Multiple sex offenders arrested by ERO Seattle during national operation
SEATTLE — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle Field Office apprehended five unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of sex offenses during a nationwide enforcement effort Oct. 22 through Nov. 4. The law enforcement action conducted by ERO resulted in a total of 138 arrests nationally, including some with an executable final order of removal.
“ERO is a valuable component in providing public safety here in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the entire country; that value is reinforced by the arrests made during this operation,” said ERO Seattle Field Office Director Drew H. Bostock. “Those convicted of crimes related to sexual violence who are unlawfully present in the U.S. will be held accountable, ultimately improving the safety of our communities.”
This enforcement operation was implemented to address unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of sex offenses. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office. Individuals listed here will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
The following individuals were arrested in the Seattle Field Office area of responsibility, which includes Washington, Oregon and Alaska:
- A 61-year-old citizen of Mexico in Richland, Washington, convicted by the Benton County Superior Court of child molestation in January 2020
- A 39-year-old citizen of Mexico in Auburn, Washington, convicted by the Superior Court of Washington for King County of possessing depictions of minors in sexual conduct and sexual exploitation of a minor; sentenced to three months’ incarceration
- A 59-year-old citizen of El Salvador in Othello, Washington, convicted by the Franklin County Superior Court of rape; sentenced to six months’ incarceration
- A 35-year-old citizen of Mexico in Kent, Washington, convicted by the Superior Court of Washington for King County of communication with a minor for immoral purposes; sentenced to three months’ incarceration; and of cyberstalking and disclosing intimate images and sentenced to 364 days of incarceration
- A 50-year-old citizen of Mexico in Hillsboro, Oregon, convicted by the Washington County Circuit Court of felony unlawful sexual penetration and sexual abuse
ICE officers make case decisions in a responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement professionals and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland.
Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by federal immigration judges.
In fiscal year 2021, ERO arrested 2,025 individuals with aggravated felony convictions. Offenses associated with noncitizens arrested in FY 2021 included 1,506 homicide related offenses, 3,415 sexual assaults, 19,549 assaults, 2,717 robberies and 1,063 kidnappings.
Members of the public can report crimes and/or suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on Twitter @EROSeattle.
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