KEY WEST, Fla. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in the Florida Keys arrested a man wanted for murder in Arkansas at Key West International Airport on Monday.
CBP officers coordinated with local authorities in advance and arrested the man deplaning from an arriving flight. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office took the individual into custody without incident.
“CBP teams work closely with a vast network of local, state and federal partners throughout the Florida Keys as America’s Frontline,” said Key West Port Director Stephen Bausmith. “CBP officers routinely identify potential threats and interdict travelers who are fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants as part of efforts to help keep our communities safe.”
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations in Florida
CBP facilitate travels while maintaining the highest standards of security for those who live here and for those who come to visit. CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit drugs, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other products that could potentially harm the American public U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety, security and economic vitality. Watch this video to learn more about CBP and its tremendously complex and important mission.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations in Florida includes more than 2,700 front-line federal officers, agricultural specialists, trade and mission support personnel securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border and providing international travel and trade facilitation. The Miami Field Office encompasses five ports that stretch over 313 miles of Florida coastline, within which there are five seaports, including the top two cruise ship ports in the world; and nine airports, with Miami International Airport (MIA) ranking as the second busiest international airport among U.S. airports.
The Tampa Field Office encompasses the Area Ports of Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Both Field Offices also provide support to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Associate Chief Counsel, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the South Florida Federal Executive Board, and numerous other governmental agencies.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in Florida include travel and trade facilitation and securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border. For the latest on CBP enforcement efforts across Florida, add @CBPFlorida on Twitter.