U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Wilver Cota-Ortiz, 43, a citizen of El Salvador, to his home country, where law enforcement authorities want him for human trafficking.
Cota entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location without inspection or admission by an immigration official. The Dallas Police Department arrested him on January 9, 2010, for assault with a deadly weapon and an immigration detainer was placed on Cota the next day.
The 195th Judicial District Court in Dallas convicted Cota on two counts of assault on April 1, 2010, sentencing him to eight years’ probation. Custody was transferred to ICE in accordance with the immigration detainer, and Cota was removed to El Salvador as ordered by an immigration judge on December 17, 2010.
Cota reentered the U.S. at an unknown date and location, arrested by U.S. Border Patrol on August 6, 2013, in Otay Mesa, California, where it was determined he had an active warrant for a probation violation in Dallas. The 195th Judicial District Court convicted Cota of probation violation, sentencing him to two years’ incarceration.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Correction Facility Huntsville transferred custody to the United States Marshal Service, who then transferred custody to ICE in accordance with an immigration detainer. Cota was again removed to El Salvador on December 18, 2015.
Cota reentered the U.S. at an unknown date and location, and this time, ICE arrested him for illegal reentry on February 15, 2023. The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware convicted Cota of illegal reentry on October 31, 2023, sentencing him to nine months’ incarceration.
While in federal prison, it was discovered that Cota was wanted by authorities in El Salvador for human trafficking, and his removal was completed on April 4 without incident.
ICE urged the public who have information about foreign fugitives to call the Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
