The U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego sector has a new chief patrol agent, a 25-year veteran who got his start in Imperial Beach, the agency announced Monday.
Justin De La Torre, a San Diego native, replaced acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker in the top job. Stalnaker will remain on as deputy chief patrol agent.
Justin De La Torre. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
“The men and women of San Diego sector have profoundly shaped my leadership by exemplifying our motto of ‘honor first’ in every aspect of their service,” De La Torre said in a statement. “Their dedication to the common good of the American people, both here in San Diego and across the nation, has strengthened my commitment to our mission.”
After beginning his career at the Imperial Beach station, he then went on to serve in various assignments in San Diego, including in the all-terrain vehicle unit, the alien smuggler identification and deterrence program, the public affairs office, the air mobile unit and the tactical unit, officials said.
De La Torre has also worked at Border Patrol headquarters in Washington, D.C., and was previously the chief agent in the Yuma sector, officials said.
As the top executive in the region, De La Torre will command around 2,000 Border Patrol agents along the 60 linear miles of border with Mexico, as well as the entire coast of California.