DENVER (KDVR) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that two people who were detained at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora escaped Tuesday.
Agents learned about the escapees at about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday and notified 911 at about 2:30 a.m., according to the Aurora Police Department.
ICE said that it notified local authorities immediately and they declined to assist in the search. ICE also notified its state and federal law enforcement partners, but the two escapees remain at large.
The Aurora Police Department said it was notified hours after the detainees reportedly escaped the facility.
“We received late notification about the incident and upon response learned the event occurred several hours prior,” the agency told FOX31. “The Aurora Police Department is available to assist our federal partners with active public safety emergencies. As a municipal law enforcement agency, we do not enforce federal immigration law and cannot participate in large-scale searches or follow ups.”
The agency also provided a brief background on both escapees.
Geilond Vido-Romero, 24, reportedly entered the U.S. on Dec. 20, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas, and encountered U.S. Border Patrol officers at that time. The officers reportedly released him on his own recognizance and said an immigration judge ordered Vido “in absentia removed from the U.S. to Venezuela Feb. 18,” according to ICE.
Geilond Vido-Romero, 24, is wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for reportedly escaping detention in Aurora on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
ICE said they encountered Video-Romero on Feb. 26 at the Douglas County Jail in Castle Rock after local officials arrested him and he was issued an immigration detainer. He was arrested on Feb. 27 by ICE and held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora “pending his removal” from the U.S.
Joel Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 32, allegedly entered the U.S. on Feb. 11, 2013, at the El Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas. ICE said he had violated the conditions of his admission.
Joel Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 32, is wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for reportedly escaping detention in Aurora on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
ICE encountered Gonzalez-Gonzalez on Jan. 8 at the Adams County Jail in Brighton, where he was being held on local charges. The agency issued an immigration detainer in his case and arrested him on Feb. 12. He was issued a notice to appear in front of immigration judges, and was being held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility pending immigration proceedings.
According to the federal immigration agency, anyone with information about either man’s location should call the ICE tip line at 866-347-2423) or complete the online tip form.
The Aurora Detention Facility, which is a contract facility for ICE run by the Geo Group, has been the site of protests since news broke that a well-known immigration activist, Jeanette Vizguerra, was taken into custody by ICE on Monday.
Local law enforcement react to claims of not helping
FOX31 heard from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office about the escapees, which said it was not called about the matter, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, which was looking for information on Vido-Romero’s arrest.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office said after checking with its dispatch center and detention facility, “no one received a request to assist ICE in any capacity, especially to help locate two escaped detainees.”
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation told FOX31 it was not assisting ICE with its search for the escapees because it was not contacted by the federal agents.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as information comes available. FOX31 has reached out to the Castle Rock Police Department for information, as well as the Colorado Governor’s Office.
