HALLSVILLE, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) — A man, his family says, who was wrongfully imprisoned in Mexico is home following an arrest a year ago.State Rep. Jay Dean confirmed Caden Hawkins’ return on Wednesday. “After a long and difficult year, Caden Hawkins is finally home,” Dean shared. “Back where he belongs with his family, in Hallsville, surrounded by the people who never stopped loving him, praying for him, and believing he would make it back.”Hawkins was detained last year at the Port of Palomas Border Crossing in Columbus, New Mexico. His family said he was on a work assignment and got turned around after following his GPS while trying to make it back home. They said he did not realize he was driving to the U.S.-Mexico border.Hawkins filmed on his phone at the border crossing moments before he was handcuffed. His family said they have since learned he was detained because he had a pistol and bullets when he arrived at the crossing. According to the family, the gun was one he was licensed to carry.Dean did not comment further on the circumstances regarding Hawkins’ release.Copyright 2026 KLTV via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.