LORDSBURG, N.M. – U.S. Border Patrol agents’ vigilance paid off while working near Lordsburg, New Mexico, leading to the arrest of an aggravated felon.
Late Friday evening, Lordsburg Border Patrol agents working received an alert regarding possible lost individuals who had illegally crossed into the United States on foot near a remote area close to Hachita, New Mexico. Agents activated their emergency equipment in an effort to locate the possible illegal entrants. El Paso Sector specialty units assisting made phone contact and located the distressed aliens. The two suspects were examined and required no immediate medical attention. They were taken into custody and transported to the station for identification and processing.
Once at the station, agents were able to positively identify one of the subjects arrested as Bernabe Marquez Ponce, a 45-year-old Mexican citizen who had been convicted of two counts of felony assault. The subject is a registered sex offender who was previously found guilty for one count of sexual assault against a child and a second count of an assault causing serious bodily injury.
The prior convictions were out of Adams County in Brighton, Colorado in 2008. The subject is currently being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center pending criminal and removal proceedings.
“Extremely proud of our Lordsburg agents who immediately responded to locate these individuals in this difficult terrain”, stated El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “With the assistance of the El Paso Sector Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents, working in collaboration with our CBP Air and Marine Operations, they were able to rescue the group of suspected aliens in distress”.
It is important to note that an arrest or criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered evidence of guilt. Subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509 toll-free.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @USBPChiefEPT and @CBPWestTexas.