I.C.E. News Releases: December 2014

12/30/2014
BOSTON, MA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Dominican man sentenced in fraudulent identity document scheme
Richar Steward Cabral Baez, 35, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, and two years of supervised release for providing false statements in an application for a passport and misrepresentation of a social security account number.


12/30/2014

PUERTO CORTES,HONDURAS



NARCOTICS


HSI, CBP, Honduran authorities intercept cocaine concealed in thousands of pieces of wood
Law enforcement intercepted thousands of pieces of wood, concealing approximately 423 kilograms of cocaine, in Honduras Dec. 22.


12/30/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


Child Predator Arrests, Cyber Safety Highlight Most Viewed Articles of 2014
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) promotes homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration.



12/29/2014

GREENBELT, MD



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


Maryland pool company owner sentenced for hiring unauthorized aliens
Raymond Scott Vincent, 47, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was sentenced to two days in prison followed by 60 days of home confinement as part of 18 months of probation. Judge Paul W. Grimm also ordered Vincent to perform 80 hours of community service, pay a fine of $36,000 and forfeit $42,262.60.



12/29/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending December 26, 2014
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending December 26, 2014


12/29/2014

DENVER, CO



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Denver man arrested for producing and transporting child pornography
Michael Yellowhorse, born in 1987, from Denver, Colorado, appeared Dec. 29 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland for a preliminary hearing and detention hearing.


12/28/2014

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



CONTRABAND


Operation Lost Paradise nets 15 arrests for drug trafficking, money laundering
According to the indictment, Carlos Morales-Davila, Jose Silva-Rentas, Luis Lopez-Fernandez, Jaime Serrano-Cardona, Randy Barbosa-Martinez, Julio Colon-Maldonado, Jorge Acevedo-Martinez, Francisco Pimentel-Maldonado, Alexis Sanchez-Diaz, Jose Claudio-Del Valle, Luis Santana-Mendoza, Jorge Bobonis-Rexach, Felipe Gomez-Encarnacion and Hector Orta-Castro conspired to import cocaine and heroin into the United States from Venezuela, Colombia and Dominican Republic.


12/26/2014

SEATTLE, WA



STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM


Feds deport University of Washington student who made social media threats
Keshav Mukund Bhide, 24, departed on an international flight Wednesday afternoon from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Special agents from HSI and the FBI escorted Bhide to the airport and confirmed his departure. He cannot return to the U.S. for 10 years.

12/24/2014

BOSTON, MA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Dominican man arrested in fraudulent identity document scheme
Edwin Amaurys Parra Suarez (Parra), 37, was arrested in connection with a scheme to produce false identification documents.


12/23/2014

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Fajardo area man arrested for child pornography
HSI special agents arrested Hector Antonio Suarez-Rodriguez, 49, after a referral from the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit led to an investigation that revealed that child pornography was shared on numerous occasions through a peer-to-peer file sharing application, utilizing an IP address that was later traced to Suarez-Rodriguez.


12/23/2014

PHILADELPHIA, PA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


9 charged in bank fraud conspiracy after HSI Philadelphia probe
The people charged in the superseding indictment are: Adolphus William Cato, 33, Michael Ross, 49, both of Sicklerville, New Jersey; Jared Hayes, 37, Quanda Anthony, 43, both of Willingboro, New Jersey; Sean Finn, 31, of Mount Holly, New Jersey; Rushawn Woodall, 38, of Trenton, New Jersey; Leonard Herrington, 41, Zabrina Jobe, 39, both of Philadelphia; and Warren Moore, 41, of Bordentown, New Jersey.


12/23/2014

DENVER, CO



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Colorado man sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for transporting and possessing child pornography
Following his prison sentence, Gregory Lynn Hopson, 44, of Westminster, Colorado, was ordered to serve a lifetime supervised release, and register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Lewis T. Babcock also ordered Hopson to pay restitution to the victim of his crime. Hopson was remanded into custody at the conclusion of the hearing.



12/22/2014

TAMPA, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Mississippi man sentenced to 30 years on child pornography charges
James Allen Myers, 67, of Carriere, Mississippi, lived in North Port, Florida, until 2013 when he moved to Carriere. After receiving a tip, HSI special agents found Myers to be in possession of numerous computer hard drives, CDs and other computer devices which contained over 20,000 images and videos of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adults.


12/22/2014

COLUMBUS, OH



CONTRABAND


HSI Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force seizes nearly $3 million in illicit proceeds in third year
In addition to this year's monetary seizures, the task force – led by ICE HSI – arrested 119 people for violating U.S. federal and state currency smuggling laws, including transmitting money without a license, laundering money and traveling in aid of racketeering enterprises.


12/22/2014

SPRINGFIELD, IL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Illinois man sentenced to 20 years in prison for child sexual exploitation
Jason E. Cooper, 34, of Decatur, was sentenced Dec. 18 by U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough to 20 years in federal prison.


12/22/2014

BOSTON, MA



OPERATIONAL


HSI special agent, former US Marine saves man's life at local gym – on Marine Corps birthday
Ordinarily U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston Special Agent Brian Andersen, former U.S.


12/22/2014

COLUMBUS, OH



OPERATIONAL


Ohio ERO officers save woman and her baby’s life at accident scene
When it comes to living up to the agency’s five core values: justice, duty, courage, honesty and loyalty, our U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and employees give their all every day. To those five values, let’s for a moment add two words: selfless commitment.



12/22/2014

TAMPA, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Mississippi man sentenced to 30 years on child pornography charges
James Allen Myers, 67, of Carriere, Mississippi, lived in North Port, Florida, until 2013 when he moved to Carriere. After receiving a tip, HSI special agents found Myers to be in possession of numerous computer hard drives, CDs and other computer devices which contained over 20,000 images and videos of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adults.


12/22/2014

COLUMBUS, OH



CONTRABAND


HSI Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force seizes nearly $3 million in illicit proceeds in third year
In addition to this year's monetary seizures, the task force – led by ICE HSI – arrested 119 people for violating U.S. federal and state currency smuggling laws, including transmitting money without a license, laundering money and traveling in aid of racketeering enterprises.


12/22/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending December 19, 2014
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending December 19, 2014



12/22/2014

SPRINGFIELD, IL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Illinois man sentenced to 20 years in prison for child sexual exploitation
Jason E. Cooper, 34, of Decatur, was sentenced Dec. 18 by U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough to 20 years in federal prison.


12/19/2014

NEWARK, NJ



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Newark deports Brazilian man wanted in home country for armed robbery
Enio Antonio Rodrigues, 48, departed from Miami after leaving Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday.


12/19/2014

TAMPA, FL



NARCOTICS


Colombian boat captain sentenced to more than 18 years in prison
Juan Yover Estrada-Mancilla, 35, of Colombia, South America, is the last of three defendants to be sentenced in this case. On Oct. 22, Jorge Mario Cuero-Delgado, 47, of Colombia, was sentenced to serve 10 years and one month in federal prison, and Franklin Albeiro Angulo-Montano, 39, of Colombia, was sentenced to serve 11 years and three months in federal prison.


12/19/2014

ALEXANDRIA, VA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Peruvian national sentenced to 7 years for leading sex trafficking conspiracy
Ruth Antuanet Miller, 35, along with her co-conspirators, used threats and coercion to induce women to commit commercial sex acts and, once ensnared, coerced these women to continue prostituting.

12/19/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


DHS Releases End of Year Statistics
In FY 2014, DHS conducted a total of 577,295 removals and returns, including 414,481 removals and 162,814 returns. ICE had a total of 315,943 removals or returns, and CBP made 486,651 apprehensions.


12/19/2014

NEWARK, NJ



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Newark deports Brazilian man wanted in home country for armed robbery
Enio Antonio Rodrigues, 48, departed from Miami after leaving Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday.


12/19/2014

LUBBOCK, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


West Texas man pleads guilty, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for possessing prepubescent child pornography
Roberto Garcia, from Lubbock, Texas, who is on bond, faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a presentence investigation report; a sentencing date will be set after that report is completed.


12/19/2014

TAMPA, FL



NARCOTICS


Colombian boat captain sentenced to more than 18 years in prison
Juan Yover Estrada-Mancilla, 35, of Colombia, South America, is the last of three defendants to be sentenced in this case. On Oct. 22, Jorge Mario Cuero-Delgado, 47, of Colombia, was sentenced to serve 10 years and one month in federal prison, and Franklin Albeiro Angulo-Montano, 39, of Colombia, was sentenced to serve 11 years and three months in federal prison.



12/19/2014

ALEXANDRIA, VA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Peruvian national sentenced to 7 years for leading sex trafficking conspiracy
Ruth Antuanet Miller, 35, along with her co-conspirators, used threats and coercion to induce women to commit commercial sex acts and, once ensnared, coerced these women to continue prostituting.


12/19/2014

SACRAMENTO, CA



OPERATIONAL


HSI Sacramento special agent honored for courage
In November, just over a year after the shooting, Kennedy returned to Roseville to receive a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Service award from the Placer County Law Enforcement Agencies Executive Council. The recognition further steeled Kennedy’s resolve to fight back against the violence and crime perpetrated by transnational street gangs.


12/19/2014

SACRAMENTO, CA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Sacramento man admits to orchestrating elaborate marriage fraud scheme
Sippy Lal, 61, of Sacramento, admitted to conspiring to induce aliens to illegally enter the U.S. for private financial gain. Lal’s co-defendants, Mamta Sharma and Rani Singh-Lal, previously entered guilty pleas for their role in the scheme and were sentenced to prison terms of 24 months and 27 months, respectively.


12/18/2014

TAMPA, FL



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION & EXPLOSIVES


Lebanese weapons smuggler sentenced to prison
According to court documents, Yasser Ahmad Obeid, 20, of St. Petersburg and Lebanon, and his co-defendant, Jordanian citizen Mahmoud Abdel-Ghani Mohammad Assaf, were part of a network of individuals involved in smuggling firearms from the United States to the Middle East by concealing them in vehicles purchased at used car auctions in the central Florida area, and then exporting them overseas.

12/18/2014

SAN DIEGO, CA



CONTRABAND


San Diego-area man sentenced to nearly 6 years for smuggling weapons to Mexican cartel members
Sergio Garcia-Rico, 53, pleaded guilty in federal court in August to drug and weapons-related charges, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, smuggling goods and making false statements in the acquisition of a fireman.


12/18/2014

HOUSTON, TX



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


10 sentenced for involvement in Aryan Brotherhood of Texas racketeering conspiracy
Michael Richard Lamphere, 56, Glen Ray Millican Jr., 41, both of Houston; and Rebecca Johnson Cropp, 46, of Dallas, were sentenced Thursday to serve respective terms of 240, 120 and 36 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sim Lake. Earlier this week, William David Maynard, 44, Sammy Keith Shipman, 32, Chad Ray Folmsbee, 32, David Orlando Roberts, 36, Justin Christopher Northrup, 29, all of Houston; Tammy Melissa Wall, 45, of Otto, N.C.; and Benjamin Troy Johnson, 43, of Corpus Christi, were each sentenced to serve respective terms of 262, 188, 140, 135, 130, 72 and 36 months in federal prison.


12/17/2014

MEMPHIS, TN



OPERATIONAL


HSI Memphis assists in security efforts for St. Jude Marathon
In it, HSI Memphis Special Agent Donald Letterle can be seen surveying thousands of spectators at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, which was held on Dec. 6.


12/17/2014

NEWARK, NJ



OPERATIONAL


2 Newark men charged with armed carjackings after HSI investigation
Dion Hines, 21, of Newark, was charged with two counts of carjacking, one count of attempted carjacking, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. Roosevelt Robinson, 23, also of Newark, was charged with one count of carjacking, one count of attempted carjacking, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.



12/17/2014

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI arrests 22 year-old man on child sexual exploitation charges
HSI special agents arrested Julio F. Figueroa-Alvarez after they received a referral from the Puerto Rico Police Department’s Sexual Crimes Division.


12/17/2014

SAN FRANCISCO, CA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Salvadoran murder suspect who had been on the run since 2012
Luis Eduardo Lopez Silva, 34, was repatriated on board a charter flight coordinated by ERO’s Air Operations Unit. Upon arrival, ERO officers turned the suspect over to officials from the El Salvadoran Civilian National Police (PNC). Lopez Silva is wanted in his native country for a murder and attempted murder that occurred March 23, 2012.


12/17/2014

HONOLULU, HI



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Hawaii man indicted on federal child pornography charges
Derek M. West, 32, of Waipahu, is accused of three counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. He was arraigned following his indictment and pleaded not guilty.


12/17/2014

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Juana Diaz resident arrested for child pornography
Luis Angel Reyes-Torres, 41, was encountered at his residence while HSI special agents were executing a federal search warrant at his address.

12/17/2014

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Juana Diaz resident arrested for child pornography
Luis Angel Reyes-Torres, 41, was encountered at his residence while HSI special agents were executing a federal search warrant at his address.


12/17/2014

NEWARK, NJ



OPERATIONAL


2 Newark men charged with armed carjackings after HSI investigation
Dion Hines, 21, of Newark, was charged with two counts of carjacking, one count of attempted carjacking, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. Roosevelt Robinson, 23, also of Newark, was charged with one count of carjacking, one count of attempted carjacking, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.


12/17/2014

SAN SALVADOR,EL SALVADOR



OPERATIONAL


Salvadoran posing as human smuggler arrested for fraud
Jose David Amaya Bonilla allegedly charged smuggling fees, equivalent to up to $9,000 in U.S. currency, to purportedly illegally smuggle individuals into the United States. He allegedly received payments from at least five Salvadoran nationals.


12/16/2014

ALBUQUERQUE, NM



COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT


Chinese national pleads guilty to conspiring to violate Arms Export Control Act
Wentong Cai, 30, pleaded guilty to count three of a superseding indictment charging him and his cousin, Bo Cai, 29, also a Chinese national, with a scheme to illegally export sensors to China. These sensors are primarily manufactured for sale to the U.S. Department of Defense for use in high-level applications, such as line-of-sight stabilization and precision motion control systems.



12/16/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Foreign national sentenced to 3 years for smuggling Africans into the US
Habtom Merhay, 47, of the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges Sept. 24. He was originally arrested by Moroccan authorities in August 2013 and extradited to the United States April 25. He has been in custody since his arrest.


12/15/2014

BROWNSVILLE, TX



NARCOTICS


CBP officer arrested for allowing drugs through Port of Entry in Texas
Jose Luis Zavala, 38, from Brownsville, Texas, was arrested at his residence Dec. 12 without incident. Zavala appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan Dec. 15 and was formally charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana and bribery of a public official.


12/15/2014

HARRISONBURG, VA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


2 charged with harboring, inducing aliens to work at Harrisonburg restaurant
Maria Rosalba Alvarado McTague, 47, and Felix Adriano Chujoy, 26, both of Harrisonburg, were indicted by a federal grand jury Dec. 4. That indictment was unsealed Friday evening following the defendants’ arrests and initial court appearances.


12/15/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Dec. 12, 2014
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Dec. 12, 2014

12/15/2014

OROVILLE, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Ohio man profiled on ICE's Operation Predator app in custody after surrendering to authorities
Jeremiah Malfroid, 33, surrendered Saturday to the Butte County Jail in Oroville, California, where he is being held on federal child pornography charges.


12/15/2014

DALLAS, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


North Texas man sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for transporting and shipping child pornography
Benito Agramon Castro, 50, from Irving, Texas, pleaded guilty in February 2014 to one count of possessing prepubescent child pornography. He has been in custody since his arrest in December 2013.


12/15/2014

NEW YORK, NY



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Former Liberty Reserve chief technology officer sentenced to 5 years in prison
Mark Marmilev, 35, of Brooklyn, was principally responsible for designing and maintaining the technological infrastructure for Liberty Reserve, a company that operated one of the world’s most widely used digital currency services.


12/15/2014

JAKARTA, INDONESIA



OPERATIONAL


DHS, Indonesian National Police sign information-sharing agreement
Assistant Secretary Bersin signed the document on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signifying the U.S. government’s commitment to enhancing and strengthening the bi-lateral fight against transnational crime.



12/15/2014

CUCUTA, COLOMBIA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI, Colombian authorities arrest predator suspected of victimizing 50 children
Palencia-Murillo allegedly used social media to recruit and coerce his victims into sending him pornographic images. His victims were all males between the ages of 10 and 16.


12/15/2014

BOSTON, MA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Boston man sentenced to 8 years in prison for child sex trafficking
Mark Pinnock, 23, was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years of supervised release. In August 2014, Pinnock pleaded guilty to recruiting and transporting a minor to engage in prostitution. Two co-defendants, Justin Richardson and Martin Pinkney, both of Baltimore, will be sentenced Dec.19 and 22, respectively.


12/12/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE assistant chief counsel served as sole staff judge advocate to U.S. Navy SEAL team in Afghanistan
It may be said that all is fair in love and war, but Eric Pedersen, an assistant chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would argue the case.



12/12/2014

LUBBOCK, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


West Texas man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing prepubescent child pornography
Eduardo Cantillo, 43, from Lubbock, Texas, is in custody and faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.

12/12/2014

BOSTON, MA



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


2 Chinese nationals sentenced for trafficking counterfeit cell phone cases
Zexiong Chen, 28, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $6,000 and ordered to pay $4,820 restitution. Haotian Chen, 26, was sentenced to time served which was one day in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $4,000 and ordered to pay $4,829 restitution.


12/12/2014

LUBBOCK, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


West Texas man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing prepubescent child pornography
Eduardo Cantillo, 43, from Lubbock, Texas, is in custody and faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.


12/12/2014

SAN DIEGO, CA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


San Diego-area ranch owner convicted in alien smuggling scheme
Kala D Rains, 47, of Potrero, was convicted of seven counts of conspiracy along with harboring and transporting illegal aliens.


12/11/2014

DALLAS, TX



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


‘Tis the season to avoid holiday hoaxes, scams
“Black Friday” sales drew consumers by the thousands to line up for hours to get a drastically reduced TV, pair of shoes or piece of furniture. Those who chose to literally avoid the holiday rush could also take advantage of “Cyber Monday” and catch equally attractive deals online.



12/11/2014

NEW YORK, NY



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


HSI arrests 7 for marketing and selling counterfeit goods
Naqing Zhang, 31, and his wife, Wei Dong, 32, Chin C. Chu, 43, and his wife, Jian Y. Xia, 38, Sai E. Chen, 39, Wei A. Liao, 41,and Zhou Pizhong, 22, face charges of second-degree trademark counterfeiting. If convicted, they each face up to four years in prison.


12/11/2014

LAS CRUCES, NM



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION & EXPLOSIVES


NM man pleads guilty to violating federal firearms laws
Jose Valladolid, 44, from Columbus, New Mexico, was arrested Aug. 6 at the Columbus International Port of Entry in Luna County, New Mexico, for illegally possessing firearms, and attempting to export those firearms out of the United States.


12/11/2014

GRAND RAPIDS, MI



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Christian radio host sentenced to 40 years in prison for child exploitation
John Balyo, 35, of Grand Rapids, was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release and was ordered to pay $8,500 to the victims.


12/10/2014

NEW YORK, NY



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


Priceless 6th Century B.C. historical artifacts returned to Turkish government
The repatriation ceremony at the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan was conducted by Andrew M. McLees, special agent in charge of HSI Newark; Robert E. Perez, director of CBP New York field operations, and Turkish Consul General Ertan Yalcin.

12/10/2014

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


DHS, Malaysia sign memorandum of cooperation enhancing customs information-sharing
Assistant Secretary Bersin signed the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two DHS agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. customs laws.


12/10/2014

DENVER, CO



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Denver officers arrest fugitive in east Colorado wanted in Mexico for aggravated homicide
Luis Alonso Soto-Carreon, 50, from Chihuahua, Mexico, was arrested in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, by the ERO's Fugitive Operations Unit in Denver.


12/10/2014

WICHITA, KS



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Kansas sex offender sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography
Wade H. Dewey, 48, of Syracuse, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that on Aug. 2, 2013, he was found at home possessing images and videos depicting child pornography, which he had obtained via the Internet.


12/10/2014

NEW YORK, NY



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


Priceless 6th Century B.C. historical artifacts returned to Turkish government
The repatriation ceremony at the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan was conducted by Andrew M. McLees, special agent in charge of HSI Newark; Robert E. Perez, director of CBP New York field operations, and Turkish Consul General Ertan Yalcin.



12/10/2014

FAIRFAX, VA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes man wanted on aggravated homicide charges to El Salvador
Julio Cesar Miranda-Minero, 33, of El Salvador, illegally entered the United States near Nogales, Arizona, in 2007.


12/10/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


ICE honors Human Rights Day
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates the proposition that freedom, justice and peace in the world are fundamental rights that all individuals are entitled to equally. This year's slogan, "Human Rights 365," embraces the idea that every day is Human Rights Day.


12/10/2014

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


HSI Seoul Attaché receives presidential award
On Monday, at a formal ceremony at Gyeongbok Palace, HSI Seoul Attaché Taekuk Cho was presented with the Korean President’s Award for his efforts related to the repatriation of the nine national treasures. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual and the highest award given by the Korean government. Cho is only the fifth non-Korean national to receive this prestigious award in Korean history.


12/10/2014

OAKLAND, CA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Bay Area businessman pleads guilty in visa fraud scheme
Madhu Santhanam, 41, of Union City, owner of MAAN Systems, Inc., admitted that, between September 2009 and June 2013, he submitted at least 25 fraudulent I-129 petitions.

12/09/2014

GALVESTON, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Houston-area teacher charged with receiving and possessing child pornography
Scott Burns, 45, was charged in a sealed indictment returned Nov. 24, and unsealed Friday upon his arrest at his Alvin home. He appeared Tuesday for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge John R. Froeshner.


12/09/2014

HOUSTON, TX



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


3 Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang members sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy
James Francis Sampsell, 44, of Odessa, Rusty Eugene Duke, 32, of Dallas, and Steven Worthey, 42, of San Antonio, were sentenced Dec. 9 to serve respective terms of 140, 216 and 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sim Lake.


12/08/2014

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI arrests 25-year-old Villalba man for transporting minor for sex
HSI special agents arrested Edwin J. Santiago-Rivera, 25, a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard, at his residence in the municipality of Villalba after receiving information from the PRPD Sex Crimes Division in Ponce regarding the alleged transportation by Santiago-Rivera of a 14-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct.


12/08/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Dec. 5, 2014
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Dec. 5, 2014



12/08/2014

DETROIT, MI



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


HSI seizes more than $1 million in counterfeit goods from Detroit retailer
HSI executed a state search warrant at The Source II, located on Woodward Avenue, following an investigation that included multiple undercover buys of counterfeit merchandise. Special agents also served a state search warrant at the Southfield residence of the business owner, Cerhue Walker, where he was arrested on charges of trafficking counterfeit goods. A second suspect, Latrice Walker, was arrested at the Detroit store.


12/08/2014

FRESNO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Fresno man sentenced to 25 years in prison for trafficking child pornography
Bradley Allen Vaine, 28, was previously convicted of receiving and distributing sexually explicit images of children. In addition to 25 years’ incarceration, U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill sentenced Vaine to a lifetime of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.


12/05/2014

SANTA ANA, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Church worship leader receives 36 years to life in child sexual exploitation case
Jeffrey Adam Tracy, 38, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 16 of two felony counts of oral copulation of a child 10 years old or younger; four felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14; and one felony count of using a minor for sex acts.


12/05/2014

NEW YORK, NY



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


HSI investigation leads to 3 conviction of three Bronx gang members
The jury convicted Felix Lopez-Cabrera, 24, Carlos Lopez, 26, and Luis Beltran 26 of charges arising out of their involvement from 2003 through 2012 in the criminal activities of the Bronx Trinitarios Gang (BTG). The BTG is a violent street gang that was involved in drug-trafficking and multiple acts of violence, including attempted murder, in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Yonkers.

12/05/2014

NEW YORK, NY



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


HSI investigation leads to 3 conviction of three Bronx gang members
The jury convicted Felix Lopez-Cabrera, 24, Carlos Lopez, 26, and Luis Beltran 26 of charges arising out of their involvement from 2003 through 2012 in the criminal activities of the Bronx Trinitarios Gang (BTG). The BTG is a violent street gang that was involved in drug-trafficking and multiple acts of violence, including attempted murder, in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Yonkers.


12/05/2014

CHICAGO, IL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Illinois state representative pleads guilty to transporting child pornography
Former Illinois State Rep. Keith Farnham faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.


12/05/2014

CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA



NARCOTICS


Colombia, US law enforcement seize 270 kilograms of cocaine bound for US
Colombian authorities arrested a Colombian national linked to the DTO. Additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation is ongoing.


12/05/2014

MIAMI, FL



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Hollywood man sentenced to life for sex trafficking, kidnapping
Shaun Eric McKinley, 35, was found guilty Sept. 18 of one count of sex trafficking by force and one count of kidnapping.



12/04/2014

COAHUILA, MEXICO



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Mexican man wanted for involvement in homicide
Pablo Alvaro Silos allegedly participated in the murder of a victim who died as a result of gunshot wounds.


12/04/2014

SAN FRANCISCO, CA



OPERATIONAL


HSI San Francisco forms special bond with rescued pitbull
So it was no surprise when Brenny, who has been with ICE since 2009, saved the life of a neglected dog in September during “Project Southbound”, a national anti-gang enforcement operation targeting the Surenos criminal street gang in Clearlake, California.


12/04/2014

EL PASO, TX



FINANCIAL CRIMES


El Paso business, business owner charged with fraud and trade-based money laundering scheme linked to black market peso exchange
Jose Luis Rodriguez, 52, owner of ERENE Inc., named in a 61-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday in El Paso, is charged with multiple money laundering conspiracy charges. Also named and charged are Jorge Penuelas, 40, ERENE assistant manager, and Manuel Rodriguez, 53, ERENE employee.


12/04/2014

CHANTILLY, VA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes man wanted in Peru for felony sex crimes against a minor
Pedro Antiogenes Rosas-Astete, 54, of Peru, illegally entered the United States near Rio Grande City, Texas, in 2005.

12/04/2014

COAHUILA, MEXICO



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Mexican man wanted for involvement in homicide
Pablo Alvaro Silos allegedly participated in the murder of a victim who died as a result of gunshot wounds.


12/03/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


46th defendant sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison for trafficking identities of Puerto Rican US citizens
Enrique Rogelio Mendez-Solis, aka Rogelio Quero-Mendez, aka Roberto Marquez-Prada, 40, a Mexican national formerly of Seymour, Indiana, was sentenced Dec. 3 to 81 months in prison for his leading role in trafficking the identities and corresponding identity documents of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens.


12/03/2014

FRESNO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Northern California sex offender sentenced to 30 years on child pornography charges
Jeffrey Randall Metcalfe, 47, of Turlock, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. In addition to 30 years’ incarceration, Judge England sentenced the defendant to a lifetime of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Metcalfe previously pleaded guilty to both receiving and distributing child pornography.


12/02/2014

GRAND FORKS, ND



CHILD EXPLOITATION


ICE smartphone app leads to arrest of fugitive child predator suspect in Northern Minnesota
Adney Allen, 51, was arrested late on Nov. 26 after a tipster notified local police of his fugitive status.



12/02/2014

NEW YORK, NY



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


HSI seizes Mongolian dinosaur fossil
Upon its Sept. 4 arrival in the United States from France, the Dinosaur Skull was seized by CBP. Federal authorities then filed a civil action to forfeit the dinosaur skull, alleging that it was stolen Mongolian property that was smuggled into the United States using false declarations. The allegations in the United States’ complaint went uncontested and the court ordered the forfeiture of the dinosaur skull.


12/02/2014

BALTIMORE, MD



OPERATIONAL


Maryland man sentenced in residential mortgage fraud scheme
Abdallah Suleiman Kitwara, 44, of Bowie was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to commit wire fraud arising from a residential mortgage fraud scheme. Judge George J. Hazel also ordered Kitwara to pay restitution of $290,954 and a fine of $50,000.


12/02/2014

PHILADELPHIA, PA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI Philadelphia case leads to child predator’s 262-month prison term
Special agents with HSI’s Child Exploitation and Cyber Crimes unit tracked down Joseph Townsend, a 27-year-old Philadelphia resident, and discovered he possessed thousands of child pornography images.


12/02/2014

HARRISBURG, PA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Child pornography, fraud charges filed against PA man after HSI Philadelphia investigation
According to court records, Harold Schrader allegedly possessed child pornography on a computer, and allegedly participated through willful blindness in a fraud scheme involving soliciting overseas loans that were never repaid.

12/02/2014

HARRISBURG, PA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Child pornography, fraud charges filed against PA man after HSI Philadelphia investigation
According to court records, Harold Schrader allegedly possessed child pornography on a computer, and allegedly participated through willful blindness in a fraud scheme involving soliciting overseas loans that were never repaid.


12/01/2014

BEAUMONT, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former youth pastor from east Texas sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison for producing child pornography
Trevion Lechay Ethridge, 23, of Newton, Texas, was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison for producing child pornography by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Ethridge pleaded guilty to the charges June 3. Judge Clark further ordered that 10 years of Ethridge’s federal sentence run concurrent with any state sentence that may result from pending state charges for sexual assault and online solicitation of a minor.


12/01/2014

CHICAGO, IL



OPERATIONAL


HSI Chicago receives prestigious Chicago Crime Commission award
This is the first time an HSI team has been honored by the Chicago Crime Commission, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected citizen groups of its kind. Awards are presented to individuals and task forces in local, state and federal law enforcement that have made significant contributions to crime-fighting efforts.


12/01/2014

NEW YORK, NY



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Former banker pleads guilty to cashing more than $400,000 in fraudulently obtained tax refund checks
Edwin Mejia, 31 of Yonkers, New York participated in a scheme to cash more than $400,000 in fraudulently obtained federal tax refund checks issued in other people’s names.



12/01/2014

LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


HSI-led probe leads to arrest of 2 UK men allegedly linked to pre-release leak of The Expendables 3
The suspects, a 36-year-old man from Upton, and a 33-year-old man from Dewsbury, were taken into custody Nov. 25 by detectives with the City of London Police Department’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU).


12/01/2014

FRESNO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Reno man receives 8-year prison term for crossing state lines to have sex with a minor
According to court documents, in August 2013 the parents of the female victim advised the Fresno County Sheriff's Office they had discovered text messages on a cellphone suggesting their daughter was engaging in sexual relations with someone from out-of-state.


12/01/2014

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Nov. 28, 2014
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Nov. 28, 2014