BORDER PATROL AGENT ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING YOUNG WOMAN Matthew J. Hemmer, a 32 year old US Border Patrol agent who works at the Nogales, Arizona checkpoint, was booked by police in Santa Cruz County, Arizona on charges of sexual assault, sexual abuse and kidnapping. He is being held on $50,000 bond. Nogales police were not available for initial comment. The Nogales Border Patrol office has only released a statement stating that the agency is cooperating in the investigation of Hemmer. It later was revealed, however, that several alleged victims of a sexual assault by Hemmer were being returned to the US to help in prosecuting the Border Patrol agent. A family of five were walking into the US last week when Hemmer allegedly abused two sisters and their cousin. One of the sisters was allegedly sexually assaulted. According to the witnesses, the family was spotted by Border Patrol agents on bicycle. After the family was arrested, Hemmer took them to the Nogales Border Patrol station. Hemmer first took the family to a remote area near Mariposa Canyon. All five family members were patted down, but the females were patted down three times. Hemmer is said to have patted the women down “inappropriately.” The five were then taken to the Nogales station. After processing, the family was driven to the Nogales port of entry so that the family could return to Mexico. But Hemmer kept the 22 year old sister in his van and drove her to a remote spot where he is accused of sexually assaulting her. He then returned her to the port of entry and she left the country. The woman told her family what happened and they then contacted Mexican immigration officials. The Mexican government officials then contacted US consular officials who then referred the case to the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General, the agency’s internal watchdog office. < Back | Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. |