U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested a previously deported sex offender Wednesday morning.
On May 8, at around 10:50 a.m., agents assigned to the El Centro Station observed a man suspected of illegally entering the U.S. approximately 17.5 miles west of the Calexico West Port of Entry. Agents responded to the area and arrested the man and transported him to the El Centro station for immigration and criminal history screening.
Border Patrol agents conducted records checks, which revealed that the man, later identified as Bernardino Sanchez-Perea, a 30-year-old Mexican national, had a conviction for sex with a minor three years or younger on Sep. 12, 2010 out of Skagit County, Washington. He served 15 months in jail. Additionally, Sanchez was previously removed from the United States in 2011.
Sanchez is being held in federal custody pending further criminal prosecution.
In fiscal year 2019, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have arrested and removed 16 individuals either convicted or wanted on sexual assault charges after they entered the United States illegally.
