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February 23, 2024Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

6 noncitizen sex offenders, including 3 child predators, apprehended in Houston area during national ICE ERO operation

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston arrested six noncitizen sex offenders, including three noncitizens, convicted of child sex offenses during a nationwide law enforcement effort that netted 275 noncitizens that ran from Feb. 5 to Feb. 16.

This follows a nationwide enforcement effort in January, during which authorities arrested 275 individuals presenting a threat to public safety. By using an intelligence-driven enforcement model, ERO makes efficient use of limited resources to promote public safety in communities across the United States.

“The recent operation to arrest and detain dangerous noncitizen sex offenders residing in the Houston-area is another example of our commitment to make our communities safer,” said ERO Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the brave men and women of the ICE ERO Houston field office, we were able to remove six noncitizen sex offenders from the community, including three convicted child predators.”

The arrests ERO Houston made during the operation included:

  • A 56-year-old Salvadoran national arrested in Houston who has previously been convicted of sexual assault.
  • A 40-year-old Salvadoran national arrested in Waco who has previously been convicted of a sex offense involving a minor, two DUIs and larceny.
  • A 49-year-old Vietnamese national arrested in Waco who has previously been convicted of sexual assault on a child and failure to register as a sex offender.
  • A 26-year-old Salvadoran national arrested in Houston who has previously been convicted of felony aggravated sexual assault with a firearm.
  • A 44-year-old twice-removed Mexican national arrested in Houston who has previously been convicted of sexual battery.
  • A 25-year-old Mexican national arrested in Center who has previously been convicted of sexual assault of a child.

ICE focuses on the arrest of noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. ICE officers, informed by their experience and training, use their inherent discretion as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on those who pose a threat to national security, public safety, or border security. These efforts include noncitizens with final orders of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.

In fiscal year 2023, ERO Houston arrested 7,100 noncitizens with at least one criminal conviction and another 2,427 noncitizens with pending criminal charges. In FY23 across the entire nation, ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in the Houston-area on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROHouston.

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