ICE arrests Guatemalan national in New York City convicted of sexual battery of a child

NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Abel Osbaldo Mendez, a 29-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala with convictions for sexual battery of a child and illegal reentry upon his release from U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville in Orange County, New York, March 28.

“Convicted child predators such as this thrice removed illegal alien represent a major threat to our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “ICE officers play a positive role in the arrest and removal of these criminal aliens and will continue to do so in the interest of keeping our communities safe.”

U.S. Border Patrol Agents encountered Mendez April 25, 2014, unlawfully crossing the U.S. – Mexico border into Texas without inspection. Mendez falsely stated to the agents that he was born in Acayucan, Veracruz, Mexico, and was a citizen and native of Mexico. U.S. Border Patrol placed him into expedited removal proceedings and on May 3, 2014, removed him to Mexico via Brownville, Texas port of entry. Mendez unlawfully reentered the U.S. on an unknown date after his 2014 removal.

Suffolk County Police Department arrested Mendez for the crime of sex assault March 20, 2019. ICE encountered Mendez April 15, 2019, and issued him a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge and placed him into removal proceedings under his true nationality and citizenship of Guatemala.

Mendez was convicted of sexual battery of a child April 25, 2019, and sentenced to 12 months in prison.

A Justice Department immigration judge ordered Mendez removed from the U.S. July 1, 2019. He was removed to Guatemala Dec. 18, 2019.

USBP arrested Mendez Aug. 3, 2020, after he illegally reentered the U.S. and processed him for reinstatement of prior removal order. Mendez was removed from the U.S. for the third time Feb. 3, 2021. ICE officers encountered Mendez in Virginia May 22, 2024, and processed him for reinstatement of prior removal order. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virgina, prosecuted Mendez for illegal reentry, a charge for which he was convicted Nov. 21, 2024, and sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Mendez is in ICE custody.

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

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork

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