ICE lodges immigration detainer against Mexican national arrested on allegations of kidnapping, rape of minor

RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Victor Villalba-Bustamante, a 41-year-old Mexican illegal alien, following his arrest by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Sanford Police Department April 9. Villalba-Bustamante’s arrest stems from an incident in which he was found in a hotel room with a 14-year-old female victim who was reported missing.

He has been criminally charged with two counts of statutory rape, abduction of a child, felony conspiracy to commit abduction, second-degree kidnapping, and solicitation of a minor by computer. The victim had been reported missing after failing to return home from school.

Villalba-Bustamante has no prior criminal history however, due to the nature and severity of the criminal charges, ICE Homeland Security Investigations immediately lodged a detainer to ensure he remains in custody.

“The safety and protection of children is one of our top priorities,” said ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Charlotte Cardell T. Morant, who also oversees North and South Carolina. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are working diligently to determine the full scope of this case, including any indicators of human trafficking or exploitation. We remain committed to holding accountable those who prey on vulnerable populations.”

ICE HSI Raleigh along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Sanford Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and other state and local partners are looking into other potential crimes.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details will be released at this time.