HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge apprehended Armando Castorena Lara, a male Mexican citizen from McAllen, Texas and Arnulfo Herrera Gomez, U.S. citizen from McAllen, Texas in two separate incidents. Both had arrest warrants associated with child-related sex crimes.
“CBP is committed to bringing those wanted individuals in to face their day in court,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.
port of entry.
On March 29, 2022, 60-year-old Armando Castorena Lara, arrived from Mexico at the Hidalgo International Bridge and a CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering Lara was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant from Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Lara had this outstanding warrant stemming from allegations from an incident in January of 2021. He is charged with alleged child fondling, a second-degree felony.
A Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputy arrived to take custody of Lara and transported him to the county jail.
On March 31, 2022, 75-year-old Arnulfo Herrera Gomez, arrived from Mexico at the Hidalgo International Bridge and a CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering Gomez was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant from Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Gomez had this outstanding warrant stemming from allegations from an incident in July of 2021. He is charged with alleged sexual assault on a child, a second-degree felony.
A Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputy arrived to take custody of Lara and transported him to the county jail to await extradition to Harris County.
Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Visit CBP’s website for more information on the Immigration Inspection Program.
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