A previously deported Guatemalan national with a history of criminal convictions in the United States was arrested in Airmont, over last weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Wednesday.
Yoni Wilfredo Gregorio Ortiz, 44, was taken into custody by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in the village of Airmont, on Sunday. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz had an outstanding warrant for driving while intoxicated.
According to ICE, Ortiz was first apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents on December 10, 2012, for illegally entering the country. He was processed for expedited removal the following day and deported to Guatemala on January 10, 2023. However, at an unknown date, he unlawfully reentered the U.S. without undergoing inspection by an immigration official.
“Not only does Gregorio have contempt for our nation’s immigration laws as proven by his illegal return after being previously removed, but he has also shown a complete disregard for our criminal laws as well,” said ICE ERO New York City Acting Field Office Director William Joyce. “ICE New York City will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our communities.”
During his time back in the U.S., Ortiz accumulated multiple criminal charges. He was charged with third-degree assault and convicted of the offense on September 1, 2022, by the Spring Valley Village Court. More recently, on June 3, 2024, he was convicted by a Rockland County Court of acting in a manner that could injure a child and of criminal mischief.
Ortiz is currently being held by ICE at Orange County Jail in Goshen, New York, as authorities proceed with further immigration enforcement actions.