NORTH HAVEN, CT – A 27-year-old Ecuadorian national accused of multiple sex crimes against a minor was released from a Connecticut jail last December despite a federal immigration detainer, prompting outrage from Homeland Security officials and renewed debate over the state’s “sanctuary” policies.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspect, identified as Christian Espinosa-Sarango, was arrested on December 19, 2025, on charges of sexual assault, illegal sexual contact with a child, and enticing minors online. Four days later, on December 23, ICE filed an immigration detainer requesting that Espinosa-Sarango be held for transfer to federal custody rather than released.
Local law enforcement allegedly declined to honor that detainer, releasing Espinosa-Sarango back into the community. Federal agents later tracked him down and arrested him on February 13 after what DHS described as a “manhunt” for a “public safety threat.”
Sanctuary policies under scrutiny
The case has reignited national criticism of Connecticut’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. Federal officials say such policies undermine public safety by allowing dangerous offenders to evade deportation.
“Instead of a safe transfer in a secure jail setting, ICE officers were forced to arrest this individual at large,” a DHS spokesperson said. “Thanks to the efforts of our agents, he will never walk America’s streets again.”
- ICE filed a detainer for Espinosa-Sarango after his arrest in December
- Local officials released him despite the federal request
- ICE agents rearrested him February 13 in a field operation
Critics of sanctuary laws argue that this case highlights the risks of refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. State and local officials defending the policy say detainers are civil requests, not court orders, and compliance can raise constitutional and liability concerns.
Espinosa-Sarango remains in ICE custody and is expected to face both state criminal proceedings and federal removal actions.