LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Richard Pauza,

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Laredo Port of Entry officers detained one male traveler wanted for an alleged sexual offense against a child.

“This apprehension reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities, our children,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “We will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals accused of committing crimes against children are held accountable.”

The fugitive apprehension occurred on Sunday, Aug. 24, when CBP officers at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge referred Bernardo Vasquez Rodriguez, a 70-year-old Mexican citizen for secondary inspection. Vasquez Rodriguez was a passenger aboard a commercial bus. After escorting the passenger to secondary, subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the subject had an outstanding felony warrant for indecency with a child by sexual contact, issued by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston. In Texas, indecency with a child by sexual contact is classified as a second-degree felony, which can result in a prison term of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $10,000. Vasquez Rodriguez was turned over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to await criminal proceedings.

The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion. Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.