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  4. CBP in Puerto Rico Arrests a Previously Deported Salvadoran Attempting to Reach Ft. Lauderdale

CBP in Puerto Rico Arrests a Previously Deported Salvadoran Attempting to Reach Ft. Lauderdale

Release Date
Thu, 11/14/2019

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers found Friday a previously deported citizen of El Salvador prior to boarding a flight at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport bound to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

On Nov. 8, during routine inspections authorized by federal law, Salvador Enrique Martinez-Duarte claimed to be a citizen of El Salvador, presenting a valid passport but no visa to demonstrate an authorized stay. 

Further inspection revealed that under the name of Gabriela Duarte the defendant had been removed from the United States following felony convictions in San Diego, California, in 2011 and in Dallas, Texas, in 2014.  The defendant re-entered the United States without inspection.   

Martinez-Duarte appeared on Nov. 12  before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marshal Morgan for an initial appearance, for violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(b)(1), for re-entry whose removal was subsequent to a conviction for commission of a felony.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evelyn Canals is in charge of the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Puerto Rico. 

If convicted, Martinez-Duarte faces imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or a fine, or both.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

CBP’s mission is to facilitate travel while maintaining the highest standards of security for those who live here and for those who come to visit.  On a typical day last year, CBP officers processed more than 1 million travelers arriving airports, seaports or border crossings. 

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021