U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested Abel Osbaldo Mendez, a 29-year-old Guatemalan national, in New York City. Mendez, an illegal alien, has previous convictions for sexual battery of a child and illegal reentry. His arrest occurred following his release from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, on March 28.
Acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City, William P. Joyce, commented on the arrest, stating: “Convicted child predators such as this thrice removed illegal alien represent a major threat to our communities. ICE officers play a positive role in the arrest and removal of these criminal aliens and will continue to do so in the interest of keeping our communities safe.”
Mendez's history with U.S. law enforcement dates back to April 25, 2014, when U.S. Border Patrol agents first encountered him crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without inspection. At that time, Mendez impersonated a Mexican national, leading to expedited removal proceedings and his removal to Mexico through the Brownsville, Texas port of entry. Despite his removal, Mendez unlawfully reentered the United States at an unspecified date after 2014.
The Suffolk County Police Department arrested Mendez on March 20, 2019, for a sex assault charge. Subsequently, on April 15, 2019, ICE placed him into removal proceedings under his real Guatemalan nationality. Days later, on April 25, 2019, he was convicted of sexual battery of a child and sentenced to a 12-month prison sentence. A Justice Department immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S. on July 1, 2019, and he was returned to Guatemala on December 18, 2019.
Mendez illegally reentered the U.S. again, leading to an arrest by the U.S. Border Patrol on August 3, 2020. He was subsequently processed for reinstatement of the prior removal order and removed to Guatemala for the third time on February 3, 2021.
ICE officers re-encountered him in Virginia on May 22, 2024, after another illegal reentry. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted him for illegal reentry, a conviction that occurred on November 21, 2024, resulting in an additional 12-month prison sentence.
Mendez remains in ICE custody as the agency continues its mission to uphold public safety. The public is urged to report any crimes and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or using ICE's online tip form for further assistance. Information about ERO New York City's efforts is available on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewYork.
