ICE Special Response Team arrests criminal illegal alien alleged sex offender and human smuggler in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS - During a targeted enforcement operation, an elite ICE Special Response Team arrested Roberto Garcia-De Leon, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of alien smuggling and accused of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, on Jan. 28. He has illegally entered the U.S. at least four times, and ICE arrested him with a warrant for criminal reentry, which is a felony.

"During the time he was living here illegally, Garcia-De Leon was convicted of felony alien smuggling and accused of felony sexual assault," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. "ICE picked him up Jan. 28 with a warrant for illegal reentry, and when they searched his residence, they a firearm - which, as an illegal alien, he's not allowed to possess."

Garcia-De Leon was convicted of smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. in 2013 and was sentenced to a year and one day in prison. On July 23, 2025, he was arrested and charged with sexual assault in Minnesota. Those charges are still pending, and this criminal illegal alien sexual predator is in the custody of the United States Marshalls Service. ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against him, and he will never be allowed to victimize our communities again.

His immigration history includes removals on May 4, 2013; July 1, 2013; and June 20, 2014. On one illegal foray into the country, he admitted he rafted across the Rio Grande River in Texas to sneak into the United States.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's public safety mission on X at @ICEgov.