U.S. Department of Homeland Security
04/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2026 15:07
ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Illegal Alien Charged for Incest and Child Sex Crimes in South Carolina
South Carolina cooperates with ICE law enforcement so this child predator will NEVER be released into American communities
WASHINGTON - The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer for an illegal alien from Mexico who has been arrested for incest and three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child in South Carolina.
According to reports, Luis Armando Argueta Montejo, a 43-year-old-criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested days after a minor was found giving birth in the parking lot of Oconee Memorial Hospital. Based on evidence from the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, Montejo had engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, who is allegedly between the ages of 11 and 14.
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Montejo told ICE he first entered the country in 2006, and he has no previous criminal history in the U.S.
On April 17, ICE lodged a detainer on Montejo to ensure that he is transferred to their custody after he faces the American justice system.
"This sicko should NEVER have been in our country to prey on children in the first place," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "He now faces charges for incest and multiple child sex crimes. Prior to these horrific crimes, this illegal alien lacked a criminal record in the U.S. Under Secretary Mullin, ICE lodged an arrest detainer with South Carolina to ensure this monster is never loose in our communities again. Thankfully, South Carolina cooperates with ICE law enforcement. 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."
DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.
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