A 23-year-old Guatemalan national, charged with rape and multiple other sex crimes in Massachusetts, was taken into custody by federal immigration officers after his release from state custody. The individual, identified as Rocael Ordonez-Cruz, was arrested on July 21 at the Middlesex County House of Correction in Billerica, Massachusetts. He had entered the United States illegally and without inspection by immigration officials. Ordonez-Cruz's arrest was carried out by officers from the Enforcement and Removal Operations unit.
Ordonez-Cruz was initially arrested by local authorities on June 25 and charged with rape, assault to rape, indecent assault and battery, and indecent exposure. The charges stem from alleged incidents in Arlington, Massachusetts, where he was taken into custody by the local police department. Following his release from state custody, federal immigration officers stepped in to apprehend Ordonez-Cruz, serving him with a notice to appear before an immigration judge.
The notice to appear marks the initiation of removal proceedings against Ordonez-Cruz, who will remain in federal custody pending the outcome of these proceedings. According to officials, Ordonez-Cruz's actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for U.S. laws, posing a threat to public safety and security. His arrest highlights the dedication of federal officers to identifying and apprehending dangerous individuals who pose a risk to communities.
The arrest of Ordonez-Cruz underscores the commitment to protecting the safety and security of local neighborhoods. Federal officials emphasize that they will continue to pursue and arrest individuals who pose a threat to public safety, regardless of their immigration status. Ordonez-Cruz's case will now proceed through the immigration court system, where his fate will be determined by a Justice Department immigration judge.
