U.S. Immigration and Customs arrested an immigrant from Tajikistan last week outside a Durango courtroom as a result of his felony conviction, an ICE spokesman confirmed this week.
Timur Urunov, 31, pleaded guilty Nov. 29 to contributing to the delinquency of a minor/sexual conduct. The plea agreement was accepted Friday by 6th Judicial District Court Judge Suzanne Carlson, who sentenced him to six years probation.
But as a result of the felony conviction, Urunov fell within “ICE enforcement priorities,” said spokesman Carl Rusnok, in an email to the Herald.
In addition to being arrested, Urunov was issued a “notice to appear” before a federal immigration judge who will determine whether he will be allowed to remain in the United States, Rusnok said.
La Plata County Sheriff’s Office deputies attended Friday’s sentencing hearing, and they were aware of the pending arrest.
Sheriff Sean Smith did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment about how the agency works with ICE to report immigrants who may be in the U.S. illegally.
Urunov was one of six men arrested in connection with a child sex sting conducted April 25-27 in Durango by local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
According to an arrest affidavit and courtroom testimony, Urunov exchanged money with undercover agents believing he was going to have sex with a 14-year-old girl. He was then arrested in the parking lot of the Durango Lodge, 150 E. Fifth St.
Prior to his arrest last week, Urunov was free on $50,000 bail and living in Denver. Rusnok said Urunov was a citizen and native of Tajikistan. It was not immediately known if he was here on a visa or a green card.
shane@durangoherald.com
