ICE Arrests Venezuelan Migrant Accused of Scouring NYC Sewers for Gold

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Samuel Reveron Ascanio, a 25-year-old Venezuelan migrant accused of entering a New York City sewer system to search for valuables. His apprehension followed his release by city officials despite an existing federal warrant for his arrest.

Kenneth Genalo, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director, stated that New York City missed an opportunity to transfer Reveron Ascanio to ICE custody in a secure manner. "Instead, the city recklessly released him despite his repeated arrests and unresolved criminal charges — a choice that needlessly returned an alleged public-safety threat to the streets," Genalo said. "ICE will not allow noncooperation to deter us from enforcing federal immigration law and protecting our communities."

New York City's sanctuary city status limits police cooperation with federal immigration agents. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that the department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement in accordance with city laws.

Reveron Ascanio was arrested by the NYPD on September 24 and charged with criminal trespass. The charges stemmed from an incident the previous day where he and two other men were observed climbing out of a manhole near Park Avenue and East 61st Street. The individuals reportedly used two Toyota Corollas to block the manholes before fleeing the scene. The sighting raised security concerns due to the proximity of the location to a hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to stay for the UN General Assembly.

Kevin Rodriguez, 26, was also charged with criminal trespass in connection with the incident. Police were seeking a third individual. According to a criminal complaint, both Reveron Ascanio and Rodriguez told NYPD detectives that they entered the manhole to search for valuables washed away in storm drains and sewers. Authorities determined the men were part of a trend of individuals searching for scrap metal and lost items in the city's underground systems, and the incident was not linked to Netanyahu's visit.

Reveron Ascanio's defense attorney, Brian Kennedy, stated he was unaware of the ICE arrest. "This case is so petty," Kennedy said of the manhole incident.

A federal arrest warrant for Reveron Ascanio had been issued two days prior to the sewer incident, according to an ICE spokesperson. The warrant was related to a Sept. 20 arrest for alleged criminal mischief, where he and two others were reportedly stripping parts from a U-Haul van in a Queens parking lot. When police arrived, Reveron Ascanio was under the vehicle, and the men claimed they were repairing it. However, U-Haul confirmed the men did not have permission to remove parts.

Reveron Ascanio also faced charges of driving with a suspended license in connection with the Sept. 24 manhole arrest. He pleaded not guilty and was released on the non-bail offense the following day by Judge Sheridan Jack-Browne. The same judge had previously released Gerardo Miguel Mora, a migrant from Mexico, despite a federal ICE detainer. Mora faced a shoplifting charge and had prior arrests, including one for crack possession and a 2014 deportation after serving time for attempted rape.

An ICE spokesperson claimed Reveron Ascanio entered the U.S. illegally in August 2022 and was released due to "the Biden administration’s open border policies." The spokesperson added, "Under President Trump and Secretary (Markwayne) Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US. ICE is working diligently to remove these often violent, dangerous offenders from our communities."

There have been multiple recent instances of individuals entering the city's sewer system. These include sightings in Brooklyn, near Penn Station, in Middle Village, Queens, and in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.