Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light, crashing into unmarked ICE vehicle during Louisiana enforcement surge
A Honduran woman, Deysi Carolina Sorto-Romero, 24, was arrested Dec. 18, 2024 in Slidell, Louisiana, after allegedly running a red light and colliding with an unmarked ICE vehicle during Operation Catahoula Crunch; no injuries were reported.
Key takeaways
- Who: Deysi Carolina Sorto-Romero, 24, Honduran national, illegally present in the U.S.
- What: Alleged red-light violation and collision with an unmarked ICE vehicle; arrested on scene, no injuries reported.
- Charges: Federal re-entry after deportation (8 U.S.C. § 1326) and pending local traffic counts.
- Context: Incident occurred during Operation Catahoula Crunch, an ICE enforcement surge in southeast Louisiana.
Crash and arrest: what officials say
What happened: Slidell police and ICE agents say Sorto-Romero was driving a 2012 Hyundai Sonata without a valid U.S. license when she allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Gause Boulevard and Old Spanish Trail and struck an unmarked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle. Officers and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents took her into custody at the scene. According to police reports and ICE officials, no one was hurt in the collision.
Officials’ account: Border Patrol Sector 9 Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge Greg Bovino described the crash at a Dec. 20 press briefing as illustrative of the dangers agents face during enforcement operations and confirmed Sorto-Romero was “certainly taken into custody following the accident.” Bovino said agents often encounter non‑compliant targets who can pose risks to public safety and to officers.
Related reporting and releases: ICE press release, Slidell local reports, Fox News coverage quoting Bovino, Breitbart coverage.
Suspect background and charges
Background: ICE states Sorto-Romero is a Honduran national who was deported in 2018 and later re-entered the United States. At the time of arrest she was living in New Orleans. In 2023 she was convicted of simple burglary in Clark County, Nevada, and released on parole; ICE officials allege she failed to comply with parole conditions after re-entry.
Custody and charges: After the arrest, federal authorities transferred Sorto-Romero to the LaSalle ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana. She faces a federal charge for unlawful re‑entry after deportation (8 U.S.C. § 1326). Local traffic charges for running a red light and reckless driving are pending, with immigration court and federal filings expected to follow.
Source: ICE statement, reporting via Daily Wire.
Operation Catahoula Crunch: sweep details
Operation overview: The crash occurred two days after ICE launched Operation Catahoula Crunch on Dec. 16, 2024. The multi‑agency enforcement surge in southeast Louisiana included ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ERO, U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI, DEA, Louisiana State Police and local departments such as Slidell PD, focused on removing criminal illegal aliens deemed public‑safety risks.
ICE’s Dec. 27 update reported 392 total arrests in the operation, with 287 people having criminal convictions including serious offenses such as murder, rape and drug trafficking; the sweep identified gang members and sex offenders among those taken into custody. Sorto-Romero’s crash is listed as an incident tied to the sweep.
Related releases: ICE operation release, ICE operation stats, Washington Times report.
Media coverage and public reaction
Coverage trends: Reporting of the crash and the wider operation received strong attention from conservative and right‑leaning outlets. Outlets including Fox News, Breitbart, and Daily Wire emphasized Sorto‑Romero’s prior deportation and felony conviction; The New York Post noted no injuries and that federal agents arrested her on site.
Social amplification: Social media posts from Border Patrol and ICE about the crash were widely shared. A post by Bovino drew thousands of views and responses from elected officials such as Rep. Clay Higgins (LA‑3). Enforcement advocates cited the incident as evidence for stricter border policies and more resources for federal agents.
Representative coverage: Fox News, Breitbart, Daily Wire, New York Post.
Legal process and what comes next
Federal case: Sorto‑Romero faces a federal indictment for unlawful re‑entry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. § 1326, which can carry prison time if proven. Prosecutors must show a prior removal and knowing re‑entry without authorization.
Local charges: Traffic cases for running a red light and reckless driving will proceed in St. Tammany Parish courts. ICE reports she will remain detained while immigration and criminal matters move forward.
Defense context: Defense attorneys in re‑entry cases often argue humanitarian reasons such as family ties or fear of harm; prosecutors emphasize criminal history and public‑safety concerns. ICE officials highlighted Sorto‑Romero’s 2018 deportation and 2023 burglary conviction when discussing the enforcement action.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Public safety concerns: Though the crash occurred in Louisiana, the case underscores perceived risks when people re‑enter the U.S. after deportation, especially with recent criminal convictions. Local leaders who prioritize law‑and‑order may view federal enforcement as necessary to protect communities.
Political consequences: Conservative voters in Huntington Beach may leverage the incident to press for stricter border policies and increased support for ICE and Border Patrol. Elected officials could cite Operation Catahoula Crunch as a model for targeted removals.
Law enforcement coordination: The multi‑agency nature of the operation illustrates coordination between federal, state and local partners; Huntington Beach police leadership might consider renewing memorandums of understanding with federal partners.
Community impact: For residents prioritizing safety, the reported removal of nearly 400 individuals with numerous convictions may be seen positively. Conversely, groups favoring more lenient enforcement may raise concerns about civil liberties and due process.
Practical effects: The case highlights that re‑entry after deportation is a federal offense with detention and removal consequences. Local employers, housing providers and schools should distinguish criminal conduct from immigration status; agencies relying on federal funding might seek more resources to handle complex cases.
