CALEXICO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested a previously deported sex offender Sunday night.

The incident occurred at around 8:26 p.m., when agents assigned to the El Centro Station encountered a man suspected of illegally entering the United States approximately 22 miles west of the Calexico West Downtown Port of Entry. Agents arrested the man and transported him to the El Centro Station for immigration and criminal history screening.

Agents conducted records checks, which revealed that the man identified as Ricardo Pedroza-Martinez, a 54-year-old Mexican national, was convicted on March 20, 1991, for Sexual Battery out of Santa Ana. Pedroza was sentenced to 54 days in jail, and placed on 5 years’ probation for his crime.

Pedroza was previously removed from the United States on May 24, 2012.

Pedroza is being held in federal custody pending further criminal prosecution.

In fiscal year 2020, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have arrested and removed 21 individuals either convicted or wanted on sexual offense charges after they entered the United States illegally.