An individual from El Salvador, who has been deported twice, now faces charges of rape and kidnapping in Northern Virginia. The Department of Homeland Security has requested that Fairfax County authorities comply with its ICE detainer and place him in federal custody.
Juan Arevalo Mendez, aged 46, was taken into custody in Prince William County on June 30. The charges relate to an alleged incident that occurred in September 2025, specifically involving intentions to commit sexual assault.
ICE submitted a complaint for detention on the same day of his arrest, prompting Fairfax County authorities not to release him. Police responded to a report on September 19, 2025, where a woman claimed she had been sexually assaulted near Bailey’s Crossroads. Investigators subsequently secured warrants that led to Arevalo-Mendez being charged.
Arevalo Mendez, a Salvadoran national, was captured by the Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Team on June 30 and is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bail, according to police reports.
This man originally entered the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident in 1991, yet lost that status in 1998 due to a conviction for property damage. He was deported in 2003 but was later convicted of illegally re-entering the country, leading to another deportation in 2014. He then re-entered the U.S. illegally again, though the specifics are unclear.
DHS outlines a criminal history for Arevalo-Mendez, dating back to 1998, with various convictions, including assault, aggravated assault, and drug possession, among others. There are also instances of identity theft and theft in his background.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Lauren Biss commented on the case, emphasizing the serious nature of the charges against Arevalo-Mendez and calling for local officials, specifically Governor Abigail Spanberger, to ensure that he remains in custody for transfer to ICE, preventing any further illegal activities.
The recent arrest follows another earlier this year when Arevalo-Mendez fled from police during an attempted stop, leading to additional charges, including obstruction of justice. However, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office revealed that those earlier kidnapping and assault charges were dropped after the complainant recanted her story, claiming she had lied about the incident.
In light of these events, DHS is urging for Arevalo-Mendez’s transfer to federal custody, especially as it highlights ongoing concerns regarding crime associated with illegal immigration under Spanberger’s leadership. It points to other incidents involving immigrants charged with violent crimes in Virginia.
Further notable cases include those of Moises Domingo Rico Rosales, who faces kidnapping charges, and Jose Nahun Aleman Hernandez, accused of sexually abusing a young girl. The DHS has reached out to Spanberger’s office for commentary regarding these developments.
