Federal immigration authorities arrested nine foreign nationals with prior convictions for sex offenses during a targeted enforcement operation in the greater Los Angeles area earlier this year, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The arrests were carried out Jan. 27 and 28 by officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division. Officials said the individuals taken into custody were previously convicted of sex-related crimes and were identified as part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts focused on individuals with criminal records.
ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said the agency continues to prioritize the arrest of individuals with serious criminal histories who are living in the United States unlawfully.
“ICE isn’t going to stand idly by while criminal illegal alien sex offenders roam Los Angeles or any other community,” Lyons said in a statement. “We’re here to enforce the law so we can protect our families, friends and neighbors.”
According to ICE, the arrests were part of a broader effort to locate and take into custody individuals with prior convictions for crimes involving sexual exploitation or abuse.
Among those arrested was Darwin Vazquez-Ramos, a 42-year-old Mexican national and registered sex offender who has prior convictions in Texas, Virginia and Maryland for a third-degree sex offense, illegal reentry, trespassing and driving while intoxicated.
Authorities also arrested Juan Parra Gomez, a 39-year-old Mexican national previously convicted of sexual intercourse with a minor. Officials said he was sentenced to two years in prison and also faces a pending vandalism charge.
Another individual taken into custody was Lucas Rendon-Hernandez, a 37-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of arranging to meet a child and was sentenced to three days in jail. ICE officials said an immigration detainer had previously been issued for him.
Jose Montero Pena, a 73-year-old Mexican national, was also arrested. Court records show he was convicted of committing lewd acts involving a child under the age of 14 and was sentenced to 288 days in jail.
Additional arrests included Amadeo Castellanos-Urbano, a 50-year-old Mexican national convicted of lewd acts and continuous sexual abuse of a child and sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Andres Sanchez Ortiz, a 53-year-old Mexican national who has prior convictions in California and Nevada for attempted kidnapping, sexual abuse of a child and driving under the influence. Authorities said Sanchez Ortiz was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexual abuse.
ICE also arrested Feliciano Olivares, a 49-year-old Mexican national previously convicted of lewd acts involving a child and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Officials said Olivares also has prior convictions for forgery and contempt of court.
Two Salvadoran nationals were also taken into custody during the operation. Daniel Bran Rivas, 30, was previously convicted of rape and oral copulation by force and sentenced to nine years in prison. Luis Alfonso Juarez, 60, was convicted of continuous sexual abuse and lewd acts involving a child under the age of 14 and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
ICE officials said each of the individuals arrested had prior convictions for sex-related offenses and had been identified through immigration enforcement investigations. The individuals remain in federal custody pending further immigration proceedings.
Federal officials said the operation was part of ongoing enforcement efforts focused on individuals with criminal histories who are living in the United States unlawfully.
