An illegal alien and convicted child sex offender found living at a house that hosted a child daycare in San Diego has been arrested, federal officials said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday arrested Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez, who officials say is a “documented member” of the Logan Heights gang and has been deported three other times.
ICE, assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service, found Cruz-Rodriguez living in a San Diego home that included an in-home daycare operated by his wife, a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
U.S. Marshals Special Response Team assisted ICE San Diego in the arrest of 47-year-old Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez in San Diego. The convicted sex offender & previously deported Mexican national was found living at a family daycare. #USMS #EROSanDiego pic.twitter.com/muMuuouVqJ
— U.S. Marshals Service San Diego (@USMSSanDiego) August 27, 2025
“It is SICKENING to think this pedophile criminal illegal alien was residing inside the home where a daycare operates and hiding out in a sanctuary city,” a senior Department of Homeland Security official said in a statement. “Thanks to the brave work of our ICE law enforcement officers, this criminal illegal alien, convicted pedophile, and known Logan Heights gang member—will no longer be able to prey on children inside a daycare.”
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, sickos like this will not walk free in the U.S.,” they added.
It is sickening to think that Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez, a 47-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, and pedophile criminal illegal alien was residing inside the home where a daycare operates.
Thanks to the brave work of our ICE law enforcement officers, this criminal illegal alien,… pic.twitter.com/P3fFWvABPM
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 28, 2025
Cruz-Rodriguez has prior convictions including sexual battery, illegal firearm possession, robbery, and sex offenses involving a child under 14, according to DHS.
Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X that “ICE is arresting the WORST of the WORST.”
“We will not allow pedophiles to prey on children at daycares or schools. Thanks to [ICE], this criminal illegal alien is OUT of our country. For good,” she added.
ICE is arresting the WORST of the WORST. Like this sicko: Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez— a Mexican national and convicted child sex offender. This Logan Heights gang member, previously removed from the U.S. THREE times, was found living with his wife, a DACA recipient who runs an… pic.twitter.com/b26olFLobk
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 29, 2025
DHS said Cruz-Rodriguez was previously removed from the U.S. on August 23, 1996, October 28, 2003, and December 14, 2012.
