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Blaine, Wash. – US Customs and Border Protection officers yesterday arrested a deserter from the United States Army at the Pacific Highway port of entry. Clifford Cornell, 28, of Galveston, Texas was taken into custody by CBP officers upon his entry into the United States after a check of his identification revealed that he was the subject of a National Crime Information Center felony warrant for desertion.

U.S. Army officials at Fort Stewart, Ga., where Cornell is stationed, were contacted to verify his status as a deserter. Cornell was then transported by CBP officers to the Whatcom County jail for extradition back to the custody of the U.S. Army.

“Our vigilance and diligence is resulting in the apprehension of more fugitives attempting entry into the United States,” said Port Director Lynn Gardner. “I am very proud of the enforcement efforts our officers here in Blaine perform every day on behalf of the American people.”

The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated data base designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. In the past, CBP officers have made arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny and military desertion based on information found in the information center.

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.