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  4. CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted for Smuggling of Persons at the Hidalgo International Bridge

CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted for Smuggling of Persons at the Hidalgo International Bridge

Release Date
Tue, 01/17/2023

HIDALGO, Texas— U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a woman wanted for multiple counts of smuggling of persons at the Hidalgo International Bridge. 

“Smuggling of persons is a nationwide issue and it is our duty to bring those people wanted for these offenses in, to face their day in court,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

CBP officers escort a wanted person at a U.S. port of entry.
CBP officers escort a wanted person at a U.S. port of entry.

On January 14, 2023, CBP officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered 23-year-old Ashley Giselle Espinoza, a U.S. citizen, as she arrived from Mexico and immediately secured her after discovering she was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Upon investigation, biometric verification confirmed her identity along with an active arrest warrant from Kenedy County Sheriff’s Office in Sarita, Texas. Espinoza faces nine counts of smuggling of persons, which is generally a third-degree felony in the state of Texas.

A Mission police officer arrived to take custody of Espinoza and transported her to the county jail. Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on Twitter at @DFOLaredo also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Last Modified: Jan 17, 2023