Philadelphia releases felon despite ICE detainer and criminal arrest warrant

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a dangerous illegal alien after he was released by the city of Philadelphia, despite an active detainer, which included a criminal arrest order signed by a federal judge.

On Thursday, June 14, 2018, ICE officers obtained a criminal arrest warrant in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania for Guillermo Leon-Sandoval for violation of 8 USC 1326(a), re-entry of a removed alien. City authorities had previously said they would honor detainers that included a criminal arrest order signed by a judge, but did not in this case.

Guillermo Leon-Sandoval, 35, has been charged by Philadelphia police with unlawful restraint/serious bodily injury; simple assault; recklessly endangering another person; and false imprisonment. The incident giving rise to these charges involved the assault of his estranged wife. Leon-Sandoval was also previously convicted of illegal entry in September 2014.

“I commend ICE for arresting this individual pursuant to a federal judicial arrest warrant,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing federal law, including, of course, our immigration laws. We will continue working with all law enforcement agencies to keep our community safe.”