I.C.E. Top Stories: Last Week 1/29/18
Top Stories: Last Week
01/26/2018
DALLAS, TX
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE arrests 86 in North Texas and Oklahoma areas during 3-day operation targeting criminal aliens and immigration fugitives
Aliens arrested during this operation are from the following countries: Mexico (55), Guatemala (10), El Salvador (6), Honduras (4) Bangladesh (3), Cameroon (1) Jordan (1), Laos (1), Liberia (1), Nigeria (1), Panama (1), Philippines (1) and Zimbabwe (1).
01/26/2018
BALTIMORE, MD
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes fugitive alien wanted for human trafficking in El Salvador
Oscar Arturo Alfaro-Romero, a 35-year-old alien fugitive with multiple prior removals, was arrested by ICE May 10, 2017. He was processed as an alien previously removed, and qualified for removal under reinstatement. ICE was subsequently notified that Alfaro-Romero was wanted for crimes in El Salvador.
01/26/2018
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Colombian National Police and ICE open forensic laboratory dedicated to child exploitation investigations
Since 2014, HSI Bogota has prioritized the investigation of child exploitation/child pornography in Colombia and has conducted extensive training for the CNP and prosecutors. However, Colombia did not have a cyber forensics laboratory dedicated to analyzing electronic media, which caused a delay in investigations. Now, with the help of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), this state of the art lab will streamline investigations and eventually be used to assist other countries in the region in child exploitation investigations.
01/24/2018
SHERMAN, TX
COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT
North Texas man sentenced to nearly 4 years in federal prison for conspiring to illegally export radiation-hardened integrated circuits to Russia and China
According to the plea agreement, between about June 2015 and March 2016, Peter Zuccarelli, 62, of Plano, Texas, and his co-conspirators agreed to illegally export RHICs to China and Russia in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
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I.C.E. News Releases
01/26/2018
DALLAS, TX
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE arrests 86 in North Texas and Oklahoma areas during 3-day operation targeting criminal aliens and immigration fugitives
Aliens arrested during this operation are from the following countries: Mexico (55), Guatemala (10), El Salvador (6), Honduras (4) Bangladesh (3), Cameroon (1) Jordan (1), Laos (1), Liberia (1), Nigeria (1), Panama (1), Philippines (1) and Zimbabwe (1).
01/26/2018
BALTIMORE, MD
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes fugitive alien wanted for human trafficking in El Salvador
Oscar Arturo Alfaro-Romero, a 35-year-old alien fugitive with multiple prior removals, was arrested by ICE May 10, 2017. He was processed as an alien previously removed, and qualified for removal under reinstatement. ICE was subsequently notified that Alfaro-Romero was wanted for crimes in El Salvador.
01/26/2018
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Colombian National Police and ICE open forensic laboratory dedicated to child exploitation investigations
Since 2014, HSI Bogota has prioritized the investigation of child exploitation/child pornography in Colombia and has conducted extensive training for the CNP and prosecutors. However, Colombia did not have a cyber forensics laboratory dedicated to analyzing electronic media, which caused a delay in investigations. Now, with the help of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), this state of the art lab will streamline investigations and eventually be used to assist other countries in the region in child exploitation investigations.
01/24/2018
SHERMAN, TX
COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT
North Texas man sentenced to nearly 4 years in federal prison for conspiring to illegally export radiation-hardened integrated circuits to Russia and China
According to the plea agreement, between about June 2015 and March 2016, Peter Zuccarelli, 62, of Plano, Texas, and his co-conspirators agreed to illegally export RHICs to China and Russia in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
01/19/2018
NEW YORK, NY
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
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ICE HSI Special Agents featured in National Geographic documentary series
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Eduardo Escobar, along with other personnel from HSI Colombia, will be featured in part 3 of the documentary series Chain of Command airing Jan. 19 on National Geographic Channel.
01/18/2018
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes French national wanted for murder
ERO deportation officers escorted Fode Youssouf Barro, 29, who was removed from the United States via a commercial flight. Barro was transferred into the custody of French law enforcement authorities upon arrival in Paris.
01/18/2018
WASHINGTON, DC
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS
US, ICE seek denaturalization of former Bosnian paramilitary member who allegedly lied to obtain US citizenship
Eso Razic, a native of the former Yugoslavia and subsequently a citizen of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, allegedly concealed his participation in paramilitary organizations during the 1990s Balkans conflict.
01/18/2018
BUFFALO, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE arrests 46 in western New York operation targeting criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants, and other immigration violators
Criminal convictions of those arrested included: felony grand larceny, firearms possession, drug possession, child endangerment, abuse, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and forgery.
01/18/2018
CONCORD, NH
CHILD EXPLOITATION
New Hampshire man pleads guilty to producing child pornography in ICE case
Matthew Felton, 38, of Somersworth, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of production of child pornography.
01/17/2018
WASHINGTON, DC
OPERATIONAL
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Justice Department appoints HSI to new Hezbollah investigation team
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Thursday, Jan. 11, the participation of ICE's HSI in the Hezbollah Financing and Narcoterrorism Team, a new group of prosecutors and investigators tasked with investigating individuals and networks providing support to Hezbollah.
01/17/2018
LARGO, FL
OPERATIONAL
ICE, 17 FL sheriffs announce new enforcement partnership
Recognizing these challenges, the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) worked with ICE to develop a new process to clarify that aliens held by these jurisdictions are held under the color of federal authority, thereby affording local law enforcement liability protection from potential litigation as a result of faithfully executing their public safety duties.
01/15/2018
COLUMBUS, OH
NARCOTICS
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ICE HSI Columbus special agents featured in Showtime documentary series
“The Trade” is scheduled to premiere on Showtime at 9 PM EST, Friday, Feb 2. 2018.
01/12/2018
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
NARCOTICS
5 South Texas men sentenced to 11½ to 35 years in federal prison following their conviction on synthetic narcotics, firearms charges
Longino Castillo, 27, and Isaiah Martinez, 20, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Castillo was also convicted of possessing a machine-gun conversion device. Michael Molina, 25, Justin Ray Flores, 36, and Manuel Garcia, 31, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a synthetic cannabinoid. Molina further admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being felon possessing a firearm.
01/12/2018
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
NARCOTICS
Last of 2 illegal aliens from Mexico sentenced to 12 years for trafficking cocaine, illegal re-entry
Luis Mendoza-Alarcon, 46, and co-defendant Giovanni Montijo-Dominguez, 37, also from Mexico, were both arrested Oct. 7, 2014, and charged by criminal complaint with cocaine trafficking. They were indicted Nov. 5, 2014, and both were charged with cocaine trafficking; Montijo-Dominguez also was charged with illegal re-entry to the United States.
01/12/2018
NEW YORK, NY
FINANCIAL CRIMES
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Acting Boss of Bonanno organized crime family and 9 other members of La Cosa Nostra indicted for racketeering and related charges
The indictment charges eight members of the Bonanno Family: Acting Boss Joseph Cammarano, Jr., Consigliere John Zancocchio, Joseph Sabella, George Tropiano, Albert Armetta, Domenick Miniero, Joseph Santapaolo, and Simone Esposito, all with with racketeering conspiracy involving a wide range of crimes, including extortion, loansharking, wire and mail fraud, narcotics distribution, and conspiracy to commit murder. Genovese Family member Ernest Montevecchi is charged with participating in that conspiracy as well. Several of the defendants and Luchese Family member Eugene Castelle are charged with conspiracy to commit extortion. Armetta is additionally charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering, and aiding and abetting the same.
01/11/2018
MILWAUKEE, WI
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
Wisconsin man sentenced to 21 years in federal prison to sex trafficking girls and young women
Paul Carter, 47, of Milwaukee, was sentenced Wednesday to 21 years in prison, reduced by three years for time served. On Oct. 6, 2017, he pleaded guilty to four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor and sex trafficking.
01/11/2018
DETROIT, MI
OPERATIONAL
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HSI Detroit special agent appears on Crime Watch Daily
It was approximately one year ago that Forys, an ICE HSI Detroit special agent, and nearly 200 other law enforcement personnel descended on the Victory Inn in one of the largest human trafficking enforcement operations in Detroit history.
01/10/2018
WASHINGTON, DC
STATEMENT
Statement from ICE Deputy Director Thomas D. Homan on 7-Eleven Operation
“Today's actions send a strong message to U.S. businesses that hire and employ an illegal workforce: ICE will enforce the law, and if you are found to be breaking the law, you will be held accountable,”
01/10/2018
LAREDO, TX
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
South Texas man sentenced to more than 7½ years in federal prison for alien harboring conspiracy
Jesus Osorio, 43, from Laredo, was sentenced Jan. 10 by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo to 87 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
01/10/2018
WASHINGTON, DC
WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT
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Worksite enforcement targets employment law violators
Ensuring each of its employees is legally authorized to work in the United States is one of many responsibilities facing every American business, from small start-up operations to our country’s largest and most prosperous corporations.
01/10/2018
CHICAGO, IL
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE Chicago removes former Bosnian Serbian Army officer who lied to obtain immigration benefits
On Jan. 28, 2016, Jovo Asentic, 65, was ordered removed by a federal immigration judge after he failed to disclose his service in the Army of Republika Srpska (the Bosnian Serb Army, abbreviated VRS) during the 1992-1995 Bosnian conflict. He purposely failed to disclose his VRS service in his U.S. immigration applications.
01/10/2018
CHICAGO, IL
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE arrests 22 in Chicago area during 3-day operation targeting criminal aliens and immigration fugitives
During this operation, ERO deportation officers made arrests in the following Illinois cities and towns: Chicago (9), Cicero (4), Hoffman Estates (1), Palatine (4), Park City (1), Rolling Meadows (2) and Round Lake Beach (1). All those arrested were men between the ages of 20 and 53.
01/09/2018
BOSTON, MA
WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT
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CDF Corp. signs on as latest Massachusetts company to join ICE’s IMAGE employment compliance program
CDF Corporation becomes the eleventh company in Massachusetts to date to sign on to the IMAGE program.
01/09/2018
BROWNSVILLE, TX
NARCOTICS
2 Mexican men receive lengthy federal prison sentences for trafficking marijuana in South Texas
On Jan. 9, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen sentenced Oscar Erick Calvillo-Lores, 37, of Reynosa, Tamulipas, Mexico, to 10 years; Jose Manuel Portillo-Guerrero, 42, of Valadeces, Tamulipas, Mexico, was ordered to serve a total of 192 months in federal prison.
01/09/2018
LAREDO, TX
NARCOTICS
Mexican man pleads guilty in South Texas for importing methamphetamine
Ricardo Muñoz-Vega, 35, from Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, admitted to transporting methamphetamine across the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge in Laredo.
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