The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have issued a formal detainer request to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers, urging them not to release a Venezuelan national currently facing felony charges for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl in Kane County.

Details of the Attack

The suspect, identified as Janio Gionel Velasquez-Muro, allegedly targeted the young girl while she was riding her bicycle in Pingree Grove. According to local police reports, he forced the child into a nearby vehicle where the assault occurred.

While Velasquez-Muro initially fled the scene, law enforcement officials apprehended him on June 30, 2026, utilizing forensic evidence gathered during the investigation. He now faces multiple felony charges, including predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of a child.

Federal records indicate that Velasquez-Muro originally entered the United States illegally through California in 2022, where he was processed and subsequently released by federal authorities under the Biden administration.

Federal Response

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis strongly criticized the potential for the suspect’s release under Illinois’ current sanctuary laws.

“This criminal illegal alien kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl. This monster abducted this child while she was riding her bike,” Bis said. “DHS is calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker and his fellow sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this pedophile from jail, and to instead work with ICE to ensure he is never allowed to prey on more innocent children in our country. It’s common sense. Do NOT release illegal alien pedophiles from jail into American neighborhoods to victimize more children.”

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.