On the run for 16 years, Army deserter turns himself in to Border Patrol

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- After 16 years on the run, a military deserter turned himself in to U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Port of Buffalo, Rainbow Bridge border crossing, the agency announced Thursday.

The unidentified 38-year-old turned himself in on Tuesday after encountering CBP officers on the crossing's pedestrian walkway, the agency said in a release.

"The traveler claimed to be 'turning himself in' for military desertion," the agency said. "The traveler was escorted to secondary inspection for verification."

Officers verified the man's identity during a secondary inspection and found that he had an active National Crime Information Center U.S. Army warrant for Military Desertion.

"Our officers work diligently to screen all travelers entering the United States," Area Port Director Gaetano Cordone said. "We work closely with several law enforcement agencies to help capture fugitives and ensure they are held accountable for their actions."

The man was taken into custody and turned over to the U.S. Army from the Fort Liberty, North Carolina Provost Marshal's Office. His name was not released due to CPB privacy rules.