Antelope Wells, N.M. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Antelope Wells port of entry Monday apprehended a man wanted in Arizona for violating probation for a sex offense crime against a child. He was turned over to New Mexico State Police.
The apprehesion was made at approximately 12:45 p.m. when a shuttle van arrived at the port from Mexico. CBP officers at the crossing were performing inspections when they encountered a man who carried no identification. The man claimed his documents had been stolen in Mexico.
CBP officers queried the man using various law enforcement data bases and found that he had an outstanding warrant in Arizona. CBP officers confirmed the warrant and then took the man into custody. He is identified as 46-year-old Calvin Craig Bessent Jr. of Holbrook, Ariz. Calvin Craig Bessent Jr. was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison and lifetime probation after pleading guilty to state charges of furnishing harmful items to a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor (child pornography) in May of 2007 following an investigation by the Holbrook police department and the Navajo County Sheriff's office.
"From the busiest crossing along the border like El Paso, to much less traveled and remote locations like Antelope Wells, CBP officers are vigilant and thorough in their inspection process. They are doing all they can to prevent the entry of people and things that can cause harm to the American public," said Ana Hinojosa, CBP director of Field Operations in El Paso.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.