U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues its nationwide campaign to apprehend criminal noncitizens, arresting several individuals with extensive criminal records over the past week. These latest cases include sex crimes against minors, child abuse, and armed robbery. The five individuals listed below represent some of the worst offenders recently taken into federal custody.
Alessandro Cotrufo – A 21-year-old Italian national, Cotrufo was arrested September 4 by ICE Los Angeles. He has been convicted in Ventura County, California, of unlawful sex with a minor and oral copulation with a person under the age of 18. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and remained in the United States without legal status. ICE officials noted that his release posed a continued threat to public safety, especially to minors.
Jose Ventura Gomez-Rivera – ICE officers recently arrested Gomez-Rivera, a Salvadoran national convicted of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. His crimes, described by officials as particularly egregious, make him a top removal priority under current immigration enforcement directives. He had previously evaded ICE custody and was taken into custody during a targeted enforcement operation.
Sithideth Aphayvong – A Laotian national, Aphayvong has a long criminal record that includes child molestation, multiple drug offenses, and failing to register as a sex offender. He was arrested by ICE after violating the terms of his release and will now face removal proceedings. ICE agents cited his repeated disregard for public safety laws and his extensive criminal history as key reasons for his apprehension.
Patricia Paolo Rodriguez-Rojas – On September 4, ICE Phoenix arrested Rodriguez-Rojas, a 27-year-old Venezuelan national charged with child abuse with intent to injure, endangerment, and placing a child’s life at risk. Authorities say she knowingly endangered the life and health of a minor under her care. She is currently being held in ICE custody pending immigration court proceedings.
Ahmed Ali Asiri – A 28-year-old criminal alien from Saudi Arabia, Asiri was arrested on September 3 by ICE Newark after serving a 37-month sentence in federal prison for aggravated bank robbery. He had been housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was taken into custody upon release.
All five individuals remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings. A DHS spokesperson commented on the operations: “Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE, these predators and violent criminals are off our streets. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, no state is a sanctuary for those who break our laws. If you come here illegally and harm our people, we will find you and remove you.”
