Denver’s division of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an operation in Longmont on the morning of Friday, June 20 to arrest Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, who is described as “a criminal alien from El Salvador who is convicted of and wanted for child rape in Italy.” ICE Denver alleged that members of Colorado Rapid Response Network, an organization that is “committed to responding to raids, deportation, and any Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity,” alerted the suspect and allowed him to escape arrest.
Responding to the allegations, Colorado Rapid Response Network commented on a Facebook post saying that “documenting and telling people their rights is not the same as obstruction.”
Longmont Public Safety had issued a statement on Friday informing the public that the FBI was in Longmont for a “criminal matter not related to immigration status.” The FBI asked for assistance from Longmont Police when individuals began to interfere with the investigation. In the public statement, Longmont Public Safety stressed that the department does not participate in immigration enforcement efforts…