U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry in Texas recently apprehended a man wanted for a sex-related offense in Michigan. The man, identified as Matthew Edwin Merrill, 35, a U.S. citizen, was intercepted while attempting to enter the United States on Wednesday, March 26.
Upon examination at the Hidalgo International Bridge, officers discovered an active felony warrant for Merrill involving four counts of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct issued by the Gogebic County Sheriff's Office in Bessemer, Michigan. Merrill was secured and taken to a secondary examination for further inspection. Confirmation of the warrant was done through biographical information. Subsequently, the Hidalgo Police Department took custody of Merrill and transported him to the Hidalgo County jail, where he awaits extradition.
Hidalgo Port Director Carlos Rodriguez stated, “Intercepting those wanted for sex offenses and bringing them to justice is essential to protecting communities, supporting survivors, and preventing further harm. Every arrest represents a step toward accountability and safety.”
Information on outstanding warrants, like that of Merrill, is shared among law enforcement agencies through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a centralized automated database. According to this system, CBP officers have previously arrested individuals for offenses 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, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
For breaking news and ongoing updates, follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on X (@DFOLaredo), Instagram (@dfolaredo), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas.
CBP is the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. With over 65,000 personnel, CBP is responsible for securing America's borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
