Citizen Report Leads to Arrest and Prosecution of Illegal Border Crossers

ST JOHN, N.D. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Grand Forks Sector arrest two illegal aliens after concern citizen tip leads to the pairs arrest.

On September 9, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Bottineau Border Patrol Station received information from a concerned citizen who saw a photo of two subjects with backpacks on a game camera located in the St. John, North Dakota area.  Agents responded to investigate and located foot prints of two subjects crossing from Canada into the United States.  While tracking the two subjects, inclement weather rolled into the area with heavy rains preventing further tracking operations.  Due to the weather conditions agents advised local law enforcement to be on the lookout for the subjects seen the photo.  Shortly after notifying local law enforcement partners, Rolette County Sheriff’s deputies encountered the two subjects walking on Highway 43 who matched the description.  Agents immediately responded and performed immigration inspections on both subjects who freely admitted to illegally entering the United States from Canada.

Agents transported the subjects to the Bottineau Border Patrol Station for further processing.  At the station, the subject’s identities were confirmed as a 34 year old male and 25 year old female, who are Mexican citizens.  Since their arrest on September 9, both subjects have been charged and convicted of 8 USC 1325 Improper entry by alien and sentenced to 18 days in jail.  The pair has been transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

“This case is a great example of how the community and our law enforcement partners play a critical role in helping us secure the border.  One of our greatest assets is the citizens who live and work along the border and know when something is not right.” said Grand Forks Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron H. Heitke.