A Ghanaian national, convicted of sex crimes with a minor, was arrested in Columbus, Ohio, as reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On January 29, Joseph Osei Boateng was taken into custody by ICE officers, officials have confirmed.
"Sex crimes against a minor threaten the very fabric of our communities," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch. The agency appears to emphasize the protection of vulnerable populations strongly and has vowed to continuously identify and apprehend individuals amenable to removal who have victimized minors. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's statement, Boateng legally entered the United States in 2019 and was later convicted by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in October 2024.
The enforcement action has renewed attention on ICE's mission and presence in communities across Michigan and Ohio. As it stands, Boateng remains in detention, awaiting the outcome of his immigration proceedings.
ICE encourages the public to be vigilant and report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity. They can do so by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing their online tip form. For those looking to stay updated on ICE's activities in the region, the agency reported that more information can be found on platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter, under the handles @ERODetroit or @HSIDetroit.
