U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with federal and Texas officials, recently executed an extensive 10-day operation in Houston that led to more than 1,500 arrests. This crackdown targeted aggravated felons, gang members, sexual predators, and even a murderer among others. According to Bret Bradford, the director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, the operation faced increasing risks due to escalating violent political rhetoric and misinformation. Despite these challenges, agents successfully arrested 1,505 illegal aliens from October 22 to 31.
Bradford’s statement highlighted the significant impact of these arrests, stating that they “prevented countless Houstonians from having to suffer from the nightmares and PTSD that come with being a victim of violent crime.” The operation’s scale was impressive, especially when compared to earlier ICE efforts in Houston, which resulted in 822 arrests in August and 543 in earlier months. The cumulative effect of these operations underlines a structured approach to tackling crime stemming from illegal immigration.
The October operation specifically snagged 17 documented gang members and 40 aggravated felons, alongside a murderer and 13 sexual predators. Individuals arrested committed various offenses, such as 115 aggravated assaults, 142 driving while intoxicated (DWIs), 55 drug offenses, and 31 weapons offenses. It is noted that 255 of those apprehended had previously been deported at least once, with nearly one-third having already been ordered removed by an immigration judge.
The agency did not shy away from presenting some of the worst offenders captured in this operation. Among them was Selvin Joel Lara Diaz, a 35-year-old member of the Mexican mafia and a previously deported child predator. ICE reported that he was convicted of raping and impregnating his minor sister. His apprehension took place while he hid among the shelves of a Houston grocery store… a dramatic turn in a case that underscores the heinous nature of offenses being addressed.
Another example includes Marlon Odir Gomez Hernandez, a 29-year-old suspected MS-13 gang member from El Salvador. Previously arrested for aggravated extortion in his home country, Gomez Hernandez managed to evade capture until ICE officials tracked him to a washateria, where he attempted to escape by climbing through ceiling panels. His eventual capture made clear the lengths to which some individuals will go to avoid law enforcement.
Rony Andy Martinez Lopez, a 27-year-old Honduran, was arrested for previous convictions related to lewd acts with a minor and child cruelty. Vongphachan Phothisome, a 53-year-old from Laos, was also taken into custody for sexual exploitation of a minor. The operation also netted Salvador Ramirez-Carrillo, a 46-year-old gang member with multiple deportations already under his belt, and Rey David Bautista-Antonio, a 27-year-old with a record of three DWIs.
Bradford underscored the commitment and bravery of ICE agents in combating crime, describing them as defenders against “foreign criminal invaders” and others who undermine the rule of law. He emphasized that, while it is difficult to quantify the crimes that will not occur because of these actions, the operation undoubtedly saved lives and spared the community from the trauma associated with violent crime.
In a world increasingly clouded by misinformation, this operation serves as a stark reminder of the significant risks posed by illegal immigration and the concerted efforts required to address them. Bradford’s assertions reflect a belief that these actions are integral to maintaining safety within American communities. With crime statistics from these operations illustrating the potential threats posed by some individuals living illegally in the U.S., the results of this latest operation resonate powerfully.
"*" indicates required fields
