A Lexington woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for impeding the arrest of a fugitive and injuring federal officers during an incident last October. U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence on Wednesday to Xochitl Sonia Navarro, 45, for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers while they were performing their duties.
According to court documents, on October 8, 2024, officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) attempted to arrest Jorge Iban Cuellar-Avendano, a Mexican citizen who had previously re-entered the United States illegally after being deported. Cuellar-Avendano had earlier evaded authorities by fleeing in a vehicle. On this occasion, ICE-ERO officers observed Cuellar-Avendano getting into a vehicle driven by Navarro.
When officers approached the car, Navarro refused to unlock the doors and tried to escape by accelerating away from the scene. In her attempt to flee, three officers sustained injuries including cuts, abrasions, and bruises. One officer was knocked down and dragged by the vehicle, suffering deep lacerations on both arms. Officers eventually broke a window of the car to bring it to a stop.
Under federal law, Navarro is required to serve at least 85 percent of her sentence before becoming eligible for release. After completing her prison term, she will be under supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Jorge Iban Cuellar-Avendano received a separate sentence of one year in prison for illegal reentry into the country following prior deportation or removal proceedings. He faces deportation upon completion of his sentence.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, commented on the case alongside Sam Olson, Director of ICE-ERO Chicago Field Office: “The investigation was conducted by ICE-ERO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.”
