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Juan David Ortiz, 35, faces five charges, according to Webb District Attorney, Isidro R. "Chilo" Alaniz. Mr. Ortiz will be charged with four charges of murder and unlawful restraint with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Alaniz said.
The bodies of three women and one man have been found over the past two weeks, CNN spokesman Eduardo Chapa told CNN. Chapa said the investigators did not rule out that there could be more casualties.
Alaniz will not specify how the victims were killed but said that the "methods and means" of the murders were similar.
"He profiled certain types of victims," said Alaniz, adding that "the suspect was looking for his victims." The prosecutor feels comfortable to describe Ortiz as a serial killer.
It was not clear immediately if Ortiz had a lawyer.
Andrew Meehan, spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement to CNN that the agency was cooperating fully with the investigators.
"Although CBP's policy is not to comment on the details of an ongoing investigation, the criminal prosecution by our employees is not and will not be tolerated," he said. "Out of respect for the family and friends of the victims, we ask that the investigation be respected and respected so that all the facts are uncovered and they can receive the closure they deserve."
Woman able to escape, calls the police
Alaniz said the case broke out Friday when another female victim was reportedly abducted and escaped. The victim called the police and the Texas state soldiers hit her first.
The victim was able to provide a detailed description of Ortiz, including his tattoos, said Alaniz.
The authorities found Ortiz at a gas station in Laredo, about 160 kilometers southwest of San Antonio. He escaped on foot and ran to the Ramada Inn, where he was found hidden in the bed of a van, Alaniz said.
Ortiz, said Cuellar, spent 10 years as an agent with the US Border Patrol. He is also a veteran of the US Navy, said Alaniz.
Cuellar conveyed his condolences to the families of the four victims. He said his department, along with other state and federal agencies, "was working diligently on this case".
Amanda Watts of CNN contributed to this report.
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