Laredo Area Border Cases Skyrocketing

In a troubling trend, United States Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector continue to make a large number of significant arrests in the Laredo area within 24 hours of each other.

The first incident occurred on the morning of December 2, when agents apprehended a group of six individuals, illegally in the United States, on a ranch south of Freer near Texas State Highway 16.  During processing, one of the individuals was identified as Artemio Telles-Garcia, a 32-year-old Mexican national.  Records checks revealed that Telles-Garcia had been convicted in May 2016 of Child Molestation in Rincon, Georgia and was sentenced to 15 years’ probation that was revoked in February 2017 after he failed to register as a sex offender.  Records further revealed that Telles-Garcia has been previously deported from the United States. 

The second incident occurred on December 3, when Hebbronville agents apprehended 14 individuals, illegally in the United States, on a ranch northwest of town.  One of the individuals was identified as Jorge Gonzalez-Del Cid, a 26-year old from El Salvador.  During processing, records checks revealed that Gonzalez-Del Cid is a member and affiliate of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang with a prior immigration offense and deportation.

Both individuals are being held by the U.S. Border Patrol pending prosecution of their immigration violations and will be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service. 

 Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak said, “Over the past 10 days, agents in the Laredo Sector have arrested 3 aliens attempting to illegally enter the United States that have prior convictions for sexual offenses and 36 criminal aliens.  Border security is national security, and what happens on the border directly impacts public safety at the border and throughout our country.”

These arrests, that have also included members of criminal gangs such as MS-13, continue to highlight the dangers that illegal immigration poses to our country.  Without properly vetting individuals for admittance, dangerous criminals such as these endanger our communities by showing a lack of regard for our country’s laws.  The agents of the Laredo Sector are committed to their duties of protecting the American people, safeguarding our borders, and enhancing the Nation’s economic prosperity. 

 To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, download the “USBP Laredo Sector” App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994