WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested four noncitizens convicted of child sex crimes on May 12 in coordinated enforcement actions across Massachusetts, California, New York and Texas.
Among those arrested was Carlos Araujo, a Uruguayan national and registered sex offender in Leominster, Massachusetts. Araujo was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a 7-year-old. He entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 1997 and is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
In California, ICE arrested Carlos Ubence Cortez-Lopez, a Guatemalan national, at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco. Cortez was serving a four-year prison sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. Border Patrol agents previously encountered him attempting to enter the country illegally in March and April 2021.
ICE officers also arrested Dublas Perez Salazar, 31, in Airmont, New York. Salazar, a Guatemalan national, was previously charged with child rape and convicted of driving under the influence in 2022. He entered the U.S. at an unknown location and date without inspection.
In Texas, Filemon Martinez-Medina, 34, a Mexican national, was arrested at the Texas State Prison in Huntsville. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the aggravated sexual assault of a 14-year-old. Martinez originally entered the U.S. as a legal permanent resident but was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2015.
ICE: Arrests part of national effort to protect vulnerable populations
ICE stated all four individuals remain in custody pending further immigration proceedings. Each case involved prior convictions or charges related to child sex crimes.
“ICE has a long history of protecting children and other vulnerable members of our society,” ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons said. “These sexual predators have no place in our communities.”
ICE officials emphasized that the arrests were the result of multi-agency coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
ICE arrested four illegal immigrants convicted or charged with child sex crimes in separate operations spanning four U.S. states.