Sergeant John Chell of the New York Police Department recently Sanctuary statusHe said he has protected illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes.
On Tuesday afternoon, Chell posted on social media calling for an amendment to the city’s policy: Because New York City is a sanctuary city, local law enforcement officials cannot work with federal immigration officials.
“Failure to act will allow individuals like Daniel Davon Bonilla to continue victimizing the women of our city.”
Chell wrote to X, “People from all over the world come to New York in search of a better life — the American Dream. But a few have other motives, like committing crimes and preying on the people of New York. Daniel Davon Bonilla is one such predator.”
Davon Bonilla According to the Department of Homeland Security, Davon Bonilla is a 24-year-old Nicaraguan national who entered the U.S. illegally through Eagle Pass, Texas, in December 2022. In 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detention request against Davon Bonilla for allegedly raping a woman at the La Quinta Hotel in Gowanus, which had been converted into a shelter for illegal immigrants.
Davon Bonilla was arrested on suspicion of assault, but a year later he took a plea deal and was released back onto the streets after local police ignored ICE’s requests to detain him. Over the weekend, Davon Bonilla was arrested again by the NYPD for allegedly raping a woman at knifepoint in Coney Island.
“When will our sanctuary city laws be amended to allow federal authorities to be notified about the deportation of aliens convicted of violent crimes?” Chell asked. “Without action, individuals like Daniel Davon Bonilla will continue to victimize the women of our city.”
“He was arrested in April 2023 for sexually assaulting a woman in Brooklyn,” he continued. “The criminal justice system played its role, and he was convicted, sentenced, and released in June 2024. However, after his release, he returned to the city and assaulted another woman in Coney Island last Sunday.”
“Let’s do everything we can to keep our city safe!” Chell declared.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has also previously called for amending the city’s sanctuary status.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Adams addressed the fact that his request to detain Davon Bonilla was ignored.
“The law doesn’t allow us to work with ICE. That’s the law,” Adams said. “I’m not happy about that.”
“I think he’s a prime example of what’s wrong with not making those adjustments,” he added. “He clearly doesn’t deserve to be in this city.”
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