The United States Department of Homeland Security announced on May 8 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has requested Indiana officials not to release Leonel Catalan Torreblanca, a Mexican national suspected in a decade-long serial rape case.
The case is significant because it involves serious charges against an individual who reportedly re-entered the country illegally multiple times. The Department of Homeland Security said Torreblanca faces 30 charges, including rape, sexual battery, criminal confinement, kidnapping, strangulation, and burglary.
According to the statement, police in Indianapolis arrested Torreblanca on April 22. His alleged crimes occurred between 2013 and 2024. Authorities say his prior convictions include patronizing a prostitute, voyeurism, and multiple DUIs.
"Thanks to the incredible work of the men and women of federal law enforcement, this demented rapist’s ten-year crime spree is over. He is now facing 30 charges including rape, sexual battery, criminal confinement, kidnapping, strangulation, and burglary," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "ICE is asking Indiana officials to hand him over to ICE custody. Indiana cooperates with ICE so we will be able to work together to get him off our streets and out of our country. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the United States."
Torreblanca reportedly first entered the United States illegally at an unknown time or location before being arrested by ICE in 2012; he was released by authorities during the Obama Administration. He was arrested again in 2017 but voluntarily returned to Mexico in 2018 before allegedly re-entering illegally again—a felony—in 2023 under the Biden Administration.
The request from ICE underscores ongoing cooperation between state officials and federal immigration authorities regarding individuals charged with serious crimes.
