Commander Gregory K. Bovino, a key figure in federal operations, sharply attacked a viral social media post, claiming it contained “lies” designed to stir up violence against Border Patrol agents.
The post showed federal officers making an arrest at a North Carolina grocery store.
The controversy began when a video circulated claiming agents acted illegally by forcibly arresting a 15-year-old employee inside a Pineville, NC, store.
The post alleged the teen was pinned, had his face pressed into the cement, and was zip-tied, calling the action “excessive” and a violation of the minor’s rights.
The Federal Counter-Claim: He Was 18 and Tried to Escape
Commander Bovino immediately countered the claims point by point, calling the viral post dangerous and fact-free.
Bovino stated the claim of arresting a juvenile was false: “This illegal alien ‘juvenile’ was 18 years old.” He stressed the person arrested was an adult, not a child.
The Commander also corrected the details about the use of restraints.
He explained that the person “was not zip tied in the store, but led out where he tried escaping and was THEN zip tied.” This suggests agents used the restraint because the suspect attempted to flee.
Lies Inciting Violence
Commander Bovino reserved his harshest criticism for the person who created the viral post, accusing them of trying to cause disorder.
He warned that spreading false details makes the job of federal officers more dangerous, stating: “Lying like this needlessly incites the community thus increasing possibility of violence.” The agency maintains the person arrested was an undocumented adult who posed an escape risk.
Watch the video below.
