Repeat Illegal Entrant Busted After 5 Crossings

Ernesto Alejandro Perez-Garcia, a Mexican national, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 19, 2026, after illegally entering the United States for the fifth time. His initial arrest by Torrance Police in 2003 was for driving without a license. Subsequent convictions included threatening crime with intent to terrorize in 2006, leading to his first removal to Mexico. Despite this, he re-entered the U.S. multiple times, facing further arrests for various offenses, including multiple disorderly conduct charges since 2020. Perez-Garcia attributed his repeated legal issues to alcohol consumption, calling it his 'mistake.'

ICE officials highlighted the risks officers face when local law enforcement declines to honor detainer requests, emphasizing the need for cooperation to ensure community safety. Perez-Garcia acknowledged his arrest was 'fair' and expressed concern for his children living in the U.S. He stated he knew his past actions would eventually catch up to him, though he was unaware of the exact timing of his capture. The ICE apprehension occurred on the Redondo Beach esplanade where he initially denied his identity before acknowledging it when presented with a mugshot.