NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested Marlon Josuel Cruz Fernandez, a Dominican national wanted for homicide in his home country, during a coordinated operation in New Rochelle on Monday.
Cruz, who had been living illegally in the U.S., was taken into custody without incident on May 19 by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers from the Newburgh office. The arrest was made with support from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations.
“This foreign fugitive mistakenly thought he could exploit our immigration laws to evade arrest in his home country,” said Judith Almodovar, acting Field Office Director for ICE New York City. “Let his futile attempt highlight to other criminal aliens we will always collaborate with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to ensure these fugitives are returned to their home countries to face justice.”
Cruz first entered the U.S. illegally on Dec. 11, 2015, when he was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. He was issued a notice to appear in immigration court and transferred to ICE custody. Cruz was released on bond in February 2016 but failed to appear for his hearing in January 2017. He was ordered removed in absentia.
Homicide warrant triggered international alert
On Feb. 2, 2018, authorities in the Dominican Republic issued an arrest warrant for Cruz in connection with a homicide case. That warrant was flagged internationally six weeks later, but ICE New York City did not receive notification until March 16 of this year.
Cruz resurfaced when the New Rochelle Police Department arrested him on May 17 for driving with improper plates. His vehicle was impounded, and he was released on his own recognizance before officials became aware of his fugitive status. Upon learning of the warrant, local authorities alerted ICE.
Cruz is currently held in ICE detention pending removal to the Dominican Republic to face homicide charges.
