Texas man released after year detained in Mexico following accidental border crossing
May 9, 2026·Location: Hallsville, TX

Caden Hawkins, 23, was detained at the Port of Palomas Border Crossing in Columbus, New Mexico after accidentally driving into Mexico while following GPS directions on a work assignment. Mexican authorities discovered a licensed pistol and ammunition in his vehicle. After spending nearly a year imprisoned at Cereso Estatal No. 3 in Juarez, Hawkins was released and returned to his family in Hallsville, Texas on May 10, 2026.
Sources
- Man arrested after crossing Mexican border returns home following year in prison
KGNS·May 9, 2026·archived copy
KKTV·May 9, 2026·archived copy
- American Traveler's Year-Long Detention In Mexico For "Honest Accident" Is A Warning To Avoid One Item At The Border
thetravel.com·May 11, 2026·archived copy
- Texas family says son has been in Mexican prison for 9 months after he got lost, mistakenly crossed border
WHSV·Dec 2, 2025·archived copy
- Hallsville native detained in Mexico for year returns to East Texas - Longview News
news-journal.com·May 6, 2026·archived copy
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