Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Fire trucks donated to Mexicali's Fire Department

The City of El Centro officially donated fire equipment to Mexicali's Fire Department, today.

The city donated four fire trucks that did not meet California's safety standards. The city recently received two new fire trucks.

Read Wednesday's edition online or in print for further details.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

CBP port officers can now be assigned more hours

A $35,000 annual monetary cap for U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers was waived July 28, CBP officials in Washington D.C. said.

The waiver allows CBP port officials in the San Diego Field Office which includes Calexico’s ports of entry to assign more hours to officers, some who have been working 16-hour days. The waiver is expected to both increase and decrease morale among CBP officers.

Read Friday's edition online or in print for further details.

--VICTOR MORALES, staff writer

$5.7 million worth of marijuana seized

CALEXICO — Marijuana worth $5.7 million was found by the U.S. Border Patrol in a Budget rental truck parked in a lot near here Saturday about 2 a.m.

A concerned citizen that believed the truck was being used for illegal activity tipped off the Border Patrol.

Read Tuesday’s edition online or in print for further details.

— BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Overtime may be increased

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, some working 16-hour shifts three times per week and others maxed out on the amount of overtime allowed, could be given extra hours if a request made by their higher-ups gets approved.

The request to increase the monetary overtime cap currently set at $35,000 for CBP officers came from the San Diego Field Office, which includes all Ports of Entry on the California-Mexico Border, said it’s Director Gurdit S. Dhillon Thursday.

Read Friday's edition online or in print for further details.

--VICTOR MORALES, staff writer

Hearing for suspected alien smuggler involved in fatal car wreck

A suspected alien smuggler was ordered Tuesday to appear in federal court for a hearing related to a fatal car wreck in Westmorland where six people were killed.

Balancing himself on crutches, Alejandro Toribio-Gama is set to appear Friday in U.S. District Court where another hearing will be scheduled to determine his age.

Toribio, who entered a not guilty plea on felony charges of illegally transporting illegal aliens, listened intently as the brief proceedings were translated in Spanish.

If convicted as an adult, Toribio could face the death penalty in the case that stemmed from an attempted vehicle stop late Friday in Westmorland, Regan said. The vehicle carried as many as 22 people inside.

Read Wednesday's edition online or in print for further details.

--SILVIO PANTA, staff writer

Child sex offender arrested

CALEXICO — A child sex offender was arrested after entering the United States illegally at 1 a.m. Thursday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The individual was with a group of eight people that entered the United States illegally, according to CBP.

The individual was convicted in Los Angeles County of a felony for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under age 14.

According to the CBP, this is the 12th child sex offender El Centro Sector Border Patrol has arrested since May.

The individual is suspected of re-entry after deportation as an aggravated felon.

Read Saturday’s edition online or in print for further details.

— BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Reward offered in water station vandalism

The organization responsible for installing and maintaining water stations is offering a $1,000 award leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for destroying the water jugs at stations along Highway 98, Interstate 8 mountain grade, Highway S2, Coyote 2, and different parts of the Southern California desert.

Water Station Inc., which installs and maintains the stations to reduce the heat deaths of any person, is offering the reward. Water Station Inc. does not encourage illegal crossing, according to the nonprofit organization.

The agency is asking individuals to report information to Imperial County Sheriff’s Department at 339-6302.

Read Wednesday’s edition online or in print for further details.

— BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

                                                   PHOTO COURTESY OF WATER STATIONS, INC.

Sex offender arrested

CALEXICO — A felon convicted of having sex with a minor was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol on Saturday at 2:30 a.m. when illegally crossing into the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The man had been convicted and sentenced to two years in Visalia County for having sex with a minor in August 2007, according to CBP.

The man will be held at Imperial County jail and faces being charged for entering the United States after being deported as an aggravated felon, according to CBP.

Read Tuesday’s edition online or in print for further details.

— BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Man rescued by Border Patrol

CALEXICO — U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a man who jumped into the All-American Canal to avoid being apprehended late Saturday night, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

About 11:15 p.m. Border Patrol arrested six individuals who had illegally crossed into the United States. The seventh person in the group attempted to escape from Border Patrol by jumping in the All-American Canal.

The man was processed and returned to Mexico, according to CBP.

Read Tuesday’s edition online or in print for further details.

— BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Caribbean World Series to help Imperial Valley economy

An estimated 40,000 tourists could flood the Mexicali-Imperial Valley and contribute $16 million to its economy in February when the 2009 Caribbean World Series is played in Mexicali, its organizers said Wednesday.

Demand for hotel rooms exceeds Mexicali’s capability, prompting is mayor to ask the Imperial Valley business community for assistance to accommodate fans and share the revenue.

A meeting scheduled next week in Calexico will bring in a dozen Mexicali officials and Mayor Rodolfo Valdez Gutierrez. Mayors and business leaders from Imperial Valley are expected to attend the powwow.

Read Thursday's edition online or in print for further details.

----VICTOR MORALES, staff writer