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Previously Removed Convicted Rapist Apprehended by Border Patrol Agents

Release Date
Mon, 02/12/2018

TUCSON, Ariz. –Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Station arrested a Honduran national on Friday morning and discovered his 2001 felony conviction for rape in California.

Agents patrolling near Arivaca, Arizona found and arrested 44-year-old Wilmer Avila-Gamez, a Honduran national, for being illegally present in the United States. During processing, agents conducted a records check on Avila and discovered a April 2001 felony conviction in Santa Ana, California for “Rape by Force.”

Avila will remain in federal custody pending prosecution for criminal immigration violations involving re-entry of an aggravated felon.

All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal immigrants 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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021