ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man charged late last year with multiple counts of statutory rape involving minors is the subject of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, according to federal officials.

Federal immigration officials lodged a detainer against Juan Ramon Juarez-Talamantes, who was charged with multiple counts of statutory rape months ago. Still, the agency did not publicly announce the action until this week.

Juarez-Talamantes, 29, was arrested Nov. 19, 2025, and charged with two counts of statutory rape of a child who was 13, 14 or 15 years old, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with a third count Jan. 22, 2026, involving a separate juvenile.

Juarez-Talamantes has been held in the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond since his arrest. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security immigration detainer was issued Nov. 20, one day after he was taken into custody.

However, the Department of Homeland Security did not issue a news release about the detainer until Tuesday.

Authorities said the investigation began in July 2024, when Buncombe County sheriff’s detectives received a report of a sexual assault involving a child. In September 2025, the Asheville Police Department received a separate report involving a juvenile. Detectives from both agencies worked together and identified Juarez-Talamantes as the suspect in both cases, officials said. A subsequent investigation identified a third alleged victim, resulting in the additional charge.

In its Tuesday news release, DHS said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged the detainer against Juarez-Talamantes, whom it described as a Mexican national in the country without legal status. A detainer is a request that local law enforcement notify ICE before releasing a person from custody.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that ICE is asking local officials not to release Juarez-Talamantes without notifying the agency.

A spokesperson for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said the agency intends to follow state law regarding immigration detainers.

“Without fail, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office follows the law and will continue to do so,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

As of Oct. 1, 2025, North Carolina law requires local jail administrators to cooperate with ICE detainers in certain cases. Under House Bill 318, which amended previous legislation, sheriffs must attempt to determine the immigration status of individuals charged with felonies, certain impaired driving offenses or domestic violence. If ICE issues a detainer accompanied by an administrative warrant, jails are required to notify ICE prior to release and may hold the individual for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time.

Juarez-Talamantes remained in custody as of Wednesday, according to jail records.