El Paso , Texas – Border Patrol agents in Las Cruces and Ysleta keep criminals from exploiting roadways and routes of egress that lead away from the border. Yesterday, Las Cruces agents arrested a sex offender with warrants for his arrest while Ysleta agents arrested two individuals with possible links to narcotics traffic organizations.
Border Patrol agents at the I-10 traffic checkpoint, west of Las Cruces, arrested a U.S. citizen being sought by Putnam County, Fla., authorities on charges related to one count of sexual battery and four counts of sexual activity with a child in familial custody. Agents apprehended the wanted man, a 53-year-old male from Indiana, after they encountered him traveling onboard a Greyhound bus headed for Arizona.
A K-9 team conducting routine inspections of the luggage compartment discovered a black suitcase containing possible narcotics. As agents questioned the owner of the suitcase, they learned that the subject had used marijuana earlier that morning. A search of the suitcase was done with negative results. Further investigation of the subject revealed that he had active warrants out of Florida, and was identified as David A. Sullivan. He was turned over to New Mexico State Police for ultimate extradition.
Several hours later, agents from Ysleta working the Highway 62/180 traffic checkpoint arrested two U.S. citizens for having drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of a weapon. As agents were conducting immigration inspections, they observed a silver Ford F-150 approach the traffic checkpoint with two occupants. As agents questioned the two occupants of the vehicle, they noticed unusual mannerisms and conflicting responses to some basic questions. The subjects became increasingly agitated as agents continued their questioning.
Further investigation of both subjects revealed extensive criminal histories. A K-9 team conducted a cursory inspection of the vehicle. The K-9 then alerted to the passenger side of the F-150 truck. As agents continued searching the vehicle, they discovered a measuring spoon with residue of white powder; several small plastic baggies; four working cell phones; a stun gun; two knives; a money ledger and a loaded .357 Smith & Wesson handgun. The subjects were taken into custody and turned over to the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s office for further disposition.
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.
