The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that more than 250 individuals described as illegal aliens have been arrested in the Charlotte, North Carolina area as part of Operation Charlotte’s Web. The department stated that many of those detained have histories of criminal convictions, including offenses such as domestic violence, assault, burglary, larceny, and driving while intoxicated.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed criticism from media outlets and local officials who oppose DHS enforcement actions. “While the media and sanctuary politicians try and spread falsehoods and demean DHS law enforcement, the men and woman of DHS are risking their lives and saftey to arrest illegal criminal aliens that are victimizing Americans,” McLaughlin said. “We are going to continue to do our job and stand up for North Carolinians who live in fear because of violent criminal illegal aliens.”
Among those apprehended were several individuals with varied criminal backgrounds:
- Walter Jose Esquivel from Guatemala was convicted for domestic violence, threats, assaults, and injury to personal property.
- Carlos Torres-Antonio from Mexico had convictions for driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and assault with a deadly weapon.
- Jose Alberto Pena from Belize was convicted for breaking and entering, larceny, tampering with a vehicle, and previously arrested for robbery involving a firearm or dangerous weapon.
- Carlos Javier Mejia-Vargas from Honduras was convicted for tampering with a vehicle/theft, driving under the influence, and possession of a controlled substance.
- Tomas Antonio Sanchez from El Salvador was convicted for driving while intoxicated/under the influence; he also faced charges related to corporal injury, weapons use/discharge, and firing into an occupied dwelling.
- Moises Benitez-Diaz from Mexico was convicted for felony larceny and previously arrested for possessing stolen goods.
- Hernan Soto-Vargas from Mexico had an order of removal issued in 2020; he was convicted for driving while intoxicated along with previous arrests on communication threats and cocaine possession charges.
- Junior Hilario Euceda-Rosales from Honduras had an active immigration warrant; his record includes convictions for possession of controlled substances, criminal trespass, illegal reentry as well as prior arrests related to lewd conduct, battery, fleeing authorities, and drug paraphernalia possession.
- Sergio Cabrera-Alfaro from El Salvador had two convictions related to driving while intoxicated.
DHS stated it will continue enforcement operations targeting individuals it identifies as public safety risks within local communities.
