Immigration officials: August 'human smuggling' incident was fabricate Debra Friedman

Posted: 10/10/2009 06:11:44 PM EDT



It was described as a "human-smuggling bust" and a "botched ransom," but one week after Greenwich police and immigrations agents detained four people stemming from a August melee in Riverside, officials determined the incident was neither.

In fact, the dispute in the Riverside Commons parking lot -- an episode that sparked national media attention -- turned out to be an argument over money between three illegal immigrants who had just entered the country and a driver who requested more money to continue the trip to Willimantic where the passengers' relatives lived.

"Agent Davis (from federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency) advised me that the entire kidnapping story was completely fabricated and that the three reported victims had actually just entered the United States illegally," states an Aug. 12 Greenwich police report written by Officer Martin O'Reilly. "After entering the country, family members of the three reported victims made arrangements via legitimate transportation companies to have them driven to Connecticut. An additional fee of $60 per person was requested €¦ the family members refused to make the additional payment when the van arrived, at which time an argument ensued."

The reports, released after an Freedom of Information Act request by Greenwich Time, also reveal that the three passengers and the driver of the van were all in the country illegally.

The newly released reports detail a much different story than was disseminated in August, a bizarre plot involving kidnapping, human trafficking and abuse.

On Aug. 2, numerous police cars were dispatched to a report of a fight between a group of Hispanic males in the parking area of Riverside Commons on East Putnam Avenue. Witnesses said the men and a woman involved scattered at the sound of sirens, although all but one person were located soon after in various parts of town. Nearly 20 people were detained at police headquarters, according to reports, where the three alleged victims told police a detailed story about a harrowing ordeal that began in Texas.

The three passengers of the van told police they had been working for two months as day laborers when they were kidnapped and held in a backyard until family members sent money.

"They were advised that they would not be allowed to leave the house until a fee of $2,500 was paid for each of them," according to the police report. "They were forced to disrobe and enter a bedroom. The backyard was surrounded by barbed wire. All three related that they were in fear of being killed the entire time."

The family members of the three, identified as Antonio Gonzales, Nicolas Gonzales-Ceron and Ramon Hermelindo, told police the victims were their cousins and had been kidnapped in Texas five days ago. Gonzales told police they had wired money to secure their release and that is what the incident at the Riverside Commons was about.

Earlier that day, reports show that ICE also sent a bulletin informing local police to be on the lookout for a large blue van from Texas where passengers were being held hostage and abused.

Greenwich police issued a press release following the melee stating the incident was related to human smuggling and kidnapping, causing television stations and national media to splash headlines about the sensational incident.

Despite numerous attempts by Greenwich Time to gather facts on the circumstances, ICE officials declined comment. An ICE spokeswoman said Friday it is the agency's policy not to comment on ongoing investigations.

However, after Greenwich Time obtained police records showing ICE knew the human-smuggling story was fabricated one week after it happened, ICE officials confirmed that the reports were true.

"I can confirm for you that the incident you inquired about was not a kidnapping incident," said Paula Grenier, ICE spokeswoman. "However, there are elements of human smuggling and that aspect remains under investigation at this time."

Grenier said all four people detained had been deported, three to Mexico and one to Guatemala.

As for the false information, Grenier said follow-up ICE investigations revealed the three passengers in the van lied to police.

"ICE determined that false information was previously provided to law enforcement specifically regarding allegations of kidnapping, assault and ransom," said Grenier. "As I mentioned, the case is still under investigation and by policy, ICE does not discuss operational or investigative specifics."

Grenier would not comment on what caused the agency to send out a bulletin alerting police to the blue van.

Greenwich Police Chief David Ridberg said it is his policy not to comment on other agencies' investigations, but wanted residents to know they had no reason to fear the incident.

"I can say that the incident at the (shopping center) had no connections at all to Greenwich other than the fact the involved parties happened to come together just off Exit 5 of I-95," Ridberg said. "There is absolutely no reason for residents to be concerned about any fallout from this incident or similar activity in the future."

One person involved in the August dispute, described as a friend to the driver of the van, fled after hearing police sirens and was not captured. ICE officials did not comment on whether they are actively looking for that person.

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