ERO Boston arrests fugitive wanted for homicide by Colombian authorities

BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston apprehended a Colombian national wanted by authorities in his home country for the crimes of aggravated homicide, aggravated theft and unlawful possession of a weapon. Deportation officers from ERO Boston arrested the 49-year-old noncitizen near his residence in Pittsfield May 6.

“This Colombian national is wanted in his home country for some very serious crimes,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons. “He attempted to hide out in Massachusetts, and now he will have to answer for his actions. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by aggressively apprehending and removing the most egregious noncitizen offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”

The Colombian national was arrested by authorities in Bucaramanga, Colombia, on April 5, 2014, and charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated theft and possession of a weapon.

The criminal court in Bucaramanga convicted and sentenced him to 17 years in prison Sept. 29, 2016.

The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended him near San Luis, Arizona, on Nov. 27, 2023, after he unlawfully entered the United States without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U. S. immigration official. The noncitizen was issued a notice to appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge and released on an order of recognizance.

Deportation officers from ERO Boston arrested him May 6, and he will remain in ERO custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Boston’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)