CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden are at odds over the release of an inmate accused of raping a child.

  • Deputies arrested 33-year-old Oscar Pachecho-Leonardo on child sex charges
  • Sheriff McFadden says he would not honor ICE detainer requests and Leonardo bonded out
  • The agency says the sheriff should have notified it of Leonardo's release

In June, deputies arrested 33-year-old Oscar Pachecho-Leonardo on child sex charges. He's a Honduran national deported in 2006 who made his way back into the U.S.

Sheriff McFadden says he would not honor ICE detainer requests and Leonardo bonded out. The sheriff says he would have honored a federal arrest warrant, but ICE never issued one.

ICE arrested Leonardo August 9 and he could face deportation again. Sheriff McFadden opposes a house bill requiring law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers.

The agency says the sheriff should have notified it of Leonardo's release.