A Phoenix man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on three charges related to transporting illegal immigrants in the U.S.

Michael Leroy Witt, 56, was sentenced Dec. 17 after being found guilty of assault on a federal officer causing bodily injury, conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit and transportation of illegal aliens for profit, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Witt was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol on Feb. 20, 2023, near Sonoita after agents suspected he was transporting people. While the agent was trying to get Witt to turn off the car, Witt hit the accelerator as the agent was reaching in the window to take the key, according the press release.

The agent was then dragged along with the car as it veered into traffic. The agent was eventually able to turn off the vehicle, Witt was detained and two undocumented immigrants were found in the vehicle’s back seat, according to the press release.

Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer H. Berman and Ryan P. DeJoe, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.