Federal immigration agents arrested more violent criminal illegal aliens during the weekend leading into Christmas, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release.
The agency highlighted 15 individuals with criminal histories recently captured nationwide by federal immigration officials.
“All year long, our law enforcement officers worked around-the-clock, including weekends and holidays, to arrest the worst of the worst,” the press release stated.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to deliver on its promise this Christmas season to make America safe again and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our communities,” it added.
“While many Americans began wrapping presents and preparing for the joyous holy holiday, ICE was hard at work arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens convicted of horrific crimes including lewd and lascivious acts with a child, child neglect, obscene communication, and attempted murder,” the release noted.
The Department of Homeland Security identified several individuals in its list: Juan Jesus Acosta-Gutierrez, a Mexican national and Surenos-13 gang member previously convicted for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 by force or fear in San Bernardino, California; Udit Mehra, an Indian national with a criminal history in Seminole, Florida for cruelty toward children and obscene communication; Xiong, from Laos, previously convicted of attempted murder and discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle in Sacramento, California; Juan Carlos Marrufo-Flores, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Atascosa County, Texas; David Cerna-Calderon, a Mexican national with a rap sheet in Bexar County, Texas for assault causing bodily injury to a family member; Yesenia Martinez-Gonzalez, a Mexican national previously convicted in Texas for child neglect, resisting arrest, and driving while intoxicated; Jose Dante Ortiz-Alvalardo of Mexico with a criminal history in Cabarrus County, North Carolina for a second-degree forced sexual offense; Edwin Ismael-Hernandez, a Mexican national previously convicted in Los Angeles, California for evading a peace officer/disregarding safety, hit-and-run, willful harm of a peace officer’s horse or dog, and vehicle theft; David Abraham Hernandez-Velez of Mexico convicted of assault of a public servant in Brazoria County, Texas; Jerson Poveda-Delgado, a Colombian national with a criminal history in Indianapolis, Indiana involving battery against a public safety official; Daniel Emony from the Democratic Republic of the Congo convicted in Alexandria, Virginia of making false statements, aggravated identity theft, and perjury; Carlos Martinez-Melendez, a Mexican national convicted of robbery in Austin, Texas; Justo Perez-Escobar, a Mexican national with a conviction in Gloucester Township, New Jersey for unlawful possession of a handgun; Isaias Alvarado-Arellano of Mexico previously convicted for conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Oregon; and Rudy Gonzalez, a Cuban national convicted of racketeering/conspiracy in Miami, Florida.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “While many Americans began celebrating Christmas with their families and loved ones this weekend, ICE arrested gang members, child pedophiles, abusers, and an attempted murderer. All year long, our law enforcement officers worked around-the-clock, including weekends and holidays, to arrest the worst of the worst. We are thankful for our law enforcement who delivered the best Christmas gift for American families this holiday season: safer communities.”
