I.C.E. Top Stories: Last Week 1/2/18
Top Stories: Last Week
12/29/2017
FORT WORTH, TX
NARCOTICS
North Texas man convicted for his role in methamphetamine distribution conspiracy
Jeremy Crabtree, 41, from Fort Worth, was convicted last week on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The conspiracy count carries a penalty of not less than 10 years or more than life in federal prison, and a $10 million fine.
12/29/2017
LUBBOCK, TX
NARCOTICS
6 defendants plead guilty in West Texas to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine
Alejandro Garcia-Izazaga, aka “Flaco” and “Alex,” 29; Anthony Wayne Reiley, aka “Tony,” 49; Ivan Cruz-Martinez, 37; and Zacarias Blanco-Olea, 45, each pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Each faces a statutory penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, and a $10 million fine.
12/28/2017
LAREDO, TX
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
2 South Texas women charged with transporting 4 Mexican national minors into the US
Olga Patricia Reyes, 30, from Laredo residing in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Leslie Chavira, 25, also from Laredo, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Guillermo R. Garcia Dec. 28. Both women were charged with transporting four unaccompanied minor children who are all citizens of Mexico.
12/26/2017
BUFFALO, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE deports convicted Colombian drug kingpin wanted in his home country
Hebert Veloza Garcia, 50, a former leader of Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia or AUC, was deported via ICE Air Operations under escort by ERO deportation officers. Veloza Garcia was transferred into ERO custody from the Bureau of Prisons in October 2016, after serving more than eight years in federal prison. He is wanted by Colombian officials for forced displacement and threats. Veloza admitted in Colombian court that he ordered or personally participated in the killing of dozens while leading the AUC.
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I.C.E. News Releases
12/29/2017
FORT WORTH, TX
NARCOTICS
North Texas man convicted for his role in methamphetamine distribution conspiracy
Jeremy Crabtree, 41, from Fort Worth, was convicted last week on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The conspiracy count carries a penalty of not less than 10 years or more than life in federal prison, and a $10 million fine.
12/29/2017
LUBBOCK, TX
NARCOTICS
6 defendants plead guilty in West Texas to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine
Alejandro Garcia-Izazaga, aka “Flaco” and “Alex,” 29; Anthony Wayne Reiley, aka “Tony,” 49; Ivan Cruz-Martinez, 37; and Zacarias Blanco-Olea, 45, each pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Each faces a statutory penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, and a $10 million fine.
12/28/2017
LAREDO, TX
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
2 South Texas women charged with transporting 4 Mexican national minors into the US
Olga Patricia Reyes, 30, from Laredo residing in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Leslie Chavira, 25, also from Laredo, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Guillermo R. Garcia Dec. 28. Both women were charged with transporting four unaccompanied minor children who are all citizens of Mexico.
12/26/2017
BUFFALO, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE deports convicted Colombian drug kingpin wanted in his home country
Hebert Veloza Garcia, 50, a former leader of Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia or AUC, was deported via ICE Air Operations under escort by ERO deportation officers. Veloza Garcia was transferred into ERO custody from the Bureau of Prisons in October 2016, after serving more than eight years in federal prison. He is wanted by Colombian officials for forced displacement and threats. Veloza admitted in Colombian court that he ordered or personally participated in the killing of dozens while leading the AUC.
12/22/2017
LOS ANGELES, CA
FINANCIAL CRIMES
LA Fashion District company and 2 owners plead guilty in money laundering scheme
Pacific Eurotex Corp. and its owners – Morad “Ben” Neman and Hersel Neman – pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges in an indictment that accused them of using the business to receive bulk cash that they knew or believed to be the proceeds of narcotics trafficking.
12/22/2017
BOSTON, MA
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes MS-13 gang member wanted for involvement in 8 murders
According to Salvadoran authorities, Leandro Cruz aka Jose Arturo Gonzalez Martinez, was involved with the murders of eight, which prompted law enforcement officials there to list him as one El Salvador’s 100 Most Wanted. Cruz, identified as No. 6, is listed as Martinez or “Gasper” on the Salvadoran Los 100 Mas Buscados list.
12/22/2017
NEW YORK, NY
NARCOTICS
ICE New York, NYPD dismantle major heroin, cocaine trafficking organization
The 21 listed in the indictment are being charged with a variety of criminal offenses including: first, second and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance; first, second and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; second and fourth-degree conspiracy; and other related charges. Two individuals, Mario Martinez, 46, of the Bronx and Joan Velez, 36, of the Bronx, have been indicted for operating as major traffickers, moving major narcotics throughout the New York Metropolitan area. Each face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of that charge.
12/21/2017
NEW YORK, NY
NATIONAL SECURITY
Italian national pleads guilty to illegally exporting and attempting to export military technology
Giovanni Zannoni, 35, of Gavorrano, Italy, has pleaded guilty to illegally exporting and attempting to export night vision equipment and assault rifle components. As part of his plea, Zannoni agreed to forfeit $436,673.73, in addition to the dozens of gun parts and night vision and thermal imaging devices recovered by the government in connection with this prosecution.
12/21/2017
CATALINA, AZ
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Southern Arizona man sentenced to 340 years in prison for possessing and distributing a large collection of child pornography
The investigation into Kimball Hoff, 61, began in October 2015 when HSI special agents received information regarding child pornography being downloaded and shared from a specific internet protocol address. On Oct. 27, 2015, HSI special agents executed a search warrant at Hoff’s Pima County residence.
12/19/2017
NEW YORK, NY
NATIONAL SECURITY
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Flight attendant charged in federal court with airport security violations
Scott McKinney, a flight attendant, is charged with conspiracy to violate airport security requirements and operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.
12/19/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes Salvadoran fugitive wanted for sex crimes
Elvis Recinos-Agreda, 39, was removed from the country via an ICE Air Operations Charter flight and transferred into the custody of Salvadoran authorities upon arrival to the capital of San Salvador.
12/19/2017
FORT WORTH, TX
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE detainee charged with 2007 Fort Worth murder
A 30-year-old Mexican national, Juan Eduardo Meraz-Flores, serving his third stint in federal prison for entering the United States illegally, has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a Fort Worth auto shop owner in 2007.
12/19/2017
PHOENIX, AZ
FINANCIAL CRIMES
Former Phoenix real estate investor and reality TV personality sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for multiple fraud schemes
Yomtov Scott Menaged, 40, of Phoenix, was sentenced Dec. 19 by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow. Menaged had previously pleaded guilty in October to charges of bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Menaged to serve 36 months of supervised release after he completes his prison term; he must also pay $33,558,407.76 restitution to the various victims.
12/18/2017
WILMINGTON, DE
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Delaware man pleads guilty in child pornography case
John B. Alwood, 54, was identified by HSI Delaware as having accessed an online conferencing application in order to gain sexual gratification by viewing child pornography with other men.
12/18/2017
NEW YORK, NY
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
ICE New York trafficking investigation results in criminal conviction, victim rescued
Sean Price, 39, met the Australian teen online and encouraged her to join him in New York. The superseding indictment charged him with interstate and foreign enticement to engage in sexual activity, interstate and foreign transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity, a Mann Act violation, and attempted sexual exploitation of a child.
12/18/2017
SCRANTON, PA
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Pennsylvania man sentenced to 156 months for attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity
Brian Tate, age 35, previously pleaded guilty to traveling to a hotel to engage in sex with a six-year-old female. Between October 17, 2016 and November 9, 2016, Tate used the internet to arrange for the minor to be brought to the hotel to meet him for sex.
12/18/2017
WASHINGTON, DC
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS
Bosnian human rights abuser pleads guilty to immigration fraud
Milan Trisic, 54, pleaded guilty to a single count of obtaining a Permanent Resident Card, commonly referred to as a “green card,” by making materially false claims and statements.
12/15/2017
NEW YORK, NY
FINANCIAL CRIMES
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ICE New York investigation leads to arrest of man charged with defrauding company of more than $2M
Randy Wang, 33, was arrested on charges stemming from his scheme to defraud his former employer, a company based in Manhattan that manages a global airline alliance whose members consisted of approximately 13 international airlines and their affiliates (“Company”), by incurring more than $2.2 million in unauthorized charges on the Company’s credit card account, and then making changes to the Company’s accounting system to evade detection.
12/15/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes El Salvadoran fugitive wanted for sexual assault of a minor
ERO deportation officers escorted Jose Martinez, 41, who was removed to San Salvador via an ICE Air Operations Charter flight, and transferred to the custody of El Salvadoran law enforcement authorities.
12/15/2017
NEW YORK, NY
CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS
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3 ancient statues repatriated to Lebanese Republic
Following an investigation by ICE's HSI New York’s Cultural Property, Arts and Antiquities group, in coordination with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, three marble statues originally excavated from the Temple of Eshmun in Lebanon were repatriated to their home country. The Consul General of Lebanon in New York accepted the return of the artifacts on behalf of Lebanon.
12/14/2017
ORLANDO, FL
DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD
Homeland Security Investigations stops Brevard County marriage fraud ring
“These criminals conspired to circumvent and exploit our nation's immigration laws for personal financial gain,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “This undermines the very objectives of our immigration laws and services, which are based on the honesty of the people who apply for immigration benefits.”
12/14/2017
LAREDO, TX
FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES
Last of 6 South Texas firearms smugglers sentenced to more than 4 years in federal prison
Ruben Arnoldo Madrid, 21, from Laredo, was sentenced Dec. 14 by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On June 2, 2017, Madrid pleaded guilty for his role in smuggling firearms into Mexico.
12/13/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE arrests 4 released after detainers ignored
ICE continues to prioritize its resources to enhance public safety and border security, which is demonstrated by the Fiscal Year 2017 data, which reflects that 92 percent of aliens ICE administratively arrested between January 20, 2017 and the end of FY2017, were removable aliens who had a criminal conviction or a pending criminal charge, were an ICE fugitive, or were an illegal re-entrant.
12/13/2017
FORT WORTH, TX
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Federal grand jury indicts North Texas man on producing child pornography charges
Jon Anthony Terry, 28, of Rockwall, Texas, is currently in custody on a related criminal complaint. A date has not yet been set for him to make his initial appearance.
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