ICE Re-arrests Honduran Man Accused of Child Sex Crimes After Local Release
The Department of Homeland Security criticized Fairfax County authorities for releasing the man on an immigration detainer.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has re-arrested an illegal immigrant from Honduras facing multiple child sex crime charges after local authorities in Fairfax County, Virginia, released him from an immigration detainer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest Wednesday.
Oscar Evaristo Nunez was taken into federal custody on September 15 by ICE during a targeted enforcement operation. He had been initially arrested on August 27, 2025, on charges of aggravated sexual battery involving children and offenses related to the non-consensual filming of an undressed minor, according to DHS.
ICE had lodged an immigration detainer with the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center two days after Nunez's initial arrest. However, DHS stated that local authorities did not honor the detainer and released Nunez without notifying the agency.
This incident has become a point of contention regarding cooperation between federal immigration enforcement and Virginia officials. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized the actions of Fairfax County, stating, "Another criminal illegal alien has been taken off the streets by the brave men and women of ICE with no help from sanctuary politicians in Fairfax County." He added, "Once again, ICE did the job that these heartless sanctuary politicians won’t do: enforce the law and protect American lives."
Mullin called on Governor Abigail Spanberger and other officials to "stop putting the needs of illegal aliens over the safety of the American people."
![An ICE agent in a tactical vest labeled "POLICE FEDERAL AGENT" escorts a handcuffed man following a traffic stop.]( "An ICE agent in a tactical vest labeled "POLICE FEDERAL AGENT" escorts a handcuffed man following a traffic stop.")
Nunez illegally entered the U.S. near Arizona around September 2003, according to DHS. He remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.
Governor Spanberger, who took office in January 2026, had previously directed state agencies to terminate agreements with ICE under the federal 287(g) program, moving Virginia away from certain forms of state participation in federal immigration enforcement. A representative for Fairfax County did not immediately respond to a request for comment.