TRENTON, N.J. — U.S. Border Patrol agents, in coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arrested an Ecuadorian fugitive in New Jersey who was wanted for sexually assaulting a teenage girl in his home country, authorities announced.
Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino stated that the fugitive, whose identity has not been released, had entered the U.S. illegally and was tracked down through a joint operation involving Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
“This illegal alien committed the heinous crime of sexually assaulting a teenage female in Ecuador. He thought the US would be a sanctuary,” Bovino wrote on social media.
New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli responded to the arrest by praising former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and calling for an end to sanctuary policies in the state.
Federal authorities have not yet provided details on the suspect’s pending extradition or deportation proceedings.
Authorities arrested an Ecuadorian fugitive in New Jersey wanted for sexual assault, highlighting ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.