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Federal authorities are strongly advising Missouri officials against releasing an undocumented immigrant who stands accused of raping and kidnapping a woman in a serene college town on Easter Sunday. This incident marks the second violent crime in the state within weeks involving an individual unlawfully present in the country.
The Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that Cristian Lopez-Gomez, a Honduran national who entered the United States illegally in April 2024, is facing charges related to an attack in Kirksville, a town that houses Truman State University. Lopez-Gomez had been allowed entry into the country under the Biden administration.
According to authorities, Lopez-Gomez allegedly assaulted the woman and held her captive during the Easter weekend. He is currently detained at the Adair County jail, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has filed a detainer to prevent his release.
The Department of Homeland Security reinforced their stance via social media, urging Missouri officials to comply with ICE’s detainer. They emphasized that collaboration with ICE is crucial to ensure that suspects like Lopez-Gomez are not “released back into our communities.”
The town of Kirksville, Missouri, where a recent violent crime allegedly committed by an undocumented immigrant has drawn national attention. (Image Source: City of Kirksville/Department of Homeland Security)
DHS reinforced that message in a statement on Monday, urging Missouri officials not to release Lopez-Gomez, whom it called an “animal” and a “monster.” The agency stressed that cooperation with ICE is key to ensuring suspects like him are not “released back into our communities.”
“Thankfully, Missouri cooperates with ICE law enforcement,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said. “When state and local law enforcement work with ICE, we can safely remove criminal illegal aliens from our country and put the safety of American citizens first.”
The disturbing case is rattling the college town and fueling broader outrage, coming just weeks after another high-profile attack in Missouri involving an illegal immigrant suspect.
In that March case, 18-year-old Honduran national Yefry Archaga-Elvir is accused of luring 15-year-old Miles Young into a deadly ambush before chasing him down and shooting him as the teen reportedly begged for his life.
The killing sparked fierce backlash from Republican leaders, who pointed to the suspect’s immigration status as a broader public safety failure.
“Unfortunately, this is just the latest example of a Missourian killed by an illegal alien,” Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said, calling for sweeping deportation efforts.
Miles Young, 15, was killed in a March 2026 ambush in Missouri. Authorities have accused Yefry Archaga in connection with the case. (GoFundMe/Greene County Jail)
Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., warned that “dangerous individuals who should not be here remain in our communities,” while Rep. Mark Alford added, “Our children should NEVER fear murder on our streets.”
Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek also weighed in, calling the teen’s death “another Missouri family destroyed” and arguing the crime “never would’ve happened” if the suspect had not been in the country.
Schmitt went further in a separate statement, blasting what he described as an “invasion” and asking, “Where is the outrage when American sons and daughters are murdered by illegal aliens who have no business in our country?”
The back-to-back cases have intensified concerns among GOP leaders, who say the attacks underscore growing risks tied to illegal immigration and the need for stronger enforcement.
Cristian Lopez-Gomez, a Honduran national accused of rape and kidnapping in Kirksville, Missouri, is being held on an ICE detainer after authorities say he entered the U.S. illegally in 2024. (Department of Homeland Security)
DHS officials echoed that message, emphasizing that when local law enforcement works with ICE, authorities can remove dangerous individuals and “put the safety of American citizens first.”
Despite initial concerns in the college town, a Truman State University spokesperson and the Kirksville Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that the victim was not a student and that the incident has no known ties to the campus.
“The alleged incident did not involve a student and there is no known connection between the individuals involved and the University,” the school said.
Lopez-Gomez is not believed to have a prior criminal history in the U.S., but officials say he entered the country illegally in April 2024 and was released.
Both cases remain under investigation.