Thread: I.C.E. Top Stories: Last Week 03/26/2018

Top Stories: Last Week

03/23/2018

WASHINGTON, DC

ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


MS-13 member wanted for violent crimes removed to El Salvador
A Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member wanted for violent crimes in El Salvador was removed from the U.S. Friday by deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).


03/23/2018

WASHINGTON, DC

STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM


New portal allows international students to send updates to SEVIS
On Friday, SEVP launched the SEVP Portal, which streamlines the SEVIS update process by enabling F-1 students participating in post-completion OPT and M-1 students participating in practical training to report personal and employer information directly to SEVP.


03/22/2018

TEXARKANA, AR

OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Texarkana arrests 120 people during illegal cockfighting event
The search warrant was the culmination of an 18-month investigation. Based on previous investigative work, agents expected 30-40 individuals to attend the event and suspected a portion of those attendees to be illegal aliens. Upon execution of the state search warrant, agents encountered an overwhelming 134 people attending the event, 120 were taken into custody. Numerous people attempted to flee the scene on foot which made the assistance of CBP Air an integral part in apprehending suspects.


03/21/2018

SAN JUAN, P.R.

CONTRABAND


ICE, federal and local partners seize 1,441 kilograms of cocaine, arrest 1
Contraband has an estimated street value of more than $29 million



03/20/2018

WASHINGTON, DC

FINANCIAL CRIMES

Payza and 2 Canadian brothers accused of operating an unlicensed money service business and money laundering
The indictment was returned earlier this month and unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Firoz Patel, 43, and Ferhan Patel, 37, who live in the area of Montreal, Québec, are charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and to violate anti-money laundering program requirements, one count of a money laundering conspiracy and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in the District of Columbia.

https://www.ice.gov/news/top-stories...week&created=1



I.C.E. News Releases


03/23/2018

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



CHILD EXPLOITATION


ICE arrests Toa Baja man on child exploitation charges
HSI special agents assigned to the CEIG in San Juan arrested Reinaldo Rentas-Ortiz, 52, of Toa Baja, following an investigation that revealed that he allegedly attempted to produce child pornography and attempted to sexually entice and transport, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct, what he thought was a 13-year-old female minor.



03/23/2018

CHICAGO, IL



COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT


Russian man sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for attempting to illegally export firearm parts and accessories
A Russian man was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in federal prison for attempting to unlawfully export more than $100,000 in firearm parts, ammunition and accessories, including parts designed for assault rifles.



03/23/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


MS-13 member wanted for violent crimes removed to El Salvador
A Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member wanted for violent crimes in El Salvador was removed from the U.S. Friday by deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).



03/23/2018

KALAMAZOO, MI



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


Western Michigan ICE operation nets 16 arrests over 4-day period
Fourteen men and two women were arrested during the enforcement actions. With the exception of a Congolese man, all of those arrested were nationals of Mexico. Enforcement activities took place primarily in Berrien, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.




03/23/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM


New portal allows international students to send updates to SEVIS
On Friday, SEVP launched the SEVP Portal, which streamlines the SEVIS update process by enabling F-1 students participating in post-completion OPT and M-1 students participating in practical training to report personal and employer information directly to SEVP.



03/22/2018

NORFOLK, VA



CONTRABAND


Elementary school janitor, co-conspirator sentenced for selling heroin
Two Newport News men have been sentenced this week to a combined 87 months in prison for distributing heroin, including on the property of a local elementary school. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).



03/22/2018

SEATTLE, WA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Bothell resident sentenced to 24 years in prison on several child exploitation charges
A 53-year-old former resident of Bothell, Washington, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 24 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for production, distribution and possession of child pornography. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.



03/22/2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA



OPERATIONAL


ICE ERO Philadelphia MSS flying high after Eagles Super Bowl win
When the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, the entire city rejoiced. After all, it was the franchise’s first Super Bowl title, signaling the end of years of frustration and disappointment fans have endured in pursuit of an elusive championship.




03/22/2018

TEXARKANA, AR



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Texarkana arrests 120 people during illegal cockfighting event
The search warrant was the culmination of an 18-month investigation. Based on previous investigative work, agents expected 30-40 individuals to attend the event and suspected a portion of those attendees to be illegal aliens. Upon execution of the state search warrant, agents encountered an overwhelming 134 people attending the event, 120 were taken into custody. Numerous people attempted to flee the scene on foot which made the assistance of CBP Air an integral part in apprehending suspects.



03/22/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE and Egyptian Administrative Control Authority sign Memorandum of Understanding
The ACA is Egypt’s anti-corruption, fraud, financial, customs and regulatory investigative branch. ICE’s HSI directorate is a critical investigative arm of the DHS and is a vital U.S. asset in combating criminal organizations illegally exploiting America's travel, trade, financial and immigration systems.



03/21/2018

MANCHESTER, NH



OPERATIONAL


President recognizes critical role of ICE in combating opioid crisis in New Hampshire forum
Highlighting the major efforts the administration is dedicating to combating the opioid drugs crisis, President Donald J. Trump held a policy forum on “Opioids: The Crisis Next Door” at Manchester Community College on Monday, March 19, 2018 in Manchester, NH.



03/21/2018

TOLEDO, OH



NARCOTICS


Fentanyl package bound for Texas intercepted by Ohio task force
The seizure comes days after ICE and Ohio officials announced that HSI special agents had trained more than 300 law enforcement personnel in the state on dark net and virtual currency, which is increasingly how synthetic opioids are purchased.




03/21/2018

LUBBOCK, TX



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES


Federal grand jury indicts Guatemalan man who used a suspected pipe bomb in West Texas bank robbery
Eddie Estuardo Galindo-Mendez, 43, a Guatemalan citizen, was charged last week in a related federal criminal complaint with one count of bank robbery. He was in federal custody on other charges at the time the complaint was filed.



03/21/2018

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



CONTRABAND


ICE, federal and local partners seize 1,441 kilograms of cocaine, arrest 1
Contraband has an estimated street value of more than $29 million



03/21/2018

SALT LAKE CITY, UT



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Utah man pleads guilty to producing child pornography; faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison
Nathan Clark Ward, 56, of Bountiful, Utah, admitted that in some of the videos he lifted the shirt of a minor and in others pulled down the minor’s pants.



03/21/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Former life insurance agents busted for $1.9 million scam
Former life insurance agents Mohammed Kakooza, 44, Margret Birabwa, 35, Michael Chibueze Monday, 43, and Denis Osikol, 36 – all from the Los Angeles area – were arrested Tuesday on multiple felony counts for their role in an alleged $1.9 million scam involving the submission of fraudulent life insurance applications to score advance commissions from insurance companies.




03/20/2018

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Wisconsin child predator sentenced in Iowa to 30 years in federal prison for enticing minor online
Carson Sibley, 26, from La Crosse, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 360 months in federal prison on one count of enticing a minor. There is no parole in the federal justice system.



03/20/2018

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Mexico City assists in operation to rescue minor
Amy Yu, 16, had been missing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, since March 5, 2018, and was believed to have left the country for Cancun, Mexico, accompanied by 45-year-old, Kevin Esterly.



03/20/2018

MINNEAPOLIS, MN



COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT


Iranian national sentenced in Minnesota to 15 months in federal prison for conspiring to illegally export restricted technology to Iran
Aliereza Jalali, 39, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen in the District of Minnesota, on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 29, 2017.



03/20/2018

LEXINGTON, KY



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES


Illegal alien from Mexico found guilty of unlawfully possessing a firearm in Kentucky
According to court evidence, Lexington police officers arrested Jesus Humberto Bernal-Berreaza, 19, on Dec. 7, 2017, for carrying a loaded and concealed .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun.




03/20/2018

OMAHA, NE



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


2 illegal aliens from India each sentenced in Nebraska to a year in federal prison for labor trafficking, harboring illegal alien
Vishnubhai Chaudhari, 50, and Leelabahen Chaudhari, 44, both citizens of India unlawfully residing in Kimball, Nebraska, were each sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after both pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2017, to alien harboring for financial gain and conspiracy to harbor an alien.



03/20/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Payza and 2 Canadian brothers accused of operating an unlicensed money service business and money laundering
The indictment was returned earlier this month and unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Firoz Patel, 43, and Ferhan Patel, 37, who live in the area of Montreal, Québec, are charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and to violate anti-money laundering program requirements, one count of a money laundering conspiracy and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in the District of Columbia.



03/19/2018

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Illegal alien from Guatemala sentenced to federal prison in Iowa for document fraud
Jose Lopez-Morales, 36, a citizen of Guatemala illegally residing in Independence, Iowa, was sentenced to two months in federal prison following his guilty plea on Jan. 25, 2018, to one count of unlawfully using identification documents.






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F.B.I. Top Stories

• 03.23.2018
  State-Sponsored Cyber Theft
  Nine Iranian citizens working at the behest of the government of Iran have been indicted in a computer hacking campaign that compromised universities, private companies, and government entities.
• 03.19.2018
  Drug Ring Dismantled
  Members of a violent drug trafficking organization will be spending decades behind bars thanks to the efforts of an FBI-led Safe Streets Task Force in North Carolina’s Triangle region.
• 03.16.2018
  Phantom Secure Takedown
  Phantom Secure, an encrypted communication service that facilitated organized criminal activity and drug traffickers, has been shut down thanks to an international law enforcement effort.
• 03.12.2018
  Pill Mill Doctor Sentenced
  A Detroit-area doctor, eventually stripped of his medical license, received prison time for his role in an illegal drug distribution operation and multi-million-dollar health care fraud scheme.

More

DEA NEWS

DEA Investigations Result in the Prosecution of Multiple Defendants

MAR 22 (SAN DIEGO)

In response to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' call for a 45-day surge in opioid-related enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations have led to the arrest of multiple defendants in relation to deadly opioids.

READ MORE MORE DEA NEWS


D.E.A. NEWS RELEASES

MAR 24	MAR 24 (BUFFALO, N.Y.) Heroin Distributor Sentenced in Buffalo, NY
MAR 22	MAR 22 (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) Man Found in Possession of 1,283 Pounds of Marijuana is Charged
MAR 22	(LAREDO, Texas) Man Sentenced for Trafficking Enough Fentanyl to Possibly Kill Nearly Six Million
MAR 22	(LAREDO, Texas) Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
MAR 21	(TAMPA, Fla.) Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

MORE NEWS RELEASES

A.T.F. Press Releases


MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

Two Officers with Gardena Police Department Named in Federal Indictment that Alleges They Operated Illegal Firearms Businesses

Field Division:Los Angeles Field Division


FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

Field Division:Philadelphia Field Division


Passaic County Man Indicted for Conspiracy to Distrubte Heroin in Patterson, New Jersey, and Suburbs in New York, New Jersey

Field Division:Newark Field Division


Bradenton Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm Offenses

Field Division:Tampa Field Division


ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate York, PA Fire Involving Firefighter Fatalities

Field Division:Philadelphia Field Division


Bronx, New York Man Sentenced to Over Fifteen Years for Supplying Over a Kilogram of Heroin and Fentanyl For Distribution in Vermont

Field Division:Boston Field Division


THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Kinston Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years for Hobbs Act Robbery and Gun Charge

Field Division:Charlotte Field Division


Two Wisconsin Individuals Charged in Firearms Straw Purchasing Conspiracy

Field Division:St. Paul Field Division


Nashville Man Responsible for Multiple Acts of Violent Crime in Public Housing Areas Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Charges

Field Division:Nashville Field Division


Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

Field Division:Detroit Field Division


Kalamazoo Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

Field Division:Detroit Field Division


Indictment Alleges Stratford Man Illegally Purchased Firearms at Newington Gun Store

Field Division:Boston Field Division


Robber with Forehead Tattoo Sentenced to 30 Years

Field Division:Washington Field Division


Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to Over Fifteen Years for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

Field Division:Tampa Field Division


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

Bunnell Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Firearms and Drug Offenses

Field Division:Tampa Field Division


Federal Jury Convicts Rochester Man of Illegally Possessing a Handgun

Field Division:New York Field Division


Lumberton Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Field Division:Charlotte Field Division


Lumberton Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Field Division:Charlotte Field Division


Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Field Division:Kansas City Field Division


Nashua Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Illegal Possession of Firearms

Field Division:Boston Field Division


Federal Grand Jury Indicts Guatemalan Man Who Used a Suspected Pipe Bomb in a Bank Robbery

Field Division:Dallas Field Division


TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

Medford Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery and Illegal Firearm Possession

Field Division:Seattle Field Division


Adelphi Man Sentenced To 71 Months In Prison For Drug And Gun Charges

Field Division:Baltimore Field Division


MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018

ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research Announce its 2018 Raven's Challenge Interoperability Exercise

Field Division:Headquarters, Phoenix Field Division


Anitioch Man Facing Federal Charges for Making False Statement to Purchase Firearm

Field Division:Nashville Field Division

U.S. Marshals News

More »

March 20, 2018 - U.S. Marshals are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Virginia man who has been on the run from murder charges for over two years. Darryl Reginald Faine, 54, is wanted for a 2015 murder that occurred in Portsmouth, Virginia..read more March 19, 2018 - Today, U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane announced the arrest of Louie Rivera, 27, in Girardville, PA. On February 25, 2018, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole issued an arrest warrant charging Rivera with violating his conditions of parole. Rivera was also wanted by the Minersville Police Department for attempted homicide...read more March 16, 2018 - Today, U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane announced the arrest of Nathan Yankelov, 19, in Stewartstown, PA. On March 14, 2018, the York City Police Department obtained an arrest warrant charging Yankelov with rape forcible compulsion and other related offense...read more March 16, 2018 - The U.S. Marshals Service, Vermont Violent Offender Task Force teamed up with the U.S. Marshals New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force to arrest a violent fugitive, whose whereabouts were unknown. Shawn Daniels, 35, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was arrested in Woodstock, Vermont...read more March 16, 2018 - A two-time convicted sex offender on board a train bound for California had his flight from justice derailed by U.S. Marshals early today. William Hemphill (aka Andy), was arrested on an outstanding federal arrest warrant after three weeks on the run...read more

JUSTICE NEWS

Former CEO and VP of Finance for a Virginia-Based Software Company Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud
Friday, March 23, 2018


Chief of Staff for Former Federal Congressman Convicted for Obstructing Congressional Investigation
Friday, March 23, 2018


Attorney General Sessions Announces Regulation Effectively Banning Bump Stocks
Friday, March 23, 2018


Wyoming Military Department Found Liable for Subjecting Employee to Sexual Harassment
Friday, March 23, 2018


Pennsylvania Man Charged With Illegally Exporting Firearm Parts to Iraq
Friday, March 23, 2018


California Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for the Sale of Black Rhinoceros Horns
Friday, March 23, 2018


Former CEO of Israeli Sales and Marketing Company Charged for Role in Fraudulent Binary Options Scheme
Friday, March 23, 2018


Attorney General Sessions Delivers Remarks to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
Friday, March 23, 2018


Alere to Pay U.S. $33.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Unreliable Diagnostic Testing Devices
Friday, March 23, 2018



MORE NEWS