The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Mar. 9 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer against Conrrado Ahuexoteco Atrisco, a 24-year-old Mexican national charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student at Park City High School.
The case is significant as it highlights ongoing concerns about cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities when dealing with individuals accused of serious crimes. The department said it has specifically requested that Utah authorities not release Atrisco from jail without notifying ICE.
According to the announcement, local reports indicate the alleged assault occurred at a friend's apartment where the victim was watching videos when Atrisco approached her. After initially agreeing to watch together, the situation escalated when Atrisco began hugging and touching her despite her objections, eventually leading to the alleged assault.
Officials stated that Atrisco and his mother previously entered the United States illegally near the Sonora desert before being arrested and removed by Border Patrol. He later re-entered the country, which is considered a felony offense. The press release noted that in 2022, his immigration case was marked as a non-enforcement priority by the Biden administration.
"These are the kinds of predators sanctuary politicians are protecting by refusing to cooperate with ICE law enforcement. We have requested Utah authorities not release this pedophile and sexual predator from their jail without notifying ICE," said DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "These types of monsters have no place in American communities. Under President Trump, we will continue to fight for the arrest and removal of criminal illegal aliens to protect American families."
DHS also stated that its law enforcement efforts aim to prevent similar incidents in other communities and encouraged victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens to seek support through its Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office.
