The most wanted fugitive, as listed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), was captured on Oct. 17 in Louisiana.
Martinez was convicted on a felony charge of “taking indecent liberties with a child” in North Carolina in 2002. The Mexican national was deported to Mexico the next year.
But Martinez came back to the United States, an illegal entry that becomes a felony if returning after a deportation under federal law.
Martinez was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Lousiana and convicted of the DUI in April and sentenced to probation.
Federal officials began looking for Martinez upon learning he had illegally re-entered the United States, prompting the arrest warrant.
‘Excellent Example’
“This case is an excellent example of ICE’s ongoing focus to prioritize its enforcement efforts toward unlawfully present foreign nationals who pose the greatest threat to public safety,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New Orleans Acting Field Office Director Trey Lund in a statement.“Despite attempts by some to confuse the public, ICE does not conduct random or indiscriminate enforcement and the agency’s targeted enforcement efforts make communities safer for all persons, whatever their immigration status may be, by removing dangerous criminals from the streets,” continued the statement.
He faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release if convicted.
The matter will proceed in United States District Court in Lafayette, where the complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law, according to the Department of Justice.
Maryland Arrest
ICE also announced the arrest of a fugitive alien in North Carolina wanted on multiple Maryland rape charges.Officials said Alfredo Carreon-Lopez fled Maryland after an arrest warrant was issued following charges of first-degree rape, second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor, first- and second-degree assault, and multiple additional sexual offense charges.
The Mexican national, who is illegally in the United States, was apprehended in Forsyth County at a business on Oct. 19.
ICE noted that approximately 90 percent of all persons arrested by ICE during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2018 either had a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, or were already subject to a removal order issued by a federal immigration judge.
