South Texas ICE officers deport Guatemalan man wanted for homicide

SAN ANTONIO — Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) on Tuesday deported a Guatemalan fugitive wanted in his home country for homicide.

Billy Samuel Izquierdo-Ochoa, 27, was flown to Guatemala March 9 onboard a charter flight coordinated by the ICE Air Operations (IAO) Unit. Upon arrival, he was transferred to the custody of Guatemalan law enforcement authorities.

On Oct. 8, 2014, the ICE Attaché in Guatemalan provided ERO with a confirmed arrest warrant issued by a judge for Izquierdo-Ochoa’s participation in the shooting death of a Guatemalan male that occurred November 2011. According to Guatemalan authorities, the shooting incident occurred during an altercation Izquierdo-Ochoa was having with that individual. 

Izquierdo-Ochoa first entered the United States illegally on April 12, 2014 near Falfurrias, Texas. He was transferred to ICE custody April 14. Shortly after his arrival, Izquierdo-Ochoa requested to plead his case before an immigration judge. On Feb. 6, a federal immigration judge ordered Izquierdo-Ochoa to be removed to Guatemala.

“Public safety threats like Izquierdo-Ochoa are high priority removals for ICE,” said Enrique M. Lucero, field office director for ERO San Antonio. “ICE works closely with our international partners to hold accountable criminals who come to the United States trying to hide from justice.”

In fiscal year 2014, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. ICE enforcement priorities include removable aliens considered threats to national security, those attempting to unlawfully enter the U.S., gang members, felons, and individuals convicted of crimes including domestic violence, sexual abuse, drug distribution, or driving under the influence.

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