SAN LUIS, ARIZ.—A 20-year-old California man is in custody in connection with a weapons charge in central California. The man was arrested as he attempted to enter the United States through the port of San Luis on Tuesday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Jose Miguel Nieto Almanza, of Castroville, Calif., for further inspection when he attempted to enter through a pedestrian lane. He was taken into custody after a routine record check disclosed an active arrest warrant by authorities in Monterey County for a weapons offense that took place last month in Salinas, Calif. Police in San Luis, Ariz. confirmed the warrant and took custody of Nieto.
In fiscal year 2012, CBP officers at Arizona ports arrested 401 people wanted for crimes such as murder, rape, assault, robbery and other criminal activity. More than 6,000 individuals were identified as inadmissible due to national security, insufficient or fraudulent documents, and other relevant concerns.
Individuals arrested are charged with a criminal complaint, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation's ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.