Indian National held by ICE in US over sexual assault and theft charges
Zee News
ICE has detained an Indian national over alleged sexual assault of a minor and other charges, amid a broader immigration crackdown in US.
US: The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken an Indian national into custody over multiple alleged offences, including the sexual assault of a minor.
In a statement posted on X, the agency said the man is facing accusations of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13, along with charges of shoplifting and disorderly conduct. Identifying him as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, ICE described him as being in the country unlawfully and said he has pending sexual assault and larceny charges in New Jersey. The agency added that he will remain in detention while removal proceedings are underway.
—SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD UNDER 13 —SHOPLIFTING —PUBLIC DISORDER Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a criminal illegal alien from India, has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey. We’ll keep him in custody pending removal proceedings. pic.twitter.com/VM97e9KUD9 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 16, 2026
The action comes amid a broader immigration enforcement push under President Donald Trump’s second term, during which ICE has stepped up operations targeting undocumented immigrants across the United States.
In a separate case highlighted by the agency in December, ICE shared details about an Indian-origin truck driver linked to a deadly highway crash in Oregon that claimed two lives. According to the agency, the driver had entered the US through Arizona in November 2022 without authorisation but was later granted work permits and a commercial driving licence by authorities in California.
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ICE has detained an Indian national over alleged sexual assault of a minor and other charges, amid a broader immigration crackdown in US.
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Delhi AQI alert: The national capital continued to record ‘poor’ air quality on Monday morning, even as the AQI improved slightly. Delhis Anand Vihar recorded AQI at 293, Bawana at 259, Chandni Chowk at 247, DTU at 203, Dwarka Sector 8 at 234, and ITO at 200.
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