On March 2, a 62-year-old man was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. The arrest was made on the basis of an outstanding felony warrant.
The individual, a U.S. citizen, was preparing to depart for Germany with his wife when he was identified by CBP officers. Utilizing a passenger manifest, photograph, and other personal identifying information, officers confirmed his identity as matching an active National Crime Information Center (NCIC) arrest warrant from St. Louis County for Driving Under the Influence—DWI Persistent, classified as a felony.
Following his identification, the man was handed over to the St. Louis County Police Department for further processing.
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations for the Chicago Field Office, stated: “Our highly trained officers are always on alert for criminals who are fleeing the country to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.” She emphasized that "the use of law enforcement databases, like NCIC, and intelligence by CBP officers is extremely instrumental in the apprehension of wanted criminals."
The NCIC serves as a centralized automated database that facilitates information sharing among law enforcement agencies about outstanding warrants and other critical data. CBP officers have previously used this system to arrest individuals wanted for various serious offenses including homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion.
CBP's mission at ports of entry is carried out by officers from the Office of Field Operations. More information about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures national borders can be found through their resources.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is recognized as America's frontline defense; it is both the largest law enforcement organization in the nation and the first unified border management agency globally. With over 65,000 personnel, CBP safeguards America across land borders and maritime environments while facilitating lawful travel and trade to ensure economic prosperity through innovation and collaboration.
