Indian man accused of sexually assaulting minor in US detained by ICE

Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli is accused of sexually assaulting a child. (Courtesy: X | @ICEgov)

An Indian man accused of multiple offences including sexually assaulting a minor has been detained in New Jersey by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the agency, the man identified as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old and shoplifting.

Describing Kottapalli as a criminal illegal alien from India, ICE said in a post on X that he has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey. "We'll keep him in custody pending removal proceedings," it said.

ICE also released a photograph of the Indian national with 'child rapist' prominently displayed across it.

—SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD UNDER 13 —SHOPLIFTING —PUBLIC DISORDER

Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a criminal illegal alien from India, has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey. We’ll keep him in custody pending removal proceedings. pic.twitter.com/VM97e9KUD9 — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 16, 2026

Under Trump 2.0, ICE has intensified its enforcement drive against undocumented immigrants in the US. In December 2025, the agency had shared details of an Indian truck driver involved in a fatal motorway accident in Oregon that led to the death of two people.

According yo ICE, Rajinder Kumar entered US 'illegally' through Arizona in November 2022 and was subsequently granted work authorisation and a commercial driving license by California state authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security reported it has deported more than 6,75,000 migrants since Trump's return to office last year. According to DHS, over 2 million people have 'self-deported' as the American president has made his immigration crackdown a priority.