U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Progreso Port of Entry recently apprehended a man with an outstanding felony warrant. The individual, identified as Felipe Vasquez, 41, is a U.S. citizen wanted for failure to appear on an original charge of sexual assault of a child in Hidalgo County.
Acting Port Director Jorge Galvan emphasized the importance of such apprehensions, stating, "This apprehension on an outstanding warrant for a sex-related offense involving a child underscores the vital importance of our border security mission." He added that these actions ensure justice and contribute to community safety.
The incident occurred on January 2nd when CBP officers referred Vasquez for secondary inspection at the Progreso International Bridge. Using biometric verification and federal law enforcement databases, officers confirmed his identity and discovered the outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Vasquez was subsequently handed over to sheriff’s deputies for further legal proceedings.
The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) plays a crucial role in sharing information among law enforcement agencies about various offenses, including outstanding warrants. Based on NCIC data, CBP officers have previously arrested individuals wanted for crimes such as homicide, robbery, narcotics distribution, and military desertion.
It is important to note that criminal charges are merely allegations until proven guilty in court.
For more updates from CBP's Laredo Field Office or other regional news, follow their social media accounts on X or Instagram under @DFOLaredo or @CBPSouthTexas.
CBP remains America's largest law enforcement organization dedicated to safeguarding borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade. Their efforts aim to enhance national security through innovation and collaboration across multiple domains.