Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested an MS-13 gang member Tuesday evening just north of the Andrade Port of Entry in California.
Agents patrolling near the U.S./Mexico border encountered Luis Romero-Alfredo, a 47-year-old Honduran citizen, who had entered the U.S. illegally. Romero was transported to the Yuma Station for processing.
While conducting a records check on Romero, agents learned he was a member of the MS-13 gang and removed twice from the country: through Los Angeles in 1997 and again in 1998 out of Laredo, Texas. His past crimes included multiple convictions for assault, theft, and making a false claim to U.S. citizenship.
Romero remains in federal custody pending further disposition per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In addition to enforcing immigration laws, the Border Patrol contributes to a safer America by removing dangerous criminals from the country. All individuals apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks.