ICE removes foreign fugitive wanted for drug trafficking charges
The Mexican national had previously been removed from the US
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Salt Lake City Field Office removed a Mexican citizen wanted by law enforcement authorities in his home country on charges related to drug trafficking.
Luis Hernandez-Huazo, 40, has a criminal history with convictions at both the state and federal levels.
Hernandez-Huazo attempted to enter the U.S. illegally near Nogales, Arizona, April 6, 2000, and again near Douglas, Arizona Jan. 27, 2001. He was granted a voluntary return to Mexico both times.
He then illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and location. ERO San Francisco encountered Hernandez-Huazo at the Monterey County, California Jail Oct. 26, 2011, following his arrest for child cruelty, false imprisonment with violence, and assault. ERO San Francisco lodged an immigration detainer the same day.
The Superior Court of California, County of Monterey convicted Hernandez-Huazo of threats to commit harm resulting in death, false imprisonment, and cause great bodily injury to child, March 2, 2012. As the charges carried an enhancement for use of a weapon, he was sentenced to 365 days in jail. ERO San Francisco arrested and removed Hernandez-Huazo to Mexico, April 19, 2012.
Hernandez-Huazo was arrested Oct. 15, 2020, near Douglas, Arizona, after he attempted to illegally re-enter the U.S. The United States District Court for the District of Arizona convicted Hernandez-Huazo of felony illegal re-entry April 6, 2021. He received eight months imprisonment for his conviction. ERO Phoenix arrested and removed him to Mexico, June 16, 2021.
Hernandez-Huazo was again arrested June 24, 2021, near Yuma, Arizona, after he attempted to illegally re-enter the U.S. He was convicted by the United States District Court for the District of Arizona of felony illegal re-entry Nov. 5, 2021, He received 12 months imprisonment for his conviction. ERO Salt Lake City arrested Hernandez-Huazo Oct. 4, after confirming the outstanding fugitive warrant related to drug trafficking issued in Mexico.
Hernandez-Huazo was removed from the United States on Nov. 3, with custody transferred to authorities in Mexico upon arrival.
“The U.S. will not provide safe haven to foreign fugitives evading justice in their home countries,” said Michael Bernacke, field office director, ERO Salt Lake City. “As a public safety agency, ICE will continue to utilize its unique authorities to bring a consequence to criminal activity.”
Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) DHS-2ICE. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
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