Man deported 3 times arrested near Texas border, faces 20 years in federal prison

Published August 17, 2026 5:17 PM CDT

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 59-year-old Mexican man west of Del Rio, Texas, after authorities said a records check reveals multiple prior deportations and a criminal history that includes a felony conviction for intentionally injuring a child.

Repeat offender apprehended near Rio Grande

What we know:

The agents assigned to the Del Rio Station encountered Francisco Gallegos-Garza on Aug. 10 while patrolling near the Rio Grande. CBP said Gallegos-Garza was in the United States illegally.

The Department of Justice said Gallegos-Garza has been deported three times, most recently in June 2019.

Prior deportations and conviction for Child Injury

What they're saying:

Gallegos-Garza's criminal history includes two convictions for driving while intoxicated, a conviction for assault causing bodily injury and a felony conviction for injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, according to the Department of Justice. 

CBP said Gallegos-Garza was also convicted in 2011 of felony re-entry after deportation and sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. He was deported after completing that sentence.

What's next:

He now faces another federal charge of illegal re-entry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The offense can carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years in certain cases involving prior criminal convictions.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Justice.

U.S. Border SecurityImmigrationCrime and Public Safety