ICE Crackdown In Controversial Texas Development Yields 118 Arrests

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COLONY RIDGE, TX — A multi-agency enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resulted in 118 arrests in the Colony Ridge housing development, a majority-Latino community north of Houston.

Authorities said the individuals arrested face a range of serious charges, including criminal sexual conduct, homicide, theft, negligent manslaughter, child sexual abuse, crimes of moral turpitude, weapons offenses, and drug-related crimes.

"Thanks to ICE, HSI & the Texas Dept. of Public Safety for cracking down on this illegal immigrant hotbed," Gov. Greg Abbot wrote on X. "We must remain vigilant about this neighborhood."

Among the arrests was 39-year-old Florentin Chevez-Luna, who had been deported three times, according to ICE.

He was arrested on a warrant for alleged repeated sexual abuse of a minor from November 2008 to November 2016, the agency said.

ICE conducted the operation in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, citing public safety concerns in the area.

Officials have not released the names of anyone else arrested.

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts routine, daily enforcement alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement partners throughout the Houston community to bolster public safety, national security, and border security," an ICE spokesperson told the media.

"We believe it’s of public significance that a suspected child predator was removed from the local community."

Colony Ridge has long faced criticism from state Republicans for allegedly selling land to undocumented buyers, the Texas Tribune reported. Some claimed it was overrun by cartel crime.

The Biden administration sued the Colony Ridge developers for an alleged predatory lending scheme targeting Latino homebuyers, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a similar suit.

The developers deny wrongdoing, and both cases are ongoing.