Noel marshal: ICE warrant surfaced during stop of 19-year-old

A 19-year-old McDonald County High School student was taken into federal immigration custody after a traffic stop in Noel.

The situation has gone viral on social media prompting a response from authorities.

Greene County Jail records show Rodrigo Gonzalez Carbajal was booked shortly after midnight Wednesday on a hold for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The record lists ICE as the arresting agency and Sept. 29 as the arrest date.

The Noel Marshal's Office said deputies stopped Gonzalez Carbajal after observing a suspected speeding violation. During the stop, deputies determined he did not have a valid driver's license.

A records check then returned information attributed to ICE concerning an active ICE warrant and ongoing removal proceedings.

The marshal’s office said the immigration information was separate from the initial traffic violation.

Noel officials said they have not independently verified Gonzalez Carbajal's immigration status, the validity of the reported warrant or the status of his removal proceedings, saying those matters fall under federal authority.

Federal immigration court information provided to the station shows Gonzalez Carbajal has a pending case and is scheduled for a master calendar hearing Jan. 3, 2028, in Kansas City.

A fundraiser organized on his behalf says Gonzalez Carbajal has applied for asylum and has a work permit and Social Security card.

It says he was driving home from a soccer game and was near his home when he was stopped for allegedly driving 5 mph over the speed limit.

The fundraiser is seeking money for an immigration attorney and travel expenses for his family while he is detained.

ICE has not publicly detailed the warrant referenced by Noel officials or explained the specific legal basis for Gonzalez Carbajal's detention.