Columbus, New Mexico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Columbus port of entry nabbed a man who was wanted in Phoenix on a sexual abuse of a minor charge. The apprehension was one of a dozen NCIC wanted people CBP officers at El Paso area ports encountered this weekend.
“Homeland security is our primary mission and every time we apprehend a fugitive that helps keep our community and our nation safe,” said Robert Reza, CBP Columbus Port Director. “CBP officers apprehend fugitives on a daily basis while performing their homeland security mission.”
The apprehension was made at approximately 8:30 a.m. Friday when 56-year-old Petronio Rivera Rodriguez entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers queried his Legal Permanent Resident card as part of their inspection and received a notification that he was a wanted subject. CBP officers continued their examination and confirmed the warrant. The warrant had been originally issued in Arizona in October 1998. The subject was taken into custody and turned over to Luna County Sheriff’s officers.
