Florida ICE’s ‘Operation Dirtbag’ Nets Over 100 Illegal Alien Sex Predators

WASHINGTON, DC – In an announcement earlier in November, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that “Operation Dirtbag,” an immigration enforcement sweep targeting illegal alien sex offenders, has led to over 150 arrests in the state of Florida.

In a November 13th press release from Homeland Security, an immigration enforcement endeavor aptly dubbed “Operation Dirtbag” highlighted how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted sex offenders within the Sunshine State who are residing within the country illegally. According to Homeland Security, over 230 criminal illegal aliens were apprehended during the operation, citing that over 150 of the arrestees are “sexual predators.”

Secretary Noem emphasized in a statement regarding the operation, which was facilitated via ICE’s 287(g) partnership program with state and local law enforcement in Florida, that many of the sex offenders apprehended were “not just sex offenders, they targeted children.”

“I call this Operation Dirtbag because these individuals were not just sex offenders, they targeted children,” Secretary Noem stated, adding, “Some of the charges include sexual assault, battery, attempted homicide. These 150 illegal aliens will be gone and off our streets. Our kids will be safer. This partnership with Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida is a model we want to replicate across the country.”

Homeland Security’s press release on “Operation Dirtbag” featured six notable arrestees apprehended during the operation who harbored serious convictions involving child victims.
 

•          Sergio Velazquez Carnero, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, was previously convicted of fondling a child
•          Victor Julio Silva Diaz, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, was previously convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child
•          Vladimir Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, was previously convicted of lewd and lascivious battery on a child aged 12 – 15 years
•          Frank Rene Gacita Borges, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, was previously convicted of sexual battery of a minor
•          Saturnino Duran, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, was previously convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior with a minor
•          Andrii Kurbatov, a criminal illegal alien from Ukraine, was previously convicted of receipt/possession of child sex abuse materials (CSAM)

According to Homeland Security as noted in the press release, “the era of catch-and-release is over” under the current administration which represents “a new era of law and order.”