LAREDO, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations officers at the Laredo Port of Entry during a recent 48-hour period apprehended two travelers with pending felony warrants regarding sex-related offenses against children in separate incidents.
“CBP officers play a critical role safeguarding the border at our ports of entry and the back to back apprehensions of these two individuals on active warrants for sex-related assault charges involving child victims illustrates our steadfast commitment to CBP’s border security mission,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.
The most recent apprehension occurred on Thursday, June 21, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. CBP officers conducted a primary examination on a male bus passenger arriving from Mexico and referred him to secondary for further inspection due to a possible match to an outstanding warrant. CBP officers conducted a fingerprint check and utilizing national law enforcement databases confirmed his identity as 44-year-old Jose Natividad Betancourt, a United States citizen from Houston, Texas, wanted in Ft. Bend County on outstanding felony warrants for aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child. CBP officers transported Betancourt to Webb County jail for adjudication of the warrant.
On June 20, CBP officers at the same bridge referred a 1998 Chevy Trailblazer for a secondary examination due to a possible match of passenger Norberto Lopez Hurtado, a 45-year-old Texas lawful permanent resident, to an outstanding warrant. Further examination using biometric verification and national law enforcement database checks confirmed his identity and also confirmed that he was the subject of an outstanding felony warrant from Gillespie County of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child, Victim Under 14. CBP officers transported Lopez Hurtado to Webb County jail for adjudication of the warrant.
Charges and allegations contained in criminal complaints are merely accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.