ICE arrests convicted felon in Florida with Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s cooperation

MIAMI - ICE Miami took Elias Cardoza-Torres, 58, into custody upon his release from Miami-Dade County custody June 11. Cardoza-Torres, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, has been convicted of selling heroin, cocaine possession, vehicle theft, burglary and a weapons offense. He also been arrested for assault.

"ICE works closely with our law enforcement partners to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities," said acting ICE Director David J. Venturella. "Cardoza-Torres was never a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., and an immigration judge ordered him removed more than 26 years ago, on April 12, 2000. We're talking about an individual who completely disregarded our immigration laws and went on to ignore our criminal laws, as well. Fortunately, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has turned him over to ICE custody, where he'll remain pending removal."

Cardoza-Torres entered the United States in 1989 as a parolee, but never adjusted his immigration status. More than half the crimes he committed over his three-decade spree occurred after he was ordered removed in April 2000 by a Department of Justice immigration judge. Those crimes include the following:

• In November 1991 he was charged and then convicted of felony cocaine possession and sentenced to two days in jail.
• In August 1997 he was charged and then convicted of burglary and sentenced to 22 months in prison.
• In October 1999 he was charged and then convicted of selling heroin and sentenced to five years in prison.
• In December 2011 he was charged and then convicted of vehicle theft and sentenced to 60 days in jail.
• In January 2013 he was charged and then convicted of drug possession and sentenced to 60 days in jail.
• In November 2017 he was charged and then convicted of cocaine possession and sentenced to 25 days in jail.
• In September 2018 he was charged and then convicted of a felony weapons offense and sentenced to 22 days in jail.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.