CALEXICO, Calif. – Monday, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro station apprehended a dangerous gang member attempting to make an illegal entry into the United States.
Border Patrol agents arrested a 23-year-old Mexican national as he entered the United States illegally from Mexico at around 1:20 a.m. Agents arrested the man approximately 11 miles west of the downtown Calexico Port of Entry.
The man later identified as Samuel Garcia-Ezequiel, was transported to the El Centro Border Patrol station where it was revealed he was an active member of the “East Side” criminal street gang, out of San Jose, Calif.
The gang member is an aggravated felon who was previously deported on August 24, 2011. The man was convicted for possession of a firearm and was incarcerated at the San Jose Department of Corrections.
The man is in Border Patrol custody and will be criminally prosecuted for re-entry into the United States after being ordered removed.
The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.