ICE deports man wanted in Mexico for kidnapping

CLEVELAND — A man from Mexico, who was wanted for kidnapping and other charges in his home country, was deported and turned over to Mexican law enforcement officials Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Edgar Campos-Barraza, 34, was transferred to the custody of Mexican law enforcement authorities by ERO officers. Campos-Barraza is wanted in his native country for aggravated kidnapping and criminal conspiracy. Campos-Barraza's removal to Mexico follows his Jan. 5 arrest on administrative immigration violations. He was arrested in Sandusky, Ohio, by agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol and the Ohio State Police after a tip from the San Diego Border Patrol Sector indicated his identity and whereabouts.

After he was turned over to ICE, ERO officers checked law enforcement databases and discovered an outstanding arrest warrant for aggravated kidnapping and criminal conspiracy against Campos-Barraza.

"Returning this kidnapping suspect is a direct result of our close collaboration with our law enforcement partners here and in Mexico," said Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ERO Ohio and Michigan. "ICE will continue to use our immigration enforcement authorities to promote public safety."

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 335 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.