On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) nabbed one of the agency's Most Wanted fugitives. During an operation near South Gate, California, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents, along with the Special Response Team, arrested Julio Garcia-Castellano. The 33-year-old fugitive is a Guatemalan national convicted of second-degree rape in the State of Oregon.
(Via ICE)
Garcia-Castellano has two previous removals in 2007 and 2016. He illegally reentered the United States at an unknown place and time. He was arrested by California Highway Patrol for driving under the influence in December. Those charges are pending.
ERO officers obtained a federal warrant of arrest for Garcia-Castellano in Los Angeles for illegal reentry of a previously removed felon. After completion of ICE processing, Garcia-Castellano was turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) where he remains pending federal felony prosecution.
"This case is an incredible example of our ongoing commitment to prioritize enforcement and removal efforts against any unlawfully present criminal aliens who pose the greatest threat to public safety," said ICE Los Angeles Field Office Director Dave Marin. "Despite attempts by some to mislead, ICE does not conduct random or indiscriminate raids or sweeps and does not operate roadblocks or checkpoints. Our targeted immigration enforcement efforts ensure safer communities for our fellow citizens by removing dangerous criminals from our streets."
According to ICE, the agency removed or returned 267,000 illegal aliens during the fiscal year 2019. ERO arrested 143,000 illegal aliens, of which more than 86 percent had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
