C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Intercepts Convicted Murderer

(Monday, December 22, 2008)

Jacumba, Calif. - Early Sunday morning in Jacumba, Border Patrol agents arrested a male Mexican national who was convicted in Mexico for the murder of his wife, which took place in the U.S.

Celestino Mendez-Martinez, 44, was apprehended along with four other illegal aliens on Sunday at 1:30 a.m., after they illegally crossed the border. Upon submitting Mendez’ fingerprints into the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, agents discovered Mendez’ criminal history.

In 1988, Mendez reportedly stabbed his wife to death in El Cajon and fled to Mexico with his infant daughter. Soon after, he was arrested by Mexican authorities and was reportedly convicted for the murder and served five years in a Mexican prison.

Mendez is currently in federal custody and he is awaiting criminal prosecution for reentering the country as a prior deportee.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Public Information Office
San Diego Sector
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish

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