Lordsburg, N.M. – Vigilance opened the door for U.S. Border Patrol/El Paso Sector agents from Lordsburg after they arrested a convicted sexual offender from Mexico soon after he entered the United States illegally on Monday.

The arrest was made Monday afternoon as agents assigned to the Lordsburg Station were working near the Arizona/New Mexico state line. Agents encountered the subject, later identified as 29-year-old Octavio GANTES-Montañez during routine patrol.

The subject was placed into custody and subsequently transported to the Lordsburg Station for processing. The subject’s biographical and biometric information was submitted into the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). The system positively identified the subject and further revealed that GANTES-Montañez had previous convictions for Rape and Burglary from Los Angeles, California for which he served 11 years in the California prison system. GANTES-Montañez was also previously deported from the United States.

GANTES-Montañez was processed and remanded to the Central Arizona Detention Center pending prosecution. He also faces charges for violation of a previous order of removal.

This arrest is another prime example of the ongoing efforts being made each day by the U.S. Border Patrol along the southwest border in furthering its vigilance to maintain the safety and well being of the communities they serve.

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.