Indian man accused of sexually assaulting child under 13 in US, ICE detains him

An Indian national has been taken into custody by United States immigration authorities in New Jersey over allegations that include the sexual assault of a child under 13, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said.The man, identified as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, has been described by the US agency as an undocumented immigrant.

He is facing a series of pending charges, including alleged child sexual assault, larceny connected to shoplifting and public disorder.
“SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD UNDER 13, SHOPLIFTING, PUBLIC DISORDER,” the US ICE said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) while sharing the photo of the accused.”Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a criminal illegal alien from India, has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey,” it added.

The ICE said the individual will remain in immigration custody while removal proceedings continue under US immigration law.

—SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD UNDER 13
—SHOPLIFTING
—PUBLIC DISORDER

Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a criminal illegal alien from India, has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey.We’ll keep him in custody pending removal proceedings. pic.twitter.com/VM97e9KUD9

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 16, 2026

Authorities have not revealed when the arrest took place, the specific county where the case has been registered or further details related to the accusations.

Officials stressed the charges are allegations at this stage and that the matter will be decided through the judicial process, as per News18. No additional comment has been issued regarding the status of the criminal investigation.

Rise in deportations of Indian nationals

The detention comes against the backdrop of a sharp increase in the deportation of Indian citizens from the United States.

According to information shared by the Indian government in Parliament, more than 3,800 Indians were deported from the US in 2025 after nationality checks and coordination between authorities in both countries.

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However, no information regarding the detailed classification separating deportations linked to criminal accusations from those based solely on immigration violations have been provided.

US authorities have indicated that non-citizens who are accused or convicted of serious offences, particularly crimes involving minors, are given priority for detention and possible removal.

Under American law, such individuals may be held in immigration custody while their criminal cases move forward through the courts, as per News18.