ICE removes 2 men wanted for homicide to Mexico
MEXICO CITY – Two Mexican men wanted for homicide in Mexico were removed March 19 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in Georgia.
According to an Interpol warrant, Barbarito De Leon-Compean, 50, is wanted by Mexican officials for homicide. De Leon-Compean was convicted Oct. 16, 1995, in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, for conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs. De Leon-Compean, who entered the United States illegally at an unknown place and at an unknown time, was ordered removed by an immigration judge Aug. 26, 1997.
He was removed in 2002 and subsequently illegally reentered the United States. In 2011, he was sentenced in Hidalgo, Texas, for evading arrest and driving while intoxicated. In 2012, he was also sentenced to 46 months in prison for illegal reentry into the United States.
Also removed was Honorato Zarco-Bautista, 58, who is wanted for patricide in addition to homicide. Bautista was convicted on Dec. 11, 2014, in Carthage, North Carolina, for driving while intoxicated. An immigration judge ordered him removed on Feb. 18, 2015. A warrant for his arrest was issued on Aug. 22, 2000, by law enforcement in Valle de Bravo, Mexico.
“These two recent cases exemplify ERO’s commitment to smart and effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the cases of criminals,” said Assistant Director for Repatriation Marlen Piñeiro. “We share an excellent bilateral relationship with our Mexican colleagues and pledge to continue to work with them to bring individuals like these two fugitives to justice.”
ERO is responsible for coordinating the removal of criminals, foreign fugitives and others ordered deported. Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO assistant attachés for repatriation have assisted with the removal of 720 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. Last year alone, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States, 98% of which met one or more of ICE’s immigration enforcement priorities.
Through its International Operations, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has 65 operational attaché offices in 46 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. Both HSI and ERO personnel work on issues of mutual interest with host governments.
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