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  4. CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitives Wanted for Child Fondling at Hidalgo International Bridge

CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitives Wanted for Child Fondling at Hidalgo International Bridge

Release Date
Mon, 03/28/2022

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge apprehended Eliseo Gonzalez, a male Mexican citizen from Weslaco, Texas and Matias Cantu Garza, U.S. citizen from San Juan, Texas in two separate incidents. Both had arrest warrants associated with child-related sex crimes.

“The accused men will have their day in court thanks to our CBP officers who are always vigilant in apprehending those persons wanted for heinous crimes of a sexual nature with children,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.

CBP officers escort a wanted person at a U.S. port of entry.
CBP officers escort a wanted person at a U.S. port of
entry.

On March 24, 2022, 69-year-old Eliseo Gonzalez, arrived from Mexico at the Hidalgo International Bridge and a CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering Gonzalez was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant from Weslaco Police Department. Gonzalez had this outstanding warrant stemming from allegations from an incident earlier this month. He is charged with alleged child fondling and indecency with a child, a second-degree felony.

A Weslaco police officer arrived to take custody of Gonzalez and transported him to the county jail.

Later that day, 76-year-old Matias Cantu Garza, arrived from Mexico at the Hidalgo International Bridge and a CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering Cantu was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant from Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Cantu had this outstanding warrant stemming from allegations from an incident earlier this month. He is charged with alleged child fondling and indecency with a child/sexual contact, a second-degree felony.

Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Visit CBP’s website for more information on the Immigration Inspection Program.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on Twitter at @DFOLaredo also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

Last Modified: May 13, 2022