First, list of linkable resources detected in order of appearance:
1. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations page available at the U.S. government website: ICE ERO
2. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (policy)
Now the article with up to five .gov links added, linking only the first mention of each resource in the article body and preserving all content and formatting exactly (only links inserted):
(CONROE, TEXAS) Two Mexican nationals who escaped custody after one allegedly choked a Border Patrol agent during a transport on September 22, 2025, were recaptured by ICE later the same day near Conroe and now face criminal prosecution, according to federal officials.
The men—Juan Carmen Padron Mendez, 29, and Juan Carlos Padron Barron, 23—had been arrested in an ICE-led operation focused on violent criminal aliens and repeat immigration offenders in the Spring, Texas, area. They were being moved from Spring to the Montgomery Processing Center in Montgomery County when the incident occurred.
Incident summary
Authorities said one man slipped his restraints during the transfer and allegedly placed the assisting female Border Patrol agent in a chokehold. Both detainees then fled the transport vehicle and were last seen running east of I-45 near Loop 336.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), working with the Conroe Police Department, deployed a rapid search and recaptured both men on Monday, restoring custody before nightfall. ICE confirmed the men will be prosecuted for the escape and the alleged assault on a federal officer.
What happened during the transfer
The incident unfolded while ERO personnel were moving the pair to the Montgomery Processing Center, a federal detention facility used for holding immigration detainees pending removal or immigration court proceedings.
During the ride, one detainee slipped his restraints and allegedly choked the assisting Border Patrol agent who had joined the transfer team, according to initial reports. Both men bolted from the vehicle and ran toward an area east of I-45 and Loop 336.
Local police and federal agents established a perimeter, reviewed camera footage where available, and canvassed nearby areas. By late afternoon, both men were located in the Conroe area and were safely taken back into custody without further injuries reported by officials.
Background on the detainees
ICE officials identified the men as recent arrests from an enforcement surge in the Spring area.
- Juan Carlos Padron Barron: Entered the United States illegally at least three times and was expelled in December 2022 and January 2023.
- Juan Carmen Padron Mendez: No prior known encounters with immigration authorities, according to ICE.
The agency emphasized both cases were part of a broader focus on individuals with violent criminal histories or patterns of immigration violations.
Criminal charges and investigations
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas has filed charges related to the alleged choking of a federal agent during the escape attempt. Officials have not released details on the agent’s injuries, and no medical updates were made public as of Tuesday.
ICE ERO acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez condemned the assault, stressing the daily risks faced by officers handling in-custody transfers and criticizing a political climate he argues has increased those dangers. He framed the incident as a stark example of hazards tied to moving detainees between facilities and coordinating across agencies.
Federal officials said further security reviews would follow standard procedure after an in-custody escape.
“This incident underscores the dangers officers face during in-custody transfers and the need for thorough coordination and security,” ICE officials said in describing the response and forthcoming reviews.
Legal and community implications
The case spotlights a complex, emotionally charged area of immigration enforcement: transporting detainees who may face serious criminal exposure.
Transfers like Monday’s are routine, but they rely on strict restraint protocols, coordinated staffing, and contingency planning. When something goes wrong, the risk extends to federal personnel, local police, nearby residents, and the detainees themselves.
Key takeaways:
– Both men are again in federal custody at a secure setting following their capture.
– The men will face criminal prosecution for the escape and alleged assault, separate from any immigration proceedings.
– Officials did not announce changes to local transport schedules or court appearances, but security audits commonly follow such events.
Community response and public safety:
– The quick recapture limited disruption; no public shelter-in-place orders were reported.
– Police urged the public to report suspicious activity but not to approach escapees.
Impacts on stakeholders:
– For immigration officers and agents, the incident renews attention on training, equipment, and staffing during high-risk moves.
– For families of detainees, transfers can delay phone access and attorney communication temporarily; attorneys should check detention location updates through official channels.
– Employers should note this incident centers on alleged crimes during custody, not workplace compliance. Employers contacted by federal agents should consult counsel; they are not parties to the criminal case.
Policy context:
– The episode occurs amid broader debates over interior enforcement priorities and detention capacity.
– Officials noted this operation was part of a targeted effort in the Spring area that routinely involves coordination with local police for perimeter security and quick response.
Officials also addressed a recurring confusion in public reporting: the facility’s name. Authorities confirmed the destination was the “Montgomery Processing Center” in Montgomery County, not the often misspelled “Montogomery Processing Center.”
Procedure and public information
Federal authorities typically review transport protocols after any escape but rarely release detailed security adjustments for officer safety reasons. ERO leadership has said it prioritizes safe, orderly custody transfers, especially when multiple agencies are involved.
The agency directs the public to official resources for updates on enforcement priorities and custody operations. Readers can find more detail on ERO’s mission and procedures on the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations page available at the U.S. government website: ICE ERO.
Current status and next steps
As the criminal case proceeds in federal court, the core facts remain:
– Both men were recaptured by ICE and are back in custody.
– Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas have filed charges tied to the alleged choking of a Border Patrol agent during an escape attempt.
No timeline for initial court appearances was released, and no further details on injuries were provided. Authorities said updates will come through official channels as the case moves forward.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 22, 2025, two Mexican nationals—Juan Carmen Padron Mendez, 29, and Juan Carlos Padron Barron, 23—escaped custody during an ICE transfer from Spring to the Montgomery Processing Center near Conroe, Texas. During the transfer one detainee allegedly slipped restraints and placed an assisting Border Patrol agent in a chokehold before both fled east of I-45 near Loop 336. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, with Conroe Police Department support, launched a rapid search and recaptured both men the same day. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas filed criminal charges for the escape and alleged assault; officials said security reviews will follow and updates will be provided through official channels.
