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Previously Deported 18 Street Gang Member Arrested

Release Date
Fri, 12/21/2018

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Station Border Patrol agents apprehended an 18th Street gang member from Honduras with extensive criminal history after he entered the U.S. illegally Tuesday evening.

Agents patrolling near Nogales arrested the man after he crossed the U.S./Mexico border through the desert. During processing, agents identified him as 51-year-old Hector Gustavo Montoya-Irias, a member of the dangerous 18th Street gang in Los Angeles.

Montoya has been arrested by the Border Patrol several times; most recently in 2016 when he was convicted for drug smuggling offenses. He served a 24-month prison sentence for that conviction and was removed from the country after confinement.

Arrest records gathered during his processing also revealed that Montoya was removed from the country more than 10 times for immigration violations dating back to 1993, as well as multiple arrests for crimes committed in California.

Montoya will be prosecuted for immigration violations and will remain in custody until a determination is made in his case.

All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal aliens with criminal histories are positively identified.

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