JACKSON, N.J. — Federal agents arrested a previously deported man convicted of a child sex offense after tracking him to Jackson Township, where he had been living undetected, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said. The arrest followed a months-long effort that began with a tip received in November.
Ricardo Nava-Daniel, a Mexican national, was taken into custody on April 29 in Ocean County and is now being held pending removal from the United States, according to ICE.
Tip sparks targeted operation
ICE officials said investigators began looking into Nava-Daniel’s whereabouts late last year after receiving information that he had returned to the U.S. and was living in Jackson. Agents conducted a targeted operation to locate and arrest him.
Authorities have not disclosed where in Jackson he was found or whether any additional enforcement actions took place during the operation.
Prior conviction and deportation history
Nava-Daniel’s criminal history in New Jersey dates back more than a decade. In 2015, he was convicted in Monmouth County of endangering the welfare of a child involving sexual conduct and sentenced to 287 days in jail.
He later pleaded guilty in 2018 to driving under the influence and driving without a license.
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Key Points
• ICE arrested Ricardo Nava-Daniel in Jackson Township on April 29
• He was previously deported in 2019 after a child endangerment conviction
• Authorities say he reentered the U.S. illegally and was located after a tip
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Reentry after removal
Following his 2015 conviction, Nava-Daniel applied for legal permanent residency, but an immigration judge ordered his removal in 2019. He was deported from the United States on April 30 of that year.
ICE officials say he later reentered the country illegally at an unknown time prior to the November tip that led to his arrest.
Enforcement and next steps
The case highlights ongoing federal efforts to locate individuals who have reentered the country after deportation, particularly those with prior criminal convictions.
ICE has not released details about potential federal charges related to illegal reentry, but confirmed Nava-Daniel remains in custody as removal proceedings move forward.
Ongoing case status
Authorities are continuing to review the case and have not indicated whether additional charges or court actions will follow beyond immigration enforcement.
Current status: Nava-Daniel remains in ICE custody following his April 29 arrest in Jackson Township and is awaiting removal from the United States.