Southwest
3 separate arrests at southern border reveal human smuggling attempts, discovery of fake ID cards: CBP
Customs and Border Protection arrested three people in three separate incidents at the southern border over the past few days involving human smuggling attempts and the presentation of fake entry documents, the agency said.
One woman and two men were arrested in the three incidents at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas, for immigration law violations, CBP said in a news release on Monday.
“CBP officers utilize their inspection and interview skills to help identify all individuals making entry through our port of entry,” Port Director Albert Flores from the Laredo Port of Entry said in the release. “The skillset applied in these would-be smuggling attempts illustrates the commitment our officers uphold towards enforcing U.S. immigration laws.”
On Friday, CBP officers assigned to bus operations at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge encountered a 35-year-old female Mexican citizen traveling on a commercial bus who presented U.S. birth certificates for three children – a 7-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy and a 5-month-old boy — and a 30-year-old woman traveling aboard with her. They were all referred for a secondary inspection.
NEARLY A DOZEN MIGRANTS HURT TRYING TO SCALE CALIFORNIA BORDER WALL AS MORE CROSSINGS DIVERTED AWAY FROM TEXAS
Customs and Border Protection arrested two people in two separate incidents for allegedly attempting to smuggle migrants into the U.S. through the southern border. (Getty Images)
During the examination, CBP officers found that the birth certificates were legitimate but did not belong to the young children or the 30-year-old woman in question, who were all Mexican citizens without valid entry documents.
The 35-year-old woman was arrested for the alleged violation of U.S. immigration law.
The second incident happened later on Friday when CBP officers encountered a 48-year-old male Mexican citizen traveling in a 2020 Dodge Ram who presented a U.S. Employment Authorization Card for a woman. The CBP officers referred them for a secondary inspection.
It was discovered during the inspection that the Employment Authorization Card was legitimate but did not belong to the woman, who was identified as a 48-year-old Mexican citizen without valid entry documents.
MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AT SOUTHERN BORDER SURPASS 21,000 IN 72 HOURS, CBP SOURCES SAY
A suspect was arrested for presenting a counterfeit entry document at the Texas-Mexico border. (Getty Images)
The 48-year-old man was arrested for the alleged violation of U.S. immigration law.
The third incident happened on Saturday during an examination of arriving bus passengers in which CBP officers referred a 30-year-old male bus passenger, a Mexican citizen, for a secondary inspection.
During the examination, CBP officers learned that the passenger was in possession of a counterfeit State of Texas identification card.
The 30-year-old man was arrested for the alleged violation of U.S. immigration law.
Read the full article from Here
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
-
A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
-
Los Angeles, Ca42 minutes agoWatch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoMetro Detroit weather forecast, June 26, 2026 — 4 p.m. Update
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoNewlyweds celebrate Pride-themed weddings inside SF City Hall as parade preparations underway
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoAll Dallas restaurants firing up specials for July 4th and America’s 250th
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoHelping Venezuela: State Department deploys Miami-Dade search-and-rescue team
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoPhotos: Norway takes on France in high-powered World Cup matchup in Foxborough – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver Transplant Games sets Guinness World Record for mos living donors, recipients in one place at one time
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoHow to watch Egypt vs. Iran World Cup match in Seattle
