Bakery owner arrested as ICE surrounds Lake Worth business; family disputes criminal claims
Jul 9, 2026·Location: Lake Worth Beach, FL
Country of origin: Guatemala

Jacob Zapeta Castro, a Guatemalan immigrant and owner of El Quetzal bakery in Lake Worth Beach, was arrested by ICE and Florida Highway Patrol on July 9, 2026, after a traffic stop attempt. Approximately 25 to 30 federal and state officers surrounded his bakery for hours. His teenage children, ages 13 and 15, were present during the operation and were questioned by officers; family members and advocates described the children as being used as leverage to force his surrender. ICE alleged Zapeta Castro had prior deportations and a criminal history including DUI arrests, hit and run, and resisting law enforcement, and claimed he attempted to ram an ICE vehicle before fleeing into the bakery. However, his family, coworkers, and community advocates disputed these characterizations, describing him as hardworking and tax-paying. Employee Gilmer Zapeta, who has worked for Jacob for three years, stated that Jacob voluntarily surrendered. Community advocate Mariana Blanco of the Guatemalan Maya Center confirmed Zapeta Castro held a valid work permit and driver's license. Officers cited a federal offense of illegal re-entry after prior deportation.
Sources
- Lake Worth business owner arrested in ICE operation; family, community push back on agency's claims
WPTV·Jul 10, 2026·archived copy
- Lake Worth Beach bakery owner arrested by ICE after enforcement operation
cbs12.com·Jul 10, 2026·archived copy
- Immigration operation standoff at a Lake Worth Beach bakery inflames community tensions
WLRN·Jul 10, 2026·archived copy
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