Thread: 7 criminal aliens arrested, 19 unlicensed movers fined after probe by ICE, N.J. AG

I.C.E. News Release

ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL

02/25/2015

7 criminal aliens arrested, 19 unlicensed movers fined after probe by ICE, NJ Consumer Affairs

NEWARK, N.J. — A partnership between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs resulted in the arrest of seven moving company employees who allegedly were in the United States illegally – including one who had previous criminal convictions for sexual abuse of a minor and criminal possession of a loaded firearm.

Nineteen companies face state penalties of $2,500 each, for soliciting intrastate moves without the required New Jersey license. If a company applies for state licensure within 30 days, this penalty will be reduced to $1,250. To date, two companies have applied for licensure and agreed to pay the reduced penalty. Each company also has the opportunity to contest the assertion that it violated the law.

“The outstanding partnership between ERO and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs once again demonstrates the necessity for law enforcement agencies to work in concert to keep our streets safe,” said John Tsoukaris, ERO field office director. “ICE will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in New Jersey to arrest and remove convicted criminals and other priority aliens.”

“This sting operation – and our partnership with ICE and the New Jersey State Police – is protecting the people of New Jersey from significant potential harm, even as it helps prevent consumer fraud,” said John J. Hoffman, acting attorney general. “Moving companies must comply with our laws.

Consumers should learn as much as possible about any moving company – including learning whether it is registered – before entrusting its employees with their belongings.”

“Too many consumers have been ripped off by movers who held their furniture and other goods hostage while demanding outrageously inflated prices,” said Steve Lee, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “Protecting consumers begins with our enforcement of New Jersey’s licensing laws.”

The sting operation began with Consumer Affairs investigators who posed as consumers seeking to make an ordinary household move. They booked appointments with 19 unlicensed movers who used online listings to solicit work.

The unlicensed companies sent moving crews to the location of the undercover investigators’ fictitious address in Wyckoff, and unwittingly into the second phase of the sting. Upon arriving at the address, the unlicensed movers were inspected by Consumer Affairs investigators, as well as ERO officers, New Jersey State Police, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/7-...ce-nj-consumer

19 NJ movers with no license hit by sting

David P. Willis, @dpwillis 5:13 p.m. EST February 25, 2015


(Photo: COURTESY DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS)

Nineteen moving crews, including two from Ocean County, that were hoping to work a job in Wyckoff instead got hit with citations during what turned out to be an undercover sting by the state's consumer affairs investigators.

The state Division of Consumer Affairs said 19 moving companies were cited for soliciting intrastate moves without a license, a violation of state law. They were assessed a fine of up to $2,500 each.

"Too many consumers have been ripped off by movers who held their furniture and other goods hostage while demanding outrageously inflated prices," said acting Director Steve Lee in a statement. "Protecting consumers begins with our enforcement of New Jersey's licensing laws."

The state's sting occurred last November after investigators with the state Division of Consumer Affairs posed as consumers seeking to move their belongings. They booked appointments with unlicensed movers who solicited work using online listings, including their own websites, Craiglist and Angie's List.

When they got to the undercover location in Wyckoff, the movers were inspected by consumer affairs investigators, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, New Jersey State Police and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Two of the movers were from Ocean County: Grimes7Grimes We Pack U Ship, Toms River, and MBD Moving and Storage II, Lakewood.

ASBURY PARK PRESS Bergen County mover Moving Max accused of bogus charges

The other companies cited were: AN Piano Moving, Wayne; Allen Transfer & Storage Co., Mount Holly; Arrow Moving Systems Inc., Moonachie; B & D Movers, Milford, Pennsylvania; Broad Street Movers, doing business as Deen Moving, Philadelphia; Chics Services, Frenchtown; Ironmen Movers Inc., East Rutherford; Jovani's Moving LLC, North Bergen; Move IQ, Maple Shade; MoveOurStuff.com, Inc., West Haverstraw, New York; Rolando Pozo trading as Pozo Moving and Storage, North Bergen; Santi Express, Inc., Valley Cottage, New York; Schulgasser Bros. Moving, Passaic; Slattery Moving & Storage, Inc., Nyack, New York; Timothy Maddox doing businesss as Maddox Moving, Paterson; Vadzim Paplauski doing business as Moving Solutions, Brooklyn, New York; and Venita Roots trading as Carls Moving and Storage, West Deptford.

Move IQ and Allen Transfer & Storage received a license after they were cited, officials said.

Immigrations agents arrested seven moving company employees who were allegedly in the United States in violation of the law, including three who had been previously convicted of a crime, authorities said.

One from El Salvador had a conviction of sexual abuse against a minor, criminal possession of a loaded firearm and disorderly conduct, authorities said. Another was a MS-13 gang member with a conviction for criminal attempted theft.

David P. Willis: 732-643-4039; dwillis@app.com; facebook.com/dpwillis732

WHAT MOVERS MUST DO
State law requires movers to:
•Be licensed with the state Division of Consumer Affairs
•Protect consumers' property with cargo liability insurance.
•Register each moving vehicle they use in New Jersey.
•Keep their vehicles properly marked and insured.
•Provide consumers with a written estimate of moving costs.

http://www.app.com/story/money/busin...ense/24006877/