Houston Police Arrest Noncitizens in Sexual Crime Cases

Rising Concerns Over Criminal Activities by Foreign Nationals in the Houston Area

The Houston area has become a focal point for concerns regarding criminal activities involving foreign nationals. These incidents have raised alarms among local communities, as law enforcement continues to uncover and arrest individuals who are illegally present in the country. While illegal border crossings have seen a decline, the presence of these individuals has led to a series of alarming crimes, including sexual assaults and human trafficking.

Online Predators Targeting Minors

One notable case involves three El Salvadorian men who were arrested for online solicitation of a minor as part of an undercover operation targeting users of a dating app. According to investigators, these individuals were using the app to meet underage teenagers for sexual encounters. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged detainer requests for all three men and highlighted their criminal histories.

Carlos Murcia Gomez, 33, first entered the U.S. illegally in 2012 and was removed in 2020. He reentered the country without authorization and was encountered by ICE on July 17, 2025, after his arrest. His criminal history includes a 2015 conviction for assaulting a family member. A judge noted that he allegedly drove recklessly, ran stop signs, and struck a closed gate while evading capture.

Erick Omar Lara Menjivar, 30, entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 near San Ysidro, California. He was arrested by Border Patrol agents but released pending immigration proceedings. A federal immigration judge dismissed his case in 2024, allowing him to remain in the country illegally.

Abner Martinez Ruiz, 37, also entered the U.S. illegally as a gotaway. He was first encountered by ICE on July 17, 2025, after his arrest. His case is under investigation, and ICE has lodged a detainer request.

Human Trafficking and Kidnapping Cases

In another incident, a Honduran national named Jose Carcamo was arrested on aggravated kidnapping charges. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, he held a Chinese woman for five days in an east Houston location without food or water. During her captivity, she was punched, tied up, sexually assaulted, and locked in a closet after attempting to escape. A surveillance video showed her running down the street screaming, only to be grabbed and taken back to captivity.

Carcamo illegally entered the U.S. in May 2020 near Hidalgo, Texas. He was encountered by federal officials in November 2020 during a vehicle stop near Falfurrias. A federal immigration judge dismissed his case in September 2023, allowing him to remain in the country illegally.

In Pasadena, police officers arrested another Honduran national, Jose Santos Maldonado-Zavala, 56, who was charged with kidnapping. Sexual assault charges are pending, and ICE has lodged a detainer request in his case.

According to the charges, Zavala knew the victim and lived directly below her in an apartment complex. He told her that her air conditioning was leaking, then grabbed her and forced her into his apartment, where he sexually assaulted her. She managed to escape with the help of a friend.

Zavala confessed to the crime, stating he believed the victim was a “slow learner” and may have had a disability. Authorities believe there may be additional victims in the area, and they urge anyone with information to contact the Pasadena Police Department.

Ongoing Investigations and Community Response

These cases highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing crimes committed by foreign nationals who are illegally present in the U.S. As investigations continue, community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. The involvement of ICE and local law enforcement underscores the complexity of these cases and the need for continued collaboration to ensure public safety.