Charges Filed Against Guatemalan Immigrants for Alleged Assault
In recent developments, two Guatemalan illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. have been charged with serious offenses. They stand accused of rape, aggravated sodomy, and coercing a woman from an Oklahoma casino this week.
The victim reported to law enforcement that she was forcibly taken from the First Council Casino & Resort in Newkirk, Oklahoma. During her transportation to Arkansas City, Kansas, she was subjected to multiple assaults. This incident has raised significant concerns over safety and legality.
Luis Minguez Barrios, one of the suspects, crossed the southern border illegally back in August 2013 and was released during the Obama administration. His criminal history includes prior arrests for disorderly conduct, domestic violence, and making threats against law enforcement.
His accomplice, Jose Fernando Lax Morales, also an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, entered the U.S. in 2018 as an unaccompanied minor.
Currently, Barrios is being held on a bond set at $1 million for his charges, while Morales faces a $500,000 bond related to his alleged involvement in the crime.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken steps to enforce stricter policies regarding illegal immigrants. Local law enforcement is now required to notify ICE before releasing any potential criminals from custody, allowing ICE to take them into custody for 48 hours before their scheduled release.
Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security emphasized, “Individuals like Luis Miguel Dominguez Barrios and Jose Fernando Lax Morales should not have a place in our country.” She stated that under the current administration, measures are in place to ensure that those committing violent acts will not evade justice.
McLaughlin added that, in recent months, DHS has removed over 332,000 individuals who were in the country illegally, highlighting the agency’s commitment to maintaining public safety.
The Department of Homeland Security has also initiated a recruitment campaign to hire more ICE agents, with reports stating that over 100,000 Americans have expressed interest in applying for these positions.
The Arkansas Police Department has refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation, and attempts to contact the Oklahoma casino for a statement have been unsuccessful.
