Border Patrol Arrest Convicted Child Molester Trying Reenter U.S.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A Mexican national's alleged attempt to reenter the U.S. Monday after being deported for a child molestation conviction was foiled by Border Patrol agents.

The 43-year-old, whose name was not disclosed, was spotted along with two other men climbing the border fence at about 4 p.m. Monday near Jacumba Hot Springs in East San Diego County, according to a news release.

Border Patrol agents responded to the area, where they found the trio hiding in thick brush. Agents determined the three men were Mexican nationals and arrested them on suspicion of illegally entering the U.S.

The men were taken to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing, during which a records check revealed that one of them had been previously deported after serving a six-year prison sentence for lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 years old.

The convicted felon was transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego and faces federal charges for reentering the U.S. as a previously deported foreign national, according to the news release.

"I commend the agents involved in this arrest as their efforts reflect San Diego Sector’s commitment to strengthen border security and increase safety in our community," said Chief Border Patrol Agent Richard Barlow.