Dilcia Mendoza/Honduras/Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

ICE New Orleans deported Dilcia Mendoza, a citizen of Honduras and an illegal alien previously residing in the United States, following targeted operations aimed at removing individuals convicted of heinous crimes against minors. Mendoza, forty-five, amassed a criminal record marked by disturbing offenses that posed a significant danger to vulnerable members of society, particularly children.

According to court documents, Mendoza was convicted of engaging in sexual contact with a child under the age of sixteen—a deeply serious offense that involves sexual acts or inappropriate touching of minors. She was further convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor, a charge that can include creating, possessing, or distributing sexual images or videos of children, or using a child for sexual acts intended to produce visual depictions. Such offenses are considered among the gravest crimes under U.S. law because they inflict lasting psychological trauma on victims and often fuel broader networks of exploitation and abuse.

In addition, Mendoza was convicted of abuse or cruelty to a minor under the age of seven. This charge signals the presence of extreme physical or emotional harm inflicted upon a particularly young and defenseless victim, further demonstrating her pattern of predatory and abusive behavior. Her record also includes contributing to the abuse, neglect, or delinquency of a minor, suggesting involvement in acts or circumstances that placed children at risk of harm or exploitation.

Following her prison sentence, Mendoza was transferred into ICE custody to await deportation proceedings. ICE officers carried out her removal without incident, ensuring she was returned to Honduran authorities who may pursue additional legal measures in her home country. Her deportation represents a significant step in safeguarding U.S. communities from individuals who commit egregious acts of sexual violence against children.