Eight Venezuelan illegal immigrant squatters, previously apprehended at the southern border and released into the U.S., were arrested in a New York City home last week, where authorities discovered drugs and guns, confirmed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Wednesday.
According to ICE, three of the squatters were arrested again on Wednesday, while detainer requests were lodged for four others held in local custody. One remains at large, Fox reports.
#NewYork ICE says most of the 8 Venezuelan illegal alien squatters arrested by NYPD at a home in the Bronx with guns & drugs today were previously apprehended at the Texas border & were released into the U.S., & one was held for murder in Yonkers, NY. pic.twitter.com/4BMnB5Ex6c
— Target Reporter (@Target_Reporter) April 4, 2024
The arrests occurred on March 27 after New York police responded to a call reporting a person displaying a gun at a Bronx apartment. Upon arrival, officers found an individual pointing a gun at someone in the driveway. The suspect fled into the building’s basement upon seeing the police.
Among those arrested again was Hector Desousa-Villalta, 24, who had been previously arrested in August. He was allegedly waving a gun during last week’s incident. Desousa-Villalta was initially released without bail despite previous charges, including an attempted murder case that fell apart due to lack of cooperation from the victim.
Two others, Yoessy Pino Castillo, 20, and Yojairo Martinez, 42, were also arrested during the raid. Castillo was encountered by border authorities in Texas in May 2023 and released, while Martinez was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents near El Paso in September 2022.
The migrants face charges ranging from weapons possession to having a loaded firearm and possession of a controlled substance. They will remain in custody as deportation proceedings commence.
Karine Jean-Pierre can't answer why federal immigration officials aren't "tougher" on illegal aliens who commit violent crimes against American citizens pic.twitter.com/mTYltnpLVL
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 3, 2024
The three illegal immigrants subject to ICE detainers are Johan Jose Cardenas Silva, Yerbin Benjamin Lozada Munoz, and Javier Jose Albornoz Marchan. Silva, who entered the U.S. illegally, was released from custody in October 2023 but failed to report to ICE. Munoz and Marchan were also released by border authorities before being apprehended.
Miguel Gregerio Barrios, another illegal migrant suspect, is currently being sought by authorities.
