ICE arrests sexual predator wanted in El Salvador
In late 2011, Oscar Ernesto Avila Osorio entered the United States without inspection near McAllen, Texas. His entry into the United States took place around the same time he was charged in El Salvador for the rape of a minor.
In August 2014, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, working in conjunction with the ICE attaché office in El Salvador, learned Avila Osorio was likely residing in the Washington, D.C. metro area. After doing significant research and surveillance to learn Avila Osorio’s whereabouts, the ERO Washington Fugitive Operations Team arrested Avila Osorio April 8, 2015, at a pub in northwest Washington, D.C.
On April 22, 2015, Interpol issued a red notice for Avila Osorio. The notice details the sordid events he’s wanted for in El Salvador.
“This case exemplifies the international cooperation that takes place between law enforcement agencies across the globe. Sexual predators are among the world’s most vile criminals, and we will not permit these individuals to enter the United States and seek haven here,” said Yvonne Evans, field office director for ERO Washington, D.C.
Avila Osorio will remain in ICE custody pending removal to El Salvador. Once removed, he will be turned over to law enforcement authorities there.
Avila Osorio’s removal to El Salvador will fall under ERO’s Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Initiative. The SAFE Initiative is geared toward the identification of foreign fugitives who are wanted abroad and removable under US immigration law.
In just three years, through the SAFE Initiative, ERO has removed 543 criminal fugitives to El Salvador. Those removed as part of the SAFE Initiative have been deemed ineligible to remain in the United States and were all wanted by the Policia Nacional Civil (PNC), El Salvador’s national police.
SAFE aligns with ERO’s public safety priorities and eliminates the need for formal extradition requests.
Updated: