ERO Seattle arrests 6 noncitizens with criminal convictions for child exploitation during national operation
SEATTLE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle arrested six noncitizens convicted of crimes related to child exploitation during a nationwide law enforcement effort that ran from January 16-28.
“Noncitizens who commit repugnant acts at the expense of children will not be allowed to claim our great nation as their home,” said ERO Seattle Field Office Director Drew Bostock. “The arrests ERO Seattle made during this national operation are an example of the constant contributions we make locally to keep the U.S. safe from child predators.”
All arrests took place in the assigned ERO Seattle states of Alaska, Washington and Oregon, with criminal convictions made by courts in Washington and Oregon.
Those arrested include:
- A 53-year-old citizen of El Salvador in Tacoma who was convicted of felony child molestation in the first degree, child molestation in the second degree, and rape of a child in the third degree.
- A 42-year-old citizen of Mexico in Moses Lake who was convicted of dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
- A 39-year-old citizen of Mexico in Federal Way who was convicted of communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
- A 69-year-old citizen of Mexico in Yakima who was convicted of dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
- A 58-year-old citizen of Mexico in Yakima who was convicted of child molestation in the first degree, child molestation in the second degree, and rape of a child in the third degree.
- A 43-year-old citizen of Mexico in Woodburn, Oregon, who was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor.
ERO officers evaluate individuals on a case-by-case basis, assessing the totality of the facts and circumstances to make informed arrest determinations. Those cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution can be presented to the U.S. attorney's office. ERO also coordinates with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to evaluate the completion of relevant noncitizen applications.
In fiscal year 2023, ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.
As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community by following us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EROSeattle.
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