Del Rio Sector Border Patrol Surpasses Last Year’s Arrests of Sex Offenders
Del Rio, Texas –Del Rio Sector agents have apprehended 20 sex offenders since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2014 which commenced on Oct. 1, 2013. This total is greater than the 18 previously deported sex offenders arrested during all of FY13. The sector is seeing a notable increase in arrests of subjects who have extensive criminal histories involving felony convictions, including sexual offenses.
“We are averaging at least one significant arrest per week since the beginning of the year,” said Chief Rodolfo Karisch. “I am thankful that our agents are remaining vigilant and keeping our communities safe.”
The most recent apprehension occurred April 15, when agents assigned to the Brackettville Station apprehended a convicted sex offender while conducting line watch duties near Del Rio.
Agents encountered a group of seven Mexican subjects who were taken into the station for processing. During processing agents discovered that Pedro Bernal-Clemente, 45, was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. He had been previously deported from the United States and is a convicted sex offender. Bernal-Clemente was convicted in 2001 of “Criminal Sexual Conduct – 3rd Degree” by the Anoka County District Court in Minnesota and sentenced to time served plus 12 days in jail and 15 years of probation.
Bernal-Clemente will be charged with 8 USC 1326 – re-entry after deportation – and his prior order of removal will be reinstated. He will be deported to his native country again upon completion of all criminal proceedings.
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.
