A Venezuelan national, Raul Enrique Pargas Rodriguez, has been arrested in Texas by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a violent crime allegedly committed in Venezuela. The 31-year-old suspect is charged with attempting to murder a woman in a Russian roulette-style attack that shocked local communities and drew international attention. According to ICE, the incident occurred on February 24, 2021, when Pargas Rodriguez lured the woman to his workshop, where he allegedly subjected her to a violent tirade, insulted her, and engaged in physical abuse. The attack escalated when he brandished a pistol, pressed it to her head, removed the bullets, and reloaded before pointing it at her again. Despite his attempt to kill, the victim managed to escape, prompting an investigation into his actions.
Following the incident, Pargas Rodriguez fled Venezuela and entered the United States illegally near Eagle Pass, Texas, on August 10, 2022. His illegal entry into the U.S. made him a target for immigration enforcement, and he was wanted by Venezuelan authorities for his alleged crimes. ICE agents, in collaboration with the U.S. Border Patrol, tracked him down in North Texas, where he was apprehended and taken into custody. The arrest was facilitated by a tip from the Border Patrol, which led to the successful location of the suspect. ICE’s Dallas Field Office Director, Joshua Johnson, emphasized that the apprehension was a result of collaborative efforts to ensure justice for the victim and to prevent further criminal activity.
Throughout his time in the U.S., Pargas Rodriguez faced legal challenges, including an assault charge in Dallas County Jail on November 28, 2023. However, he was released on his own recognizance due to prosecutorial discretion related to immigration enforcement priorities. Despite these legal complexities, ICE maintained its pursuit of the suspect, eventually leading to his arrest in August 2024. The arrest highlights the challenges faced in addressing cross-border crime and immigration enforcement, particularly in cases involving violent offenses with international implications. Pargas Rodriguez’s case also serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of illegal immigration and the role of U.S. agencies in addressing such issues. He remains in custody pending immigration proceedings, with the expectation that he will be repatriated to Venezuela to face the charges against him for the alleged femicide attempt.