LEVITTOWN, NY - An illegal immigrant from Guatemala became the first person to be arrested under the new mask-wearing ban in Nassau County on Sunday. Authorities said that Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18, an illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. in 2019, was placed under arrest for wearing a mask while acting suspiciously in Levittown, NY.
According to Fox News, NYPD photographs show Castillo dressed in "black bloc" wearing a ski mask and all-black clothing while attempting to conceal the bulge of a 14-inch concealed knife in his pants.
The suspect is being charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration in addition to being the first person charged under the County's controversial Mask Transparency Act.
The new law prohibits face coverings except for those worn for health and religious reasons. The law was passed as a response to assailants wearing identity-concealing masks during violent riots.
A police report obtained by The New York Post revealed an officer noticed a “suspicious male who was walking eastbound on Spindle Road, dressed in black, and wearing a mask to conceal his identity.” The officer added, "Upon further investigation, the defendant Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18,… continued to display suspicious behavior while attempting to conceal a large bulge in his waistband which turned out to be a 14 inch knife."
Castillo reportedly refused to comply with commands and was placed under arrest.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told reporters, "Our police officers were able to use the mask ban legislation as well as other factors to stop and interrogate an individual who was carrying a weapon with the intent to engage in a robbery. Passing this law gave police another tool to stop this dangerous criminal." He called the arrest a "success with the new mask law."
Nassau County law enforcement confirmed with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Ramirez Castillo is in the US illegally. Blakeman said, "This is just another example of how important it is to vet every migrant before admitting them into our country. Nassau is not a sanctuary county." He is expected to be arraigned on Monday.
Independent journalist Breanna Morello reported via X that Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded to her inquiry stating, "Wesslin Omar Ramirez-Castillo is an unlawfully present 18 year old Guatemalan national. U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Ramirez June 19, 2019, after he unlawfully entered the United States near Rio Grande Valley, Texas. USBP issued Ramirez a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge and released him from custody July 1, 2019.
"Nassau County Police Department arrested Ramirez Aug 25 in Nassau County, New York and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, and violating the 90-Mask Transparency Act. ERO New York City is currently following up regarding Ramirez.”
Blakeman, after signing the bill into law, said that the county is "confident that the law will be upheld as there is a presumption of constitutionality when the legislature acts, and this legislation is reasonable and responsible."
According to Fox News, NYPD photographs show Castillo dressed in "black bloc" wearing a ski mask and all-black clothing while attempting to conceal the bulge of a 14-inch concealed knife in his pants.
The suspect is being charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration in addition to being the first person charged under the County's controversial Mask Transparency Act.
The new law prohibits face coverings except for those worn for health and religious reasons. The law was passed as a response to assailants wearing identity-concealing masks during violent riots.
A police report obtained by The New York Post revealed an officer noticed a “suspicious male who was walking eastbound on Spindle Road, dressed in black, and wearing a mask to conceal his identity.” The officer added, "Upon further investigation, the defendant Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18,… continued to display suspicious behavior while attempting to conceal a large bulge in his waistband which turned out to be a 14 inch knife."
Castillo reportedly refused to comply with commands and was placed under arrest.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told reporters, "Our police officers were able to use the mask ban legislation as well as other factors to stop and interrogate an individual who was carrying a weapon with the intent to engage in a robbery. Passing this law gave police another tool to stop this dangerous criminal." He called the arrest a "success with the new mask law."
Nassau County law enforcement confirmed with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Ramirez Castillo is in the US illegally. Blakeman said, "This is just another example of how important it is to vet every migrant before admitting them into our country. Nassau is not a sanctuary county." He is expected to be arraigned on Monday.
Independent journalist Breanna Morello reported via X that Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded to her inquiry stating, "Wesslin Omar Ramirez-Castillo is an unlawfully present 18 year old Guatemalan national. U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Ramirez June 19, 2019, after he unlawfully entered the United States near Rio Grande Valley, Texas. USBP issued Ramirez a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge and released him from custody July 1, 2019.
"Nassau County Police Department arrested Ramirez Aug 25 in Nassau County, New York and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, and violating the 90-Mask Transparency Act. ERO New York City is currently following up regarding Ramirez.”
ICE just got back to me on this armed suspect.
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) August 28, 2024
He is ILLEGALLY living in the United States
ICE’s FULL RESPONSE:
“Wesslin Omar Ramirez-Castillo is an unlawfully present 18 year old Guatemalan national. U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Ramirez June 19, 2019, after he unlawfully… https://t.co/mgdACkiABZ
Blakeman, after signing the bill into law, said that the county is "confident that the law will be upheld as there is a presumption of constitutionality when the legislature acts, and this legislation is reasonable and responsible."
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