U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained a Colombian national, Ludwin Quintero-Rojas, who is facing criminal charges in his home country for aggravated theft and attempted theft with injury. Quintero-Rojas, 31, was apprehended by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Newark on May 9 and is currently held without bond at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility.
"This criminal alien — who is wanted for theft offenses in his home country — tried to hide in United States, specifically in our region, where he was arrested multiple times for similar crimes," stated ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. "Quintero’s immigration and criminal history shows a repetitive pattern of disregard for U.S. laws."
Quintero-Rojas's legal troubles began on September 18, 2023, when the U.S. Border Patrol arrested him in El Paso, Texas. He was served with a notice to appear but was released on an order of release on recognizance.
His criminal activities continued with multiple arrests for theft-related offenses across New York and New Jersey. On January 13, 2024, he was arrested by the New York City Police Department for petit larceny. Later that year on July 5, he was convicted of disorderly conduct by the Queens County Criminal Court and received a conditional discharge.
In April of this year, Quintero faced several shoplifting charges: first arrested by Lacey Township Police Department on April 16; then Howell Township Police Department on April 17; followed by Marlboro Township Police Department on April 18 where he was convicted of shoplifting on May 1 and sentenced to ten days of community service; finally apprehended again by Brick Township Police Department on May 2 with pending charges.
Quintero is scheduled to appear before the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Elizabeth on May 22.
