ICE Arrests Illegal Immigrant Previously Charged with Sexual Offenses

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, along with other federal officials, recently arrested individuals who had been released from county jail, despite facing several charges related to child sexual offenses.

On July 27, 56-year-old Oscar Adalberto Penate, originally from El Salvador, was apprehended in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This action was taken with support from the Homeland Security Investigation and the IRS’s Philadelphia office. The Department of Homeland Security noted that Penate had an ICE detainer on him but was still released from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Brian McShane, the director of the ICE field office in Philadelphia, expressed concern about local governance, stating, “If elected officials in Montgomery County don’t protect their citizens, we will.” He emphasized that individuals who illegally enter the country and commit serious crimes should not be allowed to endanger the community.

McShane further mentioned the recent sanctuary policy by Montgomery County commissioners, which he claimed led to Penate’s release, instead of transferring him to ICE custody. He expressed relief that Penate was caught before he could harm anyone else.

Details surrounding Penate’s case reveal that he was accused of several serious charges, including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and other related offenses. Those charges are currently pending.

His criminal history includes a past incident where he resisted arrest by the Houston Police Department back in 2001, to which he pleaded guilty.

Penate is now back in ICE custody as the process for his removal from the U.S. continues.

The Montgomery County government has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this matter.