Fugitive Alters Fingerprints to Avoid Arrest

Boston, Mass. - Today, Freddie Davila was arraigned in Federal Court in Boston, on charges for re-entry after deportation and is currently awaiting sentencing. Davila was arrested on June 9, by Customs and Border Protection Officers from the port of Boston Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team outbound division, when it was discovered that Davila had altered his fingerprints to avoid arrest.

Davila was boarding a flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when he was stopped and questioned by CBP officers. When resources permit, CBP conducts departure/outbound examinations for compliance of documentary and other regulatory requirements, focusing on currency, weapons, export violations, and fugitives exiting the U.S. In this case, CBP officers determined that Davila’s fingerprints appeared to have been altered and determined that further investigation was necessary.

Additional inquiries conducted by CBP officers into his past travel history and the documents he presented in the name of R. M. Mejia indicated that the passenger may not be who he says he is. Further inspection determined that Davila may have altered his fingerprints in order to avoid apprehension. A subsequent background check indicated Davila has multiple arrest warrants for distribution/dispensing of class B, a controlled narcotic. It was also discovered that Davila had been previously ordered formally removed from the U.S. but failed to depart and instead decided to unlawfully remain in the U.S.

Davila is being processed to re-instate his previous order of deportation and is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals awaiting sentencing. If convicted, Davila faces up to two year in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and one year of supervised probation.

“Through the use of law enforcement databases and various inspection techniques, this arrest demonstrates CBP’s commitment to protecting our homeland from all threats,” said Director of Field Operations Kevin Weeks. “I commend our officers for their vigilance in determining the true identity of this individual and the discrepancies with his travel documents.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.