U.S. News
Sanctuary County Pressured Over Illegal Immigrant Arrest
Clear Facts
- Juan Ramon Juarez-Talamantes, a Mexican national in the country illegally, has been charged with the rape of three children in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Federal immigration authorities are urging local officials to hand Juarez-Talamantes over to ICE to prevent further crimes.
- Buncombe County’s status and cooperation with ICE has changed following the passage of state law House Bill 10.
Authorities allege Juarez-Talamantes illegally crossed the border and went undetected before being charged with multiple heinous crimes against children. Federal officials are requesting local sanctuary officials in Buncombe County cooperate fully to prevent further risk to public safety.
“This depraved sicko is charged with raping three children. This criminal illegal alien has no place in American communities,” Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on Tuesday.
Investigators linked Juarez-Talamantes to three incidents, with charges beginning in November and another added last month after a new victim came forward.
Detectives were first alerted to his alleged actions through a report involving a minor lured on Snapchat in July 2024. Subsequent reports and cooperation between sheriff and police departments led to the discovery of additional victims and charges.
“We are very thankful for the partnership with the Asheville Police Department during this case and the tedious work and collaboration of the investigators to reach this result. These cases demonstrate the power community partnerships play in resolving problems for citizens of Buncombe County,” Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office District 2 Captain Chris Stockton said in a recent statement.
“Our hearts go out to those whose lives have been forever changed by these events and hope that the effort of these passionate investigators opens a door to healing,” Stockton said.
The county once refused to honor ICE detainers and previously ended participation in the 287(g) program, where local officers assist federal immigration enforcement. Following new state legislation, officials claim they now contact ICE when judicial warrants are present.
“Since the passage of House Bill 10, we’ve had 15 detainees that we’ve contacted ICE about, one of which is still in our custody, and we’ve just released one to ICE,” Sheriff Quentin Miller stated in a June 4 video.
“Before House Bill 10 became law, I did not honor ICE detainers. The reason I didn’t honor detainers at that time was because they were not signed by a judge and therefore not a valid court document to hold a detainee who otherwise would be eligible for release,” Miller said.
Last year, Miller said: “I have repeatedly spoken out against cooperation with ICE, saying federal immigration law is not the responsibility of local officers and damages law enforcement’s trust within the immigrant community.”
Federal officials continue to call for strong local and state collaboration with ICE to protect American families from further harm.
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