ICE ERO Los Angeles arrests 24 sex/child sex offenders during weeklong operation
Several arrested had prior removals, orders of removal from US
LOS ANGELES – Deportation officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Los Angeles Field Office arrested two-dozen sexual predators during a five-day operation, which concluded June 17 in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Riverside Counties.
Those arrested had criminal histories or convictions for sexual abuse. Several individuals are registered sexual offenders. Everyone taken into custody is currently being detained pending the completion of removal proceedings, criminal prosecution, or removal from the United States.
“The individuals arrested during this successful operation preyed upon the most vulnerable members of our society – our children,” said Thomas P. Giles, field office director of ERO Los Angeles. “While this was a one-week operation, every day, ICE ERO deportation officers fulfill their sworn duty as law enforcement officers while ensuring public safety by arresting and removing these predators from our communities.”
The arrestees who are not being federally criminally prosecuted are being detained in ICE custody and will be processed administratively for removal from the United States. Those arrestees who have outstanding orders of removal are subject to immediate removal from the country. The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge.
Arrests include:
A 24-year-old Guatemalan citizen arrested in Los Angeles. In December 2020, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted the individual of felony lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14.
A 23-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Santa Ana. In July 2011, the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, convicted the noncitizen of felony sodomy by use of force/injury.
A previously removed 55-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Los Angeles. In November 2010, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted this noncitizen of misdemeanor sexual intercourse with a minor, misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor annoying molesting a minor.
A previously removed 28-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Moorpark. In January 2020, the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, convicted this noncitizen of felony lewd acts with a minor.
A 27-year-old Philippine citizen arrested in Los Angeles. In July 2021, the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, convicted this noncitizen of felony sexual penetration of an unconscious victim.
A previously removed 59-year-old Guatemalan citizen arrested in Newhall. In November 1995, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted this noncitizen of felony annoying molesting a child.
A previously removed 59-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Los Angeles. In October 2021, the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, convicted this noncitizen of felony oral copulation [of a person] under 18 years old.
A 49-year-old Nicaraguan citizen with a prior removal order arrested in Lomita. In November 2021, the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, convicted this noncitizen of felony arranging a meeting place for purpose of exposing, misdemeanor child annoying, and felony carrying a loaded firearm.
A previously removed 45-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Santa Barbara. In September 2019, the Santa Barbara County Sherriff’s Department arrested and charged this noncitizen with felony assault with intent to rape, felony lewd and lascivious acts with a child, and misdemeanor willful cruelty to a child.
A 50-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Los Angeles. In June 2017, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted this noncitizen of felony rape.
A 30-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Orange. In June 2021, the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, convicted this noncitizen of felony furnish cannabis to a minor, misdemeanor indecent exposure, misdemeanor annoy/molest victim under 18, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct: solicit lewd act.
A 44-year-old Salvadoran citizen arrested in Los Angeles. In October 1999, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted this noncitizen of felony sex with a minor.
A 37-year-old Mexican citizen arrested in Oxnard. In August 2017, the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, convicted this noncitizen of felony kidnapping, felony anal and genital penetration, and felony assault with deadly weapon.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-ero-los-angeles-arrests-24-sex-offenders-during-weeklong-operation