Mother, Child Saved After Nearly Drowning in Rio Grande

 

EAGLE PASS, TX – U.S. Border Patrol agents pulled a Honduran woman and her 9-month-old child from the Rio Grande River, Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 3:50 pm, agents with the Eagle Pass Station’s Marine Unit on patrol near the Port of Entry, noticed several people on the Mexican side of the riverbank, including a woman with a child. The woman, holding an inner tube and the small child, appeared reluctant to get into the water when an unidentified adult male pushed her and the child into river. The two were quickly swept downstream as the woman desperately tried to keep the child’s head above water. The agents reacted quickly in their patrol boat and observed both momentarily submerging before they could be pulled out of the water. The woman and the child did not suffer injury and were both evaluated by Eagle Pass Fire Department EMS on scene. Mexican authorities were notified and informed about the subject who was seen pushing the woman and child into the river.

“Our agents are saving lives on a daily basis as more immigrants are risking their safety attempting to illegally enter our country,” said Del Rio Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “I am proud of the work our agents are doing every day, recognizing dangerous situations and reacting quickly to prevent loss of life.”

An increase in water release from Amistad Dam continues to create dangerous conditions for anyone attempting to cross the Rio Grande River, and for agents operating on or near the river. The Rio Grande River is expected to remain near flood stage for the next 12 days.

Border Patrol Arrests Previously Deported Aliens, One Convicted of Sex Crimes

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station arrested two previously deported convicted sex offenders for illegally entering the United States over two days.

“Our agents remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding our communities,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz.

“Convicted criminal aliens often try to avoid detection by exploiting the current immigrant crisis at our borders to illegally enter our country, and in many cases will return to the communities where they perpetrated their crimes,” he said.

On May 7, Border Patrol agents from the Eagle Pass Station arrested a 35-year-old Honduran man for illegally entering the United States. Records checks performed during processing revealed he was convicted in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 2008 on four counts of sexual crimes against a child. The man was sentenced to five years confinement and was deported from the United States in April 2010.

In an unrelated incident on May 8, agents arrested a 34-year-old Honduran man for illegally entering the United States. Records checks revealed he was convicted in Brookhaven, Georgia in 2016 for child molestation. The man was sentenced to 18 months confinement and was deported from the United States in 2018.

Both men face a charge of 8 USC § 1326 – re-entry after deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

All individuals arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol undergo record checks using biometrics to ensure those with criminal history or gang affiliation are positively identified.

The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state, and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.

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