CBP: Federal Attorney Runs Checkpoint at International Bridge in Del Rio

A Customs and Border Protection attorney was apprehended after allegedly running through the CBP checkpoint on the U.S. – Mexico International bridge in Del Rio late Saturday night a week ago. The incident may have led to the federal attorney’s dismissal from the CBP.

According to CBP spokesman Dennis Smith, the attorney left the port inspection prior to being released at 11 p.m. Saturday night, Oct. 17. A Val Verde County Constable apprehended him on the U.S. side after the attorney allegedly fled, according to the Del Rio Police Department.

In the initial statement given to the Del Rio News-Herald, Smith noted that the attorney was currently a U.S. Customs and Border Protection attorney.

In today’s statement, Smith revised his words to indicate that “The driver, who was an attorney for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the time, was initially detained and later released.” (Emphasis mine)

Smith said that the former CBP attorney’s name is not being released and as of yet, no charges have been filed.

Smith’s full statement:

“An alleged port-running incident at the Del Rio Port of Entry is under investigation.

“As CBP officers were inspecting a vehicle around 11 p.m., Oct. 17, the vehicle allegedly left the port prior to officers releasing it from inspection. The vehicle was later stopped by a local law enforcement officer and returned to the port.

“The driver, who was an attorney for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the time, was initially detained and later released. The incident is being investigated by the CBP Office of Internal Affairs.”