The arrest news of Toombs County High School’s 18-year-old standout student-athlete, Roberto Itzep-Caba, has left his family and community devastated, with many appealing for his release.
Roberto Itzep-Caba, a Georgia resident, was arrested and placed in federal immigration custody.
According to reports, the incident occurred on the morning of August 8, 2025, when Roberto, a junior at Toombs County High School, was driving to school after dropping his mother off at work.
Authorities say Roberto failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign near his school and was pulled over.
Similarly, Toombs County Sheriff stated that Roberto Itzep-Caba was driving without a valid license.
Without any prior warning or citation, he was handcuffed and arrested in full view of other students, which marked his first time being pulled over while driving.
At the Toombs County Jail, his fingerprints were processed through a system that alerted federal immigration authorities.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) further confirmed that there had been an administrative warrant for Roberto for approximately nine years, dating back to when his family brought him to the United States from Guatemala under an asylum claim.
Just days after the arrest, Roberto Itzep-Caba was transferred to the Stewart Immigration Detention Center.
Likewise, his parents, in an interview, described their situation and stated:
“He (Roberto) feels like he didn’t deserve this, He was close to graduating, with just this year and next year left. We came from Guatemala seeking safety and a better future, and now we pray for a miracle that God will help us.”
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Community members highlight Roberto’s positive contributions to the school and Toombs County, emphasizing his athletic achievements and good character.
His family, friends, and the whole community continue to plead for his release, holding out hope that he can return home and continue his education.
Roberto Itzep-Caba Shines in Soccer and Cross Country at Toombs County High
The 18-year-old Roberto Itzep-Caba has been showcasing his amazing athletic skills from a very young age and currently plays for the Toombs County High School varsity soccer team and cross country team.
Roberto, playing as a striker, has made notable contributions to the Bulldogs soccer program during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
As a sophomore in the 2024-2025 season, wearing jersey #10, he appeared in 18 games, scoring 1 goal, providing 2 assists, and recording 4 total points, helping the team to a 15-7 overall record and a 2-3 region record (4th place), with a national ranking of #753 and a state ranking of #142.
In his freshman year (2023-2024), wearing jersey #0, he played in 14 games, scoring 1 goal and tallying 2 total points, contributing to an impressive 21-3 season, a 12-2 region record (1st place), and high national #52 and state #9 rankings.
During 2024, Roberto and his soccer team made history by winning the first-ever state championship.
Furthermore, to help Roberto Itzep-Caba continue his sports journey and bring him back home, the community has created a GoFundMe page, which aims to raise $9k, and to date, around $7,598 has already been raised.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Roberto Itzep-Caba has two sisters, one brother, and a new sibling on the way.
- He stands at a height of 5’3”. Roberto came to Georgia at the age of 4.
