(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a safety alert to Colorado residents after an anti-ICE activist group took credit for helping an international fugitive and convicted child rapist evade arrest.
Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, a convicted child rapist, remains at large and is a public safety threat, DHS says.
DHS is warning members of the public “to be on the lookout for this criminal illegal alien,” and if anyone knows or suspects his whereabouts, DHS says, “do not approach.”
It’s encouraging any information about Leon-Deras to be shared online or by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423). Tips may remain anonymous.
On June 20, ICE Enforcement Removal Operations officers attempted to arrest Leon-Deras but members of the Colorado Rapid Response Network “alerted Leon-Deras of ICE’s presence and facilitated his escape,” DHS said.
DHS says the group has nearly 800 members who are “known for protesting with bullhorns to warn illegal aliens and shouting profanities at ICE law enforcement officers attempting to arrest dangerous criminal illegal aliens.”
The group published statements, photos and videos on social media, also taking credit for its efforts, stating after the June 20 attempted arrest, ICE officers had left the neighborhood and no one was detained.
“Volunteers confronted the ICE agents and used a bullhorn to share their rights, ICE called the police to try and intimidate our volunteers. Police arrived took the report and found no reason to ticket or arrest our volunteers who were not breaking any laws. ICE never provided the police or the person being targeted with a warrant,” the group said.
During attempted arrests, the group publicizes street addresses and intersections, the type of law enforcement officers present, vehicle descriptions, photos and videos. It also claims its “volunteers are on site and assisting the people targeted.”
During a law enforcement operation in Aurora, the group posted information about “Confirmed police activity at Innovation at Fitz Apartments, on the corner of 6th and Potomac, in Aurora. Officers on scene identified themselves as members of SWAT and Aurora Police Department.”
Aurora has been the focus of multi-agency law enforcement operations targeting violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members, whom the Trump administration designated as foreign terrorists.
Despite local opposition, ICE Enforcement and Removal (ERO) officers in Denver have been arresting criminal foreign nationals in Colorado working with multiple law enforcement partners.
Recent ICE arrests include a Venezuelan national and TdA member who illegally entered the U.S. in El Paso, Texas, in August 2023. Instead of being processed for removal, he was released into the country with a notice to appear before an immigration judge with a date years in the future. Last June, he was arrested by local authorities in Denver for illegally possessing a firearm, ICE said.
ICE ERO Denver officers also arrested and deported a Salvadoran national and foreign fugitive wanted “for aggravated homicide, displacement of individuals, unlawful groupings and aggravated robbery.”
He illegally entered the U.S. as a gotaway and was eventually arrested in October 2023 in Whittier, California. After his arrest, he was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Aurora, where he remained until he was deported, ICE said.
Another gotaway ICE ERO Denver officers arrested was a Honduran national in Thornton with multiple felony charges and convictions. His criminal history includes two felony convictions for marijuana possession and six felony charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, illegal re-entry and illegal possession of a firearm, ICE said. He was previously deported and illegally entered as a gotaway.
Gotaway is the official term for those who illegally enter between ports of entry to evade capture. A record more than two million gotaways were reported under the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported.
“I don’t think I can be more clear, ICE is not going to tolerate those who peddle drugs and steal guns in our communities,” ICE ERO Denver Field Office Director Robert Guadian said.
ICE ERO Denver officers also arrested a Mexican national in Montrose with charges from last year of burglary, assault, possession of a controlled substance with three priors, and child abuse. This year’s charges include harassment, kidnapping, resisting arrest and violation of a protective order, ICE said.
In another operation, ICE officers working with the U.S. Marshals Service arrested a Mexican national wanted for aggravated homicide in Mexico. He illegally entered the U.S. in September 2022 through the Denver International Airport.
“The message is clear, you can’t commit heinous crimes in your country and hide-out in ours,” Guadian said.
