BUENA VISTA, Colo. – A 23-year-old man, wanted for multiple felony charges in Oklahoma, was apprehended in Buena Vista on Friday after a coordinated effort between the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The suspect, identified as Juan Jose Avila Hernandez, was allegedly wanted for four felony counts of rape involving minors, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office. ICE informed local authorities that Hernandez, a resident of Mexico, might be in the area.
Acting on the information provided by ICE, local law enforcement officials located Hernandez later that day in Buena Vista. The sheriff’s office reported that the arrest was carried out without incident, and Hernandez was taken to the Chaffee County Detention Facility before being transferred to ICE custody.
Sheriff Andy Rohrich commended the efforts of his deputies, emphasizing the importance of their swift response to prevent potential harm to the community. “Our deputies did a great job locating Hernandez so quickly and assuring he could not harm anyone in our community,” Sheriff Rohrich stated. “Hernandez was listed as a sexually violent predator. As stated before, we will assist ICE when they are searching for undocumented immigrants that are wanted for violations of law other than just their legal status of being in the United States.”
This case highlights the continued collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies in addressing individuals accused of serious criminal offenses, particularly when those individuals pose a risk to public safety. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with ICE and other authorities to ensure that criminal offenders are apprehended, regardless of their immigration status.
