I.C.E. News Releases


10/03/2018

NEW YORK, NY


FINANCIAL CRIMES


5 in New York plead guilty to armed robbery scheme
Sira Abassi, Kenlee Galvez, David Bradford, Jeremias Munoz, and Luis Monsanto-Germosen pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery during August and September of 2017. The robbery crew committed at least 11 armed robberies in New York City, including stabbing a victim in the torso during a home invasion robbery.



10/02/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



STATEMENT


Nationwide Emergency Alert Test planned for Oct. 3; test messages will be sent to cell phones, TV and radio
The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster, including requirements to help ensure that televised EAS messages are accessible to individuals with disabilities.



10/01/2018

SCRANTON, PA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Hazleton Pennsylvania man charged with defrauding the US
Lucas Hernandez-Torres, 47, pleaded guilty to the charges on April 25, 2017, and is awaiting sentencing, and faces a maximum penalty under federal law of 10 years imprisonment.



10/01/2018

GREENBELT, MD



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Maryland man sentenced to 17 years for sexual exploitation of a child to produce child pornography and related charges
Roy David Evans, Jr., age 34, of Essex, Maryland, was sentenced today to 17 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography, possession of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography.




10/01/2018

FAYETTEVILLE, AR



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Fayetteville HERO finding his niche
During his rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Kennedy first heard about a new program that was starting designed for wounded, injured and ill Special Operations Forces to receive training in high-tech computer forensics and law enforcement skills.



10/01/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT


Los Angeles-area woman sentenced to federal prison in scheme to smuggle restricted space communications technology to China
Si Chen, 33, pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to violate the IEEPA, which controls and restricts the export of certain goods and technology from the United States to foreign nations. Chen also pleaded guilty to money laundering and using a forged passport with her photo but a different name that appeared to have been issued by the People’s Republic of China.



10/01/2018

DENVER, CO



NARCOTICS


Leader of Darknet's ItalianMafiaBrussels Drug Trafficking Organization sentenced in Denver to 11 years in federal prison
On May 3, 2016, in a joint U.S.-European enforcement action, law enforcement dismantled the ItalianMafiaBrussels Drug Trafficking Organization, arresting 10 defendants during early morning raids in Bruges, Belgium, and surrounding areas. Filip Lucian Simion and Leonardo Cristea were arrested simultaneously in Bucharest, Romania, and extradited to the District of Colorado in July and October 2016, respectively.



09/28/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



FINANCIAL CRIMES


2 oil services executives sentenced in Houston to federal prison for their roles in foreign bribery scheme
Anthony “Tony” Mace, 66, of the United Kingdom, the former CEO of SBM Offshore, N.V. (SBM), a Dutch oil services company, and a former board member of SBM’s U.S.-based subsidiary, SBM Offshore USA Inc. (SBM USA), was sentenced to serve three years in federal prison and to pay a fine of $150,000. Robert Zubiate, 66, of Agoura Hills, California, a former sales and marketing executive at SBM USA, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison and to pay a $50,000 fine.




09/28/2018

SAN JUAN, <acronym title="Google Page Ranking"><acronym title="Google Page Ranking">PR</acronym></acronym>



NARCOTICS


Operation 'Green Mountain' nets 53 arrests for drug, illegal arms trafficking; money laundering
Members of the conspiracy included police officers who provided information regarding investigations of the conspirators, interfered in police investigations for the benefit of the conspirators and provided information to the conspirators on how to avoid police detection.



09/28/2018

TUCSON, AZ



NARCOTICS


Feds arrests Tucson college student on drug charges
Michael Mugavero of Tucson, is suspected of using social media including posting videos to advertise the sale of drugs, which he had illegally imported from Canada through an international mail parcel.



09/27/2018

NEW YORK, NY



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


More than 300 New York area businesses attend IMAGE forum; signing ceremony
Over 300 companies convened at the Alexander Hamilton Customs House Thursday for the 2018 IMAGE Training and Forum. New York based businesses have participated in this forum, hosted by with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York, to learn more about the benefits of joining the agency’s employment compliance program IMAGE, or “ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers.”



09/27/2018

NEW YORK, NY



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Former owner and manager of Long Island catering hall pleads guilty to forced labor charges
Ralph Colamussi, of East Northport, NY pleaded guilty to charges of forced labor of employees at the Thatched Cottage, a catering and wedding venue in Centerport, New York. When sentenced, Colamussi faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as restitution and a fine of up to $250,000.




09/27/2018

DETROIT, MI



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


2-state ICE operation nets 105 arrests over 10-day period
The arrestees (96 males and nine females) included nationals from 21 countries: Albania, Burma, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Suriname, Vietnam, and Yemen.



09/27/2018

SAN ANTONIO, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE San Antonio removes Mexican national wanted for multiple homicides
Jose Yobani Hernandez-Sanches, also known as Jose Antonio Hernandez-Rangel, 26, was illegally present in the United States. He is accused of multiple homicides that occurred in and around Piedras Negras, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico. Hernandez-Sanches, was escorted by ICE officers to the U.S.-Mexico border at Laredo, Texas, and transferred to Mexican authorities Sept. 26.



09/27/2018

BOSTON, MA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 40 in New England during 3-day operation targeting criminal aliens and immigration fugitives
Foreign nationals from the following countries were arrested during the operation: Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Portugal, Ireland, Brazil, Jamaica, Cuba, Ecuador, among others.



09/26/2018

DALLAS, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 98 in North Texas and Oklahoma areas during 10-day operation targeting criminal aliens and immigration fugitives
During this operation, ERO deportation officers made arrests in the following 38 Texas cities and towns: Amarillo (2), Arlington (2), Athens (1), Big Spring (1), Bridgeport (1), Canton (1), Carrollton (1), Dallas (11), Denton (3), Fort Worth (5), Frisco (3), Garland (1), Gilmer (4), Grapevine (1), Greenville (1), Haltom City (1), Haslett (1), Hawley (1), Irving (6), Jacksboro (2), Kaufman (1), Lewisville (2), Longview (2), Lubbock (9), McKinney (3), Mesquite (2), Palestine (2), Pampa (4), Perryton (2), Plainview (2), Plano (1), Sache (1), San Angelo (2), Sherman (2), Tyler (1), Wichita Falls (1) and White Oak (1). A total of 11 arrests were made in Oklahoma in Oklahoma City (3) and Tulsa (.




09/26/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 150 aliens in Los Angeles-area
The arrestees (138 men and 12 women) included nationals from 12 countries: Argentina (1), Armenia (1), Belize (2), Canada (1), El Salvador (6), Guatemala (9), Honduras (3), Lebanon (1), Mexico (123), Nicaragua (1), Singapore (1), Philippines (1).



09/25/2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Pakistani man convicted, ordered to pay $71 million in laundering scheme
Muhammad Sohail Qasmani, 50, was convicted on June 28, 2017, in federal court for the offense of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and sentenced to 48 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $70,960,070.73



09/25/2018

SAN JUAN, <acronym title="Google Page Ranking"><acronym title="Google Page Ranking">PR</acronym></acronym>



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Puerto Rico teacher sentenced to 10 years for child exploitation
Former teacher Yaira Tanies Cotto-Flores was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct.



09/25/2018

DETROIT, MI



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


2 Michigan companies partner with ICE IMAGE program, 60 attend informational forum
In addition to the recognition of SERVEPRO and Pilot Freight Services, more than 60 Detroit-area employers attended an open house where they heard expert presentations about Form I-9 training, USCIS E-Verify updates, Office of Special Counsel training and fraudulent document detection training.




09/25/2018

CHICAGO, IL



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 83 criminal aliens and immigration violators in 4-day Wisconsin enforcement surge
During this operation, ERO officers made arrests in the following 14 Wisconsin counties: Brown (9), Dane (20), Door (2), Eau Claire (4), Kewaunee (4), Marathon (6), Milwaukee (15), Oconto (1), Outagamie (3), Racine (1), Rock (5), Taylor (7), Trempealeau (4) and Waukesha (2). Of the 83 arrested, 44 had criminal convictions. Six women and 77 men were arrested.



09/24/2018

HO CHI MINH CITY,VIETNAM



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Ho Chi Minh City participates in destruction of 13 tons of seized counterfeit items
The destruction – which marked the first time Vietnam has invited U.S. government representatives in Ho Chi Minh City to attend such an event – came on the heels of a visit to Vietnam by White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Vishal Amin and HSI Global Trade Investigations Assistant Director Alex Khu.



09/20/2018

SAN ANGELO, TX



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


West Texas ICE special agents arrest former Peruvian army sergeant wanted for his alleged role in 'Santa Barbara Massacre'
On Sept. 17, HSI San Angelo special agents arrested former Peruvian Army Second Sergeant Dennis Wilfredo Pacheco-Zambrano, 48, in San Angelo. Pacheco is wanted in Peru for his alleged role in the July 4, 1991, torture, rape and extrajudicial killing of 15 Peruvian civilians in the rural village of Santa Barbara, Peru.



09/14/2018

NEWARK, NJ



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Guatemalan national wanted for murder
ERO deportation officers turned Arnulfo Silva-Gonzalez over to Guatemalan authorities at La Aurora International Airport upon his arrival in his home country.




09/14/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



NARCOTICS


Indictment targeting massive international cocaine conspiracy unsealed with arrival in US of extradited Colombian kingpin
In addition to the extradition of Victor Hugo Cuellar-Silva last night and yesterday’s arrests of codefendants in California and Massachusetts, six other defendants are pending extradition after being previously taken into custody in Colombia and Thailand. Authorities continue to work to secure the arrests of a number of fugitives, including Angel Humberto Chavez-Gastelum, the alleged ringleader of the international trafficking ring, who is believed to be in Mexico.






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C.B.P. Media Releases

Media Releases from the previous administrations are available in the Archive section of our website.

Despite Threatening Conditions, Smugglers Continue to Risk Migrant Lives for Profit
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested six Mexican nationals and five U.S. citizens after three separate smuggling attempts this week. Tuesday afternoon, Nogales agents working at the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint...
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Yuma Sector Border Patrol Arrests Two U.S. Citizens Smuggling $165K in Meth
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Wellton Station Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizens as they attempted to smuggle almost 55 pounds of methamphetamine around the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint early Friday. At approximately 9:50 a.m., agents...
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Profiting Criminals Put Lives in Danger by Bringing Masses to the Border
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson and Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents continue to encounter families illegally crossing the border in southern Arizona, despite law enforcement efforts, a summer of record-breaking heat, and the dangers of crossing the border...
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Agent Assaulted
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseBROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agent struck in the head during skirmish with illegal alien. Early this morning, agents encountered a group of illegal aliens near Brownsville, Texas. As the agents attempted to take the group into custody,...
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MS-13 Gang Members Apprehended in the RIo Grande Valley
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseEDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested two MS-13 gang members. Monday, McAllen agents arrested a Salvadoran national in McAllen, Texas. Record checks confirmed that he is an MS-13 gang member. Early this...
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Intercepts Two Alien Smuggling Attempts
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseEDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents disrupted smuggling attempts at Rio Grande Valley checkpoints. Early Saturday morning, agents working at the Falfurrias checkpoint arrested a United States citizen after a failed smuggling attempt of two...
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Stash House Discovered in the Rio Grande Valley
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseMERCEDES, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents and the Hidalgo County Constable’s Office disrupted an active stash house operating in a residential neighborhood. On Monday afternoon, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents received information regarding...
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Border Patrol Participates in National Night Out in the Rio Grande Valley
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseEDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents participated at several National Night Out (NNO) celebrations held in communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). NNO is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community...
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Seizes Over $360K worth of Marijuana
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseEDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents disrupted two smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of more than 450 pounds of marijuana. On Friday, Fort Brown agents observed two subjects attempting to avoid detection while carrying bundles of...
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CBP lanzará campaña de concientización para Ready Lane en Puertos de Entrada del Sur de Texas
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas - La Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos (CBP, por sus siglas en inglés) Oficina Regional de Operaciones Aduaneras de Laredo (LFO por sus siglas en inglés) se está preparando para lanzar una campaña de...
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CBP to Launch Awareness Campaign for Ready Lane at South Texas Ports of Entry
Friday, October 5, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Laredo Field Office (LFO) is preparing to launch an awareness campaign during the month of October 2018 for dedicated processing lanes for vehicles and pedestrians with technology-enabled...
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First Responders Team Up to Rescue Trapped Man from Drowning
Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Ajo Station Border Patrol agents and the Gila Bend Fire and Rescue extracted a 36-year-old Mexican man stuck inside a culvert drainage pipe near Gila Bend on Tuesday evening. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine...
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Border Patrol Agents Rescue Drowning Man
Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseEL CENTRO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Station rescued a drowning man from the All-American Canal Wednesday night. Around 11 p.m., agents observed three individuals illegally enter the United States near the All-...
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CBP Captures Khapra Beetles in Multiple Interceptions
Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseHOUSTON - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists intercepted Khapra beetles at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Aug. 31. CBP agriculture specialists had a busy day at the end of August when they found harmful pests...
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Philadelphia CBP Intercepts Mexican Impostor to U.S. Passport
Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Local Media ReleasePHILADELPHIA -- Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a Mexican impostor to a United States citizen’s passport at Philadelphia International Airport Sunday night. The woman, who arrived on a flight from Mexico City, Mexico, presented a...
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CBP arresta a 3 polizones intentando entrar a través de un puerto en el este de Puerto Rico
Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Oficiales de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos arrestaron a tres dominicanos que eran polizones dentro del barco M/T Derg que llego al puerto de Yabucoa procedente de San Pedro de Macoris, Republica Dominicana...
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CBP Arrests 3 Alien Stowaways Attempting to enter via a Port of Entry in Eastern Puerto Rico
Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers found Wednesday three alien stowaways on board the vessel M/T Derg arriving into the Yabucoa port from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. One of the aliens, Hector Jesus...
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Patrulla Fronteriza arresta a beneficiario de DACA por contrabandear metanfetaminas
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseSALTON CITY, California – En la mañana del martes, agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza del Sector El Centro arrestaron el martes a un beneficiario, de ascendencia mexicana, del programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA, por...
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Border Patrol Arrests Convicted Sex Offender
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseCALEXICO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a previously deported sex offender early this morning. Nicson NictahelValenzuela-RedondoJust after midnight, agents assigned to the Calexico Border Patrol Station observed a man...
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DACA Recipient Arrested by Border Patrol for Smuggling Meth
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseSALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient of Mexico suspected of smuggling methamphetamine hidden in the trunk of...
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Border Patrol Agents Rescue 61 Stranded by Heavy Rains
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Ajo Station Border Patrol agents patrolling west of Arizona’s Port of Lukeville rescued 61 distressed illegal aliens Tuesday morning just north of the international border. Mexican officials contacted the U.S. Border Patrol after...
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USBP Agents Arrest 2 Teens for Smuggling in Stolen Truck
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizens attempting to circumvent the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint with seven Mexican nationals in a stolen pickup truck Tuesday night. When agents tried to stop a Ford F-250...
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CBP San Diego Announces New App for Pleasure Boaters
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseSAN DIEGO - U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego is introducing a new way for boaters to check in when they arrive to the U.S. from a foreign port or place, using an app on their phone or other smart device. The Reporting Offsite Arrival-...
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Yuma Sector Border Patrol Apprehends 164 in a 5-hour Period
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two huge groups of surrendering Guatemalans and Hondurans near the San Luis Port of Entry within hours of each other. Just before midnight on Tuesday, Yuma Station agents apprehended a group of...
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Brownsville Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Narcotics Valued at Over $240,162 in Two Seizures
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseBROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted two loads of alleged narcotics at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge. CBP officers discovered the alleged drugs, with a...
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