U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently reported the deportation of Yimi Samario Sevilla Leon, a reputed leader of the violent 18th Street gang’s "El Mango" faction. The 30-year-old fugitive from Honduras was wanted for his alleged involvement in a series of crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and theft, performed in concert with corrupt police officers.
According to ICE, Sevilla's criminal activities extended to operations in the United States after his illegal entry near Eagle Pass on December 21, 2023. Initially arrested, he was controversially released on the same day due to immigration enforcement priorities then in place. It was not until the ICE assistant attaché in Tegucigalpa issued an alert on February 24, 2025, that efforts were made to quickly locate and apprehend Sevilla, who was believed to be hiding in Houston.
Following a collaborative multiagency operation, ICE officers took Sevilla into custody on March 19. His subsequent deportation process culminated with an immigration judge ordering his removal, a directive that was carried out with Sevilla being flown back to Honduras on Monday. ICE’s statement detailed the transfer at Ramon Villeda International Airport in San Pedro Sula to the custody of Honduran authorities.
The Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, a collaborative program to urgently bolster the apprehension and extradition of foreign fugitives, was instrumental in Sevilla's removal. Under the oversight of the assistant attaché for removal, the SAFE Task Force comprises an assortment of regional and national law enforcement and immigration agencies within the host nation. They encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any information regarding foreign fugitives by contacting the ICE Tip Line or completing an online tip form.
For updates and insights into the immigration enforcement activities in Southeast Texas, including this recent case, ICE has reminded interested individuals to follow the ERO Houston field office on Twitter at @EROHouston.
