Convicted pedophiles, sex predators arrested in Minnesota immigration sweep within the last 24 hours

Minnesota

Convicted pedophiles, sex predators arrested in Minnesota immigration sweep within the last 24 hours

DHS officials urge Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor ICE detainers on more than 1,360 illegal immigrants in state jails

Alexandra Koch Fox News

Published

January 23, 2026 2:04pm EST

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Border Patrol shows 'worst of the worst' taken off Minneapolis streets amid protests

Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino spoke about recent immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota during a news conference on Thursday.

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FIRST ON FOX: As federal agents flooded Minnesota streets this week, Fox News Digital obtained new details about some of the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal immigrants arrested within the last 24 hours — a roster that includes convicted pedophiles, sexual predators and drug traffickers.

The new information comes after a news conference Friday, where Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino spoke about immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, emphasizing the importance of agents' recent operations.

In addition to two criminal illegal immigrant arrests highlighted at the news conference in the blue city, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials told Fox News Digital others snatched Thursday during Operation Metro Surge were convicted of sex crimes against children, domestic abuse and drug trafficking.

Federal law enforcement at a gas station in Minnesota

A federal agent of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino's team looks on during a stop at a gas station, as immigration enforcement continues after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7, in Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 21, 2026. (Seth Herald/Reuters)

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"DHS law enforcement continues to remove violent criminal illegal aliens from the streets of Minnesota. Just yesterday, they arrested pedophiles, sexual predators, and drug traffickers in Minnesota," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement. "Many of these public safety threats were released from Minnesota jails."

McLaughlin added DHS is calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers on the more than 1,360 illegal immigrants in Minnesota jails.

"Despite horrific smears and violent assaults against them, our officers continue to put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens," she said.

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According to DHS, some of the criminal illegal immigrants arrested during Operation Metro Surge on Thursday include:

Jose Eliborio Ocampo-Leon was convicted of a sex crime against a child. (DHS)

Jose Eliborio Ocampo-Leon

Jose Eliborio Ocampo-Leon, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 16.

Rudy Alexander Pineda-Aguilar was convicted of criminal sexual conduct.

Rudy Alexander Pineda-Aguilar

Rudy Alexander Pineda-Aguilar, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct.

Gerardo Sanchez-Acuna was convicted of trafficking drugs.

Gerardo Sanchez-Acuna

Gerardo Sanchez-Acuna, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously convicted of drug trafficking. 

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Jeffrey Alexander Roman-Rabanales was convicted of multiple criminal charges, including assault.

Jeffrey Alexander Roman-Rabanales

Jeffrey Alexander Roman-Rabanales, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was previously convicted of assault, domestic assault and damage to property.

Salvador Salazar-Rivera was convicted of domestic assault, among other charges.

Salvador Salazar-Rivera

Salvador Salazar-Rivera, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously convicted of domestic assault and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse.

Ayro Ariel Mimbrera-Fernandez was convicted of multiple criminal charges and had an outstanding federal arrest warrant. (DHS)

Ayro Ariel Mimbrera-Fernandez

Ayro Ariel Mimbrera-Fernandez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, had an outstanding federal arrest warrant for amphetamine sale.

Mimbrera-Fernandez was also previously convicted of theft and driving while intoxicated.

Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.

She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.

Convicted pedophiles, sex predators arrested in Minnesota immigration sweep within the last 24 hours