U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Carlos Aguilar Reynoso, a Guatemalan national, who was charged with raping a five-year-old girl on Long Island, New York, according to a March 24 announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The case highlights the role of cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE in addressing serious crimes involving non-citizens. Authorities say such partnerships are essential for community safety.
According to reports, Reynoso was asked to babysit the child when the incident occurred. The child's mother discovered signs of abuse upon returning home and took her daughter to the hospital. While awaiting DNA test results related to the alleged rape, local authorities charged Reynoso with child endangerment and coordinated with ICE to ensure he remained in custody. ICE arrested him on February 2 and transferred him to local law enforcement on March 16.
On March 23, Reynoso faced additional charges including predatory sexual assault against a child, vaginal sexual contact with a child, sexual abuse, acting in a manner injurious to a child, and resisting arrest. "Carlos Aguilar Reynoso, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, was charged for raping a five-year-old child in New York. While local law enforcement processed DNA evidence and built their case, they contacted ICE to arrest this pedophile so he would not be released into our communities to prey on more innocent children," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "On March 16, ICE transferred this monster to local law enforcement to face justice for his reprehensible crimes. This case shows why we need local law enforcement cooperation. When we work together, our communities are safer."
Officials said that Aguilar Reynoso entered the United States at an unknown place and time but was issued a final order of removal by an Immigration Judge on March 16.
The agency noted that partnerships between ICE and local authorities play an important role in removing individuals convicted or accused of serious crimes from American communities.
