Colorado Politics

ICE confirms 18 people taken in Colorado Springs nightclub raid have been flagged for deportation

A spokesperson with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that 18 people who were taken into custody on April 27 as part of a major raid on an unlicensed Colorado Springs nightclub had previously been ordered to be deported.

According to the ICE spokesperson Thursday, 18 of the 104 individuals detained in the raid were “subject to a final order of removal.”

The ICE website states: Once an individual receives a final order, ERO facilitates the individual’s safe return to his or her country of origin in accordance with U.S. immigration laws, as well as international commitments and any bilateral agreements which may be in place.

The ICE spokesperson declined to say whether the 18 had been deported, or if they had been sent to their country of origin. The Trump administration has actively sought other countries to take U.S. migrants, notably El Salvador.

Fourteen of the people with a deportation order had criminal charges or convictions, according to the ICE spokesperson. Among them, one was arrested on suspicion of theft of $100,000 to $1,000,000 as well as assault and drugging of a victim. Two are suspected of being part of the Sinaloa Cartel. One is accused of being part of a criminal ring involved in credit card skimming, fuel theft and illegal marijuana growing. Seven had DUI convictions.

One person is said to have entered ICE custody with 41 grams of methamphetamine in a body cavity.

The ICE spokesperson said the 86 people without a deportation order will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings. The spokesperson declined to identify any of the 104, say where they were being held, or in which immigration court their immigration proceedings would take place.

The early-morning raid happened at 296 S. Academy Blvd., at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. The Drug Enforcement Agency estimated there were about 200 people inside the nightclub. About 300 law enforcement agents from multiple agencies participated in the raid, including the DEA, Colorado Springs police, and the El Paso and Douglas County sheriff’s offices.

Law enforcement officials say 12 firearms were found, along with multiple types of illicit drugs including cocaine, pink cocaine (tusi), and methamphetamine.

Only three individuals have been criminally charged after the raid. The most notable is Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez, a 27-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Carson. He is facing one federal count each for distribution and for possession with intent to distribute, connected to his alleged involvement in cocaine distribution. Court records show he was part of a security firm that operated out of the raided nightclub and employed several active-duty members of the military. Seventeen soldiers were reportedly found in the club during the raid.

Two men were also arrested that night on outstanding warrants. Julio Santiesteban, 33, was arrested on a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant from Adams County. Pedro Trevizo-Perea, 29, was arrested on a misdemeanor active warrant for third-degree assault, criminal mischief and child abuse from Denver.

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