Laredo CBP officers apprehend man wanted in Illinois on felony warrant for alleged rape

LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Laredo Port of Entry apprehended a man wanted in Illinois on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged rape.

“Our frontline CBP officers place a priority focus on securing our borders,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “The apprehension of persons wanted in connection with sexual offenses–such as this particular case–underscores and perfectly illustrates CBP’s ongoing commitment to our border security mission and keeping our communities safe.”

On May 21, CBP officers at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge referred vehicle driver Elio Benitez Pena, 65, a U.S. citizen, for secondary inspection. During secondary examination, CBP officers utilizing biometric verification and federal law enforcement databases verified his identity, citizenship, and discovered that he was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on an outstanding felony arrest warrant for rape originally issued by Pontoon Beach Police Department in Pontoon Beach, Ill. CBP officers transported Benitez Pena to Webb County jail for adjudication of the warrant.

Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on X at @DFOLaredo on Instagram at @dfolaredo and also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.