Local authorities find Mexican national who escaped federal custody

June 02, 2011 10:13 AM
Jared Taylor The Monitor

ALTON — Local authorities tracked down a fugitive who escaped from federal custody in April.

Victor Arriaga Chavez, 20, had been on the run since he fled federal custody two months ago as he was about to face human smuggling charges in U.S. District Court in McAllen, according to a news release from U.S. Border Patrol. Arriaga's time on the run ended Wednesday morning near Alton.

Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies patrolling a neighborhood near Alton grew suspicious when a man began running after he spotted their patrol vehicle, the release states. Deputies called Alton police officers, who helped track down Arriaga minutes later.

He was later identified by U.S. Border Patrol agents in McAllen, who had been looking for him since he escaped federal custody April 4 outside federal court at Bentsen Tower, 1701 W. Business 83, McAllen, according to the release.

Arriaga was at the courthouse to face human smuggling charges after Border Patrol agents arrested him and 19 other people near Mission, court records state. Authorities said he confessed to working as a river and foot guide for groups illegally entering the United States. He told investigators he earned between $25 and $50 for each person successfully smuggled into the U.S.

Prior to his escape, Border Patrol agents apprehended Arriaga a total of 10 times, with groups that ranged from three to 38 people, court records state. During each of those incidents, Arriaga told agents he was a minor and he avoided criminal charges.

Arriaga is now expected to face federal escape charges in addition to the original human smuggling charges, the news release states.
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Jared Taylor covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.

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