I.C.E. News Releases - JANUARY 2015


01/30/2015

DETROIT, MI

ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


Lebanese national deported after admitting fraud in obtaining immigration benefits
Mahmoud Bazzi, 71, who is a native and citizen of Lebanon, admitted Aug.11, 2014, in immigration court proceedings that he repeatedly provided false and misleading testimony and submissions in order to obtain status in the United States.


01/30/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Using a financial attack strategy to combat human trafficking
“On its face, human trafficking is about as heinous and repugnant as a crime can be,” said Jorge Lopez, HSI section chief in the Illicit Finance and Proceeds of Crime Unit. “The banking and financial industry can be a powerful force in assisting HSI as we combat the horrible crime of human trafficking. We look towards financial institutions to be among our greatest allies in identifying interstate funnel accounts, as well as other money laundering methods used by human traffickers and smugglers.”


01/29/2015

DALLAS, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


North Texas man faces up to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography
Jeremiah Chayse Gardiner, 20, from Mesquite, Texas, faces a statutory penalty of not less than 15 years or more than 30 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for May 20. Gardiner remains in federal custody.


01/29/2015

FAIRFAX, VA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes man wanted on extortion charges to El Salvador
Edwar Alvarez-Garcia, 29, of El Salvador, illegally entered the United States near Laredo, Texas, in 2001.



01/29/2015

OAKLAND, CA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Bay Area company and CEO charged in fraud scheme involving illegally imported gourmet mushrooms
David Tung, 72, formerly of Hillsborough, California, and his company, Concord Farms, Inc., are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The charges stem from a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).


01/29/2015

HOUSTON, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Leader of hostage-taking conspiracy sentenced in Houston to life in federal prison
Samuel Castro-Flores, aka “Chame” or “Chamuco,” 42, a Mexican national, was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional seven years for brandishing a firearm while committing the hostage-taking offenses.


01/29/2015

PHOENIX, AZ



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Federal agencies seize more than $19.5 million in fake NFL merchandise during 'Operation Team Player'
Speaking at a NFL news conference, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah R. Saldańa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Director of Field Operations William K. Brooks, and NFL Counsel Dolores F. DiBella discussed the results of the initiative, dubbed “Operation Team Player.”


01/29/2015

ST. LOUIS, MO



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Missouri flea market owner sentenced to 2 years in federal prison following his conviction for selling counterfeit goods
Jack Frison Sr., of Frontenac, Missouri, and the owner of the Frison Flea Market, was sentenced following his Sept. 14, 2014 conviction for: one felony count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, one felony count of aiding and abetting felony copyright infringement, and one felony count of aiding and abetting trafficking counterfeit goods.

01/28/2015

TAMPA, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


New York corrections officer sentenced for attempted child enticement
According to court documents, between June 2013 and July 2014, Jude Thaddeus Danahy, 35, of Buffalo, New York, communicated via email and text messages with an undercover agent that he believed was the mother of an 11-year-old girl. Danahy was arrested July 1, 2014, and pleaded guilty Aug. 27. At sentencing, he was also ordered to forfeit the equipment he had used to commit the offense.


01/28/2015

FT MYERS, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Fort Myers man pleads guilty to possessing child pornography
A sentencing date has not yet been set for Kevin Charles Kaszynski, 49, of Fort Myers. According to the plea agreement, while going through boxes that had been stored in a leased storage unit, Kaszynski’s estranged wife found a computer hard drive among other items belonging to her husband.


01/28/2015

LAREDO, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


2 Mexican nationals receive significant federal prison sentences in south Texas for illegally re-entering the US after being deported
Carlos Aragon-Carrillo, 30, and Juan Garcia-Rodriguez, 49, both Mexican citizens illegally residing in Laredo, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack. Judge Jack sentenced Aragon-Carrillo to 77 months in federal prison.


01/28/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


HSI seeks public tips to help locate 10 human trafficking fugitives
HSI is a leading agency in the fight against human trafficking and routinely works with federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations, to identify and prosecute human traffickers and rescue their victims.



01/28/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Human trafficking victim tells her story of family betrayal and abuse
With January being set aside for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, ICE is serious about taking the necessary steps to end the crime. ICE relies on tips from the public to dismantle these individuals and organizations who exploit their victims and encourages education and awareness as part of the process to bring an end to this modern-day form of slavery.


01/28/2015

LAREDO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Repeat alien smuggler sentenced in south Texas to 5 years in federal prison
Daniel Mata, 28, of Rio Bravo, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge George Kazen to 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.


01/28/2015

HOUSTON, TX



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


HSI, CBP in Houston seize illegally imported honey valued at $2.45 million
The seized illicit honey that was abandoned or forfeited totals 660 barrels weighing 203,280 kilograms (448,156 lbs.). The containers’ shipping documents indicated the bulk honey originated in Latvia.


01/28/2015

LAS CRUCES, NM



NARCOTICS


Last of 3 NM drug traffickers pleads guilty to trafficking methamphetamine
Sylvia Grado, 31; and co-defendants Juan Grado, 34, and Carlos Magallanes, 34; all from Deming, New Mexico, were arrested in July 2014 on a seven-count indictment alleging methamphetamine trafficking. All three defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Luna County, New Mexico, between October 2012 and May 2013.

01/28/2015

MCALLEN, TX



NARCOTICS


South Texas man admits using US government vehicle to deliver cocaine
On Jan. 28, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the guilty plea of Mario Guadalupe Saenz, 27, of McAllen. Judge Crane set sentencing for April 9 in which Saenz could face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.


01/27/2015

BUFFALO, NY



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Buffalo Boy Scouts troop leader arrested, charged with child exploitation crimes
Daniel Huzinec, 23, allegedly shared photographs of male children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a peer-to-peer website. This conduct included the sexual abuse of male children by adult males and male children engaging in sexual activity with other male children.


01/27/2015

KANSAS CITY, MO



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Previously convicted sex offender pleads guilty in Missouri to 'sex tourism' for victimizing 5 Filipino children
Kenneth Gaylord Stokes, 70, a U.S. citizen who resided near the city of Cebu in the Philippines, pleaded guilty Jan. 27 before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to five counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.


01/27/2015

KANSAS CITY, MO



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


Previously deported Mexican man sentenced in Kansas City to more than 10 years in federal prison for drug smuggling, illegal re-entry
Bardomiano Jungo, 36, was sentenced Jan. 27 by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 121 months in federal prison without parole.



01/27/2015

BROWNSVILLE, TX



FINANCIAL CRIMES


South Texas man sentenced to 14 years for money laundering conspiracy
Oscar J. Aguilar, 38, a Mexican citizen legally residing in Brownsville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, to 168 months in federal prison. Aguilar was further ordered to pay a $1,893,170 money judgment which represented the proceeds of drug smuggling that were laundered in the scheme.


01/27/2015

LAREDO, TX



NARCOTICS


South Texas man sentenced to nearly 6 years in federal prison for importing cocaine from Mexico
Ruben Judas Ruiz-Vazquez, 42, a U.S. permanent resident from Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo to 70 months in federal prison. As a convicted criminal alien, Ruiz-Vasquez is also expected to face deportation proceedings. He pleaded guilty to the charges Oct. 21.


01/26/2015

ST. THOMAS,U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS



CHILD EXPLOITATION


USVI man sentenced to 31 years for child exploitation offenses
On March 4, 2014, after a two-day trial in District Court, a jury found Tony Jefferson Browne, 31, guilty of 12 counts of federal child exploitation offenses involving four girls ranging from ages 12 to 17.


01/26/2015

MCALLEN, TX



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION & EXPLOSIVES


Illegal alien sentenced in south Texas to nearly 2 years in federal prison for firearms offense
Emilio Padilla, 24, of Taumalipas, Mexico, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to 21 months in federal prison.

01/26/2015

PROVIDENCE, RI



NARCOTICS


2 Providence men sentenced in heroin, cocaine trafficking conspiracy
Alexander Tovar, 26, and Miguel Valentin, 30, of Providence, were each sentenced for their participation in the heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy that ended with the seizure of more than 486 grams of heroin and 462 grams of cocaine.


01/26/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Jan. 23, 2015
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Jan. 23, 2015


01/23/2015

ASHEVILLE, NC



CHILD EXPLOITATION


North Carolina sentenced to 16 years on child pornography charges
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger also ordered James Thomas Lifsey, 59, of Warne, N.C. to serve under court supervision the rest of his life upon release from prison and to register as a sex offender. Lifsey was also ordered to pay $46,057 as restitution to the victims.


01/23/2015

SPINGFIELD, MO



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Missouri man sentenced to 10 years for attempting to entice a minor for sex
Erik Leroy Clark, 35, of Joplin, Missouri, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison without parole.



01/23/2015

DALLAS, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Dallas man sentenced to more than 5 years in federal prison on obscenity conviction
Jason Paul Roberts, 38, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in October 2013 to one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Roberts will be required to register as a sex offender. He has been in custody since his arrest in September 2012 on a related federal indictment.


01/23/2015

LUBBOCK, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


West Texas man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography
According to plea documents filed in the case, Reymundo Alejandro Sanchez, 21, of Abilene, Texas, used his cell phone to communicate with several people using a mobile application called Kik, as well as through Facebook and other means.


01/23/2015

MISSOULA, MT



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Montana registered sex offender sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography
Darrin Evan Malley, 36, of Kalispell, Montana, was ordered to serve 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release. Malley pleaded guilty to the charges in October.


01/23/2015

BANGOR, ME



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Maine special education teacher sentenced to 65 years after child exploitation case
Patrik Arsenault, 28 of Norridgewock, was also ordered to serve a lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. following his prison sentence. Arsenault pleaded guilty July 8, 2014.

01/23/2015

SANTA ANA, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Orange County CEO charged with sexually assaulting minors and possession of child pornography
Qayed Murtaza Shareef, 39, Aliso Viejo, was formally charged Friday with 30 felony counts of lewd acts with a child under 14; one felony count of using a minor for sex acts; one felony count of distributing pornography to a minor; one felony count of possession or control of child pornography, with a sentencing enhancement for substantial sexual conduct with a child under 14 years old and committing lewd acts upon multiple victims.


01/23/2015

ROME, ITALY



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


HSI acknowledged in Italy for outstanding investigative work
Over 5,000 looted artifacts valued at more than $50 million Euros were illicitly traded by Gianfranco Becchina, an Italian national and one of Italy’s most prolific traffickers of illicit cultural property. HSI became involved in one of the Becchina investigations after receiving a lead from Carabinieri TPC regarding looted objects being offered for sale by a New York auction house.


01/23/2015

ROCKFORD, IL



FINANCIAL CRIMES


8 Illinois residents arrested for conspiring to commit tax and mail fraud
Patty Cordoba, 42, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and seven others were arrested and each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obtaining payment after filing false claims for tax refunds, and at least one count of mail fraud.


01/23/2015

TOLUCA, MEXICO



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


HSI, Department of State host first ever state-level anti-human trafficking seminar for Mexican law enforcement
Approximately 55 representatives from the State of Mexico and the Mexican Federal Police participated in the seminar, the first ever state-level training of its kind. The Instituto Mexiquense de Seguridad y Justicia and the Comisión de Seguridad Estatal del Gobierno del Estado de México assisted with hosting the seminar.



01/23/2015

ATLANTA, GA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Sex traffickers sentenced in Atlanta for forced prostitution of foreign women
Arturo Rojas Coyotl, 28, of Tenancingo, Mexico, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $600 special assessment. Odilon Martinez Rojas, 43, of Tenancingo, Mexico, has been sentenced to 21 years, ten months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $600 special assessment. Each defendant was ordered to pay restitution in amount of $190,000, which will be divided between three victims.


01/23/2015

SAN ANTONIO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


HSI, south Texas law enforcement committed to combatting human trafficking
Human trafficking victims are not specific to age, race, nationality or gender, although most sex-trafficking victims are women. By definition, human trafficking victims become modern-day slaves through force, fraud or coercion. Those targeted by traffickers are often perceived as vulnerable. Undocumented migrants, runaways and at-risk youth, and oppressed or marginalized groups are among the high-risk population of human trafficking victims.


01/23/2015

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



OPERATIONAL


Puerto Rico community leaders to form second nationwide HSI-sponsored Citizens Academy
The HSI San Juan Citizens Academy was developed by HSI San Juan special agents to provide members of the general public with an inside look at HSI and how the agency enforces immigration and customs laws.


01/22/2015

WILMINGTON, DE



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Repeat sex offender sentenced to 35 years for producing, distributing child pornography
Harry K. Roche, 44, of Millsboro, Delaware, was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence and will be required to continue to register as a sex offender in any place he lives, works or attends school.

01/22/2015

HOUSTON, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


2 Texas men receive significant federal prison sentences for multiple child pornography convictions
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal sentenced William Craig Noonan, 39, of Houston, to 360 months in prison for each of the two counts of conspiracy to produce, and one count of distributing child pornography, as well as 120 months for possessing child pornography.


01/22/2015

MISSOULA, MT



CHILD EXPLOITATION


2 men sentenced in Montana to 20 and 30 years in federal prison in international child exploitation enterprise case
This investigation, referred to as Operation Kingdom Conqueror, is an ongoing cooperative effort among the following agencies: Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); FBI; Montana Department of Criminal Investigations; Helena and Polson (Montana) police departments; Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; and the States of Jersey Police Department, Isle of Jersey.


01/22/2015

MISSOULA, MT



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Montana trial jury convicts South Carolina man for advertising child pornography on web-based bulletin board
Daniel Brown, 26, of Taylor, South Carolina, was convicted Jan. 22 for his role in this child pornography scheme. Five defendants previously pleaded guilty for their role in the conspiracy in October, 2014. Six additional defendants filed their notice to plead guilty in January 2015.


01/22/2015

SACRAMENTO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Sacramento-area man sentenced to more than 8 years for receiving child pornography
Aleksandar Randjelovich, 39, of Fair Oaks, was sentenced by United States District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh F. Sigal prosecuted the case.



01/22/2015

PHILADELPHIA, PA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Fourth person charged in Philadelphia identity theft ring
Brandon Jones, 33, was charged Thursday after three of his other co-conspirators were charged and pleaded guilty in federal court.


01/22/2015

SEATTLE, WA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE deports Korean brothers nabbed by Border Patrol near US-Canada border
ERO officers transferred Sungwoo Kim, 49, and his brother Sungjoon Kim, 43, to the custody of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) at Incheon International Airport Wednesday to face fraud charges. They were escorted by ERO officers on a commercial flight that departed Tuesday from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.


01/22/2015

BROWNSVILLE, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Previously deported human smuggler sentenced to 10 years for conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens
Raul Ramirez-Martinez, 36, a previously deported illegal alien from Queretaro, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen to 120 months on each of the charges, to be served concurrently. As an illegal alien, he is expected to face deportation proceedings after he’s released from prison. Ramirez-Martinez pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2014.


01/22/2015

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX



NARCOTICS


Federal jury convicts south Texas man of drug trafficking
Ten government witnesses provided testimony regarding the trafficking in heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine by Rodolfo Casares, 38, of Brownsville, Texas. This criminal organization was headquartered in Mathis, Texas, and led by Ricardo Guerrero

01/22/2015

PITTSBURGH, PA



NARCOTICS


Trinidadian national pleads guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering
Omali McKay, 29, a citizen of Trinidad lawfully residing in the United States who’s now serving time in state prison for sexually assaulting a child, pleaded guilty to conspiring with others from 2006 to Aug. 25, 2012, to distribute five to 15 kilograms of cocaine and 280 to 840 grams of crack cocaine.


01/22/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


HERO program gives opportunity to wounded, injured vets
With that thought in mind, in April 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) entered into a partnership with the U.S. Special Operations Command and the National Association to Protect Children (PROTECT) to launch the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program.


01/22/2015

FAIRFAX, VA



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


Manassas construction company becomes latest IMAGE member
Simpson Unlimited was founded in 1992 and currently employs approximately 125 individuals. The company handles construction projects ranging from simple repairs to multimillion dollar contracts. Some of the company’s largest projects include: the Rayburn House and Senate Building, the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner and the Freer Gallery of Art.


01/21/2015

SPRINGFIELD, MO



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Missouri man sentenced to more than 7 years after pleading guilty to child pornography charges
Kalif Hickey, 33, of Springfield, Missouri, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison without parole.



01/21/2015

WICHITA, KS



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Kansas man sentenced to nearly 14 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography to young boys
Kyle B. Rains, 31, of Park City, Kansas, was sentenced to 165 months in prison following his conviction on one count of distributing child pornography.


01/21/2015

BOSTON, MA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


Brazilian fugitives nabbed in Massachusetts following international effort
ERO officers and HSI special agents worked closely with the HSI Brasilia Attaché Office and Interpol to track down Caylon Botelho Carreiro, 27, and Adilson Pires Ribeiro, 48. Both were arrested last week in Massachusetts.


01/21/2015

LAS VEGAS, NV



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes admitted MS-13 gang member wanted for murder in El Salvador
Miguel Alexander Guevara-Quintanea, 22, was repatriated on board a charter flight coordinated by ERO’s Air Operations Unit.


01/21/2015

BRASILIA, BRAZIL



OPERATIONAL


US Ambassador to Brazil recognizes HSI special agent for work during vice president’s visit
On Friday, HSI special agent Alvin Medina was recognized by U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Liliana Ayalde for his outstanding support during the vice president’s Brazil visit during the 2014 World Cup.

01/21/2015

SAN DIEGO, CA



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


San Diego-area employer joins IMAGE program
McCain Inc., which began operations in 1987, is the 16th San Diego-area business to become an IMAGE member. IMAGE is a voluntary partnership that helps employers maintain a lawful workforce and reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.


01/20/2015

SAN JOSE, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Bay Area engineer sentenced to nearly 5 years on child pornography charge
Paul Lawrence Vella, 60, of Morgan Hill, was sentenced Jan. 15 to 59 months in prison for possession of child pornography.


01/20/2015

SEATTLE, WA



CONTRABAND


Seattle-area man arrested for key role in Silk Road 2.0
Brian Richard Farrell, 26, who was known on the Silk Road site as “DoctorClu,” came to the attention of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in July.


01/20/2015

PHILADELPHIA, PA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


HSI Philadelphia's largest cash seizure yields Main Line drug trafficker, money launderer 5 years in prison
More than $5 million in cash and assets were seized during the investigation of large-scale drug trafficker Ronald Belciano, age 42, of Newtown Square (formerly Villanova), Pennsylvania.



01/20/2015

EL PASO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Jury convicts 3 gang members, former El Paso juvenile probation officer of federal sex trafficking charges
Jurors returned guilty verdicts Jan. 16 for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking against gang members Deion Lockhart, 26; Richard Gray, 25; Emmanual Lockhart, 24, and Timothy McCullouch, Jr., 29, who is a former El Paso County juvenile probation officer.


01/20/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Jan. 16, 2015
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Jan. 16, 2015


01/16/2015

ORLANDO, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former law enforcement officer sentenced for child sexual enticement
According to court documents, Brian John McRee, 51, of Jacksonville, attempted to entice a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. Unbeknownst to him, the “girl” was a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity.


01/16/2015

LAREDO, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Illegal alien from Mexico residing in south Texas charged with possessing child pornography
Gamaliel Cortez-Mendoza, 43, an illegal alien residing in Laredo was arrested Thursday following an investigation by the Laredo Child Exploitation Task Force led by HSI and the Webb County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crime Unit with assistance from Laredo Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Marshals Service.

01/16/2015

PHOENIX, AZ



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Feds, locals team up to combat counterfeit goods sales in advance of Super Bowl
At a news conference Friday, representatives from the three agencies detailed the results of three intellectual property theft cases, including two involving HSI. The seized goods included counterfeit National Football League (NFL) branded sportswear, designer clothing, videos, smartphones and even electronic audio products worth over $800,000. The estimate is based on the retail value of the items had they been genuine. These seizure cases have led to the arrest of five individuals who are facing state charges.


01/16/2015

TAMPA, FL



NARCOTICS


Traffickers with ties to Mexican drug cartel sentenced to prison
Mario Manzur Reyes, 31, of Tampa, was sentenced to five years and ten months in federal prison and Santos Rene Herrera-Cruz, 50, of Tampa was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment.


01/16/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE, Dominican Republic sign memorandum of cooperation
ICE Director Sarah Saldańa and Manuel Castro Castillo, major general of the National Police of the Dominican Republic, signed the Criminal History Information Sharing (CHIS) memorandum at ICE’s headquarters Wednesday. Deputy Assistant Secretary Luis E. Arreaga of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs also attended the ceremony.


01/16/2015

CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA



OPERATIONAL


HSI provides Colombian authorities specialized dive training
Special agents with the HSI Miami dive team provided the training, the first of its kind in Colombia. The training focused on techniques to help law enforcement identify contraband concealed in the hulls of cargo ships and in parasitic devices. The students were also taught evidence and cadaver recovery.



01/15/2015

JACKSONVILLE, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Florida man pleads guilty to transporting child pornography
According to the plea agreement, in April 2013, Nicholas Mitko Clark, 22, of Yulee, used an instant messaging service to chat with an individual in Canada, with whom he exchanged child pornography.


01/15/2015

TAMPA, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Lakeland man pleads guilty to producing child pornography
According to the plea agreement, between July 2012 and March 2014, Benjamin Cuadrado, 40, of Lakeland, coerced an infant and a toddler to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing multiple videos of the conduct.


01/15/2015

BALTIMORE, MD



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Convicted Maryland sex offender sentenced to over 17 years in prison for distribution of child pornography
Brian P. Davis, 50, of Dundalk, was also ordered to serve a lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. following his prison sentence and register as a sex offender.


01/15/2015

AURORA, IL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


8 men charged with sex crimes against juveniles following Illinois sting operation
During the six-week sting operation, authorities placed targeted ads for sexual services in an online publication known to promote prostitution-related activities. When the defendants called the telephone numbers listed, it was made clear that the services were being offered by underage girls. Arrangements were then made for the men to meet the girls at an Aurora hotel. They were taken into custody when they arrived.

01/15/2015

POCATELLO, ID



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Idaho man pleads guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of a child
Ray Carl Short, 66, admitted in a plea agreement to hiding a video camera in the bedroom of a minor to capture images of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. An undercover investigation by HSI special agents in Wilmington, Delaware, uncovered Short’s interest in online child pornography.


01/15/2015

SAN JOSE, CA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Bay area defense attorney sentenced to 2 years for money laundering
Jamie Harmon, aka Jamie Harley, 57, of Morgan Hill, was convicted in 2010 of five counts of laundering monetary instruments following a three-week trial.


01/15/2015

NEW YORK, NY



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


3 brothers from Mexico plead guilty to sex trafficking
Jorge Estrada -Tepal, 37, and Ricardo Estrada -Tepal, 33, of Queens, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking involving forces, fraud, and coercion. Victor Leonel Estrada -Tepal, 29, of Queens, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor.


01/15/2015

BUFFALO, NY



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Niagara Falls man arrested, charged with sex trafficking of a minor
HSI special agents arrested Marcellus Overton, 39, after he was charged federally with sex trafficking of a minor and transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.



01/15/2015

WESTMINSTER, CA



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


2 men to be arraigned for selling millions’ worth of counterfeit electronics, including phony iPhones and iPads
Rateb Said Najjar, 60, and his son, Eyad Rateb Najjar, 36, both of Westminster, are each charged with 134 felony counts of money laundering; six felony counts of manufacturing and sale of a counterfeit mark; two felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime with sentencing enhancements for property damage over $1.3 million; and money laundering in excess of $2.5 million.


01/15/2015

BEAUMONT, TX



NARCOTICS


Head of Gulf Cartel pleads guilty to trafficking drugs
Juan Francisco Saenz-Tamez, 23, of Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Saenz-Tamez entered his guilty plea Jan. 13 before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.


01/15/2015

NEWARK, NJ



OPERATIONAL


ERO Newark deportation officer awarded for diligence in locating hit-and-run driver
Belluardo was honored for tracking down a hit-and-run driver that fled from New Jersey to Annapolis, Maryland. The hit-and-run accident, which occurred on Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen, resulted in the death of Michael Viruet and serious injuries to his brother, Adrian Viruet.


01/14/2015

MADISON, WI



CONTRABAND


Colorado federal prisoner convicted in Wisconsin of running drug conspiracy from prison
Humberto Fierro-Rascon, 41, currently serving time at a federal prison in Florence, Colorado, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana following a three-day trial in in Madison. The jury reached its verdict Wednesday after deliberating for five hours.
01/14/2015

HOUSTON, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Houston office deports Salvadoran man wanted for homicide, extortion
Armando Palacios-Avalos, 34, aka Castro-Urbina and Edwin Eduardo, was flown to El Salvador Jan. 14 onboard a charter flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations (IAO) Unit. Upon arrival, Palacios-Avalos was turned over to officials from El Salvador’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC).


01/14/2015

LAREDO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Mexican man convicted in south Texas of transporting illegal aliens into the US
According to court documents, Jaime Gerardo Serrano-Villegas, 28, assisted others with moving a boat filled with Mexican nationals across the Rio Grande River, towards Rio Bravo, Texas.


01/14/2015

MEDFORD, OR



NARCOTICS


Oregon brothers sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking
Marco Antonio Gutierrez, 36, of Grants Pass, received a 14-year federal prison sentence, and his brother, Samuel De La Cruz Gutierrez, 43, also of Grants Pass, was sentenced to 10 years.


01/14/2015

EL PASO, TX



OPERATIONAL


In the spirit of Christmas, HSI El Paso intelligence research specialist gives back to community
While many of her colleagues and people all over the world were ringing in 2015 with family, friends, champagne and fireworks, Sharon Gahan, Intelligence Research Specialist for HSI El Paso, Texas, rang in the new year giving of herself.




01/13/2015

TORONTO, CANADA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI, Canadian law enforcement arrest child predator
Peter Eric Kirkeby, 26, of Barrie, Canada, is also charged with using telecommunication devices to commit the offense of sexual assault and creating child pornography, as well as soliciting a person to have illicit sexual intercourse.


01/13/2015

BALTIMORE, MD



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Maryland man sentenced to 16 years in prison for production of child pornography
Laiton Blake Witkowski, 42, of Stockton, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander to serve a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence and register as a sex offender.


01/13/2015

JOHNSTOWN, PA



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Counterfeit smuggler pleads guilty after HSI investigation
John F. Crawford IV, 48, trafficked in various counterfeit National Football League, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball logo apparel. In October 2012, HSI Pittsburgh was tipped off that Crawford’s gift shop in Breezewood, Pennsylvania, was selling counterfeit Pittsburgh Steelers trademarked merchandise, including the NFL team jerseys.


01/13/2015

HONOLULU, HI



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Counterfeit DVD movie distributor sentenced to federal prison
Yakov Meir Chazanow, 41, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi to serve 21 months in prison for conspiring to commit criminal copyright infringement, manufacturing counterfeit goods and to trafficking in goods bearing counterfeit Dolby trademarks and counterfeit labels.

01/12/2015

SAN DIEGO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Cross-border probe leads to rescue of minor and conviction of prior sex offender
Norman Paul Felts, 70, who lived on his boat in Ensenada, Mexico, was convicted Thursday following a bench trial in federal court. He has been in custody since his arrest by HSI agents in June 2013.


01/12/2015

LAS VEGAS, NV



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Defendant in massive credit card and identity theft scheme extradited from Albania
Jordan Georgievski, 41, is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge George Foley Jr. at 3 p.m. He faces two criminal counts of racketeering – participating in a Racketeer Influenced Organization (RICO) and conspiring to engage in a RICO.


01/12/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


ICE remains committed to ending human trafficking
In 2010, President Barack Obama declared January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the hopes of bringing an end to this inexcusable act of abuse that is a modern-day form of slavery.


01/12/2015

ANCHORAGE, AK



NARCOTICS


Alaska drug distributer linked to overdose death sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison
Dwight Williams, 51, pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking conspiracy in August, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Anchorage Police Department.



01/12/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 9, 2015
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 9, 2015


01/09/2015

NEWARK, NJ



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Leader of multi-state fraudulent document scheme sentenced to 6 years
Young-Kyu Park, 58, formerly of Fort Lee, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Faith S. Hochberg to conspiracy to produce identification and false identification documents; conspiracy to steal government property and transport stolen property in interstate commerce, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.


01/09/2015

SAN SALVADOR,EL SALVADOR



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


2 arrested for attempting to smuggle unaccompanied minors out of El Salvador
Rene Jonathan Hernandez Gomez, 23, and Rubia Benavide, 65, both of El Salvador, are charged with attempting to smuggle unaccompanied minors for profit.


01/08/2015

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


San Lorenzo man sentenced to 24˝ years for child exploitation, human trafficking
HSI special agents arrested Manual A. Natal-Bracetti, of San Lorenzo, after an HSI investigation stemming from a March 24, 2014, referral from PRPD that revealed he transported, on several occasions, a 12-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, in order to engage her in sexually explicit conduct.

01/08/2015

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI arrests Humacao resident on child sexual exploitation charges
HSI special agents arrested Jean Carlos Rivera-Morales, 26, after an investigation that stemmed from a Jan. 7 referral from PRPD. An HSI investigation revealed that Rivera-Morales engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a 6-year-old minor, and that he recorded one of the sexual acts with his cellular telephone.


01/08/2015

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


St. Thomas man sentenced to 25 years for child exploitation, 5 years for escape
On Jan. 21, 2014, HSI special agents arrested Raheem T. Creque, 37, for enticing and coercing a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct.


01/08/2015

NORFOLK, VA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Army service member sentenced to 4 years for possessing child pornography
According to court documents, law enforcement discovered Daniel Brown, 39, of Norfolk, during an investigation into a photo-sharing website known to be used for sharing child pornography.


01/08/2015

PHILADELPHIA, PA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI Philadelphia sting leads to sentencing of child predator
Ramy Ahmed, a 32-year-old naturalized citizen from Egypt, was caught after HSI Philadelphia agents saw an illicit add he put up on Craigslist.com looking for a sexual encounter with a child and immediately intervened.



01/08/2015

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



CONTRABAND


HSI, CBP seize 10 pounds of heroin concealed inside table, arrest 1
Ezequiel Tineo-Alcala, 45, was arrested after CBP officers conducting vehicle inspections on board the ferry M/V Caribbean Fantasy selected his Ford cargo van for a more intrusive inspection. A K9 alerted to a decorative table inside the van which contained a residue that later tested positive for heroin.


01/08/2015

CAMDEN, NJ



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


NJ criminal alien sentenced to 2 years in prison for making fake green cards
Domingo Luna, 34, aka “Morro,” of Camden, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez. Luna previously pleaded guilty in September to making fake identification documents and unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation, which are both felonies under federal law. Luna was arrested by HSI agents Dec. 12, 2013, and has been held in ICE administrative custody since that time.


01/08/2015

MEDFORD, OR



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


4-time deportee sentenced to 72 months for illegal re-entry
ERO officers encountered Julio Gonzalez-Zamudio, 44, in January 2014 following his arrest by Oregon State Police. According to court documents, Gonzalez-Zamundio was a passenger in a vehicle police stopped on Interstate 5 in Douglas County. Gonzalez-Zamundio fled on foot but state troopers pursued him and took him into custody. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of more than two-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine.


01/08/2015

PHILADELPHIA, PA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Philadelphia art dealer charged with money laundering after HSI investigation
According to the investigation, Nathan Isen, of Villanova, Pennsylvania, allegedly sold 12 pieces of art work in exchange for $20,000 in cash for the purpose of laundering cash he believed to be drug proceeds.

01/08/2015

LAREDO, TX



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


South Texas human smuggler receives enhanced nearly 6-year prison sentence for high-speed chase
Felipe Pena, 40, of Laredo, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo to 67 months in federal prison, which included an upward variance for almost injuring CBP officers during the chase. The court further noted that Pena is a violent individual and should show respect to law enforcement and the United States of America. Pena pleaded guilty Aug. 27, 2014.


01/08/2015

BROWNSVILLE, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


6th person convicted, another arrest made in south Texas human smuggling scheme
Ruth Fernandez Morales-Lopez, 32, pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens to stash houses in the Brownsville area. Alfredo Prieto, 43, of Laguna Vista, Texas, was arrested Wednesday on related charges. The following five others have also pleaded guilty to alien smuggling charges: Abram Erasmo Rodriguez, 21, a U.S. citizen from Los Fresnos, Texas; Olegario Reyes-Bonola, 50; Esteban Castro-Molina, 40; Digma Salinas-De Rivera, 41; and Jose Antonio Marin-Sanchez, 43.


01/07/2015

NORFOLK, VA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Virginia Beach man indicted for trading child pornography images
Dwight McEachin, 19, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. He was arrested by HSI special agents Dec. 15.


01/07/2015

GREENBELT, MD



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Conspirator sentenced to more than 2 years for role in residential mortgage fraud scheme
Annika Boas, 37, of Mount Rainier was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy, wire fraud and making a false statement on a loan application, arising from a residential mortgage fraud scheme.



01/07/2015

EL PASO, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE El Paso removes 2 homicide and rape suspects to Mexico
Agustin Gomez Fernandez, 55, and Francisco Javier Figueroa Martinez, 27, were handed over to Mexican law enforcement officials at El Paso’s Stanton Bridge Port of Entry.


01/07/2015

ALBUQUERQUE, NM



NARCOTICS


NM jury convicts Arkansas woman for trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine
Shelia Villegas, 47, of Manila, Arkansas, was found guilty Jan. 7 on methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking charges after a two-day trial.


01/06/2015

MONROE, LA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


HSI “John Doe” predator gets 17 years for child pornography production
Christopher Nixon, 23, was ordered to serve 17.5 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James in the Western District of Louisiana. In addition to his prison term, Nixon is required to serve 15 years of supervised release following the completion of his sentence.


01/06/2015

DALLAS, TX



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


North Texas man sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for role in stolen identity tax refund fraud conspiracy
Tonderai Sakupwanya was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $2.6 million in restitution. Sakupwanya, who is in custody, pleaded guilty in May 2014 to one count of theft of public funds.

01/06/2015

EL PASO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


El Paso, Texas, couple sentenced to federal prison for inducing foreign or interstate travel for prostitution
Maria Blake, 45, aka “Jessica,” and “Yvonne,” and her husband, Ronald, 45, are charged with inducing foreign or interstate travel for prostitution.


01/06/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


INTERPOL Washington mobile app is now in the iPhone App Store
If you would like to learn more about INTERPOL Washington mission or read the latest INTERPOL Washington news on your mobile device, download the free INTERPOL Washington mobile app today in the Apple App Store.


01/05/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



CHILD EXPLOITATION


District man pleads guilty to possession of child pornography
Michael Centanni, 48, is scheduled to be sentenced April 9. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. He must also register as a sex offender for a minimum period of 15 years.


01/05/2015

NORFOLK, VA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Portsmouth man sentenced to 11 years for receiving child pornography
Justin Carter, 31, pleaded guilty Aug. 27. According to court documents, Carter used a computer at a friend’s home to solicit, receive and share images of child pornography.



01/05/2015

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Texas man sentenced in Iowa to 9 months in federal prison for harboring an illegal alien
Roman Sanchez, 33, from Mission, Texas, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison on one count of harboring, encouraging or otherwise inducing an alien to reside illegally in the United States. Sanchez admitted his guilt in a plea agreement, which he signed Sept. 18, 2014.


01/05/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Operation Team Player nets more than $25,000 worth of fake goods
The operation, dubbed Operation Team Player, resulted in seizures of jerseys, hats, t-shirts and posters. The seizures were part of a crackdown on IPR violators leading up to the NHL Winter Classic. Operation Team Player is an effort by the HSI-led IPR Center that targets counterfeit sports merchandise from all of the major sports leagues.


01/05/2015

WASHINGTON, DC

OPERATIONAL

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 2, 2015
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 2, 2015