Thread: 476 gang members & criminals arrested by I.C.E.

I.C.E. News Release

January 27, 2010

476 gang members, associates and other criminals were put on ICE during Project Big Freeze

WASHINGTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Wednesday the arrests of 476 gang members, associates and other criminals. Agents seized 47 firearms as part of Project Big Freeze, an intensive ICE-led law enforcement operation executed in 83 cities across the country focusing on gangs with ties to drug trafficking organizations.

Through Project Big Freeze, ICE agents worked side by side with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in a coordinated national initiative against transnational criminal street gangs in the United States.

Transnational street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-national members and are frequently involved in human smuggling and trafficking; narcotics smuggling and distribution; identity theft and benefit fraud; money laundering and bulk cash smuggling; weapons smuggling and arms trafficking; cyber crimes; export violations; and other crimes with a nexus to the border.

"Project Big Freeze is the largest nationwide ICE-led enforcement operation targeting transnational gangs with ties to drug trafficking organizations," said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton. "Through gang enforcement operations like Project Big Freeze, ICE continues to target and dismantle transnational gangs to rid our streets not only of drug dealers, but the violence associated with the drug trade."

Of the 476 arrests, 207 were arrested for criminal offenses and face prosecution for various federal and state crimes, including narcotics smuggling and distribution, firearms violations, identity theft, aggravated assault, obstruction, entry without inspection and re-entry after deportation. Of those arrested, 151 were U.S. citizens and 366 were foreign nationals and face deportation either now or when their criminal prosecution is complete. In addition, ICE agents arrested another 41 individuals on administrative immigration violations.

Like any street gang, these transnational gangs also have a propensity toward violence. Their members commit a number of violent crimes including robbery, extortion, assault, rape and murder.

Among those arrested during Project Freeze were:

•Jose Hernandez-Morales, 31, a Mexican national and member of the Latin Kings, was arrested in Chicago for re-entry of a previously removed alien. His criminal history includes murder, aggravated assault, battery, intimidation and criminal trespass. Federal criminal prosecution is pending for re-entry of a previously removed alien.
•Serhiy Hudz, 27, who is a Ukrainian national and legal permanent resident, is a member of the Warlocks outlaw motorcycle gang. He was arrested in Philadelphia for parole violations. Hudz's criminal history includes murder, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated assault, assault, theft, receiving stolen property and DUI. Hudz was placed into removal proceedings.
•Amado Arellano, 44, a U.S. citizen and member of the Mexican Mafia, was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on state charges for parole violations. Arellano's criminal history includes charges of possession of cocaine, possession of LSD, assault with bodily injury, burglary, resisting arrest, unauthorized use of vehicle, criminal mischief and trespassing. Arellano faces state criminal prosecution.
Nearly 50 percent of those arrested during this operation were members or associates of gangs with ties to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, South America and Asia.

The National Gang Unit at ICE identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from criminal activities.

Operation Community Shield partners with existing federal, state and local anti-gang efforts to share intelligence on gang organizations and their leadership, share resources and combine legal authorities to arrest, prosecute, imprison and/or deport transnational gang members.

Since inception in 2005 to date, ICE agents working in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies nationwide have arrested 16,144 street gang members and associates. Of those arrested, 202 were gang leaders and 2,898 were MS-13 gang members or associates. Through this initiative, ICE has seized 949 firearms. To date, of those arrested, 6,805 have been charged criminally, and 9,339 have been charged with immigration violations and processed for removal.

To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423 or visit www.ice.gov.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE comprises four integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1001/100127washingtondc.htm

This is very uplifting to read. I would love to see more of this all over our nation. Law enforcement going after gangs, prosecuting them, stopping them and removing them from our country when found here illegally.

Originally Posted by AmericanElizabeth

This is very uplifting to read. I would love to see more of this all over our nation. Law enforcement going after gangs, prosecuting them, stopping them and removing them from our country when found here illegally.

Read on.

As of the end of September 2009, ICE removed 387,000 illegal aliens from the country,
including 136,000 who were convicted of crimes in the U.S.
387,000 illegal aliens removed in F.Y. 2009
http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0912/091217washington.htm
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-182539-ice.html+removes

U.S. Repatriated 359,455 Mexicans in 2009
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?Article ... ryId=14091
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-183998.html

111,000 Criminal Aliens Identified by ICE in 2009
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1258044387591.shtm
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-177810.html

34,600 Criminal Illegal Aliens IDed in Florida
http://www.examiner.com/x-25474-Tucson- ... ted-States
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-177991.html

24,000 criminal illegal aliens IDed in AZ.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... ogram.html
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-177989.html

I.C.E. TAKES 10,000th VIOLENT ILLEGAL ALIEN GANG MEMBER OFF U.S. STREETS
http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0808/080806washingtondc.htm
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-126684-000th.html

8,700 criminal illegal aliens located in the L.A. County jails
during the last two months
www.scpr.org
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-177905.html

6,000 Criminal Illegal Aliens found in San Diego County jails
http://nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/ ... 7bfcc.html
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-177988.html

I.C.E. arrest nearly 300 foreigners with criminal records
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... sweep.html
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-181146.html

243 Illegal aliens denied entry into CA. last weekend
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_4.xml
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-181810.html

Some people say that the gang arrests are not enough and it is only a "drop in the bucket." But I say they are doing a GREAT JOB and we will one day see the end of these gangs in our neighborhoods. Each one arrested is potentially a life saved, as they wont be available to victimize the innocent citizens of towns across the country.

AmericanElizabeth wrote:

"This is very uplifting to read. I would love to see more of this all over our nation. Law enforcement going after gangs, prosecuting them, stopping them and removing them from our country when found here illegally."

Reply:
I think A.E. and redpony have it exactly right - ICE seems to be doing an encouragingly excellent job at this. Further, within an environment often of great personal danger and duress, many Mexican law enforcement (including military) personnel also have been doing (often with the cooperation of law enforcement agencies in the U.S.) an outstanding, and perhaps unappreciated, job of capturing and putting out of business Mexican drug cartel members, increasingly at the very highest levels. Despite fierce opposition to Pres. Calderon's "War on Drug Cartels", often within their own ranks, honest members within Mexican law enforcement and military seem willing to pay a high price to win this war once and for all.

You're right on that Texas, they do risk a lot doing this job, especially when it comes to the cartels.

Even local police are at more of a risk than they have ever been before. Even with local nuts and criminals, they risk dying for their role in law enforcement, and with the gangs and cartels involved, the risk is beyond what most of us caneven comprehend at times.

AmericanElizabeth wrote:
"You're right on that Texas, they do risk a lot doing this job, especially when it comes to the cartels.

Even local police are at more of a risk than they have ever been before. Even with local nuts and criminals, they risk dying for their role in law enforcement, and with the gangs and cartels involved, the risk is beyond what most of us caneven comprehend at times."

Reply:
Thank you, AE. These individuals in law enforcement -- regardless of agency affiliation and now on both sides of the border -- all are most deserving of our thanks and strong support, I believe.

Crackdown on Mexican Posse street gang in Milwaukee nets 21 suspects, including alleged leader

By Associated Press

10:24 AM CST, January 27, 2010
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal and state justice officials say 21 known gang members and associates have been arrested in Milwaukee.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday 14 of the suspects are known members of the Mexican Posse street gang. It says 12 are in the U.S. illegally and the other two could be deported because of their criminal histories.

The suspects have backgrounds that include arrests and convictions for drug and weapons offenses.

Among the people arrested last week was a 40-year-old man believed to be a Mexican Posse leader. He is in federal custody pending possible deportation.

The arrests were part of a nationwide effort to crack down on gangs with ties to drug trafficking. DHS says 476 alleged gang members have been arrested in 83 cities across the U.S.

http://oneoldvet.com/

www.fox6now.com

ICE: 23 Local Gang Members Arrested

Local Arrests Part Of National Crackdown

POSTED: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
UPDATED: 5:32 pm EST January 27, 2010

DETROIT -- Local police and federal agents have arrested 23 gang members in metro Detroit as part of a four-day nationwide sweep.

Project Big Freeze took place this week in Detroit and in 82 other cities nationwide. The operation was lead by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Nationwide, 447 gang members and associations were arrested and 45 firearms were confiscated.

The 23 local arrests were made in Detroit, Highland Park, Lincoln Park and Saint Clair Shores.

Agents said those arrested came from gangs including the Latin Counts, Surenos, Street Boys, Black Mafia Family and the Gangster Disciples.

Charges against the suspected gang members range from burglary to criminal sexual conduct to parole violation.

All of the 23 people arrested had prior criminal records; 19 will be prosecuted locally, two have been placed in deportation proceedings and two will be prosecuted federally.

Since ICE's inception in 2005, agents working in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies nationwide have arrested more than 16,000 suspected street gang members and associates nationwide.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22358420/detail.html

ICE, Others Announce Major Gang Crackdown

January 27, 2010 - 2:01 PM |
by: Mike Levine

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have launched what they call “the largest operation of its kind in our agency’s history,â€