Three men identified as illegal immigrants with alleged criminal histories were arrested in a child exploitation sting operation in Fairfax County, Virginia, and have since been released on bond, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The suspects, Reyben Leono Sanchez Hernandez, 21, Wilmer Alexander Aguilar Cruz, 28, and Henry Adalberto Flores Herrera, 39, are from El Salvador. They are among nine men arrested after allegedly traveling to Fairfax County to meet with minors for sexual encounters, following online sexually explicit conversations with undercover detectives posing as juveniles.
DHS stated that the three men had previously been apprehended for illegal entry into the U.S. and were released during the Obama administration. A DHS spokesperson attributed the presence of these individuals in the community to immigration policies of past administrations and Fairfax County's "sanctuary" policies.
Aguilar Cruz's criminal history includes allegations of computer solicitation of a child, indecent liberties, proposed sex acts, sodomy, extortion, and threats. He was arrested in Prince William County, Virginia, on April 27, 2019, on charges of threatening to bomb or burn and making a threat in writing. ICE placed a detainer on Aguilar Cruz with the Fairfax County Detention Center on July 31, but he was subsequently released on a $3,000 secured bond.
Flores Herrera's documented history includes felony solicitation of prostitution from a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, driving under the influence, and a traffic offense. ICE placed a detainer on Flores Herrera on July 17, and he has since been released on a $5,000 secured bond. DHS did not specify how Flores Herrera entered the country.
The DHS spokesperson criticized policies enacted under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and former Vice President Kamala Harris, stating they allowed millions of unvetted individuals into the country. The department urged Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to increase cooperation with ICE, citing her administration's executive orders that reportedly banned state cooperation with ICE and terminated 287(g) agreements.