Illegal Immigrant Arrested in Wisconsin Child Porn Case; ICE Issues Detainer After Fentanyl, Devices Seized in Salem Lakes Raid
SALEM LAKES, WISCONSIN — Federal immigration officials have issued an ICE detainer for a 45-year-old man living illegally in the U.S., who was arrested in Wisconsin this week on 10 counts of child pornography possession following multiple cyber tips about online distribution of child sexual abuse material.
According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Julio Nieto-Gutierrez was taken into custody Wednesday night after a months-long investigation into a string of disturbing cyber reports connected to social media platforms including WhatsApp and Snapchat.
Cyber Tips Trace a Pattern of Online Child Exploitation
The case first began on October 17, 2024, when the Kenosha Police Department received a cyber tip about potential child pornography being distributed through WhatsApp. Investigators identified Nieto-Gutierrez as a suspect living in the Kenosha area.
However, by the time detectives began tracking him, he had reportedly relocated to Salem Lakes, prompting the case to be transferred to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said additional cyber tips continued to arrive in the following months, including:
- January 31, 2025: Uploads and distribution of child porn on WhatsApp
- April 20, 2025: Similar distribution activity on WhatsApp
- June 4, 2025: Uploads and distribution via Snapchat
- August 3, 2025: Further distribution on WhatsApp
Each report linked the suspect to explicit content involving minors, according to investigators.
Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest and Major Seizure
Detectives eventually identified a vehicle connected to Nieto-Gutierrez, who also had an active felony warrant in Arizona for larceny and a probation violation.
On Wednesday night around 8:30 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop and found Nieto-Gutierrez inside the vehicle. He was arrested without incident and booked on 10 felony counts of child pornography possession and the outstanding Arizona warrant.
The following day, a search warrant was executed at his Salem Lakes home, where detectives reportedly seized:
- Several phones, laptops, and tablets
- A small amount of marijuana
- Drug paraphernalia
Sheriff David Zoerner emphasized that protecting children remains a top priority for the department.
“The protection of Kenosha County’s children and families will always be at the core of our mission,” Zoerner said.
ICE Confirms Immigration Status and Issues Detainer
Following the arrest, officials coordinated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal agents confirmed that Nieto-Gutierrez is in the United States illegally, and an ICE detainer was immediately placed on him.
The detainer means that even if Nieto-Gutierrez posts bail on local charges, he will remain in custody for transfer to federal immigration authorities.
Ongoing Investigation and Federal Coordination
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office says it continues to work closely with state and federal agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice and ICE, as investigators analyze the seized electronic devices for additional evidence.
Authorities say more charges could be filed depending on the results of forensic examinations.
Do you believe state and federal cooperation is effective enough to stop online child exploitation cases before they escalate?
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