Man Who Saved 9-Year-Old Girl from a Shark Attack Has Been Arrested by ICE

Nationwide — Luis Alvarez, a 31-year-old man who helped a 9-year-old lady who was bitten by a shark, is now in ICE custody after being arrested for allegedly driving and not using a license. He now faces potential deportation.

On June 11, Leah Lendel, a 9-year-old lady, was bitten by a shark whereas on trip in Boca Grande, Florida. Alvarez was one in every of three males who rushed to assist her. Regardless of the hazard, Alvarez jumped into the water and helped get Leah to security earlier than emergency crews arrived. The lady was airlifted to a hospital and had emergency surgical procedure to save lots of her hand, in accordance with Individuals.

Simply days after the rescue, Alvarez was stopped by police in Immokalee, Florida. He was pulled over at evening for driving with out headlights. When requested for a driver’s license, he confirmed a piece authorization doc on his cellphone as a substitute. Police discovered Alvarez by no means had a legitimate U.S. driver’s license. He was arrested for driving and not using a license and brought to Collier County Jail.

Alvarez, born in Nicaragua, has been within the U.S. for about two and a half years. ICE later took custody of him as a result of he entered the nation illegally in December 2022. His arrest got here by way of an area police partnership with Homeland Safety. Bail is about at $150, and he’s scheduled to seem in courtroom on July 9.

Earlier than this, Alvarez had a number of previous arrests for driving and not using a license, primarily in Lee County, Florida. Regardless of the authorized points, individuals who helped on the shark assault praised his bravery. One witness stated Alvarez dove deep underwater, not caring concerning the shark, to rescue Leah. Others known as him a “actual first rate man” for risking himself within the rescue.