ICE-Led Florida Sweep Nets 500, Including Murder Suspects

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working alongside more than five federal, state and local agencies, arrested 500 people during a weeklong immigration-enforcement operation in Southwest Florida.

According to ICE, those taken into custody included a Haitian national charged with murder, a Honduran national accused of molesting children, an alleged Mexican cartel member and a Guatemalan man accused of trying to use a Taser against an officer. Others had been accused or convicted of offenses including battery, driving under the influence, hit-and-run, domestic violence, illegal drug possession, driving without a license, resisting arrest and repeatedly reentering the United States after deportation.

The operation ran from Aug. 24 through Aug. 27, with ICE agents joined by personnel from the Florida Highway Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida National Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Suspected murderer captured

During the enforcement effort, Lee County deputies arrested a Haitian national seeking asylum in the United States on a murder charge.

Authorities identified the suspect as 28-year-old Whycliff Longin, who allegedly broke into a home in Lehigh Acres, Florida, on Aug. 27.

Shortly before 3 a.m., deputies answered a 911 call from a woman who, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, had escaped an attack in which she was strangled and fought to survive before barricading herself inside a bedroom.

Deputies said they spotted Longin fleeing from a nearby home and arrested him.

Inside the neighboring residence, investigators found a second woman dead in a bedroom with what the sheriff’s office described as obvious signs of blunt-force trauma.

The medical examiner determined that the woman died by homicide.

Longin faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder, sexual battery and burglary with battery. He remains jailed without bond at the Lee County Jail, where an ICE detainer has been placed on him.

“My prayers are with the family of the woman who tragically lost her life, and with the survivor who showed incredible strength in fighting to live,” Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said during a news conference.

Captured: Suspected Mexican cartel member, alleged Honduran child molester

In other arrests tied to the operation, ICE agents and Florida Highway Patrol troopers apprehended an alleged Mexican cartel member and a Honduran national accused of molesting two children, the agency said.

At another location, officers arrested Noe Lux Castro, 24, after a physical struggle. ICE described him as a “criminal illegal alien from Guatemala” who had entered the United States unlawfully.

ICE said Castro took a trooper’s Taser during the confrontation and attempted to use it against the officer. The agency said he entered the country without inspection at an unknown time and location.

Castro was charged with obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and resisting an officer without violence.

The operation also led to the arrest of 40-year-old Olmen Noel Vargas-Mendoza, whom ICE identified as a “criminal illegal alien from Honduras.” The agency alleged that he had reentered the United States without inspection three times and had a history of domestic violence.

Officers also arrested 43-year-old Marlon Rolando Calderon-Castellon, whom ICE described as a “criminal illegal alien from Honduras.” According to the agency, he had illegally reentered the United States without inspection and had a criminal record involving battery and illegal drug possession.

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Carlos Humberto Monzon-Cabrera, 53, is “a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala,” who was arrested during the operation, according to ICE. He “has a criminal history that includes battery and multiple convictions for operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. He illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and location without inspection.”

Hermenegildo Andres-Juan, 52, is a “criminal illegal alien from Guatemala,” who was brought in during the surge, according to ICE. He “illegally reentered the United States after a previous deportation and has a criminal history that includes driving under the influence, resisting arrest, hit-and-run and public order crimes.

“He illegally entered the United States on Jan. 10, 2025.”

“We will not sit idly by and allow Floridians to be victimized.”

— Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Also arrested was Armando Coc-Yat, 39, a “criminal illegal alien from Guatemala,” who entered the United States illegally without inspection on Dec. 4, 2018, according to ICE. He “has a criminal history that includes arrests for driving under the influence and hit-and-run.

“An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on Nov. 16, 2021.”

Rigoberto Vargas-Resendiz, a 52-year-old “criminal illegal alien from Mexico,” also was among those arrested, ICE said. He “illegally reentered the United States without inspection three times,” including on Dec. 9, 2018. An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on May 26, 2011.

Also arrested was Daren Ruiz-Mejia, 37, a “criminal illegal alien from Venezuela,” according to ICE. He “illegally reentered the United States without inspection” on April 5, 2016 and “has a criminal history that includes driving under the influence of liquor.”

Melchor Perez-Garcia, 31, “is a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala” who was arrested in the operation, according to ICE. He “illegally reentered the United States without inspection and has a criminal history that includes driving under the influence, resisting an officer and obstruction without violence.”

Officers also caught Samuel Mateo-Francisco, 33, “a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala” who “illegally reentered the United States without inspection on three separate occasions,” including on Oct. 31, 2023, according to ICE.

“The continued success of these weeklong operations is a testament to the power of unity and our shared commitment to community safety,” said Matthew Elliston, of Enforcement and Removals Operations (ERO) for ICE.

“Working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners, we have successfully removed more than 500 illegal aliens from our streets, ensuring a safer environment for all,” said Elliston, the ERO Miami interim field office director.

“Those who choose to knowingly flaunt this nation’s immigration laws will face the consequences, and they will be provided a one-way ticket home.”

Florida has more deputizations to assist in federal immigration enforcement than any other state, according to ICE. All 67 county sheriffs and their agencies partner with ICE, along with multiple state law enforcement agencies.

“Florida continues to demonstrate how to turn important policy into meaningful action,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said after the operation results were announced.

Florida is the “most proactive and effective state in identifying, apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants who have intentionally avoided lawful immigration processes and committed horrific crimes within the United States,” DeSantis said.

“We will not sit idly by and allow Floridians to be victimized. Rather, we are executing on a whole-of-government approach that engages federal, state, and local law enforcement to get the job done and keep Florida safe and free.”