Diane V. Sahakian Assistant Commissioner | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry have detained a United States citizen wanted for alleged sexual assault of a child. The apprehension took place on October 7 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge during an inspection of a commercial bus arriving from Mexico.
Port Director Alberto Flores commented on the arrest, stating, “Child sexual abuse can be devastating to those who endure it. Thorough border inspections help stop those sought by law enforcement for this heinous crime and, in turn, contribute to the security of our communities.”
The individual detained is Jose Gustavo Aviles, a 35-year-old U.S. citizen. After being referred for secondary inspection, biometric verification confirmed that Aviles had an outstanding felony warrant from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Center, Texas. He was subsequently handed over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to await criminal proceedings.
The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) plays a crucial role in such operations by providing a centralized automated database that shares information among law enforcement agencies about outstanding warrants for various offenses. CBP officers have previously arrested individuals wanted for crimes including homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion.
It is important to note that criminal charges are allegations until proven guilty in court.
For updates on this and other news from CBP's Laredo Field Office, follow their social media accounts on X: @DFOLaredo and @CBPSouthTexas.
CBP is recognized as America's frontline defense and operates as the largest law enforcement organization globally with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting U.S. borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
