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U.S. Border Patrol Teaming with FBI to Capture Wave of Sex Offenders

Posted: Aug 11, 2008 04:16 PM PDT

By Rodney Wardle
News Channel 3

Calexico, CA -- U.S. Border Patrol Agents are using improved technology to keep crime out of the Coachella Valley.

The agency is linked up to the FBI's National Crime Information Center.

Before 2003, agents relied on solely immigration records.

They now have access to police departments and county sheriffs stations around the country.

And they're using it to help identity potential criminals crossing the border.

California agents have arrested 13 convicted sex offenders in May.

They arrested 2 all of last year.

A rigorous booking process with paperwork, photos and fingerprinting, was often incomplete without a more extensive understanding of the suspect.

Now agents are getting it.

"Now where getting 10 fingerprints instead of 2 with the old system," says Agent Quinn Palmer of the US Border Patrol. "we're getting a more accurate picture of who's standing in front of us."

Many of illegal immigrants arrested are repeat offenders.

Agents estimate 15 - 20% of undocumented aliens with outstanding warrants are re-arrested a short time later.

"We're catching them as they are coming back. After their prison sentences, after their jail time," says Agent Palmer.

These immigrant criminals have officially deported and that's what agents use to help the prosecution.

Once detained in the U.S. immigrants are extradited back to the state of their warrant.

As more rural law enforcement agencies that sign onto the NCIC database, more criminal records for these immigrants.







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