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  4. Border Patrol Agents Arrest Previously Deported Citizen of Mexico in Illegal Entry Attempt near Hodgdon, Maine

Border Patrol Agents Arrest Previously Deported Citizen of Mexico in Illegal Entry Attempt near Hodgdon, Maine

Release Date
Fri, 12/15/2017

HOULTON, Maine — On November 28, 2017, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Houlton Station arrested a male citizen of Mexico, Eliud Lopez-Baez, during a failed attempt to illegally enter the United States. Lopez-Baez has been removed from the United States on one prior occasion.

“This arrest is a stark reminder of the crucial work that the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol do every day to secure our international boundaries and keep America safe,” said U.S. Border Patrol Houlton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Daniel Hiebert. “Additionally, this apprehension might not have been possible without the vigilant eyes of local citizens. This speaks volumes concerning the strong relationships built between the U.S. Border Patrol and the rural communities in Maine that we serve.”

Border Patrol agents survey the international border with Canada.
Border Patrol agents survey the international
border with Canada.

At approximately 7:50 a.m., a concerned citizen notified U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Houlton Station that a male individual was seen running into the woods near White Settlement Road in Hodgdon, Maine. Agents responded to the area and were able to track and ultimately apprehend the individual at approximately 12:00 p.m. The subject was taken into custody without incident.

The man, identified as Eliud Lopez-Baez, claimed to be a citizen of Mexico and did not have any immigration documents that would allow him to enter or remain in the United States. Agents placed Lopez-Baez under arrest and transported him to the Houlton Border Patrol Station to conduct a records check and post-arrest processing.

Records checks revealed that Lopez-Baez had previously been removed from the United States in 2017.

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Maine is prosecuting Lopez-Baez under 8 USC 1326, Re-entry of Removed Aliens. Lopez-Baez pled guilty to the charges on December 11, 2017. He faces a maximum imprisonment of two years and a fine of not more than $250,000.

Houlton Sector is responsible for securing the border between the ports of entry throughout the State of Maine. “Maine’s international boundary is vast and remote,” said U.S. Border Patrol Agent and Houlton Sector Public Affairs Liaison Jonathan Maynard. “The citizenry of the communities that we serve often relay information to us on situations that may seem out of place. It is important that if you see something, say something.” Please report suspicious activity at 1-800-851-8727.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021