NEWARK, N.J. – Federal immigration officers in Newark have arrested a Mexican national convicted in New Jersey of aggravated sexual assault involving a child younger than 13.
Juan Francisco Morquecho-Perez was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark. ICE identified Morquecho-Perez as a Mexican national subject to removal proceedings.
Morquecho-Perez was convicted in Essex County Superior Court of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under 13 and endangering the welfare of a child, according to information released by federal immigration authorities.
ICE Takes Morquecho-Perez Into Federal Custody
The arrest was carried out by officers assigned to ICE’s ERO Newark Field Office, which handles immigration enforcement operations across New Jersey.
ICE took Morquecho-Perez into federal administrative custody for immigration processing following the disposition of his New Jersey criminal case.
- Morquecho-Perez is a Mexican national in removal proceedings, according to ICE.
- He was convicted in Essex County of aggravated sexual assault involving a victim under 13.
- His New Jersey conviction also included endangering the welfare of a child.
ICE routinely publicizes arrests involving noncitizens convicted of violent offenses and crimes against children as part of its public-safety enforcement operations.
What was Juan Francisco Morquecho-Perez convicted of?
Morquecho-Perez was found guilty in Essex County Superior Court of aggravated sexual assault of a victim younger than 13 and endangering the welfare of a child.
ERO Newark Handles New Jersey Immigration Enforcement
Enforcement and Removal Operations is the branch of ICE responsible for immigration arrests, detention and removal operations.
The Newark field office conducts those operations throughout New Jersey, including cases involving people who have completed or otherwise reached a disposition in state criminal proceedings.
Morquecho-Perez’s arrest places him in federal immigration custody for administrative processing connected to removal proceedings.
Is the sexual assault case still an allegation?
No. The underlying Essex County offenses resulted in convictions, according to the information released by ICE. His immigration case is a separate federal administrative matter.
ICE Case Follows Essex County Conviction
The federal enforcement action comes after Morquecho-Perez’s case moved through the New Jersey court system.
His convictions involved aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 and endangering the welfare of a child. ICE subsequently took him into custody for immigration enforcement.
What happens to Morquecho-Perez after the ICE arrest?
Morquecho-Perez is subject to federal immigration proceedings following his arrest by ERO Newark. Those proceedings are separate from the New Jersey criminal convictions that preceded his immigration arrest.
Sources: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration enforcement information; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO program information
