In a notable display of vigilance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry apprehended two men with outstanding felony warrants for sex-related offenses against children within a 72-hour period. The arrests occurred in two separate incidents involving individuals from the state of Texas.
The first apprehension took place on Saturday, January 25, when CBP officers at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge conducted a secondary inspection on vehicle passenger J Everardo Salazar Rangel, 58. Rangel, a lawful permanent U.S. resident, was identified via biometric verification as the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for indecency with a child, sexual contact. The warrant was issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Edna, Texas. Following the discovery, officers transported Salazar Rangel to Webb County jail, as noted in a statement by the CBP.
Two days later, on Monday, January 27, another lawful permanent U.S. resident encountered a similar fate. J Santos Reyes Martinez, 64, was referred for a secondary inspection while aboard a bus. CBP officers carrying out the examination utilized biometric verification alongside federal law enforcement databases to confirm Reyes Martinez's identity. They found he was wanted on a felony arrest warrant for indecency with a child, sexual contact, issued by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office in Kountze, Texas. Like Salazar Rangel, Reyes Martinez was taken to Webb County jail to face the charges against him.
"Our frontline CBP officers continue to exercise vigilance in the passenger environment and that dedication to the mission resulted in the apprehension of two men wanted on outstanding warrants for sex-related felony offenses," expressed Port Director Albert Flores, according to the CBP website. CBP uses the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a centralized automated database that helps law enforcement agencies communicate and exchange information on various offenses, including sexual and violent crimes.
The effectiveness of the NCIC in such cases demonstrates the critical role it plays in capturing wanted individuals. Previously, as per CBP records, arrests have been made for offenses ranging from homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion. It's important to note that criminal charges are merely allegations, with defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
