EL CENTRO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro station arrested a previously deported sex offender eight miles west of the Calexico Port of Entry on Thursday.
At approximately 9 p.m., agents observed a man running north from the International Border fence. Agents apprehended the man and determine that he was illegally present in the United States. The man was placed under arrest and transported to the El Centro Station for further processing.
Border Patrol agents conducted records checks which revealed the man, a 41-year-old national of Guatemala, was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct-First Degree-Penetration, sentenced to eight years in prison in Calif., and was subsequently deported in 2011.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our community is one of our top priorities,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. “Border Patrol agents routinely encounter individuals with serious criminal histories like this and work diligently to ensure they can do no more harm to those in our community.”
The man will be criminally prosecuted for Re-Entry After Removal as a convicted sex offender.
In fiscal year 2016, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have arrested 14 convicted sex offenders attempting to re-enter the United States after removal.
The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.