ICE arrests one of 10 most wanted in New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested one of ICE’s 10 Most Wanted in New Jersey Wednesday, a previously removed, aggravated felon from Guatemala, convicted of child endangerment involving the production of child pornography, with outstanding warrants for a parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender.
Anibal Garcia-Jerez was arrested April 14, by ICE officers in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. He had previously been removed by ICE officers in 2018, after he was turned over to ICE following the completion of his sentencing. He later illegally reentered the United States, making him an ICE fugitive.
Garcia-Jerez is considered an ICE enforcement priority due to his aggravated felony history. In January 2017, the Bergen County Superior Court, New Jersey convicted Garcia-Jerez for the offense of felony endangering the welfare of a child (photograph or film a child in a prohibited sex act) and sentenced him to three years confinement.
Garcia-Jerez was initially encountered by ERO officers on April 6, 2016, at Bergen County Jail while being held on the pending charges for which he was later convicted. ICE lodged a detainer and on March 15, 2018, while serving his sentence with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, he was served with a notice to appear in immigration court. On July 20, 2018, he was taken into ERO custody and on October 25, 2018, he was ordered removed to Guatemala.
“This is a clear case of an individual who, in addition to reentering the United States after being removed, poses a clear danger to the community, particularly our most vulnerable citizens: children,” said Field Officer Director John Tsoukaris, of ERO Newark. “The continuous and dedicated efforts of the courageous men and women of ERO led to this significant arrest.”
ICE is now implementing the interim civil immigration enforcement priorities directed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to focus its limited resources on threats to national security, border security and public safety. ICE continues to carry out its duty to enforce the laws of the United States in accordance with the Department’s national security and public safety mission.
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