DENVER (KDVR) Denver ICE agents said that a “criminal alien” was alerted by an immigrant advocacy group, resulting in him escaping arrest, according to a post on X from ICE Denver.

ICE Denver said that Friday morning, ICE agents and FBI Denver were attempting to arrest Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, who they claim is a “criminal alien” from El Salvador convicted of and wanted for the rape of a child in Italy.

The agency said that during their surveillance of Leon-Deras, members of the immigration advocacy group known as Colorado Rapid Response arrived at the scene and alerted the man to the presence of law enforcement.

The alert they said, allowed him to escape being arrested.

ICE Denver said that groups like this interfere with their ability to keep communities safe.

FOX31 reached out to Colorado Rapid Response representative who said she had not seen the post by ICE Denver.

FOX31 also reached out to the media relations spokesperson for Colorado Rapid Response by phone and email, but has yet to hear back as of Friday night.