Four Alleged Sex Offenders Nabbed at Texas Border in One Weekend

In just one very busy weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at various Texas ports of entry apprehended four men who all had one thing in common: they were each wanted for sex crimes involving children.

Texas' Quadruple Border Arrest

October 11

On October 11, officers at Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville directed a vehicle attempting to gain entry into secondary inspection. Sitting in the passenger seat was 65-year-old Gilberto Fernandez Vega.

Vega had been wanted out of Cameron County for indecency with a child by sexual contact, and was sent back to await trial in jail.

October 12

October 12 saw two arrests: 32-year-old Armando Hernandez and 57-year-old Isidro Gutierrez—both U.S. citizens.

Hernandez had been wanted out of Laredo for indecency with a child by sexual contact and was subsequently turned over to the Laredo police.

Gutierrez's warrant for indecency with a child was also out of Laredo.

October 13

Finally, on October 13, border officers at Gateway to Americas Bridge in Laredo referred Luiz Manuel Mendez III, 31, to secondary inspection. Through the use of biometric verification, it was discovered that Mendez had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest.

Read More: Misdemeanor vs. Felony: Breaking Down Texas Law

His charges include aggravated sexual assault of a child that was issued out of Bexar County. Mendez was then transported to the Webb County jail to await further trial dates.

A Special Message from CBP

Laredo Director of Field Operations Donald Kusser noted how important it was to apprehend men like this before they find themselves back in the public:

Sex-related offenses involving children are among the most heinous offenses we encounter. We work diligently to ensure that individuals accused of these kinds of crimes are held accountable and have their day in court.