Federal immigration authorities arrested a previously convicted illegal alien in Malvern, Pennsylvania, who was wanted for rape under an alias, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed Monday.
Silvestre Herrera-Vasquez, a 48-year-old Mexican national, was taken into custody on July 28 by officers with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia, along with Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Authorities said Herrera-Vasquez had been living in the country unlawfully, having entered the United States at an unknown date and location. ICE records show he used multiple aliases during his time in the U.S.
According to Philadelphia Police Department records, Herrera-Vasquez was arrested on May 15, 2011, under the name “Alex Acosta” for retail theft. He was convicted on August 17, 2011, and fined. In a separate case, a warrant was issued for his arrest on January 10, 2014, under the alias “Marcos Garcia-Reyes,” on charges of strongarm rape.
ICE confirmed he is currently in federal custody and is being processed for expedited removal. He will remain detained pending the outcome of his immigration proceedings.
“The arrest of dangerous criminal illegal aliens like Herrera-Vasquez demonstrates ICE’s absolute commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane. “I commend our partner agencies for continuing to collaborate with ERO in finding, arresting and removing these individuals. By working together, we are able to leverage our collective resources and expertise to apprehend dangerous criminals and uphold the law.”
McShane said that cooperation between federal agencies is essential to maintaining public safety and enforcing immigration laws. ICE officials say the agency will continue to prioritize apprehending criminal aliens who pose a threat to American communities.
