ICE Arrests 23 Immigrants Convicted Of Sex Crimes Across LI, NYC

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Federal immigration authorities have arrested nearly two-dozen immigrants convicted of sex crimes in Long Island and New York City as part of a six-day operation dubbed "Operation SOAR," and acronym for sex offender alien removal. On Long Island, immigrant sex abusers were rounded up in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

In Nassau, arrests were made in Mineola, Port Washington, Roosevelt, Uniondale. In Suffolk, arrests were made in Brentwood, Central Islip, Copiague, Huntington Station, Manorville, Riverhead, Rocky Point, Wheatley Heights, and Wyandanch.

The operation, which finished Saturday, ended with deportation officers apprehending 23 people convicted of sex crimes, including rape and sex abuse. Several were registered sex offenders. The immigrants have been detained until removal proceedings, criminal prosecutions, or deportation is complete.

"When we talk about the safety of our communities, it should not be politics, it should be common sense," Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York, said in a news release. "We arrested nearly two dozen convicted sex offenders this past week, including many who conducted heinous acts against children, and could have been turned over to ICE instead of released back into our neighborhoods"

Here are details of 10 of the Long Island arrests:

• Wheatley Heights: Authorities arrested a 37-year-old Honduran national and registered sex offender who was previously removed. He was convicted of sexual misconduct for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.
• Uniondale: A 52-year-old Jamaican national with a prior federal conviction for receiving child pornography was arrested. He had been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
• Manorville: Authorities arrested a 43-year-old Honduran national who was convicted of raping someone who was not able to give consent. He was sentenced to a decade of probation supervision.
• Port Washington: A 21-year-old Guatemalan national was arrested who recently pleaded guilty to attempted forcible touching.
• Mineola: A 48-year-old Portuguese national was arrested who was previously convicted of acting in a manner to injure a child.
• Hicksville: Authorities arrested a 46-year-old Pakistani national who was previously convicted a of criminal sex act with a child under 17.
• Roosevelt: A 28-year-old Filipino national was arrested who was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child.
• Huntington Station: A 34-year-old Salvadoran national was arrested who was previously convicted of acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17. The individual was sentenced to three years of probation supervision.
• Rocky Point: Authorities arrested a 41-year-old Canadian national who was previously convicted of acting in manner injurious to a child under 17. The person was sentenced to three years of probation supervision.
• Uniondale: A 53-year-old Honduran national who was previously convicted of sexual misconduct and was previously removed was arrested. The person had been sentenced to six years of probation supervision.

Criminal histories for those arrested include acting in a manner to injure a child, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, attempted forcible touching, attempted petit theft, attempted sexual misconduct, criminal contempt, criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal sexual act, disorderly conduct, DWI, endangering the welfare of a child, false impersonation, harassment, petit theft, possession of a forged instrument, receiving material involving the sexual exploitation of a child, sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct.

The immigrants included nationals from Canada, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, and Portugal.

Five individuals will face federal criminal prosecutions for unlawfully entering the country and unlawful reentry after removal. Those who illegally reenter the United States face felony charges and up to 20 years in federal prison.

Those not facing federal charges are being detained in ICE custody and will be processed administratively for deportation. Arrestees with outstanding deportation orders are subject to immediate removal from the country.

The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge.