POTRERO, Calif.—U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested five people Wednesday morning who were involved in a human smuggling event which included a man with a prior felony conviction.

Around 6:20 a.m., a man driving a black Nissan Sentra approached a temporary immigration checkpoint in Potrero and failed to stop at the designated inspection point. Agents stopped the vehicle several yards past the checkpoint and inspected the vehicle.

Agents observed five men in the vehicle and questioned them about their citizenship. The three backseat passengers, including a 16-year-old, claimed to be from Mexico and admitted they had no documentation allowing them to be in the U.S. The driver and front passenger, stated they were U.S. citizens. Agents arrested the driver and front passenger on suspicion of smuggling and the other three passengers for being illegally present in the U.S. All five were taken to a nearby station.

Record checks revealed that one man, a 39-year-old-Mexican national, was convicted in 2012 of kidnapping and rape of a minor in San Diego. The man was sentenced to seven years in prison and was subsequently removed from the U.S.

Both U.S. citizens face human smuggling charges and the previously deported Mexican man faces Federal charges for criminal re-entry. The two other individuals will be processed for removal. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

“I am proud of the great work agents demonstrated in arresting this known child predator,” said Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison. “Their actions help keep our communities safer.”

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.