Cuban Illegal Immigrant Charged With Sodomizing Mother in Louisville

ICE urges authorities not to release suspect, citing public safety concerns

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 34-year-old Cuban illegal immigrant named Yordan Basilio Diaz Vera has been charged with first-degree sodomy and kidnapping after allegedly assaulting a mother of four at gunpoint in Louisville, Kentucky. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Diaz Vera and is urging local authorities not to release him, citing public safety concerns.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement, as well as concerns about the potential risks posed by undocumented immigrants with criminal records. It also raises questions about the vetting processes used by ride-sharing companies like Lyft to screen their drivers.

The details

According to reports, on February 5th, Diaz Vera, a Lyft driver, allegedly picked up a mother of four for a ride to a doctor's appointment. He then reportedly stopped at a church parking lot, pulled a gun, locked the doors, and sexually assaulted the woman in the backseat. The victim called police after exiting the vehicle, leading to Diaz Vera's arrest. Diaz Vera has pleaded not guilty, and his bond was set at $100,000. ICE has placed a detainer on him, urging local authorities not to release him.

  • On February 5, 2026, Diaz Vera allegedly assaulted the victim.
  • On February 6, 2026, Diaz Vera was arrested and charged.

The players

Yordan Basilio Diaz Vera

A 34-year-old Cuban illegal immigrant charged with first-degree sodomy and kidnapping for allegedly assaulting a mother of four in Louisville.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that has placed a detainer on Diaz Vera and is urging local authorities not to release him, citing public safety concerns.

Louisville Metro Department of Corrections

The local jail where Diaz Vera is currently being held.

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What they’re saying

“Yordan Basilio Diaz Vera was released into our communities under the Biden administration before he went onto to brutally sodomize a mother of four at gunpoint in Louisville. This criminal illegal alien is a monster who has no right to be in our country and this crime was entirely preventable.”

— Lauren Bis, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Daily Caller News Foundation)

“The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or society. We have permanently removed the driver from the Lyft platform and are assisting law enforcement with their investigation.”

— Lyft spokesperson (Daily Caller News Foundation)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to grant Diaz Vera bail at a hearing on February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the potential risks posed by undocumented immigrants with criminal records, as well as the challenges faced by ride-sharing companies in thoroughly vetting their drivers. It also underscores the tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement when it comes to handling cases involving illegal immigrants.