U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested Fard Shaheed Matthews, a 49-year-old resident of Virginia Beach, on Saturday as he prepared to board a cruise ship in Norfolk. Matthews was wanted by the Norfolk Police Department on felony charges of forcible rape and sexual battery.
CBP officers conducting routine passenger vetting identified Matthews as a potential match to an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Norfolk Police Department. After verifying his identity and confirming with local authorities that the warrant was still active, CBP officers detained Matthews and handed him over to Norfolk Police Department officers.
Criminal charges are considered allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
“These allegations, if proven true, are serious and reprehensible, and Customs and Border Protection officers are pleased to assist our local law enforcement partners in returning a fugitive to justice,” said Keri Brady, CBP’s Acting Area Port Director for the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News. “CBP’s unique border security mission of knowing who is entering or departing the United States allows us to ensure that victims’ voices are heard, and helps our law enforcement partners make our streets a little safer.”
CBP regularly checks international passenger manifests against various law enforcement databases such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to identify individuals who may require further scrutiny, including those with outstanding warrants. In 2024, CBP processed more than one million travelers daily at airports, seaports, and land borders across the country. On average, they arrested 44 individuals with outstanding warrants each day. More details about CBP's daily operations can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/typical-day-fy2024.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations leads its border security mission at ports of entry by screening travelers and cargo for illicit substances, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit goods, prohibited agriculture products, invasive species, and other items that could threaten public safety or economic interests.
Further information about CBP’s activities is available at www.CBP.gov.
For updates from the Baltimore Field Office or other regional offices on social media platforms such as X (@DFOBaltimore) or Instagram (@cbpfieldops), additional resources can be accessed through their official accounts.
