Raul Alexander Pineda-Mendez was arrested Monday, October 26, 2026, following an attempted traffic stop.<\/p>\n
According to a federal affidavit, authorities allege he returned to the United States after being deported three times.<\/p>\n
Federal court documents describing the arrest were filed Wednesday, October 28, in the District of North Dakota.<\/p>\n
Border Patrol Spots Pickup in Grand Forks<\/h2>\n
According to the affidavit, Border Patrol agents were conducting a roving patrol in Grand Forks.<\/p>\n
They noticed a black GMC pickup parked along South Washington Street.<\/p>\n
Agents said they recognized the vehicle from an earlier encounter near Interstate 29 on September 29.<\/p>\n
Records reportedly showed the registered owner was a person previously deported to Honduras.<\/p>\n
A removal warrant was signed on September 30, according to the affidavit.<\/p>\n
Pickup Allegedly Accelerates Away From Agents<\/h2>\n
On October 26, agents reportedly watched Pineda-Mendez and another man enter the pickup.<\/p>\n
The vehicle left the area at approximately 3:20 p.m.<\/p>\n
Agents activated emergency lights and sirens near a gas station, attempting to stop the truck.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, the pickup accelerated away instead of stopping.<\/p>\n
The truck then entered a nearby parking lot.<\/p>\n
Other Border Patrol vehicles blocked its path, allowing agents to approach.<\/p>\n
The affidavit does not identify a separate criminal charge related to the attempted traffic stop.<\/p>\n
Man Tells Agents About Pending U Visa Application<\/h2>\n
During the encounter, Pineda-Mendez reportedly identified himself and discussed his immigration situation.<\/p>\n
According to the affidavit, he told agents he had a pending U visa application.<\/p>\n
U visas provide certain immigration protections to eligible victims of qualifying crimes who assist law enforcement.<\/p>\n
However, a pending application does not automatically establish lawful immigration status or permission to reenter after deportation.<\/p>\n
Agents reported finding no recent immigration record authorizing his return after February 2026.<\/p>\n
Pineda-Mendez declined to answer when asked where he last entered the country, according to the affidavit.<\/p>\n Fingerprint records cited in the affidavit identify three prior removals from the United States.<\/p>\n The first occurred in March 2012, following an immigration encounter in Texas in October 2011.<\/p>\n The second removal occurred in March 2021, after an encounter with immigration authorities in Minnesota.<\/p>\n The third occurred February 1, 2026, following another immigration encounter in Minnesota.<\/p>\n Agents allege Pineda-Mendez returned without the required government authorization after his latest removal.<\/p>\n After the arrest, agents transported Pineda-Mendez to the Border Patrol station in Pembina, North Dakota.<\/p>\n According to the affidavit, agents advised him of his constitutional rights.<\/p>\n He acknowledged those rights and requested an attorney before answering further questions.<\/p>\n The supplied report identifies Grand Forks County Jail as his custody location.<\/p>\n Federal law addresses unlawful reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. Section 1326<\/a>.<\/p>\n Penalties depend on the circumstances and any applicable prior convictions.<\/p>\n Readers can learn about U visa eligibility through the U.S. Department of State<\/a>.<\/p>\n Information about the federal court is available through the North Dakota Court System’s federal courts directory<\/a>.<\/p>\n The affidavit contains allegations, not findings of guilt.<\/p>\n No conviction or sentence in this federal matter was established by the supplied documents.<\/p>\n Pineda-Mendez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Raul-Alexander-Pineda-Mendez-1024x576.png\")
<\/a>Federal Records Allege Three Previous Deportations<\/h2>\n
Suspect Taken to Pembina for Processing<\/h2>\n
Federal Immigration Case Continues<\/h2>\n