ICE-led Florida operation nets 500 — including illegal aliens accused of murder, child abuse, cartel ties
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement partnered with more than five other federal, state and local agencies in a weeklong immigration-enforcement operation in Southwest Florida that yielded 500 arrests.
Caught in the sweep, according to a statement from ICE, were: a Haitian charged with murder; a Honduran accused of molesting children; a suspected Mexican cartel member; a Guatemalan who allegedly tried to use a Taser on an officer during his arrest; and others with accusations or convictions of crimes such as battery, DUI, hit-and-run, domestic violence, possession of illegal drugs, driving without a license, resisting arrest and returning multiple times to the United States after deportation.
From Aug. 24 through Aug. 27, ICE agents teamed up with officers from local, state and federal agencies including the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
GEORGIA ICE SWEEP NABS OVER 700 CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, INCLUDING SEX OFFENDERS, CHILD ABUSERS
During the operation, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested on a murder charge an illegal alien from Haiti who has been seeking asylum in the United States.
Whycliff Longin, 28, allegedly broke into a home in Lehigh Acres, Florida on Aug. 27.
Just before 3 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call from a woman who had "escaped an attack in which she was strangled and fought to survive before barricading herself in a bedroom," according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they found Longin fleeing from a neighboring residence and took him into custody.
Then they found a second woman "deceased inside a bedroom, suffering from obvious signs of blunt force trauma," the sheriff’s office said.
The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.
Longin has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, sexual battery and burglary with battery. He is being held without bond in the Lee County Jail and has an ICE detainer.
"My prayers are with the family of the woman who tragically lost her life, and with the survivor who showed incredible strength in fighting to live," Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a news conference.
Elsewhere during the operation, ICE agents and troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol worked together to arrest a Mexican cartel member and a Honduran accused of molesting two children, a statement from ICE said.
In another location, after a tussle, officers arrested Noe Lux Castro, 24, a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who illegally entered the United States," according to ICE.
During the incident, Castro took a trooper’s Taser and attempted to use it against the patrolman, according to ICE. Castro had illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and location without inspection, the agency said.
He was charged with obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and resisting an officer without violence.
ICE ARRESTS RECORD 238 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN ONE DAY DURING SOUTH TEXAS ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
The sting also brought into custody Olmen Noel Vargas-Mendoza, 40, "a criminal illegal alien from Honduras," ICE said. He allegedly "illegally reentered the United States without inspection three times and has a criminal history of domestic violence."
Officers also arrested Marlon Rolando Calderon-Castellon, 43, "a criminal illegal alien from Honduras," according to ICE. He "illegally reentered the United States without inspection and has a criminal history that includes battery and illegal drug possession."
Carlos Humberto Monzon-Cabrera, 53, is "a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala," who was arrested during the operation, according to ICE. He "has a criminal history that includes battery and multiple convictions for operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. He illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and location without inspection."
Hermenegildo Andres-Juan, 52, is a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala," who was brought in during the surge, according to ICE. He "illegally reentered the United States after a previous deportation and has a criminal history that includes driving under the influence, resisting arrest, hit-and-run and public order crimes.
"He illegally entered the United States on Jan. 10, 2025."
Also arrested was Armando Coc-Yat, 39, a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala," who entered the United States illegally without inspection on Dec. 4, 2018, according to ICE. He "has a criminal history that includes arrests for driving under the influence and hit-and-run.
"An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on Nov. 16, 2021."
Rigoberto Vargas-Resendiz, a 52-year-old "criminal illegal alien from Mexico," also was among those arrested, ICE said. He "illegally reentered the United States without inspection three times," including on Dec. 9, 2018. An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on May 26, 2011.
Also arrested was Daren Ruiz-Mejia, 37, a "criminal illegal alien from Venezuela," according to ICE. He "illegally reentered the United States without inspection" on April 5, 2016 and "has a criminal history that includes driving under the influence of liquor."
Melchor Perez-Garcia, 31, "is a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala" who was arrested in the operation, according to ICE. He "illegally reentered the United States without inspection and has a criminal history that includes driving under the influence, resisting an officer and obstruction without violence."
Officers also caught Samuel Mateo-Francisco, 33, "a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala" who "illegally reentered the United States without inspection on three separate occasions," including on Oct. 31, 2023, according to ICE.
"The continued success of these weeklong operations is a testament to the power of unity and our shared commitment to community safety," said Matthew Elliston, of Enforcement and Removals Operations (ERO) for ICE.
"Working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners, we have successfully removed more than 500 illegal aliens from our streets, ensuring a safer environment for all," said Elliston, the ERO Miami interim field office director.
"Those who choose to knowingly flaunt this nation’s immigration laws will face the consequences, and they will be provided a one-way ticket home."
Florida has more deputizations to assist in federal immigration enforcement than any other state, according to ICE. All 67 county sheriffs and their agencies partner with ICE, along with multiple state law enforcement agencies.
"Florida continues to demonstrate how to turn important policy into meaningful action," Gov. Ron DeSantis said after the operation results were announced.
Florida is the "most proactive and effective state in identifying, apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants who have intentionally avoided lawful immigration processes and committed horrific crimes within the United States," DeSantis said.
"We will not sit idly by and allow Floridians to be victimized. Rather, we are executing on a whole-of-government approach that engages federal, state, and local law enforcement to get the job done and keep Florida safe and free."