Border Patrol nabs man with criminal record trying to enter U.S

By Adriana M. Chávez / El Paso Times

EL PASO - U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested one man with a criminal record and one man with charges pending trying to enter the United States illegally Tuesday, two days after agents spotted an illegal immigrant aiming a rifle at motorists on Paisano Drive.
Agents said at about 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, they arrested 44-year-old Jose Sergio Barraza-Rivas after he crossed illegally into Sunland Park N.M. Agents later discovered that Barraza-Rivas had previously been jailed on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault/family violence and marijuana possession with intent to distribute.

Agent Jose Romero, a Border Patrol spokesman, said Barraza-Rivas was also previously charged with assault with a firearm on a person, possession of stolen property, burglary of a dwelling and various drug charges. Barraza-Rivas was transported to the Otero County Detention Facility pending prosecution, Romero said.

A few hours later, agents in Fort Hancock conducting line-watch operations spotted 30-year-old Lorenzo Roman-Espinoza as he entered the U.S. illegally on a bicycle.

As agents were processing Roman-Espinoza, they discovered that he was wanted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a previously removed criminal and aggravated felon.

Romero said Roman-Espinoza's criminal history includes sexual battery and theft. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail to await prosecution.

On Sunday, Juárez police arrested Cruz Perez Lara, 47, for being in an unauthorized area after agents using a Border Patrol surveillance camera spotted him aiming a rifle at cars on Paisano Drive. Agents said Tuesday that Perez had illegally crossed the Rio Grande near Asarco, but crossed back into Mexico after agents approached him.

Adriana M. Chávez may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6117.



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