Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security | official website
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released details about several individuals with violent criminal backgrounds who were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Portland last month. The announcement comes as Secretary Kristi Noem visits Portland to meet with law enforcement officials, following an increase in federal resources aimed at restoring order in the city.
According to DHS, those arrested include individuals convicted of crimes such as sexual abuse, drug trafficking, attempted murder, and other serious offenses. The department stated that these arrests took place despite ongoing unrest and efforts by groups described as "Antifa domestic terrorists" to hinder law enforcement operations.
“Pedophiles, murderers, sexual predators, and drug traffickers. These are the heinous criminals Antifa domestic terrorists are trying to obstruct law enforcement from removing from our communities,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We are not allowing domestic terrorists to slow us down from removing the worst of the worst. President Trump has deployed a SURGE of federal resources to Portland. Enhanced CBP, ICE, FBI, DOJ and DEA resources are arresting rioters and Antifa domestic terrorists. This violence will end under President Trump.”
Among those apprehended was Jose Aguilar-Zuniga from Honduras, who has been convicted for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and faces an outstanding homicide warrant from Denver, Colorado police dating back to 2022. Steven Carter Bell from Canada was convicted on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse involving domestic violence.
Other individuals named include Flavio Ricardo Ledezma Nuno from Mexico—convicted multiple times for possession of controlled substances and public order crimes—and Gumercindo Remigio-Ortega from Mexico, convicted of attempted unlawful sexual penetration and sexual abuse.
Additional arrests included Rofino Gomez-Reyes for firearm-related offenses; Luis Rolando De Leon Woodward for heroin distribution; Agustin Garibay-Garibay for attempted sodomy and other charges; Suani Hernandez-Escoto for trafficking controlled substances; Carlos Lopez-Maya for attempted homicide and related crimes; and Jairzinho Joseph Runciman Garcia from Peru for luring a minor.
The DHS statement emphasizes that these actions are part of a broader federal initiative targeting both criminal offenders and those participating in recent civil unrest in Portland.
