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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents in Boston apprehended a 20-year-old Guatemalan national accused of rape and child molestation in the Massachusetts. The suspect, identified as Selvin Alex Galvez-Mejia, was arrested Oct. 18 in Springfield, ICE officials said.

According to ERO Boston, Galvez-Mejia is charged with two counts of aggravated rape of a child and one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years old. Springfield District Court initially arraigned him on July 18, then released him after posting bond.

“Selvin Alex Galvez-Mejia is accused of horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts child and poses a significant threat to our neighborhoods,” Patricia H. Hyde, acting director of the ERO Boston Field Office, said in a statement. Hyde stressed that it is crucial to prioritize public safety by stopping and eliminating these non-citizen threats.

ICE officials said Galvez-Mejia entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location without being inspected, admitted or paroled by immigration authorities. Following his arrest on October 18, Galvez-Mejia received a summons to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.

Galvez-Mejia remains in ERO custody pending immigration proceedings.