Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a Guatemalan national charged with child pornography possession after Fairfax County authorities allegedly did not comply with a federal detainer request, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The arrest occurred as part of a broader nationwide enforcement operation conducted during National Crime Victims Week. Federal agents targeted individuals with convictions for serious crimes including sexual assault, drug trafficking, and other offenses.

The Guatemalan man had been in Fairfax County custody on child pornography charges when ICE issued a detainer request, asking local authorities to hold the individual for federal immigration enforcement. County officials allegedly released the individual despite the pending federal request.

ICE detainer requests have been a source of ongoing tension between federal immigration authorities and local jurisdictions. Some localities have policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, while federal officials argue such policies can allow individuals charged with serious crimes to be released into communities.

The Department of Homeland Security said the enforcement sweep resulted in multiple arrests of individuals convicted of various serious crimes. The operation was timed to coincide with National Crime Victims Week, an annual awareness campaign highlighting support for crime victims.