U.S. Border Patrol agents in New Mexico concluded a busy week that led to the successful capture of a Texas sex offender, a Tennessee fugitive, and a Mexican national smuggling marijuana.
Agents assigned to the Border Patrol checkpoint located on Interstate 10 west of Las Cruces, New Mexico, were approached by a man driving a white pick-up truck. The agents observed the man exhibiting strange behaviors. A background check revealed the man to be a previously-convicted sex offender from Brazoria County, Texas. The man is currently wanted on an active warrant for “possession of child pornography” from the State of Texas, according to information obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Brazoria County is located just south of the Houston metropolitan area.
Agents confirmed the warrant was “fully extraditable” and took 42-year-old Chris Wayne Cavalier into custody on September 28. Highway Patrol officers with New Mexico State Police were called to the checkpoint to take Cavalier to jail where he will await extradition to Texas.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Lordsburg, New Mexico, Border Patrol station used night vision technology later that same night to find two suspected illegal aliens who were hiking through the desert after recently crossing the border from Mexico. As agents moved in, the two men split up and fled. Agents captured one of the men following a brief foot chase, officials stated. The man was reported to be carrying a backpack loaded down with marijuana.
The second suspect managed to elude the agents and a search continued to locate the illegal immigrant. The agents were able to locate the backpacks being carried by the two men. They contained nearly 100 pounds of marijuana, estimated to be worth $76,960. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency were contacted to take custody of the 21-year-old Mexican national, Sergio Frias Ladarda, and the drugs. The man will face the possibility of prosecution for drug smuggling.
On October 2, Las Cruces agents assigned to the I-10 Border Patrol checkpoint observed a Toyota pick-up truck approaching their position. Agents observed the nervous behavior of the driver. A records check on the truck revealed the vehicle was stolen. Agents asked the man to pull forward to a secondary inspection station. The driver decided to ignore the order and fled the checkpoint leading agents on a high-speed chase.
Agents contacted the New Mexico State Police who dispatched highway patrol officers to assist the Border Patrol agents in stopping the pursuit. Police successfully deployed tire-deflation devices which brought the Toyota truck to a stop. The driver and his passenger fled on foot but were captured a short time later.
A background check revealed the driver, Anthony Loyd Moss, was wanted on a warrant out of the state of Tennessee for “felony theft of a vehicle.” Moss was traveling with a juvenile relative, officials stated. Moss’ criminal history revealed convictions for burglary, terroristic threats, and manufacturing/possession of methamphetamine, according to CBP officials. He was taken into custody pending extradition by Tennessee authorities. He also faces charges in New Mexico for auto theft and evading arrest. His juvenile relative was turned over to New Mexico Child Protective Services.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.