ICE Busts Suspected Mexican Child Molester

U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) officers arrested a Mexican national with warrants in DeKalb County, Georgia, for a child molestation case.

ICE Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) officers arrested Jose Mercedes Meza-Ignacio, a 52-year-old Mexican national on Thursday on charges that he molested a child, according to a statement obtained from ICE officials by Breitbart Texas.

Sheriff’s deputies in DeKalb County obtained a warrant for Meza-Ignacio after a criminal complaint was filed alleging he molested a child under the age of 16. Court records obtained by Breitbart Texas revealed the court filed charges under Georgia statute 16-6-4, Child molestations; aggravated child molestation. Court records did not state the exact age of the victim.

DeKalb County records show that Meza-Ignacio remains in custody with no bond at this time. Immigration officials have placed a detainer on the suspect. ICE places detainers on individuals who have been arrested on local criminal charges who are subject to deportation, so that ICE can take custody of those individuals when they are released from local authorities.

“This arrest highlights the ICE mission of protecting public safety,” Field Office Director for the Atlanta ERO Field Office Sean W. Gallagher said in a written statement. “ICE, working closely with law enforcement partners like the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, continues to work every day making our communities safer.”

ICE regularly conducts targeted arrest operations against immigrants, legal or illegal, who have committed crimes or are members of gangs.

Information about Meza-Ignacio’s immigration status and criminal history were not readily available at the time of this publication. Breitbart Texas reached out to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for more information about the case. The media relations person could not be reached for immediate comment.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.