On Thursday, November 19, CBP officers at the Veteran’s International Bridge referred to secondary examination John Christopher Hargrove, 58, a U.S. citizen and resident of Pegram, Tenn., who arrived at the port of entry as the driver of a white 1999 GMC Jimmy. Checks of a CBP database identified Hargrove as the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant from Memphis, Tenn. The warrant was issued on November 6, by the FBI in Memphis.

Pending charges against Hargrove are possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a minor and transportation of pornographic materials. CBP officers arrested John Christopher Hargrove and subsequently turned him over to the custody of Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. John Christopher Hargrove was transported to the county jail and is pending extradition to Memphis, Tenn.

“CBP officers working together with the FBI have apprehended this wanted fugitive. The use of a CBP database assisted CBP officers with the quick execution of this warrant and the subsequent arrest of the subject. This is another fugitive off our streets and the apprehension reflects the continued commitment of CBP to the protection of our communities,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry.

On November 4, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville Gateway International Bridge came in contact with a southbound 1985 GMC Van that was traveling south, headed to Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and the male driver to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents noticed discrepancies to the vehicle’s rear quarter panels. The vehicle was referred for a non-intrusive image scan.

X-ray images revealed anomalies within the van’s two rear quarter panels. While conducting an inspection of the quarter panels, officers found four high powered assault rifles and several accessories. Officers seized a LAR .223 caliber Rockriver pistol rifle, J15-F .223 caliber Essential Arms rifle, Colt Match .223 caliber Colt assault rifle and one H & K Model 91, .308 caliber assault rifle. Also seized were five rifle magazines and one rifle scope.

The driver, identified as Francisco Reyes Martinez, a Mexican citizen, age 38 from Brownsville, Texas was arrested on a federal charge of unlicensed export of items on the U.S. munitions list. After his arrest, Reyes Martinez was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this enforcement action. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Reyes Martinez remains incarcerated. CBP officers seized the 1985 GMC van.

Michael T. Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville said, “The illegal trafficking of weapons carries serious consequences. The U.S. Government, CBP, Border Patrol and our neighbors to the south continue to work as partners in addressing the threat of illegal weapons trafficking.” Freeman further said, “This is another great example on how CBP frontline officers work to secure our nation’s borders and our communities.”