicted.

Officials say he was driving a Hummer full of drugs on Jan. 19 when he struck and killed Aguilar, who was trying to use spike strips to stop the vehicle from returning to Mexico as it fled other U.S. agents in southeastern California.

It was unclear if Mexican prosecutors were also pursuing drug smuggling charges against Navarro.

Navarro was arrested Jan. 22. He is being held in a Mexicali prison.

Mexican officials have not said whether the U.S. has formally requested his extradition. Mexican law usually requires that suspects face justice in Mexico before being extradited.

Aguilar's funeral procession was held Monday before he was laid to rest in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.

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Sun staff writer Darin Fenger contributed to this report. He can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.