WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal immigration agents arrested five men in Iowa whose criminal histories include convictions involving child sexual exploitation, child endangerment, domestic abuse and assault, according to an October 22 announcement from the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS identified arrests made between October 1 and October 16, 2026, involving men from Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and Guatemala. The agency said all five were in the United States illegally.
The announcement did not identify the Iowa communities where the arrests occurred or provide the courts, dates or case numbers associated with the prior convictions. The criminal histories and immigration accounts below are those reported by DHS.
Child exploitation conviction cited in October 16 arrest
ICE arrested Amilcar Perz-Morfin, a Mexican national, on October 16.
DHS said his criminal history includes a conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor involving prostitution.
According to the agency, Perz-Morfin entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location before U.S. Border Patrol arrested him in November 2009. He was granted voluntary departure in May 2010 and later reentered the country illegally, DHS said.
The release did not specify when or where that subsequent entry occurred.
Child endangerment convictions among cases highlighted
Sidney Pino-Becquer, a Cuban national, was arrested by ICE on October 1.
DHS listed convictions for child endangerment and assault causing serious injury without intent, along with child endangerment involving torture or cruelty. The agency also listed a battery arrest, which it did not identify as a conviction.
Pino-Becquer entered the United States illegally through Arizona in October 2021 and was arrested by Border Patrol, according to DHS. The agency said he was subsequently released into the country during the Biden administration.
Domestic abuse, drug and impaired-driving convictions
ICE arrested Axel Sanchez Torres, a Mexican national, on October 1.
According to DHS, his criminal history includes convictions for domestic abuse involving assault causing injury or mental illness, a felony controlled-substance violation and driving while intoxicated.
The agency said he entered the United States illegally but did not provide an entry date or location.
Assault conviction cited in October 7 arrest
Cristian Sneider Garcia-Salas, a Colombian national, was arrested by ICE on October 7.
DHS listed convictions for assault, public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance. The agency said he entered illegally through Arizona in October 2021, was arrested by Border Patrol and was later released during the Biden administration.
The announcement does not establish when those convictions occurred relative to his entry into the country.
Previously deported man arrested October 15
ICE arrested Jefri Cap Villagran, a Guatemalan national, on October 15.
DHS said his convictions include operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, assault by a confined person and eluding while exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more.
The agency separately listed arrests for possession of a dangerous weapon, operating while under the influence, eluding, criminal mischief and interfering with official acts. It did not identify those additional arrests as convictions.
According to DHS, an immigration judge issued a final removal order against Cap Villagran on September 5, 2012, and he was deported that month. The agency said he subsequently reentered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location.
DHS ties Iowa arrests to broader enforcement campaign
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin presented the arrests as part of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, DHS is more committed than ever to protecting every single American and every single state, and that starts with arresting and removing illegal aliens wherever they may hide,” Mullin said in the announcement.
NIT has previously covered other regional immigration enforcement cases, including an Illinois arrest involving a man ICE said was carrying eight Molotov cocktails.
The Iowa announcement describes immigration arrests and prior criminal histories. It does not announce new Iowa criminal convictions, identify current detention locations or state whether removal proceedings have concluded for the five men.