CBP Officers Working Outbound Operations at the Pharr International Bridge Arrest Traveler Wanted in Minnesota on Alleged Sex-Related Crimes

Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge arrested a southbound male traveler wanted by the state of Minnesota on alleged sex-related crimes.

On Wednesday, CBP officers working outbound enforcement operations came in contact with a southbound 1995 Pontiac sedan that was headed into Mexico. The driver of the vehicle was identified Esteban Emilio Armendariz, a Mexican citizen, age 32 from Saint James, Minn. A CBP officer referred the driver and vehicle for further inspection. A check of a national crime database identified Armendariz as a fugitive. The warrant listed Armendariz as wanted by the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office, St. James, Minn. on alleged charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. After his arrest, Armendariz was transferred to the custody of the Pharr Police Department. Armendariz remains incarcerated pending extradition proceedings to Minnesota.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend our cadre of officers for their work in screening this Mexico-bound traveler, for identifying him as an alleged wanted person and for their tireless work in securing our nation’s borders.”

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.