FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: October 09, 2008 Anton Slavich, Deputy United States Marshal Tyler, Texas  (903) 590-1370 ext. 234   East Texas Fugitive Arrested in Mexico and Returned to the U.S.   On October 8, 2008 James Edward Bonk Jr. was arrested by Mexican Law Enforcement Officials in Reynosa, Tampaulipas, Mexico for violating the immigration laws of the Republic of Mexico. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force Tyler division, Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force McAllen division, Texas Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Theft Service Athens and Mexican Law Enforcement in Tampaulipas. Bonk was wanted on a bond forfeiture warrant, instant offense of aggravated robbery. Bonk absconded from the jurisdiction of the 173rd District Court, in and for Henderson County, TX in September of 2007. This case was referred to the Task Force in September of 2008 by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office. The joint investigation revealed was Bonk residing in Mexico. This information was forwarded to the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force McAllen division, who in turn requested assistance of Mexican Law Enforcement in Tampaulipas. Bonk was apprehended by Mexican Law Enforcement Officials based on this information. Bonk was expelled from the Republic of Mexico on the basis of having no legal status in Mexico. Bonk was turned over to Deputy US Marshals with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force McAllen division at the border, where he was arrested on the Henderson County arrest warrant. Bonk was booked at the Hidalgo County Jail awaiting return to Henderson County. Bonk is being held on a $250,000 bond. Annually, investigations carried out by the U.S. Marshals result in the apprehension of approximately 34,000 federal fugitives. More federal fugitives are arrested by Marshals than all other federal agencies combined. The Joint East Texas Fugitive Apprehension Task Force is a team comprised of law enforcement officers from 56 law enforcement agencies in the East Texas area. The task force objective is to seek out and arrest federal, state, and local fugitives, mainly those with violent criminal histories to include sex offenders. Last year, U.S. Marshals task forces arrested more than 27,000 state and local fugitives on felony charges. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.