Ecuadorian fugitive wanted on international warrant for rape of 13-year-old minor arrested by ERO Newark

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark arrested an Ecuadorian fugitive Aug. 30 in North Bergen who is wanted for the rape of a 13-year-old female in Ecuador. Manuel Oswaldo Guzman-Morales, a citizen and national of Ecuador, has had several prior arrests while in the United States.

Guzman-Morales entered the U.S. at an unknown date and time. An immigration judge granted him voluntary departure and he departed the U.S. Dec. 28, 1994, for Ecuador.

He reentered the U.S. at an unknown date and time.

ERO Newark arrested Guzman-Morales in West New York, New Jersey, Jan. 23, 2007. He was granted voluntary departure by an immigration judge, Dec. 31, 2008, until March 2, 2009. After an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), which was dismissed, and petition with 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, also dismissed, he was ordered removed. ERO Newark removed Guzman-Morales to Ecuador July 27, 2010.

The United States Border Patrol (USBP) arrested Guzman-Morales near Pisinemo, Arizona, June 5, 2013, after he entered the U.S. without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by an immigration officer. Officials served him with a Notice to Appear (NTA) and turned him over to ICE custody.

On June 13, 2013, ERO Phoenix cancelled the NTA and served Guzman-Morales with a Notice of Intent/Decision to reinstate prior order of removal. On Jan. 23, 2014, an immigration judge granted Guzman-Morales a bond in the amount of $6,500 pursuant to Rodriguez v. Robbin. On Jan. 24, 2014, Guzman-Morales posted bond. On the same date, ERO Phoenix served him with an order of supervision and released him from ICE custody.

Ecuador issued an international warrant Feb. 15, 2021, for Guzman-Morales for an outstanding warrant in Ecuador for the offense of rape. The alleged crime took place in the Ecuadorian sector of La Vaquería, Cantón Biblián, Province of Cañar May 16, 2013. The victim of the alleged crime is identified in court documents as a minor, specifically a 13-year-old female.

ERO Newark arrested Guzman-Morales Aug. 30, pursuant to the international warrant issued in February and served him with a notice of revocation of release. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending the outcome of his proceedings.