Marcotulio Melendez Diaz, 42, of Honduras, was charged with rape after allegedly assaulting a woman in Minnesota on October 11. He had been released from ICE detention in August by U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia of the Western District of Texas after Garcia granted his habeas petition on due process grounds.
Where
Mounds View, Minnesota (assault); Western District of Texas (judge's jurisdiction)
When
October 11, 2026 (alleged assault); August 2026 (release ordered); October 9, 2026 (deportation order became final); dat
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Marcotulio Melendez Diazcharged with rape
U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garciafederal judge who ordered release from ICE custody
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)federal agency that arrested and detained Melendez Diaz
The facts
Melendez Diaz was apprehended and released at the southern border by the Biden administration in April 2024.12Stated by 2 sources
He was arrested in Minnesota in January 2026 during Operation Metro Surge and transferred to ICE detention in Texas.12Stated by 2 sources
On March 30, an immigration judge issued a deportation order against Melendez Diaz, which he appealed.12Stated by 2 sources
Judge Garcia ordered his release from ICE custody after granting his habeas petition on due process grounds, finding detention unlawful or unreasonably prolonged.12Stated by 2 sources
On October 9, Melendez Diaz's appeal was rejected and the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a deportation order.12Stated by 2 sources
He was charged with felony first-degree criminal sexual penetration involving coercion and remains in custody.12Stated by 2 sources
If convicted, Melendez Diaz faces up to 30 years in prison.12Stated by 2 sources
The alleged assault was captured on the victim's indoor surveillance video.12Stated by 2 sources
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
ICE The incident could have been prevented if Melendez Diaz had remained in custody.12
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
EXCLUSIVE: Woman allegedly raped by illegal alien after Clinton-appointed federal judge ordered his release
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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