NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Federal immigration officials are urging New York authorities to release a 59-year-old Salvadoran national accused of raping a 16-year-old girl on Long Island, warning that he should be handed over to ICE if he is released from local custody.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Thursday it has opened an immigration detainer against Aureliano Antonio Melendez Reyes, who is charged with rape, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in Suffolk County.
According to prosecutors and DHS, the alleged assault happened on June 6 when the girl was walking home from Huntington.
Authorities say Reyes repeatedly approached the girl and asked for her phone number. After she refused, he allegedly forced her into a cave and sexually assaulted her.
NY PROSECUTOR EXPLAINING SANCTUARY LAW AND COLLECTS FREE JAIL FOR GUATEMANAN CHILD RAPTURE SUSPECT
Federal immigration authorities have filed a detainer against Aureliano Antonio Melendez Reyes, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl on Long Island. (James Carbone/Newsday RM via Getty Images; Department of Homeland Security)
The girl was finally able to break free and call 911 while running away from Reyes, who was allegedly chasing her, according to DHS.
The responding officers took Reyes into custody.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
ILLEGAL TRAVELER ACCUSED OF ATTACK 5 YEARS AGO NOW FACES SERIOUS CHARGES
Aureliano Antonio Melendez Reyes, 59, is charged with rape, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in Suffolk County, New York. (Department of Homeland Security)
“A 16-year-old girl should be able to walk safely without being targeted, chased and brutally attacked. My office will continue to prosecute defendants who endanger the safety of our community, especially our children.”
According to DHS, Reyes entered the United States illegally on an unknown date and place and was granted a final order of removal by an immigration judge in 1998.
“This sexual abuser should NOT be in our country and able to exploit this innocent girl,” DHS Deputy Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.
DHS WANTS LETITIA JAMES TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST NEW YORK’S REFUSAL TO RESPECT CITY DETENTS
A Suffolk County police vehicle is at the scene of an investigation in Suffolk County, NY, with red lights flashing at night. (Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
“DHS is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and her New York political allies to pledge not to release this illegal felon from prison and turn him over to ICE,” Bis continued.
“New York politicians must not release criminals from prison into New York communities,” he added.
DHS said New York authorities have released nearly 7,000 illegal immigrants since Jan. 20. 2025.
Many of those people are accused of violent crimes, including murder, assault, burglary and drug offenses, according to the agency.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
DHS also said more than 7,000 people in New York detention are currently active federal immigration detainees.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Hochul’s office and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for comment.
