C.B.P. News Release

Man Wanted for Homicide in Merced County Detained at San Ysidro Port

One of 26 Wanted Fugitives Caught During the Week at Busy Area Ports

(Tuesday, October 21, 2008)

San Ysidro, Calif. - An 18-year-old man wanted for homicide and gang affiliation by the Merced County, Calif. sheriff’s office was apprehended Saturday evening at the San Ysidro port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced today.

Jose Luis Hernandez, a U.S. citizen who resides in Soledad, was detained by CBP officers after he entered the port on foot from Mexico at about 9:30 p.m. After Hernandez presented his valid California identification card, a CBP officer queried law enforcement databases and developed information regarding the traveler’s outstanding felony warrant.

Hernandez was detained at the port until detectives from Merced County arrived the following morning at 10 a.m. to take him into custody.

Hernandez was among 26 wanted fugitives apprehended over the past week at the San Ysidro and nearby Otay Mesa passenger ports, officials said. About 65 percent of those detained were U.S. citizens. The felony violations included assault, larceny, burglary, theft, military desertion, dangerous drugs and weapons offenses.

CBP officers also presented for prosecution during the week 14 alien smuggling cases involving 16 individuals, detained five previously deported criminal aliens attempting to illegally enter the U.S., and seized 39 narcotics loads totaling 2,816 pounds.

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
610 Ash Street
Suite 1200
San Diego, CA 92101 Vincent Bond
Press Officer
Phone: (619) 744-5224
Fax: (619) 645-6641

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