Man detained by ICE in North Carolina is charged with statutory rape

Man in ICE Custody Charged with Statutory Rape in North Carolina

A man held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in North Carolina faces three charges of statutory rape, as detailed in court documents.

Juan Ramon Juarez Talamantes, aged 29, was initially charged in November with two counts of statutory rape involving minors aged 13 to 15. A third count was added last month, according to a statement from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

Following his arrest, he has been detained without bail and is under ICE’s authority, as indicated by online arrest records.

The charges arose from two reports of child sexual assault: one to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office in July 2024 and another to the Asheville Police Department in September 2025.

Lt. Chris Stockton from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the Asheville Police Department in this case. He remarked on the importance of community partnerships in addressing issues for residents of Buncombe County, emphasizing the need for healing for those affected.

Reports suggest that Juarez-Talamantes communicated with the alleged victims via Snapchat, prompting investigators to execute search warrants linked to those social media accounts.

One of the alleged victims said that after meeting Juarez-Talamantes in his car, he returned home and attempted to kiss the child while making further advances. The situation escalated when the children refused his advances, leading to instances of violence and assault, as reported by local news sources.