U.S. Border Patrol officers assigned to the El Centro station on Friday arrested a previously-deported sex offender one mile from the Calexico Port of Entry.
The incident began early Friday morning when agents observed a 48-year old male Salvadoran national running northbound from the international border fence near the Calexico Gran Plaza outlets. Agents quickly intercepted the man on his route and determined that he was in the country illegally. Agents also discovered that the man was previously convicted of assault to commit rape and sentenced to two years in prison. The individual was subsequently arrested and transported to the El Centro station for further processing.
“I am proud of the great work our Border Patrol agents demonstrated in stopping this previously convicted sex offender from further entry into the United States,” David S. Kim, assistant chief patrol agent, said. “Their actions have kept our communities safe.”
Agents said that the individual will be prosecuted for re-entry after removal and will be convicted as a sex offender.
In FY2016, El Centro agents have arrested 13 convicted sex offenders attempting to re-enter the country after a previous removal.
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 the nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry.