Man to be turned over to ICE custody following arrest after avoiding traffic stop

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

DEKALB COUNTY — A man is set to be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after being released from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) following his arrest for eluding a traffic stop and other drug charges.

According to the DCSO, on Wednesday, May 20th 2026, deputies were conducting a traffic safety check point at the intersection of County Road 179 and County Road 433 in Kilpatrick when they observed a Silver Chevrolet Sonic attempting to avoid the check point.

Deputies made contact with the driver, identified as Christian Perez-Lopez, 24, and observed alcohol and drug paraphernalia in plain view within the vehicle.

They say while Deputies were attempting to remove Perez-Lopez from the vehicle, he accelerated and drove off, initiating a vehicle pursuit.

The pursuit went down County Road 179 at a high rate of speed and Perez-Lopez crossed Highway 68 without stopping at the stop sign, went through the parking lot at the Marathon Gas Station and continued onto Highway 168.

Perez-Lopez passed several vehicles on Highway 168 and attempted to turn right onto County Road 479 where he lost control of his vehicle and struck a utility pole.

Perez-Lopez exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after resisting arrest.

The Dekalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit responded and a vehicle search was conducted, after which Perez-Lopez was arrested and charged with:

Felony Attempt to Elude

Resisting Arrest

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Criminal Mischief 3rd.

According to the DCSO, Perez-Lopez was identified as a Guatemalan national illegally residing in the United States and will be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody upon release from the Dekalb County Detention Center.