The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed the arrest of three illegal aliens among nine men involved in a major child exploitation sting in Virginia. These men were released on bond following their arrest.
The suspects are accused of traveling to Fairfax County to engage in sexual activities with minors, who were actually undercover detectives posing as juveniles. The DHS identified the three illegal aliens as Reyben Leono Sanchez Hernandez, 21, Wilmer Alexander Aguilar Cruz, 28, and Henry Adalberto Flores Herrera, 39, all of whom have lengthy criminal histories.
Sanchez Hernandez previously faced charges such as solicitation of prostitution from a minor and driving with a suspended license. He was initially captured illegally entering the U.S. in 2013, but was released soon after. ICE had placed a detainer on him, but he was released on a $3,000 secured bond.
Aguilar Cruz entered the U.S. illegally in late 2012. His criminal record includes charges for computer solicitation of a child and other offenses. In 2019, he was arrested for threatening to bomb or burn. Despite an ICE detainer, he was released on a $3,000 bond.
Flores Herrera’s criminal history involves felony solicitation from a minor and DUI, among other charges. ICE placed a detainer on him, but he was also released, with a bond set at $5,000.
DHS criticized the immigration policies under the Obama administration and Fairfax County’s sanctuary policies for contributing to the issue. A spokesperson attributed the problems to policies allowing unvetted illegal aliens into the U.S. DHS expressed the need for cooperation with ICE to address these issues effectively.