ICE published a list of 15 noncitizens arrested during a weekend enforcement sweep, calling them the "worst of the worst." The group includes 13 men and two women from countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, China, Angola and Colombia, with many prior convictions in New York, Florida and Texas. Charges cited range from child sexual abuse and kidnapping to aggravated assault, drug offenses and robbery. ICE said detainers were lodged and that these arrests are part of continued efforts to remove dangerous criminals.
ICE Arrests 15 Noncitizens in Weekend Sweep, Citing Child Abuse, Kidnapping and Violent Crimes
ICE says it arrested pedophiles, sexual deviants and kidnappers over the weekend in latest enforcement sweep
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday published an updated "worst of the worst" list identifying 15 noncitizens arrested during a weekend enforcement operation. ICE said the group — 13 men and two women — includes people from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, China, Angola, Colombia and other countries in South America. Many of the arrests involved individuals with prior convictions in New York, Florida and Texas.
"Over the weekend ICE arrested pedophiles, sexual deviants, kidnappers, and other violent thugs," Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said. "Every day, our law enforcement officers remove heinous criminals from our communities. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you and arrest you. Criminals are not welcome in the U.S."
ICE said it lodged detainers and processed arrests as part of routine enforcement actions to locate noncitizens with serious criminal convictions. Below is a summary of the individuals named by federal authorities and the convictions cited by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
Named Arrests and Convictions
- Alejandro Santos-Fernandez (Mexico): Convicted in Laredo, Texas, of unlawfully entering a residence, assault by obstructing breathing or blood flow, and using a deadly weapon during an aggravated assault.
- Guadalupe Mercado-Guerra (Mexico): Convicted in Travis County, Texas, on three counts of indecency with a child by contact for reportedly touching a minor multiple times.
- Ruowei Liu (China): Convicted in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for prostitution and operating a residence used for that purpose (keeping a bawdy house).
- Catherin Palacios-Medina (Mexico): Convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or instrument in Jerome, Idaho.
- Juan Manuel Valdez (Dominican Republic): Convicted of selling a controlled substance in Rockingham, New Hampshire.
- Rafael Garcia (Mexico): Convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child in Fresno County, California.
- Josman Policarpo (Angola): Convicted of aggravated sexual assault in Harris County (Houston), Texas.
- Carlos Perez-Mendez (Mexico): Convicted of criminal sexual assault (sexual force) in Cook County, Illinois.
- Dongsheng Xie (China): Convicted of domestic violence and battery in Lake Mary, Florida.
- Rafael Disla (Dominican Republic): Found guilty of kidnapping in Orange City, Florida.
- Luis Hernandez-Monteverde (Venezuela): Convicted in Provo, Utah, on multiple charges including assault, disorderly conduct, violating a protective order and making threats of violence.
- Javier Herrera-Moran (Mexico): Convicted in Forsyth County, North Carolina, of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and of firing a gun into an occupied vehicle.
- Luis Sanchez-Hernandez (Mexico): Convicted in Orlando, Florida, of battery, attempted burglary and cocaine possession.
- Carlos Zavala-Vargas (Mexico): Convicted of aggravated robbery in Huntsville, Texas.
- Manuel Marin-Jimenez (Colombia): Convicted of burglary in White Plains, New York.
ICE officials emphasized these arrests are part of ongoing efforts to identify and remove noncitizens who have committed serious crimes. The agency said it will continue to pursue individuals with criminal convictions and has lodged detainers where appropriate while immigration proceedings continue.
Note: All allegations and convictions are reported by DHS/ICE; legal status and case details may be subject to further judicial review.
Mexican national Alejandro Santos-Fernandez was convicted of burglary, among other serious crimes, in Texas.(Fox News)
Mexican national Guadalupe Mercado-Guerra was convicted of indecency with a child in Texas.
Chinese national Ruowei Liu was convicted of prostitution in Virginia.
Mexican national Catherin Palacios-Medina was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly instrument in Idaho.
Dominican Republic national Juan Manuel Valdez was convicted of selling a controlled drug in New Hampshire.
Mexican national Rafael Garcia was convicted of sexually abusing a child in California.
Angolan naitonal Josman Policarpo was convicted of aggravated sexual assault in Texas.
Mexican national Carlos Perez-Mendez was convicted of criminal sexual assault in Illinois.
Chinese national Dongsheng Xie was convicted of domestic violence in Florida.
Dominican Republican Rafael Disla was convicted of kidnapping in Florida.
Venezuelan Luis Hernandez-Monteverde was convicted of threating violence, among other charges, in Utah.
Mexican national Javier Herrera-Moran was convicted of trying to kill with the use of a deadly weapon in North Carolina.
Mexican national Luis Sanchez-Hernandez was convicted of battery, attempted burglary, and possession of cocaine in Florida.
Mexican national Carlos Zavala-Vargas was convicted of aggravated robbery in Texas.
Colombian national Manuel Marin-Jimenez was convicted of burglary in New York.
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