Repeat illegal entrant credits alcoholism for ICE capture in Redondo Beach
A Mexican national who illegally crossed the U.S. border five times was arrested by ICE in Redondo Beach after admitting his drinking led to the bust.
ICE agents apprehended Ernesto Alejandro Perez-Garcia, a Mexican citizen with five illegal re-entries and multiple prior arrests, on a Redondo Beach esplanade early Thursday. After initially refusing to identify himself, he recognized his photo and admitted he had attempted to deceive officers. Perez-Garcia linked his repeated border violations to a drinking problem that worsened after a friend's death, calling it his personal error.
His criminal history includes driving offenses, drug paraphernalia possession, and terror-related threats dating back to 2003, with several recent disorderly-conduct arrests in Redondo Beach. The local police department had previously ignored ICE detainer requests in 2020 and 2026, a practice ICE officials say endangers both officers and the community. Perez-Garcia expressed uncertainty about his future, noting his children remain in the United States.
Why it matters
The case illustrates challenges of immigration enforcement and local-federal cooperation on repeat illegal border crossers.
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