Steve Neavling

John C. Bates, the head of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector, was removed from his post Monday after serving for six years as chief patrol agent for the sector, the Bellingham Herald reports.

The reason, however, remained a mystery this morning after authorities declined to say what happened.

Bates was in charge of protecting the borders of Washington, Alaska and Oregon.

He had been with the agency since 1985.

Blaine is the second leader to be removed from the Blaine sector in the last five years. A deputy chief was arrested for having sex with an underage girl, according to the Bellingham Herald.

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