Tucson, Arizona - Three Points Border Patrol agents patrolling a remote mountain pass west of Tucson Sunday evening encountered and arrested a Salvadorian man who entered the U.S. illegally.
The man, later identified as 23-year-old Gerson Sanchez-Benitez, was transported to the Three Points Station for processing, where agents ran his biometric information through a criminal database and discovered his active affiliation with the MS-13 street gang. He was previously deported from the U.S. in 2017 for crimes committed in Virginia.
Sanchez will remain in federal custody pending prosecution for criminal immigration violations.
All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal immigrants with criminal histories are positively identified.
CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.