U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry in Texas arrested a Michigan man wanted for sex-related offenses. On Wednesday, officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge identified 35-year-old Matthew Edwin Merrill during a routine screening and confirmed he had an outstanding warrant for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A man wanted in Michigan for multiple sex offenses was arrested at the Hidalgo Port of Entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers identified the suspect, Merrill, through national law enforcement databases. The warrant, issued by the Gogebic County Sheriff's Office in Bessemer, Michigan, includes four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. After confirming his identity and charges, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers took Merrill into custody and transferred him to the Hidalgo Police Department. He was then taken to the Hidalgo County jail, where he awaits extradition. "Intercepting those wanted for sex offenses and bringing them to justice is essential to protecting communities, supporting survivors, and preventing further harm," said Hidalgo Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
The National Crime Information Center provided data on outstanding warrants that led to Merrill's arrest. The system allows law enforcement agencies to share information and has been used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in arrests for crimes such as homicide, narcotics distribution, and sexual child abuse. National Crime Information Center supports cooperation between agencies to track fugitives across state lines. Merrill’s case will proceed through the legal system, where he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
