Mexican national with long criminal history arrested by Border Patrol

Border Patrol arrested a Mexican national with an extensive criminal record who was suspected of illegally entering the United States near the Calexico Port of Entry Monday night.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said agents found a man suspected of illegally entering the country and arrested him. After he was transported to the El Centro station, authorities identified the man as 42-year-old Alberto Martinez Flores.

According to CBP, a record check revealed that Martinez Flores had an extensive criminal history that included a 2009 arrest and conviction for assault, strangulation, and unlawful imprisonment, which led to a 43-month sentence to prison.

Martinez was also arrested and convicted in 2017 for vehicular assault, CBP said. He received a 13-month sentence in prison for that offense. Martinez was also previously removed from the U.S. in 2018.

The 43-year-old man told authorities that he intended to travel to Los Angeles to reside there.

“Our agents were able to arrest Martinez without incident,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David Kim. “This man’s criminal history clearly shows how dangerous he is and now he’s off the streets thanks to our agents’ hard work and diligence.”

Martinez is in federal custody awaiting felony immigration charges.