LITTLE ROCK, AR - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today released a statement on the arrest of Luis Danielle Valdez-Reyes, a violent illegal immigrant who was on the run after striking an Arkansas State Trooper.

“Violent illegal immigrants have no place in Arkansas,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m thankful our brave State Troopers were able to apprehend this man. This legislative session, I will support the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act to add enhanced penalties on violent illegal immigrants so they no longer threaten Arkansans.” 

Arkansas State Police initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 30 in Benton on the evening of December 31^st. Valdez-Reyes, a passenger in the vehicle, was found to have an outstanding felony warrant from Little Rock for mail theft. When the Trooper attempted to arrest Valdez-Reyes, he pulled away, struck the Trooper, and fled on foot.

State Police, along with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, arrested Valdez-Reyes on January 6^th. He is being held in the Saline County Detention Center on a $15,000 bond, facing multiple charges including Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Operations, Fleeing, and Public Intoxication. 

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations officials say Valdez-Reyes has been living in the United States illegally, using the alias Ronald Solis. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District is pursuing federal charges against Valdez-Reyes for Illegal Reentry after Deportation, pursuant to a January 7, 2025, indictment.