CBP Officers at LAX Capture Accused Child Molester

U.S. Citizen Facing Child Fondling Charges in South Carolina

Los Angeles— On March 21, at approximately 12:45 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) arrested Robert Briggs, a 25 year-old U.S. citizen, as he arrived from Seoul, Korea.

CBP officers confirmed that Briggs was the subject of an open warrant by Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Based on the warrant issued on March 13, Briggs faces child fondling charges.

Briggs was met planeside by CBP officers who processed and arrested him. Briggs was subsequently turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department to initiate his extradition proceeding to Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“This is a prime example of the exceptional quality of our officers in the performance of their border security duties.” said Todd C. Owen, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Everyday, CBP Officers at LAX and at ports of entry around the country apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants. It is especially gratifying when CBP Officers apprehend an individual who is accused of committing crimes against a child, and return that fugitive to justice”.

The Office of Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism. They screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States.

During fiscal year 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Los Angeles apprehended a total of 499 suspects ranging from murderers, child molesters, drug traffickers to larceners.

Note: For additional details about this case please contact Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Lt. Tony Ivey at (864) 503-4505. Email: tivey@spartanburgcounty.org

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.