Convicted sex offenders arrested

In two separate incidents Wednesday, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Border Patrol station arrested two previously deported sex offenders, a Customs and Border Protection news release announced.

The first incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday after agents observed and arrested a man who illegally entered the United States east of downtown Calexico.

Record checks revealed the man, identified as 35-year-old Guatemala citizen Josue Mendoza-Lopez, was a previously convicted sex offender with a lengthy criminal record.

Mendoza-Lopez served 365 days in jail, along with two years of probation after his conviction for sexual contact with no consent.

Prior to his mentioned jail time, he was arrested and convicted of eluding a peace officer and driving under the influence.

The second incident occurred around 10 p.m. Wednesday after agents arrested a group of individuals after they entered the United States illegally about three miles east of downtown Calexico.

Record checks revealed that one of the individuals, Javier Alvaro-Penate, was a previously convicted sex offender.

Alvaro-Penate, a 38-year-old Mexican national, was convicted of “lewdness with a child under 14 years old” in Elko, Nev.

Alvaro-Penate was consequently sentenced to 150 days in jail, along with three years of probation.

“Our community can rest easy knowing that our agents will always be there to arrest criminals such as these,” said El Centro Sector Special Operations Supervisor Miguel A. Garcia.

Mendoza-Lopez and Alvaro-Penate were the 25th and 26th sex offenders arrested by El Centro Sector in fiscal year 2018, and will remain in federal custody pending prosecution for violation of criminal law.