C.B.P. News Release

Nogales CBP Ends Fugitive’s 32 Years on the Run

(Tuesday, June 23, 2009)

Nogales, Ariz. — Customs and Border Protection officers working at the DeConcini port of entry put an end to a fugitive’s 32-year run. The fugitive was arrested after he attempted to make entry at the Nogales port of entry.

On Monday, June 15, Ernesto Duarte arrived at the Nogales port of entry to apply for admission into the United States. Duarte presented officers with his documents and was referred to secondary for further inspection.

While conducting normal queries, to include a search of his fingerprints in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, CBP officers discovered Duarte had a secret that was coming back to haunt him. He was a fugitive and had been on the run.

In April of 1976, Duarte had been arrested and convicted of 21 USC 841, Possession with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana). He was sentenced to 18 months confinement at the Federal Penitentiary in Lompoc. On December 26, 1976, Duarte escaped from federal custody and began his life on the run that came to an end 32 years later.

CBP officers contacted the U.S. Marshals Service with their findings. The U.S. Marshal confirmed Duarte was still wanted and arrangements were made to turn custody of Duarte to the U.S. Marshals.

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
Edith Serrano
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (520) 761-2863 or
(520) 375-5785

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_4.xml