Immigration authorities have taken steps to detain a Mexican national facing allegations of sexually assaulting a minor in South Carolina after the young victim was discovered giving birth in a hospital parking lot.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Luis Armando Argueta Montejo, who is accused of engaging in sexual activities with a female minor estimated to be between the ages of 11 and 14.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Montejo was taken into custody shortly after the minor was found delivering a baby outside Oconee Memorial Hospital in South Carolina.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office gathered evidence suggesting that Montejo had sexual relations with the victim, as reported by DHS.
Officials from the federal immigration department have issued a detainer for the suspect accused in the case of sexual assault of a minor, as confirmed by DHS.
The suspect, aged 43, now faces serious charges, including incest and three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, DHS reported.
“This sicko should NEVER have been in our country to prey on children in the first place,” Acting Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “He now faces charges for incest and multiple child sex crimes.”
Montejo told ICE he first entered the U.S. in 2006 and does not have a prior criminal record, according to officials.
Authorities said a suspect in a South Carolina case involving a minor is facing federal immigration action. (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office/Department of Homeland Security)
ICE lodged a detainer on April 17 to ensure he is transferred to federal custody after local proceedings conclude.
“Prior to these horrific crimes, this illegal alien lacked a criminal record in the U.S.,” Bis said. “Under Secretary Mullin, ICE lodged an arrest detainer with South Carolina to ensure this monster is never loose in our communities again.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer for a suspect accused in a South Carolina case involving a minor, officials said. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Bis said the case underscores the need for coordination between federal and local authorities.
“Thankfully, South Carolina cooperates with ICE law enforcement,” Bis added. “This is why we need cooperation from state and local partners, so together we can keep criminals off our streets and make America safe again.”
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