U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Champlain have arrested a Haitian citizen wanted in Virginia for felony aggravated assault by strangulation.
The arrest occurred on July 31, after Christalin Morelus, a 21-year-old male, was refused entry into Canada and subsequently encountered by CBP officers during a primary inspection at the Champlain, New York Port of Entry.
During the inspection, a records check through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) revealed an active felony arrest warrant issued by the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia. The warrant was for Aggravated Assault – Strangulation, a serious criminal offense.
CBP officers immediately took Morelus into custody and escorted him to the secondary inspection area, where they verified his identity and confirmed the warrant.
“Thanks to the diligence and enforcement focus of our officers, we were able to identify and apprehend an individual wanted for a serious crime,” said Champlain Port Director Steve Bronson. “This arrest underscores the critical role that CBP plays in protecting our communities and ensuring that those who pose a threat to public safety are brought to justice.”
Following CBP processing, Morelus was handed over to the New York State Police as a Fugitive from Justice. He is currently being held pending extradition to Virginia.
Authorities remind the public that criminal charges are merely allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
