I.C.E. and C.B.P. News Releases 5/24/19
I.C.E. News Releases
05/24/2019
CHARLOTTE, NC
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
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Federal, state, local law enforcement agencies partner with nonprofits to rescue trafficking victims prior to Memorial Day Weekend race event
As part of the operation, law enforcement teams engaged with more than 15 potential human trafficking victims and gathered intelligence on potential traffickers. Eleven victims agreed to provide details on their situations to law enforcement, and several victims were paired with victim service representatives who can help the victims rebuild their lives through access to housing, medical care, legal assistance, transportation and more.
05/24/2019
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE arrests 31 in 5-day New York City metropolitan-area enforcement surge
During the effort, which focused on persons ordered removed from the U.S. with criminal convictions or pending charges, ERO deportation officers arrested 31 individuals for violating U.S. immigration laws. Of those arrested, more than 26 were convicted criminals or had criminal charges pending, more than 29 had been issued a final order of removal and failed to depart the United States, or had been previously removed from the United States.
05/23/2019
SAN JUAN, <acronym title="Google Page Ranking">PR</acronym>
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Former Puerto Rican Olympic athlete, coach found guilty of sexual enticement of a minor
Alexander Greaux-Gomez, 41, was arrested at his place of residence in Salinas following an HSI investigation that revealed that he allegedly engaged in criminal sexual conduct with a 15-year-old female minor.
05/23/2019
BANGKOK, THAILAND
CHILD EXPLOITATION
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ICE Homeland Security Investigations, Thailand Department of Special Investigation, Australian Federal Police and INTERPOL announce results of international child exploitation investigation
Operation Blackwrist, which was named after a bracelet worn by one of the victims, was launched by INTERPOL in 2017 following the discovery of material depicting the abuse of 11 boys, all under 13 years old. The material, first identified on the Darkweb, originated from a subscription-based website with nearly 63,000 users worldwide.
05/22/2019
TAMPA, FL
OPERATIONAL
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ICE HSI Tampa graduates Citizens' Academy class
During the eight-week course, HSI Tampa agents introduced participants to national security, financial, narcotics, cyber, global trade, human smuggling/trafficking, and child exploitation investigations.
05/22/2019
FRESNO, CA
NATIONAL SECURITY
Former Fresno resident charged with illegally brokering the sale of military arms to a foreign government, money laundering
Ara Dolarian, 58, was arrested on Wednesday, May 15, in Fresno on a criminal complaint charging him with illegally brokering the sale of military-grade arms and munitions, money laundering, and conspiracy, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
05/22/2019
WASHINGTON, DC
STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM
New, increased fees for international students, exchange visitors, SEVP-certified schools
DHS has finalized changes to fees charged by SEVP to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools. The new fees will take effect June 24, 2019.
05/21/2019
MCALLEN, TX
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
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South Texas human smuggler sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison for smuggling scheme resulting in 2 deaths
Osvaldo Gonzalez, 26, from Mission, Texas, was sentenced May 21 by U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to 262 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to the human smuggling charges Nov. 2, 2018.
05/21/2019
BALTIMORE, MD
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE seeks custody of teen murder suspects for a second time
Josue Rafael Fuentes-Ponce and Joel Ernesto Escobar, both Salvadoran nationals, were previously arrested on May 11, 2018 when they were arrested by Prince George’s County Police Department (PGCPD) for attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, participation in gang activity, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted robbery, and other related charges.
05/20/2019
SACRAMENTO, CA
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND COMMERCIAL FRAUD
Former VA podiatry chief and Sacramento CEO convicted for health care fraud scheme
A federal jury found Anthony Lazzarino, 68, former Chief of Podiatry for the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Northern California Health Care System, and Peter Wong, 61, founder and CEO of Sunrise Shoes and Pedorthic Service Corporation, guilty, Friday, May 17, of health care fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
05/17/2019
BALTIMORE, MD
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE arrests 12 illegal aliens in Maryland during surge enforcement effort
The individuals were arrested for violating U.S. immigration laws in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. Those targeted for arrest had been issued final orders of removal within the past five years and had criminal histories or pending criminal charges.
05/17/2019
NEWARK, NJ
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE arrests 13 in 4-day NJ surge effort
Some of the individuals arrested during this operation will face federal criminal prosecution for illegal re-entry after removal. The arrestees who are not being federally prosecuted will be processed administratively for removal from the United States.
05/17/2019
NEW ORLEANS, LA
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE New Orleans arrests 33 during week-long fugitive, criminal alien surge
According to preliminary arrest statistics, the field office made 33 at-large arrests May 13-16 across its area of operations. Of the 33 arrests, 22 have prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges; 23 were either previously deported or have outstanding removal orders issued by the courts. Nine arrests took place in metro New Orleans, 12 in Alabama, eight in Arkansas and four in Tennessee.
05/17/2019
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
CYBER CRIMES
Grass Valley man sentenced for child pornography, online child enticement crimes
Samuel C. Thompson, 34, of Grass Valley, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. to 10 years and four months in prison for receipt of child pornography and attempting to use the internet to entice a child to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
05/16/2019
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
NATIONAL SECURITY
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Fugitive arrested by ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco deported for murder
Ezra Dave Maling, a fugitive Philippine national, was deported Tuesday due to violations of Philippine law pertaining to murder. He is accused of strangling to death his female ‘live in’ partner with a leather belt in March of 2003.
05/16/2019
MISSOULA, MT
NARCOTICS
Montana man sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for distributing drugs, possessing firearms
Nickolas William Povsha, 24, pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
05/16/2019
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS
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ICE Homeland Security Investigations returned looted Greek artifacts to rightful owner
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Deputy Special Agent in Charge Jerry Templet repatriated 10 Greek coins to the Government of Greece, Tuesday, during a reception at the San Francisco Greek Consulate.
05/16/2019
CHICAGO, IL
TRANSNATIONAL GANGS
Chicago man indicted on federal charges for allegedly committing murder to increase position in violent street gang
Luis Contreras, 39, from Chicago, was indicted on the following charges: one count of murder in aid of racketeering; one count of attempted murder in aid of racketeering; two counts of illegally possessing multiple firearms and ammunition.
05/16/2019
WASHINGTON, DC
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
Fraudulent family case involving 6-month-old represents 'new level of child endangerment' according to ICE officials
Amilcar Guiza-Reyes, a 51-year old citizen and national of Honduras, who was previously deported in 2013, made an initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Texas May 10, charged with 8 USC 1324 alien smuggling for allegedly smuggling a 6-month-old infant across the U.S.-Mexico border.
05/15/2019
ERIE, PA
DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD
Pennsylvania college official sentenced for visa fraud, making false statements
Daniel Cabanillas, 49, was sentenced in federal court to 2 years’ probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
05/15/2019
PHILADELPHIA, PA
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes Mara 18th Street Gang member to El Salvador
Carlos Alfredo Luna-Guebara, 26, entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission or parole by an immigration officer.
05/15/2019
LOS ANGELES, CA
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND COMMERCIAL FRAUD
3 new federal cases allege illegal distribution of male sexual enhancement pills falsely branded as "herbal" medicine
In one of the new cases, Ronald Daniel Scott, a.k.a., “Danny Scott,” 49, of Stevenson Ranch, agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. Scott is the chief executive officer of Premiere Sales Group, Inc., a Santa Clarita-based company that also agreed to plead guilty to the same charge.
05/14/2019
TULSA, OK
NARCOTICS
29 indicted in Oklahoma for large-scale heroin trafficking operations originating from Mexico
According to the indictment, Stille Giovanni Guiterrez Vivanco, 34, is alleged to have led this international drug trafficking organization. “Cell heads” included Jose Garcia, 36, of Tulsa, and Edson Garcia-Velasquez, 25, of Tulsa. Norman Fabian Huerta Avalos, 36, served in various capacities, including coordinating assignments for other organization members and serving as dispatch.
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