ICE removes El Salvadoran fugitive wanted for sexual assault of a minor
NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed an El Salvadoran national Thursday who is wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a minor.
ERO deportation officers escorted Jose Martinez, 41, who was removed to San Salvador via an ICE Air Operations Charter flight, and transferred to the custody of El Salvadoran law enforcement authorities.
“Martinez came to the United States while facing charges of sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “There is no question that when you read an Interpol Red Notice with a warning stating that this person is prone to commit sexual offenses against minors, it solidifies ICE’s resolve to target and remove these criminal aliens seeking refuge in our communities.”
According to the Interpol Red Notice, in December 2010, Martinez, while working as a music teacher in Municipality De San Francisco Chinameca, allegedly sexually assaulted a 7-year-old child. In November 2011, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Martinez near Hidalgo, Texas, on immigration charges and placed him into proceedings. An immigration judge granted Martinez bond, and in December 2011, after posting bond, ICE released Martinez from custody.
In March 2012, Salvadoran law enforcement authorities issued an arrest warrant for Martinez, for the offense of aggravated sexual assault of a minor. In January 2016, Interpol-El Salvador issued a Red Notice for Martinez, for the offense of aggravated sexual assault of a minor. In June 2016, ERO headquarters in Washington D.C. advised ERO New York about the Interpol Red Notice and that Martinez was residing in the New York City metropolitan area. In June 2016, ERO deportation officers arrested Martinez in North Babylon, New York. In April 2017, Martinez was ordered removed by an immigration judge. In September 2017, an appeal of that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) was dismissed, paving the way for his removal to El Salvador.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
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