Agents nab sex offender near border

BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector Station arrested a convicted rapist early Monday afternoon near the Andrade port of entry.

Agent Ben Vik, Yuma Sector spokesman, said that at about 1:30 p.m., Border Patrol agents working west of the Andrade port observed a lone male individual walking approximately three miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Upon making contact with the subject, it was determined that he was in the United States illegally. The subject was arrested without incident and transported to Yuma Border Patrol Station.

"That area is particularly notorious for illegal entry," Vik saidf. "It's basically a short walk and a slightly longer swim to get into the country in that area."

Vik explained that the All American Canal is about 200 feet from the international border in that area.

A records check back at the Yuma station using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Information System later revealed the subject had been arrested, charged and convicted of rape by force and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

He also had been arrested for theft and possession of a loaded firearm. In addition, the man has been previously removed from the United States for immigration violations four previous times.