EDINBURG, Texas – Over the weekend, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents arrested three sex offenders and two members of violent criminal organizations.
Friday morning, Rio Grande City agents working near Roma, Texas, arrested a Guatemalan national, later identified as Amos Nemias LOPEZ-Ramirez, shortly after he illegally entered the United States. During processing, record checks revealed he is a confirmed Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member. Additionally, records revealed a previous arrest in Virginia by the Harrisonburg Police Department for assault. A judge sentenced him to five years incarceration.
That same day, McAllen agents working in Los Ebanos, Texas, arrested a Guatemalan national whose record checks identified him as Jose COTTOC-Machic. Furthermore, agents discovered the man was previously arrested in Alabama by the Russellville Police Department and charged with sexual assault-rape 2nd degree. A judge sentenced COTTOC-Machic to eight years imprisonment but suspended his sentence to three months and five years probation.
The following morning, Falfurrias agents arrested a Salvadoran national attempting to circumvent the immigration checkpoint. During processing, record checks revealed a previous arrest by the Katy Police Department for sexual assault of a child. Jose VASQUEZ-Chavez received two years confinement for the crime.
Later that evening, McAllen agents arrested a Mexican national, later identified as Fernando JIMENEZ-Rodriguez, after he illegally entered the United States. During processing, his record checks revealed a previous arrest by the Dallas Police Department for indecency with a child. JIMENEZ-Rodriguez received a two year prison sentence.
Yesterday afternoon, Rio Grande city agents on patrol near the Rio Grande in Roma, Texas, arrested a Mexican national after he was rafted across the river by a human smuggler. During processing, the man identified himself as a member of a criminal organization, Los Metros, which has been identified as a faction of the Gulf Cartel.
Border Patrol processed all the subjects accordingly.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.