ICE Arrests Fugitive Accused of Torturing Woman in Russian Roulette-Style Attack in Texas

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of Raul Enrique Pargas Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Venezuelan national, in Plano, Texas. Pargas Rodriguez is wanted in Venezuela for attempted aggravated femicide, accused of torturing and attempting to kill a woman in a Russian roulette-style attack.

"This dangerous criminal alien allegedly beat, demeaned and tortured a young woman in some twisted version of Russian roulette and then fled to the United States when his attempt to murder her fell apart," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson in a statement shared by the agency.

"Thanks to a tip from the U.S. Border Patrol, we were able to track him down and safely take him into custody so that he can be repatriated to Venezuela to face justice for his alleged crimes," Johnson added.

ICE added that Pargas Rodriguez allegedly lured the victim to his workshop in Venezuela on Feb. 24, 2021, where he attacked her during a violent tirade. He then allegedly took out a pistol, pressed it to her head, removed and replaced bullets, and aimed the weapon at her again before the woman managed to escape.

Authorities said Pargas Rodriguez fled Venezuela following the 2021 attack and entered the United States illegally on Aug. 10, 2022, near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol that same day but released on his own recognizance pending immigration proceedings.

He was later encountered again on Nov. 28, 2023, after being arrested for assault and booked into Dallas County Jail. ICE confirmed that he was not taken into custody at the time due to prosecutorial discretion and enforcement priorities then in place.

Earlier this month, ICE received an investigative referral from U.S. Border Patrol that Pargas Rodriguez was living in North Texas and remained wanted in Venezuela. With assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Marshals, agents located and arrested him in Plano.

Pargas Rodriguez is currently in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings and potential repatriation to Venezuela, where he faces charges related to the alleged attempted femicide.