Federal immigration authorities arrested Roberts Nemiro, a Latvian national and former reality television contestant, in San Francisco on Tuesday. Nemiro, 43, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on suspicion of being a criminal illegal alien.
Nemiro was a contestant on “Dejo ar zvaigzni!”, the Latvian version of the popular television series “Strictly Come Dancing,” known internationally as “Dancing With the Stars.” According to the Department of Homeland Security, Nemiro first entered the United States on a visa in October 2011 and subsequently overstayed his visa, which expired in August 2012.
Authorities stated that Nemiro has a criminal history, including arrests for sexual battery and assault. His rap sheet also reportedly includes convictions for aggravated assault of a non-family member with a gun and disorderly conduct, along with arrests for battery, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia. ICE agents located Nemiro after receiving a tip from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal," said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "ICE is bringing the curtain down on his illegal stay and crime spree here in the U.S."
Nemiro is currently being held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.