Newark, NJ – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark office announced the arrests of three illegal immigrants during operations conducted at the end of June and beginning of July.
The arrests involve individuals from Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala who either had prior removal orders, serious federal convictions, or pending criminal charges in New Jersey.
Mexican national previously convicted in fentanyl trafficking case
According to ICE, officers arrested Jorge Vega-Meza, a Mexican national, on July 1.
ICE described Vega-Meza as a previously removed criminal illegal immigrant whose criminal history includes convictions for:
- Possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics
- Interstate travel in aid of racketeering
Federal officials did not disclose where the arrest occurred.
Cuban national sentenced to 15 years for child pornography production
Also on July 1, ERO Newark officers arrested Fidel Rodriguez Lemus, a Cuban national who had been ordered removed from the United States in 2022.
According to ICE, Rodriguez Lemus previously received a 180-month federal prison sentence after being convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia of:
- Production of child pornography
- Aiding and abetting
ICE said he remains in federal immigration custody following his arrest.
Guatemalan national arrested after Plainfield assault charge
On June 30, ERO Newark arrested Antonio Ventura-Perez, a Guatemalan national.
According to ICE, Ventura-Perez has a pending aggravated assault/domestic assault charge in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Federal officials said he is currently being detained pending removal proceedings.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations regularly conducts targeted enforcement actions involving individuals who are subject to final orders of removal or who have been convicted of or charged with criminal offenses while unlawfully present in the United States.