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Convicted Sex Offender Arrested by Border Patrol

Release Date
Wed, 10/10/2018

CALEXICO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a previously deported sex offender Sunday night.

Jose Luis Romero-Lara
Jose Luis Romero-Lara

On Oct. 7, at around 7:20 p.m., agents assigned to the El Centro Border Patrol Station observed a man illegally cross the International Border fence three miles west of the Calexico West Port of Entry. 

Agents approached the man and determined that he was illegally present in the United States.  The man was placed under arrest and transported to the El Centro station for processing. 

Border Patrol agents conducted records checks, which revealed that Jose Luis Romero-Lara, a 56-year-old Mexican national is a convicted sex offender with a misdemeanor conviction for annoy/molest children out of Santa Ana.  Romero was sentenced to prison for 60 days and given 24 months probation.

The man will be criminally prosecuted for Re-Entry after Removal as a convicted sex offender.

This is the second convicted sex offender El Centro Sector agents have arrested in fiscal year 2019.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021