Phoenix Elementary School Assault: Immigration Hold Placed on Suspect
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A federal immigration detainer has been lodged against a man accused of a horrific sexual assault at an elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona, last week. The case has ignited scrutiny regarding immigration enforcement and the handling of prior offenses.
Phoenix, AZ – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Wednesday that a detainer has been filed with the Maricopa County Jail for 25-year-old Abel Kai Gblah, identifying him as “a criminal alien from Liberia.” This action means that if Gblah is released on bond or through any other legal means, ICE will take him into custody for potential deportation proceedings. A detainer is a formal request from ICE to state and local law enforcement agencies to hold an individual suspected of being deportable.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to authorities, the alleged assault occurred last Wednesday, November 19, at Orangewood Elementary School. Investigators report that Gblah allegedly entered the school through an unlocked interior lobby door, taking advantage of a situation involving a tardy student. He is accused of approaching a 10-year-old girl and falsely identifying himself as a doctor, claiming he needed to perform medical tests.
Police allege Gblah then coaxed the girl into an empty classroom where he sexually assaulted her. The young victim was able to fight him off, and Gblah fled the scene. Responding officers quickly identified Gblah as the suspect and apprehended him at his home, approximately two miles from the school. He faces multiple charges, including sexual conduct with a minor, sexual assault, kidnapping, and a probation violation.
Prior Conviction and Sex Offender Status
The probation violation stems from a 2021 conviction in a child sex crimes case. In that instance, Gblah accepted a plea deal to avoid imprisonment. He is currently listed as a level 2 sex offender, indicating a moderate risk to the community. Online records indicate Gblah is currently being held on a $500,035 bond.
Immigration Status and Deportation Eligibility
ICE officials confirmed that Gblah entered the United States in 2011 and was subsequently granted a Green Card for permanent residency. Notably, he himself attended Orangewood Elementary School as a child.
Green Card holders are legally eligible for deportation if convicted of crimes. However, it remains unclear whether any attempts were made to initiate deportation proceedings against Gblah following his 2021 conviction. This raises questions about the coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
The case is ongoing, and further investigation is needed to determine the full extent of the circumstances surrounding both the alleged assault and Gblah’s immigration history.
