El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken Amilcar Josue Villalvir Mendez, a Honduran citizen, into custody at Northampton County Prison in Easton on February 27. The arrest was made without the cooperation of prison officials who did not honor an immigration detainer for Villalvir. This decision posed potential risks to public safety, as well as to the officers and Villalvir himself.

Brian McShane, acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, emphasized the importance of collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies. "The arrest of Amilcar Josue Villalvir Mendez highlights the crucial importance of local and federal law enforcement cooperation in ensuring public safety. Northampton County choosing to place politics over safety instead of honoring our detainer put everyone involved at unnecessary risk," he stated. McShane urged jurisdictions to prioritize resident safety by cooperating with immigration detainers.

Villalvir's criminal history includes multiple convictions such as aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking, possession of marijuana, speeding more than 25 MPH over the limit, and retail theft. He was initially arrested by Palmer Township Police Department on September 27, 2021, for aggravated assault among other charges related to a domestic disturbance incident. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2002, receiving a sentence ranging from six to 23 months confinement which was later modified due to violations.

On February 26, 2024, Villalvir faced another arrest for access device fraud and related charges after his girlfriend died from a drug overdose on October 29, 2023. Just hours following her death, he was recorded withdrawing money from her bank account via ATM surveillance footage.

ICE encourages individuals with information about crimes or suspicious activities to contact their Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit details through their online tip form.

For more insights into ICE Philadelphia’s efforts toward enhancing public safety across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia communities visit their social media handle: @EROPhiladelphia