Tucson Sector Agents Apprehend Five Suspects with Active Warrants within 24 Hours

Tucson, Ariz. – During a 24 hour period, Border Patrol agents across the Tucson Sector apprehended five illegal aliens with active warrants for arrest; to include three with extraditable felony warrants. The warrants and extensive criminal histories of each individual were revealed using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS).

On Tuesday, agents assigned to the Douglas Border Patrol Station apprehended an individual with an outstanding felony arrest warrant issued by the New York Police Department for rape and sexual abuse. He is being held for prosecution and will be transferred to the U.S. Marshal’s Office.

Also late Tuesday, Casa Grande agents apprehended an individual in the west desert area with an extraditable warrant out of Navajo County, Ariz., on smuggling charges. He is being held pending extradition.

In two separate incidents early Wednesday, three more individuals with outstanding warrants were apprehended by Casa Grande agents. Agents first apprehended two illegal aliens wanted on drug-related charges; one with a felony warrant out of Henderson, Nev., the other out of Spanish Fork, Utah. Both individuals will be transferred to the Pinal County Sherriff’s Department for extradition.

Less than an hour after identifying the first two individuals, Casa Grande agents identified a third illegal alien with a warrant for “failure to appear” on a hit-and-run charge out of Portland, Ore. The warrant is not extraditable so the subject is being held for processing.

IAFIS technology helps agents quickly identify and classify criminals previously arrested and charged by other law enforcement agencies. In Fiscal Year 2009, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol apprehended more than 241,000 people. From Oct. 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, Tucson Sector agents apprehended more than 184,000 people attempting to enter the United States illegally. The Border Patrol is committed to working with local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies to reach our shared goal of improving the quality of life in all Arizona communities.