ICE’s DNA collection initiative for immigrants has led to the arrest of a serial rapist who committed assaults across Indianapolis for over a decade, stated FBI Director Kash Patel.
Leonel Catalan-Torreblanca, 51, an undocumented immigrant, is now facing 30 charges, including rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, and strangulation, related to incidents from 2013 to 2024.
While authorities had their suspicions about a potential connection to the assaults, they couldn’t pinpoint Catalan-Torreblanca as a suspect earlier, primarily because he was not registered in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
His only previous criminal record was a minor DUI arrest, which did not necessitate a DNA sample, according to officials.
Things changed with a recent ICE operation that allowed his DNA profile to be added to CODIS, which later matched a DNA sample from one of the crime scenes.
“Great job @FBIIndianapolis. Our team and partners effectively utilized advanced DNA technology and CODIS to apprehend the suspect,” Director Patel remarked on social media regarding the success.
It remains unclear where exactly Catalan-Torreblanca was located, but it was confirmed that he was in the U.S. illegally, as mentioned by FBI Special Agent Tim O’Malley.
After the FBI identified his DNA on April 22, they were able to trace him to a relative’s home within just four hours.
The alleged incidents occurred between March 2013 and January 2024, all within a 10-block area on the north side of Indianapolis.
On April 26, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed multiple charges against Catalan-Torreblanca, including several counts of rape, robbery causing bodily injury, and sexual assault, among others.
He is currently out on bail, though it is uncertain if ICE has initiated any immigration proceedings against him.
The specific details surrounding the ICE operation that resulted in the collection of his DNA remain undisclosed.
