Blythe, Calif. - Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector arrested a convicted felon claiming to have ties to the Sureño gang Monday in Blythe, Calif.
Agents from the Blythe Border Patrol Station arrested the 25-year-old male in the parking lot of a restaurant. Criminal record checks revealed drug, domestic violence and armed robbery convictions. Immigration checks showed that he had been deported from the United States on January 6.
The subject also claimed to be a member of the Sureño gang. The Sureño gang, better known as part of the Mexican Mafia, started in the California state prison system. The Mexican Mafia is a highly organized criminal entity thought to have more than 100,000 members and be heavily involved in extortion, drug and human trafficking, murder and other criminal activity.
This subject will be criminally charged with re-entry of an aggravated felon and processed for removal.
This case is evidence of the effectiveness of coordinated border security operations supported by effective tools and technology. Utilizing advanced fingerprint technology, Border Patrol agents can quickly identify individuals with criminal histories in the United States and prevent the entry of convicted felons and other dangerous criminals. Violent criminals will often attempt to re-enter the United States, but continue to encounter pronounced enforcement efforts along the border by Customs and Border Protection officers and agents.
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.