July 8, 10

NEWS / Fugitive Captured at Border with Counterfeit Document

Blaine, Wash. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended a Salvadoran man who was wanted in Dallas, Texas, for alleged assault causing bodily injury to a family member on July 3 as he attempted to enter the U.S. at the Pacific Highway port of entry.

CBP officers immediately became suspicious of Francisco Oswald Gallardo, 45, when he presented a counterfeit permanent resident card for identification. Often referred to as a green card, a permanent resident card represents a legal residency in the U.S. but does not convey citizenship.

Gallardo claimed to have been visiting his sister in British Columbia and was returning to his residence in Irving, Texas. Although the permanent resident card was a counterfeit, it did bear Gallardo’s true identity, which, when checked, revealed that he was the subject of a National Criminal Information Center warrant by the Dallas County sheriff’s office.

“Protecting communities throughout the United States is a critical element of our border security efforts.” said Area Port Director Greg Alvarez. “Our officers’ continuing vigilance results in the apprehension of alien fugitives wanted for a variety of crimes as they attempt to enter the U.S. at our ports of entry.”

After verification of the warrant with the Dallas County sheriff’s office, Gallardo was immediately taken into custody by CBP officers and was turned over to the custody of the Washington State Patrol and transported to the Whatcom County jail for extradition to Texas.

The National Criminal Information Center is a centralized automated data base designed to share information among law enforcement agencies. These warrants are for a wide range of offenses and include money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual abuse of children, violation of protection orders, fraud, failure to appear, larceny and military desertion.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/07072010_8.xml

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