A previously deported Mexican national is behind bars in Idaho after disturbing allegations of repeated sexual abuse of a young girl came to light, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Jose Oliver Mendoza-Colindres, is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho.
Mendoza-Colindres illegally crossed the border for the first time 25 years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. He is accused of molesting and sexually abusing the same child between the ages of 3 and 8.
He remains lodged in the Jefferson County Jail and has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16 and two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also placed an immigration hold on Mendoza-Colindres on July 26, asking Idaho authorities not to release him without notifying ICE.
DHS called him a “pedophile” and said he first crossed the border through Texas in 2002 and was deported back to Mexico.
He told authorities he illegally reentered the United States through California in 2007. It appears he remained in the U.S. without other run-ins with police or immigration officials until his recent arrest in Idaho.
“Since Idaho cooperates with ICE, we will ensure this sicko is removed from our country after he faces justice for his crimes,” DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said.
Local law enforcement and child advocates investigated the case, which revealed a pattern of abuse that began when the victim was a toddler.
Mendoza-Colindres was arrested after sheriff’s deputies attended a forensic interview on July 14 at Bright Tomorrows Child Advocacy Center in Pocatello, Idaho, according to local outlet East Idaho News.
The outlet describes the suspect as a “Jefferson County man” and never indicates he is in the country illegally.
This criminal illegal alien REPEATEDLY sexually assaulted a child.@ICEgov is working with Idaho authorities to ensure this SICKO is REMOVED from our country after he faces justice for his crimes. https://t.co/hW80g0UWRU pic.twitter.com/jJCsmGHztL
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 31, 2026
According to court documents, the victim told deputies that Mendoza-Colindres had sexually abused her multiple times at his home and other locations.
The alleged abuse occurred over several years, approximately once or twice a month.
She told investigators that when she visited his home, he would touch her inappropriately and/or remove her clothing.
Mendoza-Colindres would tell the victim, “I’m showing you my love,” according to court documents.
Sheriff’s deputies did not disclose the relationship between Mendoza-Colindres and the victim or how they knew each other, nor is it mentioned in charging documents.
The victim detailed specific incidents, including one in 2020, when the girl and her family brought a camper to Mendoza-Colindres’ home for a party.
Court documents state he reportedly assaulted the victim in the camper and was caught by the victim’s father. The child’s mother allegedly followed Mendoza-Colindres back into his home and physically attacked him.
Based on interviews with police, the child’s parents did not contact authorities at the time because they weren’t sure if she would remember it and didn’t want to traumatize her. They said they were worried about the victim’s father’s immigration status if they reported it to police, Eash Idaho News reported.
After the victim’s parents learned more details of the abuse, they reported it to the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office where they live.
Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office got involved and filed an arrest warrant for Mendoza-Colindres following interviews with the victim and the child’s parents.
