stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
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May 16, 2025New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York City arrests previously deported illegal alien convicted sex abuse of a minor

NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New York City arrested Jeremias Benites Vasquez, a 39-year-old citizen of El Salvador, during a targeted enforcement operation May 14 in Brentwood, New York.

ICE officers and special agents apprehended Benites during a traffic stop and served him with a notice of intent/decision to reinstate prior order as an alien who illegally reentered the United States after a prior removal order.

“This office remains committed to apprehending and removing criminal alien predators who commit horrific acts of violence against our most vulnerable community members,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director Bryan Flanagan.

U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Benites near Mission, Texas, Aug. 20, 2009, and processed him as an expedited removal, charging him inadmissible to the U.S. ICE removed him to El Salvador Sept. 10, 2009. Benites reentered the United States at an unknown date and location without admission or parole by an immigration official.

On March 12, 2024, Benites was arrested for sexual assault: carnal abuse and lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He was convicted of sexual abuse 1st: contact w/victim less than 13 where the defendant 21 or older, March 20, 2025. Benites is in ICE custody pending removal to El Salvador.

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewYork.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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March 7, 2025New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York City arrests previously removed Guatemalan national, child sex offender

NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Axel Ramirez-Hernandez, a 32-year-old Guatemalan national with convictions for sexual assault of a victim less than 16 years old and illegal reentry after deportation, March 6 in Spring Valley with a criminal warrant of arrest for illegal reentry after deportation.

“ICE is committed to apprehending predators who commit horrific acts of violence against our youngest citizens and residents,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “Our officers will find these criminal aliens and seek their removal from the United States.”

Ramirez illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission or by an immigration official. ICE served Ramirez with a notice to appear July 6, 2012, charging him with being inadmissible to the U.S. An immigration judge ordered Ramirez removed from the U.S. July 18, 2012, and he was subsequently removed to Guatemala Aug. 16, 2012. The U.S. Border Patrol encountered Ramirez April 13, 2013, in McAllen, Texas, after he illegally reentered the U.S. and served him with a notice of intent to reinstate a prior order. ICE removed him from the U.S. to Guatemala Aug. 11, 2014. Ramirez again reentered the U.S. on an unknown date at an unknown location without admission by an immigration official.

The Superior Court of Connecticut for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk convicted Ramirez of sexual assault on a victim under 16 years old June 6, 2011, and sentenced him to five years in prison, 18 months supervised release and 10 years of probation. The U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas convicted Ramirez of illegal re-entry after deportation Jan. 23, 2014, and sentenced him to 18 months incarceration. Ramirez also has local criminal charges pending for driving while intoxicated in Ramapo, New York.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @ERONewYork.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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February 26, 2025New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York City arrests previously removed illegal Guatemalan alien with convictions for assault and act in manner to injure a child

NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national previously removed from the United States when officers arrested Yoni Wilfredo Gregorio Ortiz, 44, in the village of Airmont, Feb. 23.

“Not only does Gregorio have contempt for our nation’s immigration laws as proven by his illegal return after being previously removed, but he has also shown a complete disregard for our criminal laws as well,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “ICE New York City will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our communities.”

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Gregorio after he illegally entered the U.S. Dec. 10, 2012, and processed him for expedited removal the next day. Gregorio was removed to Guatemala Jan. 10, 2013, and illegally reentered the U.S. without inspection by an immigration official. The Spring Valley Village Court convicted Gregorio of third-degree assault on Sept. 1, 2022, and Rockland County Court convicted him of act in manner to injure a child and criminal mischief on June 3, 2024.

At the time of his ICE arrest Gregorio had an outstanding warrant for DWI. He is currently in ICE custody at Orange County Jail in Goshen, New York.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ERO New York’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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May 16, 2025New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York City arrests Venezuelan alien, member of South American theft group

Local officials in Virginia fail to honor detainer after alien was arrested for grand larceny and contributing to the delinquency of a child

NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New York City and its federal partners arrested Venezuelan national Edison Guillermo Pinto-Padron, a 26-year-old criminal alien and member of a transnational organized criminal enterprise known as a South American theft group May 14.

“ICE places a high priority on identifying, arresting and removing transnational criminal gang members from the United States,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director Bryan Flanagan. “ICE always stands ready to work with our law enforcement partners without condition. However, when officials refuse to honor detainers based on personal beliefs rather than public safety considerations, they are making conscious decisions to put their communities at risk.”

On July 26, 2023, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered and arrested Pinto near El Paso, Texas, after he illegally entered the United States. Border Patrol officials issued him a notice to appear and released him into the U.S. on an order of recognizance.

The Leesburg Police Department in Virginia arrested Pinto, Sept. 1, 2024, for the offenses of grand larceny, possession of burglarious tool, and contribute to the delinquency of a child. ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Pinto’s release with the Loudoun County Jail the next day. However, the agency failed to honor the detainer when they released Pinto without notifying ICE. ICE New York city subsequently learned Pinto was a member of a South American theft group. The Loudoun County Circuit Court convicted Pinto for grand larceny Dec. 12, 2024, and sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence and two years of probation.

ICE New York City arrested Pinto May 14 in Manhattan, pursuant to a warrant of arrest. Pinto is detained in ICE custody, without bond, pending his removal proceedings.

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewYork.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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May 21, 2025New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York City, partners arrest illegal alien wanted in home country for homicide

NEW YORK — On May 19, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New York City arrested Marlon Josuel Cruz Fernandez, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic wanted in his home country for homicide.

ICE officers and special agents assigned to ICE’s Newburgh office, along with special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations arrested Cruz without incident in New Rochelle pursuant to a warrant of arrest.

“This foreign fugitive mistakenly thought he could exploit our immigration laws to evade arrest in his home country,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director Judith Almodovar. “Let his futile attempt highlight to other criminal aliens we will always collaborate with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to ensure these fugitives are returned to their home countries to face justice.”

The U.S. Border Patrol encountered and arrested Cruz Dec. 11, 2015, in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas after he illegally entered the U.S. Border Patrol officials served him with a notice to appear for violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act and turned him over to ICE for detention placement. ICE Harlingen granted Cruz bond Feb. 1, 2016, which he posted three days later. Cruz failed to appear for his immigration proceedings Jan. 5, 2017, so the immigration judge ordered him removed in absentia from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic.

On Feb. 2, 2018, authorities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, issued a warrant for Cruz’s arrest for the offense of homicide, which went international six weeks later. ICE New York City received notification March 16 this year.

The New Rochelle Police Department arrested Cruz for having improper plates and impounded his vehicle May 17. The New Rochelle Police Department released Cruz on his own recognizance prior to realizing that he was an international fugitive wanted for homicide. Upon receiving this information, the police department immediately notified ICE New York City, which — along with federal partners — arrested Cruz.

Cruz is currently detained in ICE custody pending removal to the Dominican Republic.

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to increase public safety in our New York City communities on X at @ERONewYork.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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March 31, 2025New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York City removes 2 illegally present felons convicted of kidnapping and homicide

Left: Nevel Larey Heslop, convicted of homicide, removed by ICE New York City | Right: Nascimento Blair, convicted of kidnapping, removed by ICE New York City

NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed two illegally present Jamaican nationals convicted of felony offenses, Feb. 27.

Nascimento Blair, 44, entered the United States as a nonimmigrant March 4, 2004, and violated the terms of his admission. The Mount Vernon Police Department arrested Blair for first degree kidnapping Oct. 12, 2005, a crime for which he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. An immigration judge ordered Blair removed from the U.S. Aug. 4, 2008. Blair filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, but the BIA dismissed his appeal Nov. 6, 2008. The New York State Department of Corrections released Blair on parole April 9, 2020. ICE New York City arrested him Feb. 3, 2025.

Nevel Larey Heslop, 67, entered the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident on or about Aug. 18, 1984. Heslop was convicted of homicide in New Jersey Nov. 1, 1991, and sentenced to 30 years in prison. An immigration judge ordered Heslop removed from the United States June 14, 1996. Heslop filed an appeal with the BIA which was dismissed April 23, 1997. The ICE office in Mount Laurel, New Jersey arrested Heslop April 23, 2021, upon his release from local custody. However, Jamaica would not grant a travel document while he filed a motion to reopen his appeal, so ICE release him on an order of supervision. ICE New York City arrested Heslop Feb. 4, 2025.

Both aliens remained in ICE custody until their removal from the U.S.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @ERONewYork.

Updated: 06/13/2025
May 7, 2026New York, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE New York removes convicted coup leader to Burkina Faso

NEW YORK — ICE removed a convicted Burkinabe coup leader from the United States to Burkina Faso on April 22 pursuant to a final order of removal from an immigration judge.

During immigration proceedings, the court found Zakaria Songotoua, 40, was ineligible for immigration benefits because he participated in the attempted Sept. 16, 2015, coup d’etat in Burkina Faso while he was a member of the Presidential Security Regiment. During the attempted coup, a rogue group of RSP members held hostage the interim president and prime minister and fired on protestors, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 11 people and injuring more than a hundred. Although Songotoua fled Burkina Faso before trial, he was convicted in absentia of murder, assault and battery, and an attack on state security and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

“Songotoua’s role in the violent 2015 effort to overthrow Burkina Faso’s government, which included holding a national leader hostage and killing and injuring protestors, reflects a grave disregard for human life and the rule of law," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo. "Individuals who engage in such bloodshed anywhere in the world have no place in the United States. ERO New York, with essential support from Homeland Security Investigations New York and the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, will continue to identify and remove human rights violators who attempt to seek refuge in our communities.”

The case was investigated by HSI New York’s Document & Benefit Fraud Task Force and supported by the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. Established in 2008, the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the U.S., including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Currently, HSI has more than 190 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,985 leads and removal cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries. Since 2003, the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center has issued more than 80,000 lookouts for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses and stopped over 415 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

If you have information about potential former human rights violators in the U.S., contact law enforcement through ICE’s Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or fill out ICE’s Tip Form. You can also email HRV.ICE@ice.dhs.gov.

Updated: 05/09/2026
July 28, 2025Newark, NJ, United StatesChild Exploitation

ICE Newark arrests 4 illegally present child sex offenders as part of Operation Apex Predator

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Newark, alongside partners from Enforcement and Removal Operations, Newark arrested four illegally present child predators over the course of as many days in connection with an ongoing effort targeting illegal aliens with histories of child exploitation, titled “Operation Apex Predator.”

Personnel with ICE HSI and ERO Newark arrested Gerson Jose Saenz Umana, a 27-year-old El Salvadorian national, and Javier Garcia Nicolasa, a 42-year-old Mexican national, on July 21.

Garcia Nicolasa was convicted on Dec. 1, 2023, of endangering sexual conduct with a child by caretaker. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

He entered the U.S. on an unknown date and through and unknown location.

Umana is a registered sex offender with a sealed criminal history that involves the exploitation of a child.

He was first encountered near Falfurrias, Texas, in November 2012, as an unaccompanied alien child.

Just days prior, on July 17, HSI and ERO Newark personnel made two other arrests of child predators living in New Jersey.

Juan Villatoro Valle, from El Salvador, and Reyes Peralta-Salazar, from Mexico, both illegally present in the United States.

Villatoro Valle, age 45, was convicted on Aug. 2, 2019, of sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 13, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and endangering with sexual conduct. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Villatoro Valle entered the U.S. without inspection sometime before 2000. He was granted Temporary Protected Status in 2006, but his application for permanent residency was denied in 2009.

Reyes Peralta-Salazar, age 38, was arrested on Sept. 14, 2023, for criminal sexual conduct and endangering – sexual conduct with child. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Peralta-Salazar entered the U.S. without inspection at an unknown date.

All individuals were required to register as sex offenders in the state of New Jersey. All are being held in ICE custody pending either a hearing before an immigration judge or deportation.

Operation Apex Predator is a Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Center Child Exploitation Investigations Unit initiative to proactively target convicted criminal alien sex offenders currently residing within the United States.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Updated: 07/28/2025
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March 17, 2025Newark, NJ, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Newark arrests Brazilian national wanted overseas to serve time for drug charges

ICE, with assistance from @FBINewark, arrested Douglas De Souza Gontijo, a native and citizen of Brazil, wanted by Brazilian authorities for drug trafficking related crimes.

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with assistance from the FBI, arrested Douglas De Souza Gontijo, 34, a native and citizen of Brazil wanted by Brazilian authorities for drug trafficking related crimes, March 13. De Souza remains in ICE custody following his arrest.

"ICE arrests of criminal aliens not only assist our international partners in making sure justice is served for those wanted overseas, but also ensure our American neighborhoods remain safe,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.

De Souza was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol March 31, 2023, near San Luis, Arizona, who served him with a notice to appear and released him on an order of release on recognizance pending removal proceedings.

Members of the public can report immigration crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE ERO Newark’s mission to increase public safety in our New Jersey communities on X at @ERONewark.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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August 25, 2025Newark, NJ, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Newark arrests child predator released under irresponsible NYC sanctuary policies

NEWARK, N.J. — ICE arrested Robert Reid Mendez Jimenez, a Dominican national, who is charged with child predatory offense Aug. 13. The New York City Police Department released the dangerous illegal alien after local officials refused to honor an ICE immigration detainer.

“This case shows the real cost of ignoring ICE detainers: Violent offenders walk free, and public safety is put at risk,” said ICE ERO Newark acting Field Office Director Ruben Perez. “I’m proud of our deportation officers, who tracked him down and took him into custody — removing a dangerous predator from the streets within weeks of his release into the community.”

The NYPD arrested Mendez on multiple sexual abuse charges, including sexual conduct with a child under the age of 11, prior to releasing him into the community. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark officers arrested the child predator after using intelligence-driven operations to locate him.

Mendez is also subject to a final order of removal a judge issued in July 2018, following his illegal entry to the United States.

Mendez will remain in ICE custody pending his removal from the U.S.

Updated: 08/25/2025
May 20, 2025Newark, NJ, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Newark arrests Colombian with criminal warrant overseas for aggravated theft

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Colombian national who has a criminal warrant in his home country for aggravated theft and attempted theft with injury.

Ludwin Quintero-Rojas, 31, who is in the United States illegally, was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark May 9, and detained without bond at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark.

“This criminal alien — who is wanted for theft offenses in his home country — tried to hide in United States, specifically in our region, where he was arrested multiple times for similar crimes,” said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Quintero’s immigration and criminal history shows a repetitive pattern of disregard for U.S. laws.”

On Sept. 18, 2023, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Quintero-Rojas in El Paso, Texas, served him with a notice to appear, and subsequently released him on an order of release on recognizance.

The New York City Police Department arrested him for petit larceny Jan. 13, 2024.

The Queens County Criminal Court in Queens, New York, convicted him of disorderly conduct July 5, 2024, and sentenced him to a conditional discharge.

New Jersey’s Lacey Township Police Department arrested Quintero for shoplifting April 16. The Howell Township Police Department arrested him for shoplifting April 17. These charges are currently pending.

The Marlboro Township Police Department arrested him for shoplifting April 18. The Marlboro Township Municipal Court convicted him of shoplifting May 1, and sentenced him to 10 days of community service.

The Brick Township Police Department arrested Quintero for shoplifting May 2. This charge is currently pending.

Quintero is scheduled for a hearing before the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Elizabeth May 22.

Updated: 05/21/2025