Laredo CBP Officers Apprehend Two Fugitives Sought for Sexual Offenses

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

LAREDO - (News Release) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), officers at the Laredo Port of Entry, detained two male subjects wanted for sexual offenses in two separate, unrelated incidents.

“Sexual abuse can have devastating consequences for the lives of those who suffer it. Collaborative efforts with federal, state, county and city law enforcement officials, as well as international counterparts, contribute to bringing those allegedly committing these offenses to justice,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.

The first fugitive apprehension occurred on Tuesday, March 1, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. A CBP officer inspecting vehicle traffic arriving from Mexico, referred Irineo Salgado Catalan, a 69-year-old male United States citizen, for a secondary inspection.  After escorting the passenger to secondary, subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the subject had an outstanding felony warrant for sexual assault/sexual battery of a young child under the age of 13, out of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, in Nashville, Tennessee.  The warrant was confirmed to be active. The subject was turned over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to await criminal proceedings. 

The second fugitive apprehension occurred on Wednesday, March 2, at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge. A CBP officer processing travelers arriving from Mexico referred Sergio Miguel Gomez, a 38-year-old United States citizen, for a secondary inspection. Gomez was escorted into the United States by Mexican officials. After escorting the passenger to secondary, subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the subject had multiple felony warrants. The warrants were issued by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, in Charlotte, North Carolina for probation violation of the original charges placed for statutory rape/ no force and indecent liberties with a child. The warrant was confirmed to be active. The subject was turned over to deputy U.S. Marshals to await criminal proceedings. 

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) 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.