ICE deports man wanted for murder in Mexico

NEWARK, N.J. —  A Mexican national, wanted in his home country for murder, was deported Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Heriberto Montoya-Merino, 24, who had been residing in Bradley Beach, was repatriated onboard a charter flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations and turned over to Mexican authorities by ERO officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry in Texas.

“ICE takes its responsibility toward public safety very seriously. Individuals who flee their home country in order to avoid prosecution will be arrested by ERO,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark. “ERO, working with our local and international law enforcement partners, will identify, locate and deport criminal aliens so they can face justice at home.”

Montoya-Merino, who had been previously returned to Mexico in 2013, illegally reentered the country and was subsequently arrested Nov. 19, 2013, with the assistance of the Bradley Beach Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

An immigration judge ordered him removed in July.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 720 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.