EXCLUSIVE: Infamous illegal immigrant with violent felony convictions captured in Seattle given new court date instead of deportation

An extremely violent and dangerous illegal migrant with an extensive criminal record has been arraigned on felony charges in Seattle. Ivan Lopez-Ramos, 29, of Mexico, has been accused of unlawfully re-entering the US after being deported in 2022 for repeated violent felony convictions. He was apprehended by police in August and pleaded not guilty to charges on Thursday in United States District Court.

Lopez-Ramos will remain in custody at FDC SeaTac pending trial. Magistrate Judge S. Kate Vaughn for the US District Court of Western Washington did not order immediate deportation instead setting a trial date for Jan. 21, 2025.

The defendant is considered to be an extreme danger to the American public. Court records show Lopez-Ramos has been convicted of several violent felonies in Washington state since 2019. His most recent arrest was on August 29 in Mountlake Terrace, a city located just north of Seattle. He was booked into Snohomish County Jail on felony domestic violence and assault charges, according to jail records.

Lopez-Ramos, a registered sex offender, was wanted by law enforcement prior to his August arrest for a September 5, 2023 incident in which he crashed his vehicle on I-5 in Lynnwood, Wash., attempted to carjack occupied vehicles, and then evaded arrest by escaping on foot, court filings show. He was initially deported by ICE to Mexico City, Mexico, on Oct. 6, 2022, and returned to the US on an unknown date.



Mexican national Ivan Lopez-Ramos. Courtesy: Immigration Customs and Enforcement

Records show that Lopez-Ramos was transferred from Snohomish County Jail into federal custody on September 6, 2024, after his August arrest. Judge Mary Alice Theiler for the US District Court of Western Washington issued a detention order on September 24, demanding he remain in custody until arraignment.

In the order, Judge Theiler contended that Lopez-Ramos was at risk of nonappearance due to his foreign citizenship, prior removal to Mexico, criminal activity, pending charges, history of warrant activity, failure to appear, allegations of attempts to resist arrest or apprehension, criminal activity, and other noncompliance while under supervision, substance use history, mental health concerns, and lack of employment. 

She added that the defendant posed the greatest level of pre-trial danger risk, citing his "pattern of violent criminal conduct, including resisting law enforcement, criminal activity, and noncompliance while under supervision, substance use history, and a history of possible gang association."

Lopez-Ramos accumulated a lengthy list of additional charges upon his unlawful return to the United States. The charges include failure to register as a sex offender, felony DOC warrant: escape community custody, fourth-degree domestic violence assault, felony harassment, threats to kill domestic violence, interfering with reporting of domestic violence, second-degree assault, hit-and-run, eluding, and fourth-degree malicious mischief, according to court records.

Additionally, Lopez-Ramos has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, court filings show. Law enforcement believes he has family in the greater Seattle area. Their immigration statuses remain unclear.

According to ICE ERO Seattle, members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activities by calling 866-347-2423 or submitting an online tip form.