The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released new details regarding a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Los Angeles, which targeted and apprehended individuals identified as “the worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens. The agency highlighted the extensive and often violent criminal histories of those taken into custody.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a strong statement regarding the arrests, questioning the priorities of California’s leadership.
“Why do Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens?” McLaughlin stated. She added, “These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets. Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer.”
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The DHS release provided specific examples of individuals arrested during the Los Angeles operation, detailing their alleged offenses and convictions. Among those apprehended were:
Cuong Chanh Phan, 49, from Vietnam: Convicted of second-degree murder with a sentence of 15 years to life.
Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, 55, from the Philippines: Criminal history includes burglary, and convictions for sexual penetration with a foreign object with force and assault with intent to commit rape, leading to a 37-year prison sentence.
Lionel Sanchez-Laguna, 55, from Mexico: Arrested with a record of discharging a firearm, battery on a spouse, willful cruelty to a child, DUI, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm, including personal use of a firearm.
Armando Ordaz, 44, from Mexico: Convictions include sexual battery, receiving stolen property, and petty theft.
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Francisco Sanchez-Arguello, 38, from Mexico: Arrests for grand theft larceny and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz, 42, from Ecuador: Convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, serving a 135-month prison sentence.
Victor Mendoza-Aguilar, 32, from Mexico: Criminal history includes possessing unlawful paraphernalia and controlled substances, assault with a deadly weapon, and obstructing a public officer.
Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, 51, from Mexico: Convicted of assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury.
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Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron, 43, from Peru: Convicted of robbery, resulting in a 10-year sentence.
Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel, 32, from Honduras: Arrests for distribution of heroin and cocaine, and domestic violence.
Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales, 26, from Mexico: Convicted of conspiracy to transport an illegal alien.
ICE operations routinely target individuals who pose a threat to public safety, focusing on those with serious criminal convictions. The agency states that these arrests underscore their commitment to removing dangerous individuals from communities.
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