CBP agents arrest foreign nationals in Rio Grande Valley Sector

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announced on Wednesday a series of arrests near the Rio Grande Valley Sector in the Hidalgo and La Grulla areas.

Among the apprehended suspects were two Mexican nationals and a Guatemalan national. Each had a criminal record for offenses ranging from lewd or lascivious acts with a child to four counts of sexual assault of a child and rape of child.

“Border Patrol agents remain vigilant in their efforts to protect this nation from all threats, including predators and convicted criminals attempting to illegally enter the country,” Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla, Jr., said. “Thanks to the hard work of Border Patrol agents, these dangerous criminals were unable to make it into our communities.”

Border Patrol agents at Allen Station also apprehended two confirmed gang members near Hidalgo.

The suspects included a Salvadorian man who confessed to being a member of the violent and deadly Mara Salvatrucha street gang and a Mexican man with confirmed ties to the dangerous 18th Street gang.

Officials also arrested a Mexican man who previously had been arrested and charged with rape in the first degree.