The Nicaraguan migrant accused of raping a woman near Coney Island in New York City this week had been previously caught and released after entering the U.S. illegally. Daniel Davon-Bonilla, 24, was initially encountered in Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 7, 2022, after crossing the border illegally, according to an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City spokesperson.
After Border Patrol apprehended Davon-Bonilla, he was handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ERO and placed in a detention programme, with instructions to report to the ERO Miami Field Office at a later date. However, this follow-up was delayed, and Davon-Bonilla remained in the U.S., encountering law enforcement several times from April 2023 until his latest incident in NYC on Sunday.
In April 2023, Davon-Bonilla was arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD) for alleged sexual offences. On the same day, ERO New York City filed an immigration detainer with the NYPD Central Booking in Brooklyn against his release.
A woman was raped by a migrant at knifepoint in New York City near a popular beach boardwalk in Brooklyn, police and sources say.
The suspects were identified by the NYPD as Daniel Bonilla Davon, 24, and Leovando Moreno, 37, who are both homeless. pic.twitter.com/x92OhtaJjQ
— Weazel News Network (@WNNWeazelNEWS) August 13, 2024
New York City’s sanctuary city status means local law enforcement generally does not cooperate with ICE detainers, which are requests to be notified before a migrant is released from custody and to hold them until ICE can take over. On September 6, 2023, ERO Miami terminated Davon-Bonilla’s Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programme because he allegedly violated its conditions.
An ERO spokesperson confirmed that on June 24, 2024, the Kings County Supreme Court convicted Davon-Bonilla of assault. Davon-Bonilla then allegedly attacked a 46-year-old woman on Sunday in Brooklyn’s Coney Island, forcibly raping her at knifepoint with an accomplice.
The NYPD arrested Davon-Bonilla for the alleged rape and filed another immigration detainer with the NYPD Central Booking in Brooklyn.
Following the incident, John Chell, the NYPD’s chief of patrol, voiced his frustration over the city’s sanctuary status. In a social media post, he argued that some migrants come to the U.S. not for a better life but to prey on residents.
“People from across the globe come to NYC in search of the American Dream,” Chell posted. “However, a small portion have other intentions, including committing crimes and preying on the people of New York City. Daniel Davon-Bonilla is one such predator.”
Chell questioned when sanctuary city laws would be amended to allow federal notification for the deportation of noncitizens convicted of violent crimes. He stated that failing to act enables individuals like Davon-Bonilla to continue harming women in the city.
ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Daniel Davon-Bonilla?
Daniel Davon-Bonilla is a Nicaraguan migrant accused of raping a woman near Coney Island, NYC.
How did Daniel Davon-Bonilla enter the U.S.?
He crossed illegally into the U.S. via Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 7, 2022.
What is NYC’s stance on ICE detainers?
NYC is a sanctuary city, meaning it generally does not cooperate with ICE detainers.
When was Davon-Bonilla convicted of assault?
He was convicted of assault on June 24, 2024, by the Kings County Supreme Court.
What did NYPD’s John Chell say about the sanctuary city status?
He expressed outrage, arguing it allows noncitizens convicted of violent crimes to continue victimizing city residents.
