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Convicted Sexual Offender Taken Off the Streets

Release Date
Fri, 10/23/2015

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico - Border Patrol Agents from Santa Teresa Station nabbed a convicted sex offender on Wednesday who was attempting to sneak back into the U.S.

Agents were working near Santa Teresa when they observed five subjects climbing through a hole in the international boundary fence. The area is along a notorious stretch of the border, known for illegal entries into the U.S.

The agents quickly gave chase as they followed their footprints, which led them to the group that was attempting to conceal themselves in desert brush.

Agents say that all of the subjects admitted to being in the country illegally.  After further processing, it was discovered that 24-year-old Mario Perez-Contreras had an extensive criminal history to include a guilty plea for to a felony charge of “Distributing via Electronic Communication Material Relates/Describes Sexual Conduct to a Child”, in June of 2012. His records showed he also had a prior conviction for sexual assault in Hastings, Minnesota the same year.  Perez-Contreras was transported to the Otero County Prison facility pending criminal prosecution for illegal re-entry.

This incident demonstrates how vigilance by U.S. Border Patrol Agents and the ability to rapidly respond is combating the furtherance of dangerous criminals into our community, while keeping our nation’s borders safe.

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 our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021