ARLINGTON, VA – A man from Guatemala with a prior felony conviction was taken into custody by ICE during an Oct. 20 operation in Arlington. ICE officers identified the subject as Edgar Bernabe Estrada, 45, who previously served more than two years in prison for breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. Estrada was arrested without incident after officers located him in the community.
Key Points
- ICE arrested Edgar Bernabe Estrada, a Guatemalan national with a felony breaking and entering conviction
- Estrada’s criminal history includes larceny and possession of a fictitious operator’s license
- Arlington County policy restricts cooperation with ICE during local law enforcement encounters
Estrada entered the United States at an unknown time and location without inspection or authorization according to ICE.
Between April 2000 and July 2001, he was arrested on charges including larceny, manufacturing or possessing a fictitious operator’s license, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, for which he was convicted and sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison.
ICE stated that Estrada had been arrested several times by local law enforcement prior to the Oct. 20 encounter.
According to ICE, Estrada’s past offenses prompted the Washington, D.C. field office to initiate the operation leading to his arrest.
Field Office Director Russ Hott said the arrest aligned with enforcement priorities centered on individuals with criminal convictions.
Estrada was transported to ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.
Earlier this year, Arlington County board members voted to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
ICE stated that the policy affects its ability to arrest individuals while they are in local custody, resulting in community-based operations such as the one conducted on Oct. 20.
Estrada remains in ICE custody as removal proceedings continue.