ICE arrests Ecuadorian national wanted for raping a child in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — An Ecuadorian national residing in Baltimore, wanted for the brutal rape of a 9-year-old girl, was arrested Wednesday by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Henry Estrella-Cordova, 31, was arrested May 15 in Silver Spring, Md., by officers of ERO Baltimore's Criminal Alien Program (CAP) after they received information that Estrella-Cordova was wanted on state rape charges and was unlawfully present in the United States.

"Arresting individuals that are alleged to sexually exploit children and removing them from our streets is an ICE priority in maintaining the safety and quality of life that the citizens of Maryland expect," said Daniel Schichel, acting field office director for ERO Baltimore. "ICE will continue to identify and arrest child predators unlawfully residing in the United States and protect our communities from threats to public safety."

Estrella-Cordova entered the United States illegally at an unknown place and at an unknown time more than a year ago. On May 14, ERO CAP officers were contacted by the Baltimore City Police Department and informed that Estrella-Cordova was the suspect in an extremely violent rape against a 9-year-old child and that a warrant for his arrest was issued on the charges of second degree rape; second, third and fourth degree sex offense and second degree assault. According to the arrest warrant, the crimes occurred on or about May 7. The investigation indicated that Estrella-Cordova was an Ecuadorian citizen illegally in the country. Following an investigation by the Baltimore City Police Department and ERO officers, ERO officers located him in Silver Spring near a bus terminal.

ERO officers turned him over to the Baltimore City Police and placed an immigration detainer on him to ensure he is not released into the community and will be transferred into ERO custody to face immigration removal proceedings after his criminal case is litigated.

He is currently in custody in Baltimore City pending his criminal charges where, if convicted on all charges, he faces up to 61 years in prison.

He is being prosecuted by the State's Attorney's Office in Baltimore.

ERO enforces the nation's immigration laws by identifying and arresting removable aliens, and by detaining and removing priority aliens from the United States. ERO prioritizes the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens, those aliens who pose a threat to national security and public safety. CAP provides ICE-wide direction and support in the identification of aliens incarcerated within federal, state and local prisons and jails, as well as at-large criminal aliens.