Honduran National With Robbery Conviction Arrested by Federal Agents in Pasadena
Federal immigration authorities have arrested Walter Jeovany Coto-Ortiz, a Honduran national with a prior conviction for robbery, following a targeted enforcement operation in Pasadena, California. The arrest was announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of a broader initiative focused on apprehending non-citizens with criminal records who are unlawfully present in the United States.
According to officials, Coto-Ortiz was identified as a public safety threat due to his criminal history in California. Records indicate he had been convicted of robbery in Pasadena, a felony offense that prioritized him for removal under current federal enforcement guidelines. Authorities confirmed that he is a citizen of Honduras and was residing in the country without legal authorization at the time of his apprehension.
The arrest coincides with a recent DHS announcement highlighting the detention of several individuals across the country described by the agency as “criminal illegal aliens.” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that the operations are part of a mandate to enhance public safety by removing individuals who have violated U.S. laws. “If you come to our country illegally, break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and you will never return,” McLaughlin said in a statement accompanying the release.
While federal agencies frame these operations as essential for community safety, the enforcement actions often draw scrutiny in jurisdictions like California. Under the state’s “sanctuary” laws, local law enforcement agencies are generally restricted from using their resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement. Advocates for these policies argue that distinguishing between local policing and immigration enforcement encourages undocumented residents to report crimes without fear of deportation. Conversely, federal officials frequently argue that such restrictions necessitate direct intervention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to locate and arrest offenders within the community.
Coto-Ortiz remains in federal custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings. His arrest underscores the continued friction between state-level sanctuary protections and federal interior enforcement efforts aimed at non-citizens with serious criminal convictions.
dhs.gov
