ICE Columbus arrests Ghanaian national convicted of sex crimes with a minor

COLUMBUS, Ohio — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended a citizen of Ghana who was convicted of sex crimes with a minor when officers arrested Joseph Osei Boateng January 29 in Columbus, Ohio.

“Sex crimes against a minor threaten the very fabric of our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch. “Our ICE team will continue to identify and apprehend individuals amenable to removal who have victimized our most vulnerable population.

The Ghanaian national legally entered the U.S. in 2019. He was convicted of two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in October 2024.

Boateng remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of his immigration proceedings.

Members of the public can report immigration crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE Detroit’s mission to increase public safety in our Michigan and Ohio communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERODetroit or @HSIDetroit.