Anti-ICE activists in Denver deliberately assisted a convicted child rapist in evading arrest, raising serious concerns about sanctuary policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over public safety.
Key Takeaways
- A group called Colorado Rapid Response deliberately helped Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, an illegal immigrant convicted of child rape in Italy, escape ICE and FBI arrest in Denver
- Denver’s sanctuary policies, established in 2017, have severely restricted local cooperation with federal immigration authorities
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has pledged to use police to block ICE deportations while spending over $356 million on migrant services
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reports that 75% of illegal aliens arrested under President Trump’s administration have been charged with or convicted of a crime
- Anti-ICE protests have escalated nationwide since President Trump returned to office, with activists increasingly interfering with federal immigration operations
Activists Interfere with Arrest of Convicted Child Rapist
In a disturbing demonstration of how sanctuary policies endanger American communities, anti-immigration enforcement activists in Denver, Colorado, recently helped a convicted child rapist evade federal authorities. Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who was convicted of and wanted for child rape in Italy, successfully escaped arrest when members of Colorado Rapid Response deliberately tipped him off about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents. The incident occurred near Longs Peak Venue and Martin Street in Longmont, where federal agents were conducting surveillance before attempting an arrest.
ICE officials were quick to condemn the activists’ interference, which directly enabled a dangerous criminal to remain at large in the community. “During our surveillance of Leon, members of Colorado Rapid Response arrived on scene and alerted him to law enforcement’s presence, which allowed him to escape arrest,” ICE Colorado stated, highlighting the serious public safety implications of such activist interference. Federal authorities are now seeking public assistance in locating Leon-Deras, warning civilians not to approach him but to report any sightings directly to ICE’s hotline.
Denver’s Dangerous Sanctuary Policies
This incident shines a spotlight on Denver’s longstanding sanctuary policies, which have been in place since 2017. These policies deliberately restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, creating dangerous gaps in public safety enforcement. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has doubled down on these policies, even pledging to use local police resources to actively block ICE deportations—a direct obstruction of federal law enforcement duties. Meanwhile, the city has allocated over $356 million for migrant services, diverting taxpayer resources away from citizens and legal residents.
“This morning ICE & @FBI Denver were attempting to arrest Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, a criminal alien from El Salvador who is convicted of and wanted for child rape in Italy. During our surveillance of Leon, members of Colorado Rapid Response arrived on scene and alerted him to law enforcement’s presence, which allowed him to escape arrest,” stated Denver ICE
The Colorado Rapid Response organization proudly advertised its obstruction of justice on social media, posting updates that included details about ICE vehicles and personnel locations. After successfully helping the child rapist escape, they celebrated with a post stating, “ICE has left the neighborhood. No one was detained.” This brazen interference reveals how activist groups are increasingly operating with apparent impunity, undermining the rule of law and endangering communities in the name of protecting illegal immigrants regardless of their criminal histories.
Nationwide Pattern of Anti-Enforcement Activism
The Denver incident is part of a troubling national trend of escalating anti-ICE protests since President Trump returned to office. In Portland and Los Angeles, similar demonstrations have turned violent, with property damage and confrontations with law enforcement officers. These “No Kings” protests, as some participants call them, specifically target the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce immigration laws and remove dangerous criminals from American communities. The activists’ tactics increasingly involve physical interference with federal operations, creating dangerous situations for both law enforcement and the public.
“Groups like this interfere with ICE’s ability to keep communities safe. If you know his whereabouts, do not approach; if seen, instead, report all info to ICE at 1-866-347-2423,” stated ICE Denver
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has emphasized the importance of these enforcement actions, noting that 75% of illegal aliens arrested under the Trump administration have been charged with or convicted of serious crimes. This statistic underscores the reality that immigration enforcement is fundamentally about public safety and national security, not merely about immigration status. When sanctuary policies and activist interference prevent the removal of known criminals like Leon-Deras, they directly endanger American communities and undermine the rule of law that protects all residents, regardless of immigration status.
