Customs and Border Protection, as part of its Border Safety Initiative, strongly advises potential crossers to consider the impending risks they face when attempting to enter the United States illegally. Not only are crossers put at risk by unscrupulous smugglers or bandits, they could face uncertain dangers from the other illegal crossers who they are traveling with. These dangers were illustrated on Wednesday when Border Patrol agents working in the West Desert apprehended two sex offenders travelling in a group of 37 including four females.
Casa Grande Station agents apprehended a 31-year-old man for illegally entering the United States. During processing, record checks revealed the subject has an extraditable warrant for forcible rape, violence, duress and menace out of San Jose, Calif. He also has a previous conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. He faces possible prosecution and will be turned over to the United States Marshals Service for extradition.
In the same incident, Casa Grande Station agents apprehended a 36-year-old man for illegally entering the United States. Record checks revealed the subject was a registered sex offender convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault in 2004 out of Illinois. The subject also has a prior removal and may face possible prosecution.
“Women and children face many dangers at the hands of smugglers who have little regard for their safety”, said Chris Clem, Patrol Agent in Charge of the Casa Grande station. “One of our priorities to combat criminal organizations is to work with our partners to inform and educate migrants about the risk of being victimized when attempting to enter the United States illegally.”