EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley identified eight gang 
members of the Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street gangs as well as five sexual predators.
Last Wednesday, agents assigned to the Falfurrias station apprehended a Salvadoran national near Encino, Texas, whose record checks revealed he is a Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member.
Later that day, Weslaco agents apprehended a Salvadoran national near Donna, Texas, whose record checks revealed he is an MS-13 gang member.
On Thursday, Rio Grande City agents apprehended a Mexican national. His record checks revealed a previous arrest by the Appling County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office and a charge for sex exploitation of a minor. The man received a conviction and sentenced to 10 years confinement.
Later that day, agents assigned to the Falfurrias station apprehended a Salvadoran national near Falfurrias, Texas, whose record checks revealed he is an 18th Street gang member.
Shortly after, McAllen agents apprehended a Mexican national near Hidalgo, Texas. His records showed several arrests by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, which include a conviction for sexual battery and a sentence to 16 months prison/140 days in jail.
McAllen agents also arrested a Salvadoran national, traveling with his wife and two children, near Mission, Texas. During processing, his record checks revealed he is an 18th Street gang member charged with assault in his home country.
On Friday, McAllen agents apprehended a Guatemalan national near La Joya, Texas. His record checks displayed numerous arrests by the Los Angeles Police Department. His latest is for lewd/lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age. The man received a conviction and a three-year prison term.
Saturday, McAllen agents arrested a Salvadoran national near McAllen, Texas. His record checks revealed an active warrant for possession of pornographic work of minors/disseminate pornographic work of minors/criminal sex conduct 3rd degree and criminal sex conduct 4th degree.
Several hours later, in two separate incidents, agents assigned to the McAllen station apprehended two Salvadoran nationals near McAllen, Texas, whose record checks revealed that one is an 18th Street gang member and the other an MS-13 gang member.
Also on Saturday, McAllen agents arrested a Mexican national near McAllen, Texas. His record checks showed he has an active warrant for the charge of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. The man is pending extradition.
Yesterday, Fort Brown agents apprehended a Nicaraguan national near Brownsville, Texas. His record checks identified him as a member of the MS-13 gang.
This morning, Weslaco agents arrested a Salvadoran national near Hidalgo, Texas. During processing, record checks revealed the subject is an MS-13 gang member.
The Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.