A man was arrested in Virginia after allegedly exposing himself to one woman and attempting to drag another into the woods. This individual, Moises Domingo Rico Rosales, a Nicaraguan national, had been previously charged with felony drug trafficking but was released when local authorities didn’t cooperate with federal immigration officials, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Rico Rosales entered the U.S. illegally in Arizona in 2022 and was released under the Biden administration. He was apprehended again recently by Fairfax County police following the incidents at Wakefield Park. Currently, he faces charges of kidnapping with the intent to commit lewd acts. ICE has filed a motion asking local authorities not to release him.
In 2024, he had faced felony drug trafficking charges in Fairfax County, but those charges were dropped, which led to his release. Local reports indicate that the decision was made by the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, which has been criticized for its ties to progressive funding.
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss commented on the situation, stating, “This criminal illegal alien exposed himself to one woman in a park and attempted to kidnap another woman on the same day.” She added that local sanctuary policies contributed to his release after the previous drug charge.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the issue of sanctuary policies in Northern Virginia, especially following an earlier incident where an undocumented immigrant, also linked to multiple prior arrests, was charged with murder. This has sparked ongoing debates about how local jurisdictions handle undocumented immigrants in custody.
Fairfax County officials defended their practices, stating that they do not hold inmates based on ICE requests alone. ICE has sought notifications from local jails when inmates are to be released, but the sheriff’s office reported that no judicial warrants were ever filed for Rico Rosales.
The sheriff’s office maintained that they do not prevent ICE from taking action against detainees but emphasized that a judicial warrant is required for holding someone beyond their release date. The office provided documentation supporting this policy.
In response to criticism about the dropped charges, officials explained that there are various factors that can influence such decisions, including lack of evidence or witness availability. They expressed a commitment to protecting the integrity of ongoing investigations while addressing concerns over political motivations.
Governor Abigail Spanberger has taken steps to limit state involvement in federal immigration enforcement and maintains that local officials make detention decisions. Her office asserts that violent criminals should be prosecuted to the fullest extent, emphasizing cooperation with federal agencies while prioritizing community safety.
