5 arrested in Charlotte during operation to enhance rail safety

CHARLOTTE — Five undocumented immigrants were arrested during a multi-agency operation in the Charlotte area on Feb. 6, officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated in a news release.

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The operation, involving ICE, Norfolk Southern Railroad Federal Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, aimed to enhance the safety of freight trains and their crews, officials said.

The operation was conducted in response to increased reports of gang-affiliated people on rail tracks, posing threats to citizens and railway employees while doing illegal activities, such as selling drugs and trespassing.

On Wednesday, ICE released the names of those arrested:

Feiser Jimenez-Jimenez, 32, a citizen of Guatemala. Jimenez has a final order of removal. Jimenez’s criminal history includes trespassing, drug paraphernalia, robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree trespass, larceny, and resisting a public officer, in Charlotte. He admitted he had a juvenile conviction for homicide in Maryland related to gang involvement that agents later confirmed.
Lester Donaldo Cardona, 31, a citizen of Guatemala. Cardona has a notice to appear. Cardona’s criminal history includes domestic violence and assault by strangulation in Charlotte.
Jose Herrera-Santos, 21, a citizen of Guatemala. Herrera-Santos has a final order of removal. Herrera-Santos’ criminal history includes larceny in Charlotte.
Maldonado-Gonzales, 54, a citizen of Honduras. Maldonado-Gonzales is a reinstatement of a prior order of removal. Maldonado-Gonzales has no significant criminal history.
Jose Alvarado, 50, a citizen of Honduras. Alavardo is a reinstatement of his prior removal. Alvarado’s criminal history includes driving without a license and failure to stop for a blue light in York, South Carolina.

Everyone arrested during the operation was taken into ICE custody on administrative charges. They are pending removal.

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