ICE arrests Venezuelan fugitive wanted for attempting to kill an innocent woman during violent Russian roulette-style attack

DALLAS — ICE arrested Raul Enrique Pargas Rodriquez, a 31-year-old alien and foreign fugitive from Venezuela, Aug. 14. Pargas is wanted for attempted aggravated femicide for allegedly carrying out a violent Russian roulette-style attack on an innocent woman.

“This dangerous criminal alien allegedly beat, demeaned and tortured a young woman in some twisted version of Russian roulette and then fled to the United States when his attempt to murder her fell apart,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson. “Thanks to a tip from the U.S. Border Patrol, we were able to track him down and safely take him into custody so that he can be repatriated to Venezuela to face justice for his alleged crimes.”

According to the warrant, Pargas allegedly called the woman to his workshop Feb. 24, 2021, and snapped into a violent tirade, insulting, attacking and hitting her. He then allegedly took out a black pistol, pointed it at her, and placed it on her head before removing the bullets and replacing them, then pointing the gun at her head again. A short time later, the victim managed to escape.

Following the attack, Pargas fled the country and illegally entered the U.S. Aug. 10, 2022, near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was apprehended the same day by the U.S. Border Patrol and released on his own recognizance pending disposition of his immigration proceedings. On Nov. 28, 2023, ICE encountered Pargas at the Dallas County Jail following his arrest for assault. However, prosecutorial discretion was exercised as a result of immigration enforcement priorities at the time, and he was not taken into custody.

On Aug. 14, ICE received an investigative referral from the U.S. Border Patrol indicating that Pargas was illegally residing in North Texas and was wanted for attempted aggravated femicide in Venezuela. ICE, the U.S. Marshals and the Texas Department of Public Safety successfully located Pargas and safely took him into custody in Plano. Pargas remains in ICE custody pending disposition of his immigration proceedings.