Refugio County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) agents in Texas have arrested two Cuban nationals involved in a theft at a warehouse in Tivoli, according to official reports. Mauroys Leiva Silva, 51, and Jesús Sorrebea Meléndez, 57, are currently detained and charged with the theft that took place on June 17, as reported by Univision.
County officers began investigating a potential theft at the business, which involved two suspects. After apprehending the individuals, authorities discovered they both had criminal records. Leiva, who was granted asylum and permanent residency in the United States, has been arrested and charged six times for credit/debit card abuse and engaging in organized criminal activities. Three of these charges resulted in felony convictions.
RCSO agents contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and subsequently obtained copies of Leiva’s convictions and other criminal records. Both agencies collaborated to present a case aimed at revoking Leiva’s permanent resident status under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Cuban national will appear before a federal immigration court, where his status will be determined.
Sorrebea, on the other hand, is an undocumented immigrant, according to the RCSO, and has been placed under ICE custody.
"I am very proud of our agents for going the extra mile to investigate this matter. Cases like this are why we participate in the 287(g) program," stated Refugio County Sheriff Raul "Pinky" Gonzales, according to the Refugio County Press digital edition. "This started with a call to one of our off-duty deputies who, due to his dedication, responded to the call. He and his colleagues apprehended these subjects, our investigators uncovered their criminal backgrounds, and the deputy in charge of the 287(g) program completed the investigation. This is teamwork at its finest," emphasized the sheriff.
Last week, another Cuban national, Duniesky González, 37, a resident of Dallas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for leading a fuel theft ring across nine counties in Texas.
Key Details on the Arrest of Cuban Nationals in Texas
To provide a clearer understanding of the recent arrests in Texas involving Cuban nationals, here are some commonly asked questions and their answers.
Who are the Cuban nationals arrested in Texas?
The Cuban nationals arrested are Mauroys Leiva Silva, 51, and Jesús Sorrebea Meléndez, 57, for their involvement in a warehouse theft in Tivoli, Texas.
What charges do Leiva and Sorrebea face?
Leiva faces charges for credit/debit card abuse and engaging in organized criminal activities, while Sorrebea is being held as an undocumented immigrant.
What actions are being taken against Leiva's residency status?
Authorities are working to revoke Leiva's permanent resident status under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act due to his criminal record.
How did the investigation start?
The investigation began with a call to an off-duty deputy, who responded and, along with his colleagues, apprehended the suspects and uncovered their criminal backgrounds.