U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Anzalduas International Bridge arrested Antonio Ford on January 4, a 23-year-old wanted on felony charges for sexual exploitation of a minor.
Ford, a U.S. citizen from McIntyre, Georgia, arrived from Mexico when CBP officers identified him as matching an active arrest warrant. Officers used biometric verification to confirm his identity and the outstanding warrant issued by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office in Smithfield, North Carolina.
Ford has been wanted since July 2025 and faces 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a third-degree felony under North Carolina law.
“CBP screens all travelers entering the United States and we are committed to bringing in wanted individuals to face their criminal charges,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Mission police took custody of Ford and transported him to Hidalgo County Jail pending extradition to North Carolina to face charges.
The arrest is part of a broader pattern of CBP apprehensions of wanted fugitives at southern border crossings. In October at the beginning of fiscal 2026, CBP Laredo officers arrested four wanted sex offenders in 72 hours, according to reporting by The Center Square.
