ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Charged with First Degree Rape, After Mecklenburg County Sheriff Refused to Honor Detainer, Released Him Back Into Community

CHARLOTTE – It is patently ridiculous that some sheriffs would rather pander to political factions than enforce the law and protect their communities. One glaring example of this just transpired in Mecklenburg County, in which an illegal alien was arrested and charged with rape, an ICE detainer request was refused, and the repeat criminal was promptly released right back into the community. All because Sheriff Garry McFadden has more sympathy for the relative comfort of the resident illegal alien community than the safety of the people within his jurisdiction.

ICE, at least, had the wherewithal to arrest him themselves, but they had to find him on their own.

From WNCN (emphasis added):

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested a Honduran man after deputies in Mecklenburg County released him, despite rape and child sex charges.

Authorities say Oscar Pacheco-Leonardo, 33, a repeat immigration violator, was targeted during an enforcement operation in Mecklenburg County on Aug. 9.

According to a release from ICE, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office refused to honor an ICE detainer, or even notify ICE of the release, resulting in Pacheco’s release, despite first-degree rape and indecent liberties with a minor charges. […]

Pacheco was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on June 14 on one count of first-degree rape and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. A detainer was issued the following day, but the detainer was not honored. […]”

Imagine being so interested in scoring political points that you’re willing to let an illegal alien charged with rape and sex offenses against children walk right back into your community. An entire agency with their federal resources set up to enforce immigration laws is literally asking you to just hold on to him so the rapist can be deported, and you refuse. More than that, you don’t even let them know when he’s been set free.

This is why the North Carolina General Assembly needs to act immediately to require in law that sheriffs cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Mecklenburg would probably adjust their behavior if they were being fined some $25,000+ for each day they refuse to honor ICE detainers. State lawmakers introduced good legislation; why hasn’t it been passed?

Yet, this is also a reminder of how important it is to stop such criminal illegal immigrants before they even cross the border. Pacheco has been deported before, and simply took advantage of lax border security to cross over illegally again. He can do it again if congress doesn’t get serious about stopping the flow of illegal, un-vetted, unaccountable, immigration by building the wall and anything else we need to secure these blessing of liberty.