Guyanese Man Arrested for Child Sex Crimes in New York

NEW YORK – A Guyanese national, who was twice released with an active detainer following his detention for crimes against children, has again been arrested pending deportation from the United States to his homeland.

Thomas R. Decker, field office director for the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New York, described 43-year-old Grachowe Harrichand as “a repeat offender when it comes to crimes against a child. Yet, he was released back into the community over and over.”

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said Harrichand, was previously ordered removed from the country and was twice released from local law enforcement custody with an active detainer “due to New York City’s sanctuary policies.” It said he was first arrested on Mar. 6 on charges of sexual abuse, contact with victims less than 13 and 14 years old, as well as subjecting another person to sex contact without consent among other charges.

On June 3, Harrichand pleaded guilty to acting in a manner to injure a child and was sentenced to six months in custody.

ICE said the detainer was not honored and Harrichand was released from the custody of the New York City Department of Correction. However, on July 5 he was again arrested on sex related charges, including acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 years old. ICE said Harrichand was arrested on Oct. 9 in the South Richmond Hill section of Queens, New York.

With a final order of removal in place from 2004, ICE said he had been detained pending deportation to Guyana.