FRANKLIN, N.C. —

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on a man who was arrested for alleged child sex crimes in Franklin, North Carolina.

On Sept. 25, officers with the Franklin Police Department responded to a home about an alleged sex crime that had just occurred against a child.

According to officers, the investigation led to the arrest of 42-year-old Roberto De La Cruz Mendez of Franklin.

The investigation also uncovered another alleged incident involving the same victim in 2023.

Mendez was charged with indecent liberties with a (9-year-old) child and the statutory rape of a (7-year-old) child.

Mendez was booked into the Macon County Detention Center without bond. ICE also placed a detainer on him.

Franklin Police Department

KIDS Place Child Advoca

See Full Page