“This dangerous criminal, illegal alien should NEVER have been in this country in the first place—let alone RELEASED TWICE by sanctuary politicians.”
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US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested a Mexican national previously convicted of rape and sodomy in Salem, Oregon, raising renewed concerns over sanctuary policies in the state.
Cristobal Felipe-Sarmiento, an illegal immigrant, was taken into custody on April 9 by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Portland. Federal authorities confirmed that Felipe-Sarmiento had prior convictions in Marion County, including first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy stemming from a 2016 case. He also had a 2014 conviction for driving under the influence.
According to ICE officials, Felipe-Sarmiento should not have been at large. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis sharply criticized Oregon’s sanctuary policies, stating that the convicted criminal had been released multiple times despite his record.
“This dangerous criminal, illegal alien should NEVER have been in this country in the first place—let alone RELEASED TWICE by sanctuary politicians,” Bis said. “Oregon sanctuary politicians that continue to release criminal illegal aliens like Cristobal Felipe-Sarmiento into American communities are playing Russian roulette with American lives.”
According to The Statesman Journal, the underlying case dates back to June 2015, when Felipe-Sarmiento was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a house party. Prosecutors said the victim was intoxicated, physically helpless, and unable to consent. Under Oregon law, “physically helpless” refers to a person who is unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate unwillingness.
Court documents show Felipe-Sarmiento admitted to investigators, through a Spanish interpreter, that he knew the woman was heavily intoxicated. He claimed the encounter was consensual, though prosecutors argued otherwise. He also told investigators that he and another man took turns engaging in sexual acts with the victim.
Defense attorneys attempted to suppress his statements, citing translation errors during the police interview. However, Marion County Judge Dale Penn ruled the statements admissible, noting that despite some inaccuracies, the interview demonstrated effective communication and intent.
Following a three-day trial in November 2016, a jury convicted Felipe-Sarmiento of first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. He was acquitted of strangulation and one additional sodomy charge.
Both convictions fall under Oregon’s Measure 11 sentencing guidelines, which impose mandatory minimum sentences. Felipe-Sarmiento received concurrent sentences, along with 12 years of post-prison supervision, and was required to register as a sex offender.
Federal officials say the case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with ICE. DHS officials emphasized that agents continue to prioritize the arrest of individuals with serious criminal histories.
“The brave men and women of DHS law enforcement are working every day to keep our communities safe,” Bis said.
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