U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on Apr. 8 that its officers assigned to ports of entry within the Laredo Field Office area arrested five individuals wanted for felony charges over a five-day period from March 27 to March 31.
The arrests, which took place at various bridges along the southern border, highlight ongoing efforts by CBP to prevent individuals facing serious criminal charges from entering or remaining in the United States.
According to CBP, on March 27 officers at Laredo’s Colombia-Solidarity Bridge identified Victoria Fernandez Lopez, a Mexican citizen, as being wanted for indecency with a child by contact based on a warrant issued by Burleson Police Department in Texas. She was taken to Webb County jail after confirmation of the warrant.
On March 29, Jose Arturo Alfaro Acuna, also a Mexican citizen, was detained at Brownsville’s Gateway Bridge due to an international warrant for homicide and abuse of office from the Government of Mexico. He was turned over to Mexican authorities after his warrant was confirmed. That same day at Eagle Pass International Bridge I, Efren Gonzalez Dominguez, a U.S. citizen wanted for sexual assault under a Lea County Sheriff’s Office warrant in New Mexico, was handed over to Maverick County sheriff’s deputies.
March 31 saw two more arrests: Epifanio Benitez and Joel Herrera—both U.S. citizens—were apprehended at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge and Anzalduas International Bridge respectively. Both men were subject to active felony warrants for sexual assault of a child issued by Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office; Benitez was taken to Webb County jail while Herrera was turned over to Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputies.
“In the span of just five days, CBP officers at ports of entry in the Laredo area apprehended five fugitives with felony charges,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “The charges of those apprehended included homicide, sexual assault, and indecency with a child. We have delivered the most secure border in American history. We will not allow criminals to enter our country and terrorize our communities.”
These recent actions reflect ongoing efforts by federal authorities aimed at maintaining security along key points of entry into the United States.
