CBP News Release

CBP Officers Stop Man Wanted for Kidnapping, Sexual Assault at Brownsville Port of Entry

(Monday, December 29, 2008)

Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville port of entry apprehended a Brownsville, Texas man on a warrant for kidnapping and sexual assault charges involving a minor.

On December 26, at 3:35 a.m., Salome Lopez Espino applied for entry at Gateway International Bridge as a pedestrian. Initial system queries by primary CBP officer revealed an outstanding local warrant for kidnapping and sexual assault of a child.

Salome Lopez Espino, 37, a citizen of Mexico and resident of Brownville was referred to passport processing for further inspection. In secondary, CBP officers’ checks of a Customs and Border Protection database identified Salome Lopez Espino as the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant from Cameron County, Texas.

CBP officers confirmed the arrest warrant was active and turned Salome Lopez Espino over to Cameron County sheriff's deputies for arrest and processing on state charges of kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor.

Michael T. Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry said, “A collective effort was put forth in this case. CBP officers apprehended a man wanted on kidnapping and sexual assault of a child charges. Our CBP officers’ experience and inspectional skill greatly contributed to the apprehension of this subject. CBP officers continue to do outstanding work in protection of our borders.â€