U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported Juan Velasquez, a Salvadoran national previously convicted of multiple felonies in New York, back to El Salvador on May 15. Velasquez's convictions include rape and sexual abuse of a minor.
Velasquez, aged 45, entered the United States illegally at an unspecified time and location without being admitted or paroled by immigration officials. He was first convicted of statutory rape on April 14, 2004. An immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S. on July 20, 2004, and he was deported to El Salvador on August 13 of that year.
Despite his deportation, Velasquez reentered the U.S. illegally at a later date. On September 21, 2015, he was convicted by the Suffolk County Court in Long Island, New York for two counts of first-degree sexual abuse; second-degree aggravated sexual abuse; third-degree rape; acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17; and false impersonation. He received a nine-year prison sentence for these offenses. Additionally, Velasquez was convicted for violating sex offender registry requirements and sentenced to another year in prison. He faced further legal action when arrested again for sex assault: carnal abuse, leading to another conviction on July 11, 2023.
ICE Buffalo took custody of Velasquez on April 18 following his release from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s custody and reinstated his prior order of removal. Until his deportation from the U.S., he was held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, New York.
The public is encouraged to report crimes and suspicious activities through ICE’s online tip form.
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