PHILADELPHIA, PA — Rafael Vega-Rodriguez, a 42-year-old resident of Reading, PA, received a 540-month prison sentence for attempting to murder three FBI agents. The sentence, handed down by United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., also includes five years of supervised release, a $4,500 fine, and an $800 special assessment.
In February, a jury found Vega-Rodriguez guilty of three counts of attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer, three counts of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and two firearms charges.
The incident occurred on March 1, 2020, in Reading. FBI agents were conducting surveillance to locate Vega-Rodriguez, who had an active arrest warrant for a parole violation. At around 11:45 p.m., the agents spotted Vega-Rodriguez walking with another person. When they attempted to arrest him, Vega-Rodriguez drew a handgun from under his sweatshirt and fired at the agents. He continued to shoot as he and his companion fled. In total, he fired four rounds at the agents.
An intense manhunt ensued, leading investigators to Leola, PA, about 30 miles southwest of Reading. In the early hours of March 3, 2020, FBI agents and Pennsylvania State Police found Vega-Rodriguez hiding in a Leola residence and arrested him.
“Rafael Vega-Rodriguez tried to murder three FBI agents doing their job,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. “He’s proven himself to be a violent, dangerous man, a threat not just to law enforcement, but the community, as well. We’re all safer with him behind bars and today’s sentence ensures that’s exactly where he’ll spend the next several decades of his life.”
“The FBI does not tolerate acts of violence against anyone, let alone against our own,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Each and every day, FBI agents place themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow citizens. Today’s sentencing makes it clear that we will stop at nothing to bring to justice those who commit an act of violence against federal agents.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy M. Stengel and Everett Witherell, along with former Assistant United States Attorney Mary Futcher.
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