Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrests of five illegal migrants with serious criminal backgrounds during a targeted operation in Maryland on October 18. The individuals detained in the single-day raid were linked to offenses including cartel ties, drug distribution, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.
Matthew Elliston, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore Field Office Director, described the operation as necessary to protect Maryland communities. “ERO Baltimore will not tolerate these egregious noncitizen offenders victimizing our Maryland communities,” Elliston stated in ICE’s press release.
Among those arrested were:
Justin Jeremiah Johnson, 18, a Trinidadian convicted of robbery after violating the terms of his legal entry into the U.S.
Romeo Almengor Oxlaj-Lopez, 24, a Guatemalan gang member convicted of second-degree assault in Montgomery County.
Denis Flores-Alvardo, 38, a Honduran arrested for DUI and illegal possession of a handgun in Howard County.
Noe Antonio Machado-Medrano, 29, a Salvadoran convicted of intent to distribute fentanyl.
Jose Edgar Rivas-Arevalo, 41, a previously deported Salvadoran convicted of second-degree assault in Baltimore County.
These arrests occurred in several jurisdictions considered “sanctuary” areas, including Baltimore County, Howard County, and Montgomery County. These jurisdictions have laws limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, making such operations more challenging.
Despite these hurdles, ICE’s Baltimore field office has achieved record-breaking results. In the 2024 fiscal year, the office arrested 161 noncitizen sex offenders, surpassing the previous year’s record of 152 arrests.
ICE’s enforcement efforts are expected to escalate under President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Trump has also indicated plans to use an emergency declaration and military support to intensify immigration enforcement.
