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Homeland Security Operations Net Over 400 Criminal Aliens
Date 2005/7/2 13:05:41 | Topic: National News


by Jim Kouri, CPP

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested eight known gang members in four cities and removed nine others in recent days. These arrests are the latest under Operation Community Shield, a national initiative aimed at disrupting and dismantling violent gangs of illegal immigrants. These arrests bring the total to more than 400 since March 2005.

Arrests occurred in San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit. The removals occurred from the Buffalo, NY Federal Detention Facility. All eight of the individuals arrested have been charged with being illegally present in the United States and are being detained pending their immigration court hearings.
The eight gang members deported from Buffalo were arrested around the country and staged at the facility as ICE completed the repatriation process. Suspected criminal activity includes manslaughter, criminal weapons possession, robbery, assault and attempted robbery.

William Cleary, Buffalo Detention and Deportation Field Office Director, said that the nine individuals removed were gang members from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. They belonged to organized crime organizations such as MS-13, the "Mexican Boys" of the La Gran Familia, the "Big Kings"of SUR-13, "Esquadron," La Gran Raza," and "Trinitarios."

In Oakland, California, feds nabbed Antonio Garcia-Becerra, a Mexican national and Southside Locos 13 gang member. Garcia was previously deported from the United States and reentered in violation of federal law. He has a criminal history that includes a weapons violation.

Also in Oakland, Victor Alejandro Ortega, a Mexican national and member of the Border Brother gang was arrested. Ortega is an aggravated felon with convictions for transporting and selling a controlled substance and assault with a firearm. ICE busted Miguel Castillo, a Mexican national with an extensive juvenile criminal history and convictions for drug possession and DUI.

In Seattle, Arnin Valdez-Bonilla, a Honduran national who is a member of M-13 and has a conviction for assault was nailed by ICE agents. Valedez entered the United States without inspection.

In Atlanta, Roberto Villazania-Hernandez, a Mexican national and member of the SUR12 gang, was picked up by agents. He has a conviction for aggravated assault and also entered the United States without inspection. ICE took custody of Villazania from the Clayton County, Georgia Task Force.

Also busted in Atlanta was Erick Espiritu-Garcia a Mexican national with a criminal history who is a member of Vatos Locos gang; and Miguel Perulero-Casildo who has a conviction for eluding a police officer and illegally entering the United States.

In Detroit, Mario Chavez-Rodriguez, a Mexican national and member of the Sureno gang, was arrested by local authorities for DUI. He entered the United States illegally and is now in ICE custody.

Removals

Demetrio Casco is a native and citizen of Mexico and a member of the gang "Esquadron." His criminal history includes convictions for criminal possession of a weapon, attempted assault and possession of dangerous contraband in prison.

Julian Lopez-Villalobos, is a Mexican national and a member of the "Big Kings" street gang in Phoenix, AZ.

Silvino Felipe-Martinez is a Mexican national who is a member of "Mexican Boys" affiliated with the gang La Gran Familia.

Antonio Hernandez-Alvarez of El Salvador is a member of MS-13 with a criminal history including criminal possession of a weapon

Henry Salgado of Honduras is affiliated with MS-13. He has convictions for gang assault in the 1st degree, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

Jorge Martinez of El Salvador is also a member of MS-13 with convictions for attempted robbery and robbery. He also served time in a special housing unit for drug possession while serving time for the criminal convictions.

Moreno Ibel of the Dominican Republic is a member of "Trinitarios," a Dominican prison gang. He served time in two New York State prisons.

Carlos Flores of Mexico is affiliated with the "Esquadron" street gang. Flores was arrested in April 1996 for Murder and eventually convicted of manslaughter.

Sandy Rodriguez is a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic and a member of the "Trinitarios," a Dominican prison gang at Riker's Island.

Sources: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US Department of Homeland Security, National Association of Chiefs of Police