DHS Arrests Ecuadorian National Wanted for Murder and Sexual Assault in Minneapolis

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was present Tuesday as DHS agents detained an Ecuadorian national in Minneapolis who is wanted on charges of murder and sexual assault in Ecuador, according to statements from the department. DHS identified the suspect as Tomas Espin Tapia, an illegal immigrant previously convicted of robbery and extortion in Ecuador. Authorities said he had an active warrant for murder and sexual assault in his home country at the time of his arrest.

The Department of Homeland Security announced that the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to remove dangerous criminals from U.S. communities. Noem praised the operation, calling it another example of DHS enforcement targeting violent offenders.

This arrest occurred as the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement efforts, deploying up to 2,000 personnel to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area this week, including hundreds of Homeland Security Investigations agents and up to 1,500 ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers. The month-long operation aims to intensify immigration enforcement and address alleged large-scale fraud.