Indian Man Accused of Child Sexual Assault, Faces Removal from U.S.

U.S. immigration authorities have detained an Indian citizen in New Jersey who is accused of sexually assaulting a child and now faces removal from the United States, according to a statement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The man, identified as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, is described by ICE as an undocumented “criminal illegal alien” with pending charges that include sexual assault of a child under 13, larceny linked to shoplifting, and public disorder offences in New Jersey. He has been taken into immigration custody and will remain detained while removal proceedings under U.S. law move forward, separate from the state criminal case.

ICE publicised the arrest on X and released Kottapalli’s photograph with the label “child rapist,” underscoring the agency’s focus on non‑citizens accused of serious crimes involving minors. Officials have not disclosed details such as the date of arrest, the county where the charges were filed, or the circumstances of the alleged offences, noting that the accusations will be tested in court and that the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.