U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a significant operation in the Houston, Texas, area, resulting in the arrest of over 1,300 individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. The enforcement action focused on illegal immigrants who have been previously convicted of crimes such as hijacking an airplane, homicide, sexual assault, and other serious offenses. These arrests were part of a broader initiative to remove dangerous individuals from local communities and enhance public safety.
Among those apprehended was a person with a past conviction for hijacking an airplane from Cuba, which was en route to Florida. The ICE stated that these individuals are either currently charged with or have been convicted of various crimes, emphasizing the severity of the offenses involved. The agency noted that some individuals attempted to hinder the operation by spreading false information, but ICE continued its work to uphold the immigration system’s integrity and protect communities from threats such as child predators, gang members, and other violent criminals.
The arrests included several high-profile cases, such as the 56-year-old Adermis Wilson-Gonzalez, who was convicted of hijacking an airplane in 2003. Also arrested was 47-year-old Arnulfo Olivares Cervantes, implicated in multiple offenses including cocaine trafficking, attempted murder, and illegal entry into the U.S. Six times, he entered the country illegally. Other individuals, including Luis Pablo Vasquez-Estolano, who had a history of homicide, aggravated robbery, and burglary, were also arrested. Alongside these, 40-year-old Jose Meza and 51-year-old Javier Escobar Gonzalez were taken into custody for sexual assault of a minor and other serious charges.
Gabriel Martinez, the acting director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, affirmed that these arrests are part of ICE’s ongoing efforts to target dangerous individuals and restore public safety. He emphasized that these actions reflect the agency’s commitment to protecting residents and ensuring communities are safe for families to thrive without fear of criminal threats.