30-01-2025
U.S Attorney: Mexican national arrested on federal charges after release by sheriff
U.S Attorney: Mexican national arrested on federal charges after release by sheriff
Mexican citizen Jesus Romero-Hernandez was released from the custody of the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office before he was arrested by Immigrations Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations on Thursday in Ithaca, according to a statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Romero-Hernandez, 27, was in the sheriff's custody awaiting resolution of New York State assault charges.
His assault charges were resolved after he pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree and was given a sentence of time served, according to the statement.
On January 28, the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office "refused to honor the federal arrest warrant and released Romero-Hernandez before ICE-ERO arrived to pick him up and bring him to federal court in Syracuse to be arraigned on the pending federal criminal complaint," according to the statement.
Romero-Hernandez was charged in a federal criminal complaint on Jan. 8, 2024, with illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal, according to the DOJ.
The Tompkins County sheriff did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
More: What is ICE, and what will the group do in light of recent presidential orders?
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release, according to the statement.
Ithaca responds to ICE actions
City of Ithaca officials responded to the release by stating Ithaca police officers were not involved in the matter.
"The City of Ithaca has been made aware that federal law enforcement conducted operations in Ithaca today in connection with federal warrants," city officials said in a statement. "The Ithaca Police Department adhered to all relevant city policies, including Ithaca's Sanctuary City policy - Article VI of Chapter 215 of the Ithaca City Code - in consultation with the City Attorney and City Manager's office."
In accordance with city law, IPD officers did not participate in any immigration enforcement activities.
The last time ICE made major headlines in the Ithaca area, the group arrested 3 men in Ithaca within two weeks in 2018 during President Trump's first term following tightened immigration orders.
