I.C.E. News Release

OPERATIONAL

06/27/2016


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending June 24, 2016




June 24, 2016 – ICE, US Marshals arrest 45 international fugitives with Interpol notices

Forty-five foreign fugitives – all subjects of active Interpol notices for individuals wanted in connection with criminal activity – were arrested across the United States last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the U.S. Marshals Service. Arrests occurred nationwide during the three-day enforcement operation June 21 to 23. Full Story

June 22, 2016 – ICE empowers industry to protect online marketplace

ICE’s head intellectual property rights enforcer told representatives from the Senate Finance Committee last week that the agency had launched initiatives and backed external efforts that empower industry to protect the online marketplace against counterfeit goods. Full Story

June 23, 2016 – 5 extradited from Mexico to face charges for operating international sex trafficking organization

Five defendants were arraigned in federal court following their extradition from Mexico on charges of sex trafficking and related violations as the latest development resulting from coordinated bilateral human trafficking enforcement efforts. Full Story

June 22, 2016 – ICE collaborates with Latin America to combat counterfeiting

ICE Deputy Director Daniel Ragsdale told attendees at an anti-counterfeiting conference yesterday that identifying and preventing the theft of intellectual property (IP) and dismantling criminal organizations that engage in counterfeiting operations are major priorities for the agency. Full Story

June 20, 2016 – Minnesota man pleads guilty to naturalization, tax fraud

A suburban St. Paul man pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to tax refund fraud and fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship. Full Story

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ic...g-june-24-2016


I.C.E. News Releases

06/24/2016

MCALLEN, TX

OPERATIONAL

South Texas man charged with pointing laser at a law enforcement helicopter
Juan Peralez, 57, from La Joya, Texas, was taken into custody June 23 after a federal criminal complaint was filed. Peralez is scheduled to make his initial appearance June 24 before U.S Magistrate Judge Peter Ormsby



06/24/2016

WASHINGTON, DC

ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE, US Marshals arrest 45 international fugitives with Interpol notices
“Project Red II” targeted individuals with Interpol red notices and others wanted for serious crimes within Interpol member countries. A red notice serves as an international wanted notice and provides information on the identification of fugitives charged with or convicted of serious crimes who have fled prosecution or the serving of their sentence.



06/24/2016

SACRAMENTO, CA



NARCOTICS


Former Yuba City police officer pleads guilty to bribery charge
According to court documents, while Harminder Phagura, 36, was employed as a Yuba City police officer he took sensitive information he gained from his official position and exchanged it for money. Co‑defendant Gursharan Phagura transmitted this sensitive law enforcement information to a government source, who was posing as a cocaine trafficker.




06/24/2016

LUBBOCK, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


West Texas man sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for transporting a minor child with intent to engage in sexual activity
Marcos Daniel Chairez, 26, of Lubbock, Texas, has been in custody since his arrest on other charges in October 2015. Chairez pleaded guilty in March 2016 to one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.



06/24/2016

SACRAMENTO, CA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Sacramento man sentenced to over 3 years in prison for bank fraud and identity theft
In addition to the prison term, Abdul Mannan, 33, was also ordered to pay more than $76,000 in restitution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez prosecuted the case.



06/23/2016

NEW YORK, NY



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


5 extradited from Mexico to face charges for operating international sex trafficking organization
Jovan Rendon-Reyes, aka Jovani, 32; Guillermina Rendon-Reyes, 44; Jose Rendon-Garcia, aka Gusano, 32; Felix Rojas, 45; and Severiano Martinez-Rojas, 50, were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein of the Eastern District of New York on a 27-count indictment following their extradition from Mexico. The indictment, which was unsealed on Nov. 19, 2015, charges eight defendants with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy involving predicate acts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; sex trafficking of minors; interstate prostitution; alien smuggling; money laundering and related offenses. Three co-defendants charged in the same indictment, Saul Rendon-Reyes, aka Satanico, 37; Francisco Rendon-Reyes, aka Pancho, 27; and Odilon Martinez-Rojas, aka Chino and Saul, 44, were arraigned in the Eastern District of New York on Nov. 19, 2015.



06/23/2016

SAN FRANCISCO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Bay Area man sentenced to more than 17 years in prison on child pornography charges
Lesley James McNeal, 53, of San Francisco, appeared before U.S. District Judge William Alsup. McNeal pleaded guilty in March to one count of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.




06/23/2016

NEWARK, NJ



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


New Jersey brothers sentenced to lengthy prison terms in stolen luxury car scheme
Andrew Clarke, 43 of Irvington, New Jersey, and Llewellyn Clarke, 42 of North Plainfield, New Jersey, were sentenced to 300 and 195 months in prison, respectively.



06/23/2016

SAN DIEGO, CA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE deports accused Mexican child sexual predator captured in Chula Vista
Blas Alberto Lopez-Angulo, 46, of Tijuana, was transferred by San Diego-based officers on ERO’s Special Response Team to the custody of representatives from Mexico’s Procuraduria General de la Republica (PGR) and Mexican immigration officials at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.



06/23/2016

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Mexican man sentenced in South Texas to 6 years in prison for possessing child pornography
Rogelio Alfaro Carrillo, 27, was sentenced June 24 by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos to 72 months in federal prison. He was further ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.



06/22/2016

WASHINGTON, DC



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


ICE collaborates with Latin America to combat counterfeiting
“Within the law-enforcement community, it is important that we come together regularly to share experiences and learn from each other; whether it’s talking about the investigative techniques that are working well, or simply shedding new light on emerging threats,” said Deputy Director Ragsdale. “Training sessions such as this also give us an opportunity to share key information and further enhance best practices.”




06/22/2016

SACRAMENTO, CA



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Large quantities of counterfeit apparel and illegal foreign pharmaceuticals seized in Sacramento-area searches
Tuesday’s enforcement actions were carried out by more than 50 special agents and investigators from ICE HSI; the California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug Branch; the California Franchise Tax Board; and the California Department of Justice eCrime Unit.



06/22/2016

ASUNCION, PARAGUAY



FINANCIAL CRIMES


ICE, Paraguayan authorities train to combat transnational money laundering organizations
The training focused on strategies and investigative techniques to assist with the identification and seizure of illicit funds generated by money laundering organizations engaged in transnational criminal schemes. HSI special agents shared best practices for investigating money laundering schemes, the movement of bulk and virtual currencies and intellectual property rights violations tied to terrorist financing.



06/22/2016

ST. CHARLES, IL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Chicago man found guilty of paying for sex with child
Marek P. Gacierz, 34, of Chicago, was convicted June 22 in Kane County by Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr., of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, and grooming.



06/22/2016

MADISON, WI



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Wisconsin man charged with producing child pornography
Adrian Jaimes, 21, from Nekoosa, Wisconsin, is charged with using and persuading a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.




06/22/2016

WASHINGTON, DC



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


ICE empowers industry to protect online marketplace
Operation In Our Sites is the major effort ICE investigators, industry and international law enforcement conduct in order to eliminate copyright infringing websites selling counterfeit goods that may threaten the health and safety of consumers.



06/21/2016

MIAMI, FL



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Mexican man sentenced to 20 years for sex trafficking of a minor
Timoteo Reyes-Perez, 35, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor. He was originally charged in 2008 but was a fugitive until last year when he was extradited to the United States from Mexico.



06/21/2016

SANTA ANA, CA



NATIONAL SECURITY


2 Orange County men convicted of conspiring to join ISIL
Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi, both 25, were convicted Tuesday in U.S. District Court following a two-week trial. Elhuzayel was also found guilty of attempting to provide material support, and Badawi was convicted of aiding and abetting the attempt to provide support to ISIL.



06/21/2016

ALBUQUERQUE, NM



NARCOTICS


New Mexico man arrested on narcotics trafficking, firearms charges
Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested David Krowner, 42, from Estancia, New Mexico, June 17 after a narcotics canine allegedly detected the odor of illegal drugs in his vehicle.




06/21/2016

SPRINGFIELD, IL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Illinois man sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for producing child pornography
Marcus B. Fifer, 44, of Springfield, was sentenced June 20 by U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, Central District of Illinois, to 420 months in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release upon his release from prison.



06/21/2016

MIAMI, FL



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


South Florida woman sentenced for trafficking in counterfeit goods and money laundering
Tatiana F. Tascon, 40, of Coconut Grove, pleaded guilty to the charges April 13, as part of her sentence she agreed to forfeit $78,949.45 as well as two properties in Miami.



06/21/2016

ALBUQUERQUE, NM



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Previously convicted New Mexico sex offender arraigned on superseding indictment
Donald Alvin Tolbert, 47, entered a not guilty plea to the superseding indictment during his arraignment June 20 hearing. He remains in federal custody pending trial, which is set for Sept. 19.



06/21/2016

BISMARCK, ND



CHILD EXPLOITATION


North Dakota man sentenced to 14 years for receiving child pornography
Steven Edward Brooks, 50, of Williston, North Dakota, was sentenced by US District Judge Daniel L. Hovland to serve 14 years in federal prison following his conviction on one count of receiving child pornography. Brooks had previously pleaded guilty to the charge.


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