TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended two men in separate incidents over the weekend, the first a wanted person, with an active Maricopa County warrant for six counts of sexual misconduct with a minor; the second, a convicted sex offender, previously deported from the United States.
Agents patrolling Federal Route 15 west of Tucson conducted an immigration inspection on two male occupants of a white 2003 Ford Expedition at approximately 1:15 a.m. Saturday morning.
Criminal history and immigration checks revealed one of the men, a 23-year-old Mexican citizen and recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival-DACA, was wanted for six counts of felony sexual assault on a minor in Maricopa County.
Pinal County Sheriff Deputies responded to the scene and took custody of the man and impounded the vehicle. The second man was released.
On Sunday, near the same area, agents encountered and arrested a 30-year-old man from El Salvador with a previous criminal conviction of literal exploitation of a minor, a crime for which he was sentenced to 30 days confinement and 36 months’ probation in Salt Lake City, Utah, before being deported in 2010.
The convicted sex offender was found hiding in the desert, attempting to evade arrest with five other males ranging in age from 18 to 38. Three were El Salvadorian nationals, one was a Mexican national, and one was a Guatemalan national. All were arrested for immigration violations.
All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal aliens with criminal histories are positively identified. Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free.