3 Guatemalan fugitives arrested by ICE in Boston-area

BOSTON — Three Guatemalan nationals were arrested yesterday in Lynn, Mass., by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). The three are wanted by Guatemalan authorities for the rape and murder of a female.

The three arrested were residing in Lynn, and included 25-year-old Danilo Candelario De Leon-Robles. Two other 21-year-old males were also arrested in connection with the rape and murder. An Interpol Red Notice had been issued for the arrest of De Leon-Robles. Two of the individuals are also wanted on other charges in Guatemala.

On Nov. 26, 2006, in the Los Puentes area of San Antonio Serchil in Guatemala, the three men allegedly attacked Herlinda Elizabeth Lopez Lopez in a deserted area. They held her by the neck and then beat, raped and strangled her to death. The three individuals have been charged by Guatemalan authorities.

Interpol Washington, U.S. National Central Bureau, working collaboratively with ICE ERO, was able to determine that two of the three individuals have a previous criminal history in Massachusetts. Further investigative information revealed that all three subjects were residing in Lynn.

Last night, ICE ERO officers arrested all three individuals. They are now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. The Lynn Police Department provided valuable assistance in locating these three fugitives.

"The arrests of these three men demonstrates our resolute commitment to identify and arrest those who falsely believe they can escape legal issues in their home country by hiding out in ours," said Dorothy Herrera-Niles, field office director for ICE ERO in New England. "We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners here in Massachusetts and abroad to ensure that the safety and security of our communities is preserved."

"I applaud the collaborative efforts of ICE and Interpol Washington that resulted in the apprehension of three wanted fugitives in Guatemala," said Interpol Washington Director Timothy A. Williams. "This arrest is another fine example of what can be accomplished when U.S. law enforcement agencies work together with our international partners to combat crimes of this nature."

These arrests were coordinated with ICE's Fugitive Operations Program, which is responsible for locating, arresting and removing at-large criminal aliens and immigration fugitives — aliens who have ignored final orders of deportation handed down by the nation's immigration courts. ICE's Fugitive Operations Teams give top priority to cases involving aliens who pose a threat to national security and public safety, including members of transnational street gangs and child sex offenders.

An Interpol Red Notice is used to alert law enforcement agencies in member countries that arrest warrants have been issued and extradition will be sought for the fugitives. Being the subject of this type of notice is not a presumption of guilt. Interpol is the world's largest international police organization with 190 member countries. It serves as a facilitator of international police cooperation.