MIAMI, Nov. 16, CMC – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has collaborated with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in arresting several Cuban nationals among 230 sexual predators and violent criminals in an immigration sweep. Operation Criminal Return is a statewide initiative targeting convicted sexual predators and offenders who pose significant threats to public safety.
During the 10-day operation, ICE , along with FDLE, arrested 230 “criminal illegal aliens who are registered sex offenders and have egregious criminal histories.” ICE said these crimes include sexual assault, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation of children, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, burglary, attempted premeditated murder with a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery.
“This operation underscores President Trump and Secretary Noem’s determination to target and remove dangerous criminal alien predators from the United States,” said ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan. “Sanctuary cities that shield these criminals from accountability undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the safety of their residents.
“By contrast, Florida has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to public safety through strong partnerships with ICE,” he added. “Together, we send an unmistakable message: Criminal aliens who threaten our citizens and violate our laws will be removed and prevented from committing further heinous crimes.”
Governor Ron DeSantis said that, through Operation Criminal Return, “hundreds of the most dangerous illegal criminal aliens with horrific criminal histories, including sexual crimes against children, are off our streets and will be out of our country soon. “Florida has been the most aggressive state in America on combating illegal immigration, and our state and local law enforcement agencies are doing more every day to be the federal government’s greatest tool in the fight to enforce immigration law,” he added.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said that “Florida will not harbor criminal aliens who threaten public safety. “Through this joint operation with ICE, we located and arrested convicted illegal alien sexual offenders and predators, ensuring they can no longer harm our communities,” he said. “In Florida, strong partnerships are vital to public safety, and our collaboration with ICE provides a model for the rest of the country as we continue to carry out the mission of President Trump and Governor DeSantis in removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our communities.”
Some of the criminal illegal offenders apprehended included Frank Rene Gacitaborges, a 51-year-old criminal illegal alien from Cuba, was arrested on Oct. 26. He has a criminal history that includes a conviction for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 years of age in Miami and was sentenced to four years of incarceration. An immigration judge ordered him removed March 17, 2022.
It also said Victor Julio Silva Diaz, a 26-year-old criminal illegal immigrant from Venezuela, who was arrested on November 5, his criminal history includes a conviction for aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 13. The other Cuban national, Sergio Velazquez Carnero, 63, was arrested November 4. His criminal history includes convictions for lewd and lascivious assault on a child, contributing to the delinquency of a child, petit theft, petit larceny and multiple sexual offender violator registration requirements.
It said an immigration judge ordered him removed July 1, 2017.
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