Eagle Pass CBP officers apprehend fugitive sought for indecency with a child by sexual contact

EAGLE PASS, Texas-U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Eagle Pass Port of Entry officers detained one male subject wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for an alleged sexual offense involving a child.

"CBP recognizes the significance of bringing those charged with serious sex crimes to justice," said Port Director Pete Beattie, Eagle Pass Port of Entry. "We give these types of cases our utmost attention, hoping to give the victim and their family comfort, knowing the alleged attacker is now in custody."

The fugitive apprehension occurred on Sept. 15 when CBP officers at the Eagle Pass International Bridge referred Merlin Martinez, a 46-year-old male United States citizen, for secondary inspection. After escorting the passenger to secondary, subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the subject had two outstanding warrants, one for indecency with a child by sexual contact, issued by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the second warrant for possession of marijuana issued by Bandera County Sheriff's Office. Martinez was turned over to the Maverick 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.

Follow the Director of CBP's Laredo Field Office on X at @DFOLaredo on Instagram at @dfolaredo and also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

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