April 25, 2003

Chicago Immigration Agents Arrest and Deport Suspected Serial Child Molester

CHICAGO – A fugitive in Mexico for sexual abuse of a child was arrested Sunday at his residence in Elgin, Ill., by a Chicago agent of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the assistance of the Elgin Police Department.

Avelino Castillo-Diaz, age 33, illegally entered the United States from Mexico in January 2003 and was residing in Elgin, Ill. Castillo-Diaz is wanted by authorities in San Luis Potosí, Mexico for sexually abusing a six-year-old girl; he is also believed to be a serial child molester. ICE agents made the arrest April 20 after Mexican authorities contacted the Park City Police Department with information that Castillo-Diaz might be living in Elgin.

"The Park City Police Department is proud to assist in these international cases. We have seen the success when United States and Mexican authorities work in tandem for the public safety of citizens on both sides of the border, especially for the most vulnerable, children," said Officer David Alarcon of the Park City Police Department.

Castillo-Diaz was placed on a government JPATS (Justice Prisoner and Alien Transport) flight this morning from Chicago to El Paso, Texas, where he was turned over to Mexican authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border.

"This case illustrates our ongoing enforcement initiatives to target foreign-born sex offenders, especially those who victimize innocent children," said ICE Interim District Director Cynthia O’Connell. "The residents of Elgin had a serial child molester living in their midst and our agents acted swiftly to remove him from their community. We are grateful for the excellent cooperation that took place between the various local, federal and international authorities to apprehend this dangerous criminal."

"Personnel of the Elgin Police Department have enjoyed a very positive working relationship with ICE agents," added Lieutenant Paul McCurtain. "This arrest of another violent offender is just one more example of what can be accomplished through the cooperation between our agencies."

On March 1, 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transitioned into three separate bureaus within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for immigration enforcement in the interior of the U.S.

Note: ICE has a photo available of Avelino Castillo-Diaz.

###

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.