Virginia illegal immigrant Cristobal Liobardo Vasquez-Sanchez arrested on sex charges after ICE detainer
An illegal alien with a long criminal record has been arrested on sex crime charges in Virginia after a federal immigration arrest warrant could see him deported from the United States.
Cristobal Liobardo Vasquez-Sanchez, 25, who is originally from Salvador, filed 14 criminal charges this year alone before his May 22 arrest on charges of sexual assault and forcible entry.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it had previously released Vasquez-Sanchez’s detainer, but that request was denied.
At the behest of Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Virginia ended the state agency’s cooperation with ICE and sought court warrants when immigration experts say these warrants are completely useless.
Days before the sexual assault allegations against Vasquez-Sanchez, Spanberger issued an order adding more roadblocks to immigration officials in the state.
Local reports say Vasquez-Sanchez met his victim on the steps of an Arlington parking garage, where the alleged assault took place.
The suspect managed to escape and got help, the suspect ran away but was caught again.
In January, Vasquez-Sanchez was arrested and booked for violating the terms of his pretrial release while out on bond stemming from another case. The following month, he was charged with rape.
On April 15, he was arrested and charged with public intoxication, assault and battery on a police officer. Five days later, he was arrested again for violating the terms of his pretrial release.
Between April 26 and May 19, he was charged with public drunkenness four times. As a result of the May 19 incident, he was also charged with disorderly conduct and fleeing from law enforcement.
On Dec. 31, 2025, he was charged with fraud, and on July 19, 2026, he was charged with assault and battery, willful destruction of property and public intoxication.
Despite numerous charges, Vasquez-Sanchez has never been arrested before trial, and has instead been released on the street each time.
ICE has now placed another detainer on the suspect.
“Governor Spanberger’s decision to end cooperation with ICE in Virginia has allowed criminals to be released back into American communities. If politicians prevent local law enforcement from working with DHS, law enforcement must have a visible presence so that we can find and apprehend criminals who are being released from jail and back into communities,” DHS Acting Secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.
“While Governor Spanberger continues to allow child abusers, rapists, gang members and murderers to walk the streets of Virginia, DHS law enforcement officers will continue to put their lives on the line to arrest these heinous criminals.”
But Spanberger’s office says the state supports deporting violent criminals.
“Governor Spanberger has made it clear time and time again that violent criminals who are in the United States illegally should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and deported. Under the Governor’s leadership, the Virginia Department of Corrections continues a longstanding practice of notifying ICE when people born outside the United States are being held — however, this person told Foxgion News that they are being held locally.
“Virginia state law enforcement agencies also continue to assist federal authorities in apprehending offenders as part of an investigative team and the continued cooperation of inter-agency agencies. As a former federal law enforcement officer who pursued child victims, Governor Spanberger will always prioritize the safety and well-being of Virginia’s families and communities.”
