Marcella Corona

mcorona@rgj.com

Federal agents arrested 25 people in Reno during a week-long operation that targeted illegal immigrants.

In total, 61 foreigners from six countries were arrested. Of that total, 55 people had criminal histories. That includes prior convictions for sex crimes, drug offenses and domestic violence, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Of the 55 arrested, 18 were previously convicted of driving under the influence. Eight people also had prior drug offenses, and seven were convicted of fraud or identity theft.

One El Salvadoran with a history of assault, battery, drug possession and spousal battery was arrested in Reno and had a final order of removal from the U.S., authorities said in a news release Tuesday.

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An Iranian, whose criminal history includes a prior conviction for drug trafficking, was also arrested in Carson City.

Here’s a look at how many of the 55 people arrested had prior convictions:

DUI: 18

Drug offenses: 8

Fraud/identity theft: 7

Domestic violence: 3

Sex crimes: 3

Larceny/theft: 3

Cruelty or neglect of a child: 3

Assault/battery: 2

Vehicle theft: 1

False imprisonment: 1

Robbery: 1

Property damage: 1

Arson: 1

Burglary: 1

Contempt of court: 1

Traffic offense/other: 1

Authorities targeted criminal immigrants “who posed a public safety threat” and violated immigration laws. Federal agents sought people who re-entered the U.S. after they had been deported. That also included fugitives who were deported by a federal immigration judge's order.

The people arrested included 54 men and seven women. Forty-five of the people arrested were from Mexico. Six were from Guatemala and three were from El Salvador.

Authorities also arrested two people from Samoa and one person each from Armenia, Cuba, Honduras, Iran and Italy.

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“ERO (ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations) officers here in Nevada and around the country are focused first and foremost on using this agency’s unique tools and authorities to help keep our communities safe,” Nikita Curry, assistant field office director in Nevada, said in a statement. “Our enforcement efforts last week are representative of the work we’ve been doing and will continue to do.”

The five-day operation, which ended Friday, was led by the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. During similar operations, officers often find additional suspects who may have violated federal immigration laws, authorities said.

“Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE,” officials said in the news release.

Some of the people arrested, who were previously deported, will be federally prosecuted for re-entry. They could face up to 20 years in prison, authorities said.

Those not being criminally prosecuted will be removed from the country.