Important News

ICE lodges arrest detainer for man charged with raping 11-year-old and threatening 10-year-old in Georgia

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Key takeaways

  • ICE lodged an arrest detainer for Kenneth Moreno Guzman in connection with an alleged home invasion and sexual assault in Bulloch County, Georgia.
  • The alleged incident occurred on January 12, 2025; the reported victims were an 11-year-old girl (raped) and her 10-year-old sister (threatened with a knife).
  • Guzman faces multiple criminal charges including rape, statutory rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, cruelty towards children, home invasion, false imprisonment, burglary, and aggravated assault with a knife.
  • Authorities say Guzman is from Mexico, was removed from the United States in 2016, and allegedly re-entered the country at an unknown date and location.
  • ICE and DHS officials stated the detainer is intended to notify federal authorities to arrest Guzman; the release also lists the VOICE office and a phone number for victim support.
  • A prior local arrest on March 8, 2023, by the Statesboro Georgia Sheriff's Office was for driving without a license and registration.

Follow Up Questions

What does it mean when ICE "lodges an arrest detainer" and what steps follow for local authorities?Expand

An ICE "arrest detainer" (Form I‑247/I‑247A) is a non‑binding DHS request asking the jail or law enforcement agency holding a person to: notify ICE before release and hold the person for up to 48 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) so ICE can assume custody. If the local agency honors it, ICE officers take custody in a secure setting; if ICE does not assume custody within 48 hours the agency must release the person. Local agencies are not legally required to honor detainers in all jurisdictions.

What is the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office and what support does it provide to victims?Expand

The VOICE Office (Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement) is an ICE/DHS victim‑service unit that helps victims/families of crimes with an immigration nexus by: explaining immigration enforcement/removal processes; registering victims for automated custody‑status notifications (DHS‑VINE); providing releasable criminal/immigration history where allowed; and referring victims to local social‑service and victim‑service resources via a toll‑free hotline (1‑855‑488‑6423).

Was Kenneth Moreno Guzman in local custody when the detainer was lodged, or has he been transferred to federal custody?Expand

Not determinable from the DHS/ICE release: the statement says ICE "lodged an arrest detainer" to ensure federal authorities are notified but does not state whether Guzman remained in local custody or was transferred to federal custody. No source was found that confirms a transfer.

What immigration penalties and criminal immigration charges (e.g., unlawful reentry) might follow if Guzman is convicted or found removable?Expand

If Guzman is convicted of illegal reentry after removal, he could face federal criminal penalties under 8 U.S.C. §1326 (unlawful reentry), which carries possible prison time (statutory ranges depend on prior removals and convictions) and a subsequent removal order; separate civil immigration consequences include initiation or reinstatement of removal proceedings and ineligibility for most immigration relief. Specific sentencing depends on the felony history and facts of the case.

Which agency (local, state, or federal) will prosecute the criminal charges listed and where will court proceedings occur?Expand

The violent criminal charges listed (rape, aggravated child molestation, home invasion, aggravated assault, burglary, etc.) are state felonies and will be prosecuted by local/state prosecutors (Bulloch County/Georgia) in state court; immigration enforcement (detainer, removal) is federal (DHS/ICE) and immigration proceedings would be handled in federal immigration courts (EOIR) if ICE takes custody or initiates removal. Criminal trial and state court proceedings occur in Georgia courts; any federal immigration proceedings occur before EOIR immigration judges.

How did DHS/ICE determine Guzman was previously removed in 2016 and what evidence is typically used to verify prior removals?Expand

DHS/ICE determines prior removals using federal immigration records and databases (A‑Number files, CBP/ICE/USCIS records and Intergovernmental Automated Fingerprint Identification System matches). ICE generally verifies prior removals via agency records (Alien Registration/A‑Number, removal orders, entry/exit and enforcement databases) and biometric and case history evidence before issuing a detainer.

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