CBP Officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge Arrest Two Men Wanted on Sexual Assault Charges this Weekend

Hidalgo, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested two men wanted on charges for sexual assault, one involving a minor.

“Our ability to check all travelers through CBP and law enforcement databases has enabled our officers to detect these two sexual assault violators and release them to the agencies that will continue with criminal procedures,” said Javier N. Cantu, acting Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “Having arrested these two men has allowed us to help keep predators from causing harm to others thus allowing them to proceed through the criminal justice system.”

The first arrest occurred on Friday, Aug. 17, shortly after noon when Brayan Ramirez, age 20, a United States citizen from the New York area arrived at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge pedestrian lanes. A CBP officer’s database query revealed that the adult male traveler was a match for an outstanding warrant from the Suffolk County Police Department in Long Island, New York. During secondary inspection, CBP officers verified Ramirez’ identity and confirmed an outstanding criminal sexual assault warrant.

The second arrest occurred on Sunday, Aug. 19, in the late morning hours when Alexander Castillo, age 19, a United States citizen from Henderson, Texas also arrived as a pedestrian at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge. A database check by a CBP officer revealed that the male traveler was a possible match for an outstanding warrant. In secondary, CBP officers verified Castillo’s identity and confirmed the warrant for sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 was active.

Both adult male travelers were arrested by CBP and subsequently released to the custody of the Hidalgo, Texas Police Department where they will wait to be extradited to the appropriate agencies.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.