EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry have apprehended 38 fugitives since the beginning of March, including three men wanted for sexual offences against children.
“CBP’s mission is to protect our country and communities, at and beyond our borders,” said Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “Our interagency communication and partnership with federal, state, local and international agencies is vital in accomplishing our mission.”
On March 2, at the Port of Columbus, New Mexico, CBP officers were notified that a 55-year-old male, U.S. citizen, wanted for failing to register as a sexual offender, possession of child pornography, and aggravated sexual assault of a minor was apprehended in Mexico by Mexican authorities. CBP officers aided coordination with federal and international agencies to repatriate the individual via the port of entry.
On March 12, at the Paso Del Norte Border Crossing, CBP officers encountered a 33-year-old male, Mexican citizen, who arrived via the pedestrian lanes. The man was secured and escorted to secondary for further inspection where biometric verification confirmed his identity along with an active warrant for lewdness with a child under the age of 14, lewdness with a child under the age of 16, sexual assault with a minor under 16 years of age, out of the North Las Vegas Police Department, Las Vegas, Nevada.
On March 13, at the Ysleta Port of Entry, CBP officers encountered a 26-year-old male, Mexican citizen, who arrived via the pedestrian lanes. The man was secured and escorted to secondary for further inspection where biometric verification confirmed his identity along with an active warrant for sexual offence/sexual exploitation of a child out of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle, Colorado.
The individuals were arrested by CBP officers and turned over to local authorities pending extradition to the originating agency.
The additional 35 individuals taken into custody were being sought on a variety of charges to include assault, sexual assault, cruelty towards a child, larceny, and dangerous drugs.