Charlotte, NC – Charlotte – Federal immigration agents have arrested several violent foreign nationals with serious criminal records as part of Operation Charlotte’s Web, an enforcement effort targeting offenders who were living unlawfully in the United States after multiple convictions.
The ICE operation, announced this week, led to the capture of what officials called “the worst of the worst” — individuals with prior convictions for homicide, sexual crimes against children, and repeated illegal reentries. The arrests were part of a broader push to remove public safety threats from North Carolina communities following the high-profile capture of Guatemalan national Julio Cesar Xocop-Vicente, accused of killing a 15-year-old girl in a hit-and-run.
Among those arrested were:
• Armando Hernandez Martinez, a Mexican national convicted of homicide and cruelty toward a child.
• Diego Murillo-Perez, a Mexican national convicted multiple times for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor.
• Jose Guadalupe Lopez Rodriguez, a Mexican national convicted of attempted first-degree sexual offense with a child.
• Ruben Barra-Martinez, a Mexican national convicted of burglary, auto theft, robbery, and multiple felony illegal reentries after deportation.
• Kadlis Sivananthan, a Sri Lankan national and former member of the 18th Street Gang, convicted on felony larceny and narcotics charges.
ICE officials said all five had histories of violent or predatory crimes and had previously evaded deportation or returned illegally after removal.
“Every one of these individuals has a record of violent or exploitative crime,” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “Our officers are working daily to locate and remove offenders who endanger American families and communities.”
ICE said the arrests underscore the agency’s continued focus on criminal offenders rather than non-criminal immigration violators. All five remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings.
Key Points: ICE roundup nets violent offenders in Operation Charlotte’s Web crackdown – Charlotte
- ICE arrested five convicted violent offenders with histories of homicide, sexual crimes, and gang activity.
- The arrests follow the agency’s pursuit of dangerous fugitives under Operation Charlotte’s Web.
- All suspects are in ICE custody pending removal from the United States.
