Man accused of trying to kidnap teen girl, arrested at Bridge of the Americas

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A 34-year-old man is accused of trying to kidnap a 14-year-old girl. Authorities arrested him at the Bridge of the Americas, according to the Office of Field Operations Port of El Paso.

Sunday, federal officials encountered the man at BOTA. OFO didn't publicly identify the man and accused him of having ties to a Mexican cartel.

He allegedly traveled with a 14-year-old girl on a bus headed toward Mexico. OFO said the girl's mother didn't know about her whereabouts and "believed her daughter was being taken to Mexico against her will."

Federal officials charged the man with knowingly possessing or accessing sexually explicit content of a minor. Officials issued an arrest warrant and notice to appear with removal proceedings pending.

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CBP's El Paso Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) had a joint operation at the Bridge of the Americas at the time of the man's arrest.