A man, wanted for murder, was unable to hide his identity while attempting to cross into the U.S. from Mexico. The arrest was made by officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Santa Teresa port of entry. Jason Owens, Chief Border Patrol Agent, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the suspect is now set to be prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) with the Department of Justice.
Owens stated, "USBP agents in Santa Teresa, NM, apprehended a dangerous criminal sought for Aggravated Homicide in Mexico. The subject will be presented to the AUSA for prosecution (USC 1325 - illegal entry) & removal from the U.S."
This is not an isolated incident at this checkpoint. A CBP news release revealed another case where a 32-year-old American male was arrested while trying to cross into America at the Santa Teresa port of entry due to an outstanding arrest warrant for homicide. Identified by KRQE as Andrew Maya, he had arrived from Mexico via vehicle lanes.
The news station reported that Maya allegedly stabbed Jason Fuentes to death following a dispute at Distillery Bar on Central in January of 2023. Maya's identification was possible through video surveillance and a wallet left behind at the crime scene.
CBP Santa Teresa Port Director Tony Hall emphasized on their efficient use of resources saying, "Effective utilization of national law enforcement databases allows our officers to identify and apprehend wanted fugitives. This part of the work performed by CBP officers helps keep our communities safe."
According to a media release, upon secondary inspection, agents used biometric verification to confirm Maya's identity. They were alerted about his active warrant for homicide issued by Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in Albuquerque, N.M. In December alone, CBP officers arrested 19 fugitives across various ports of entry on charges ranging from human trafficking and indecent exposure to a minor, to assault.
