'Possible Criminal Activity': Waco Man's Attorney Confused by ICE Arrest

The Arrest of Noe Guerrero and the Confusion Surrounding His Case

Noe Guerrero, a devoted husband, father, and employee, is currently being held at an ICE detention center in Waco after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 24. The arrest was captured on video and has since gone viral, sparking widespread concern and questions about the charges against him and what will happen next.

Guerrero’s attorney, Anali Looper, who represents him through American Gateway, shared her perspective on the case. She explained that she took the case after watching the video of his arrest. “Noe was obviously very scared, he was trying to do the best he could in that moment,” she said. Her goal is to help him understand the situation and secure his release from detention.

Jose Mantra, one of Guerrero’s employers, has spoken with him multiple times over the past few days. According to Mantra, Guerrero is completely confused about the circumstances of his arrest. “He doesn’t know what’s going on,” Mantra said. “He tells me, ‘you know, everything I have is up to date. I don’t understand why they arrested me.’”

An ICE spokesperson provided a statement explaining that Guerrero was arrested for “immigration violations and for violating the terms of his immigration bond by engaging in suspected criminal activity.” However, the specifics of the alleged criminal activity remain unclear. Looper noted that neither Guerrero nor his legal team knows what the exact nature of the crime might be. “They’re not saying what that could be, what he was being investigated for, and Noe has no idea either,” she said.

Another employer, John Smith, added to the confusion. He mentioned that Guerrero was charged for not having his registration forms, even though the documents were found in a blue folder inside the truck. Inside the folder are his work permits, social security card, and income tax statements for the last 11 years. Smith pointed out that the officers showed up with an arrest warrant and then added an additional charge because he didn’t present the paperwork immediately.

ICE also cited two prior incidents involving Guerrero. In November 2014, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) with a blood alcohol content higher than .15. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail in October 2015. After completing his sentence, he was briefly detained by ICE before being released on bond while awaiting his court hearing.

Regarding the sexual assault arrest, it’s important to note that no formal charges were ever filed against Guerrero. A McLennan County grand jury did not bill him in October 2014, indicating there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed with prosecution. Looper criticized ICE for bringing up this incident, calling it misleading. “It feels a little disingenuous to bring that up. It seems clear that ICE is trying to paint a picture of somebody with an extensive criminal history when that’s just not the case here,” she said.

Guerrero’s legal team is hoping to get clarity on the reasons behind his arrest and to reinstate his bond so he can return home to his family. “We believe Noe has a right to know why he was being investigated and followed, what led to that stop to begin with… it doesn’t seem fair that his bond would be revoked without him being told why,” Looper shared.

The preliminary and detention hearing for the federal charge of not having his registration forms is scheduled for August 5th at the Waco federal courthouse. According to his attorney, there is a good chance that after the hearing, Guerrero could be moved to Conroe, Texas, to appear before an immigration judge.

ICE’s full statement emphasized that Guerrero is an undocumented alien with a history of criminal offenses. They described the arrest as a result of his non-compliance during the encounter and highlighted that he failed to produce the required documentation. The agency also reiterated that receiving work authorization does not grant lawful status or prevent ICE from detaining or removing an individual from the country.