Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Border Patrol Apprehends MS-13 Gang Member

Border Patrol Apprehends MS-13 Gang Member

Release Date
Thu, 12/12/2019

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector arrested an admitted MS-13 gang member near Douglas, Thursday afternoon.

The arrest occurred around noon, when Border Patrol agents on patrol observed a man illegally enter the United States west of the Douglas Port of Entry. Agents arrested the man and transported him to the station for processing.

During processing, record checks revealed the man was identified as Gonzalo Garcia-Gonzales, a 26-year-old Mexican national. Record checks also revealed that Garcia is a documented MS-13 gang member.

Garcia has been previously ordered removed from the United States, the most recent being on February 09, 2019.

Garcia is being held in federal custody pending further criminal prosecution.  All arrested individuals are presumed innocent pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at TCA-PAO@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.

Previously deported MS-13 gang member Gonzalo Garcia-Gonzales was arrested by Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents Dec. 11, 2019.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021