HOULTON, Maine — United States Border Patrol agents arrested an African fugitive last week after he illegally crossed the border into Houlton.
According to Shelbe Benson-Fuller, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs, a Border Patrol agent from the Houlton Station responded Aug. 3 to a citizen’s report of a suspicious person walking near the international boundary at Houlton.
The agent responded and encountered a man matching the description by the citizen. Upon questioning, the agent learned the male subject, Jean Leonard Teganya, 42, a native of Rwanda, had entered the United States illegally by walking across the international boundary from Canada. He was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Houlton station for further processing in violation of “8 USC 1325, Entry Without Inspection.”
Teganya’s last known address was Laval, Quebec.
After agents entered his information into their database, they learned Teganya had an active Canada-wide warrant for removal from Canada for violating human or international rights under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Canada was in the process of deporting Teganya after a court determined he was complicit in the deaths of 200 people in Rawanda in the 1990s.
Teganya was processed for removal and turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations. As of Thursday afternoon, Teganya remained in custody of ICE/ERO officers and was awaiting transport to Boston.
“CBP welcomes assistance from the community,” Benson-Fuller said. “The information and observations provided by members of our border community have proven to be valuable assets in securing the borders of this great nation.”
Individuals can report suspicious activity by calling 1-800-851-8727, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
