see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Tucson, Ariz. — Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector arrested five illegal aliens over the weekend, who have significant criminal records, including attempted murder. The arrests were made in separate incidents near the cities of Tucson, Nogales and Douglas, Ariz.

On Saturday afternoon at about 3:30 p.m. Border Patrol agents apprehended a 19 year-old Mexican national near Douglas, who is a convicted felon. Jesus Solano-Montes of Sonora, Mexico was convicted of nearly two dozen counts of Sexual Conduct with a minor out of Yavapai County in September of last year. He was subsequently sentenced to three months in the Yavapai County Jail and then removed to Mexico on Dec. 27. Since he is a convicted felon, Solano-Montes is being held in service custody pending prosecution for re-entry of an aggravated felon; at which time he will be formally deported.

In a separate incident on Saturday afternoon, Border Patrol agents from the Tucson Station responded to a call from Pima County Sheriff's Department. Ten Mexican nationals were inside a vehicle that had been stopped for a traffic violation. A record check discovered one of the subjects in the group had numerous prior removals as well as an outstanding warrant out of Denver, Colo. for sexual assault. The subject, 23 year-old Adan Padilla was transferred to Pima County Sheriff's pending extradition to Denver.

Then yesterday, three separate incidents in Nogales resulted in aggravated felons being arrested by agents. First, at approximately 11:30 a.m., agents arrested Jeronimo Jimenez-Miguel. The 27 year-old from Oaxaca, Mexico, had a felony conviction out of Prescott, Ariz. in August of 2002 for sexual conduct with a Minor. Jimenez-Miguel was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison prior to being returned to Mexico. He is presently being held in service custody pending prosecution for re-entry of an aggravated felon. Then, at about 3 p.m., Eduardo Valencia was arrested west of Nogales. A criminal records check discovered an extensive background including a 1994 arrest for Kidnapping, attempted murder, and Assault with a deadly weapon out of Corona, Calif. While no disposition was noted, the 35 year-old from Michoacan, Mexico is being processed for expedited removal.

Finally, agents west of Nogales arrested a 21 year-old man from Chiapas, Mexico who was determined to have a felony conviction out of Greenville, Ohio. Hernan Perez-Gomez was previously arrested by Darke County Sheriffs deputies for sexual conduct with a minor. He was convicted and sentenced to 64 days in jail before being deported through Laredo, Tex. in November of 2007. Perez is now being processed for expedited removal for Illegal re-entry of a felon.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.