Calexico, California - Friday, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Station arrested a previously deported convicted sex offender near the Calexico West Port of Entry.

At approximately 3 a.m., a 40-year-old man was apprehended by Border Patrol agents approximately one mile east of the port while attempting to illegally enter into the United States. The man was later identified as Abelardo Pineda Rodriguez, a citizen of Mexico.

Border Patrol agents conducted criminal record checks and they revealed that Pineda is a convicted sex offender charged for forcible sex abuse.  Pineda was convicted for the sexual offenses and sentenced on Feb. 12, 1998 in Salt Lake City to serve eight months in prison.

Pineda is being processed for Re-Entry After Removal as a convicted sex offender.

The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats.  We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe.  Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.