I.C.E. Top Stories: Last Week 1-/30/17
Top Stories: Last Week
10/25/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes Guatemalan national wanted for murder
Rigoberto Gonzalez-Aragon, 66, was returned to Guatemala City, via an ICE Air Operations charter flight, and transferred to the custody of Guatemalan law enforcement authorities.
10/25/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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Convicted felon among 3 men released into the community after ICE detainers ignored
On Oct. 24, Garcia-Taveras was arrested by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP). ERO deportation officers were notified of the arrest by the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center, and arrested Garcia-Taveras in Newark, New Jersey, on the 2014 federal re-entry after deportation charges, which are currently pending in U.S. District Court. He is in U.S. Marshals Service custody.
10/23/2017
PHOENIX, AZ
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE Phoenix removes previously deported Mexican national wanted for kidnapping
Jaziel TIENDA-Ibarra, 30, was transferred to the custody of representatives from Mexico’s Procuraduria General de la Republica (PGR) and Mexican immigration officials by ERO Special Response Team (SRT) officers at the Nogales DeConcini Port of Entry.
10/23/2017
LAS CRUCES, NM
DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD
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Naturalized US citizen living in NM pleads guilty to marriage fraud
On April 19, Yi Lee, 44, and his following five co-defendants were indicted and charged with participating in a conspiracy to commit marriage fraud: Chia-Jung Chang, 39; Dan Zheng, 33; Lian Xiang Deng, 42; and Xiao-Yin Le, 50, all Chinese nationals illegally in the United States; and Santiago Aveles, 31, of Las Cruces.
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I.C.E. News Releases
10/30/2017
MILWAUKEE, WI
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
Owner of Milwaukee-area gas stations charged with forced labor trafficking
According to the indictment, between 2009 and 2011, Harshinder Bhatia, 58, forced and threatened an Indian national woman to work causing her to believe that if she did not perform such labor and services, she would suffer serious harm. The indictment charges that this crime involved aggravated sexual abuse and was furthered by Bhatia possessing the victim’s passport.
10/30/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
2 arrested by ICE in NY: MS-13 member, convicted sex offender
Enedino Galicia-Luna, 44, a previously removed Mexican national, was arrested Oct. 24, by ERO deportation officers, assisted by members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, on a federal arrest warrant, for felony re-entry after deportation.
10/27/2017
WASHINGTON, DC
NARCOTICS
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ICE highlights role in combating opioid supply in Northern Virginia
Acting Executive Associate Director Derek Benner led today’s briefing, where he announced that HSI’s Cyber Crimes Center will expand its efforts to offer investigative support and dark net training to state, local, and international partners. Benner also discussed plans to enhance training focused on illicit payment networks and financial transactions associated with fentanyl smuggling and distribution.
10/27/2017
PHOENIX, AZ
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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Phoenix officers remove Honduran national for attempted murder charge
Guilber Noe Sevilla-Rozales, 28, was transferred to the custody of Honduran authorities by ICE officers at the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
10/26/2017
JENA, LA
OPERATIONAL
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ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Jena takes care of business
The busy LaSalle U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center opened in the fall of 2007. Located in Jena, Louisiana, a town that covers about five square miles, it functions as an ICE-dedicated detention center with a maximum capacity of 1,320 beds.
10/26/2017
NEWARK, NJ
NARCOTICS
Guatemalan man admits to smuggling heroin covered in chocolate
Jacobo Leonel Orellana-Estrada, 21, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.
10/25/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE removes Guatemalan national wanted for murder
Rigoberto Gonzalez-Aragon, 66, was returned to Guatemala City, via an ICE Air Operations charter flight, and transferred to the custody of Guatemalan law enforcement authorities.
10/25/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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Convicted felon among 3 men released into the community after ICE detainers ignored
On Oct. 24, Garcia-Taveras was arrested by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP). ERO deportation officers were notified of the arrest by the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center, and arrested Garcia-Taveras in Newark, New Jersey, on the 2014 federal re-entry after deportation charges, which are currently pending in U.S. District Court. He is in U.S. Marshals Service custody.
10/24/2017
DALLAS, TX
DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD
Former Dallas-area school district human resources director sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for conspiracy to falsify immigration documents
Victor Leos, 63, of Garland, Texas, pleaded guilty in May 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit false statements in connection with immigration documents. Leos was ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on Jan. 28, 2018.
10/24/2017
PORTLAND, ME
NARCOTICS
Maine man pleads guilty to federal drug and gun charges
Adam Davis, 37, of Rockland, Maine, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to illegally importing the synthetic opioid U-47700, also known as “Pink” or “U4,” and to illegally possessing a firearm while being a user of a controlled substance.
10/23/2017
PHOENIX, AZ
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE Phoenix removes previously deported Mexican national wanted for kidnapping
Jaziel TIENDA-Ibarra, 30, was transferred to the custody of representatives from Mexico’s Procuraduria General de la Republica (PGR) and Mexican immigration officials by ERO Special Response Team (SRT) officers at the Nogales DeConcini Port of Entry.
10/23/2017
LAS CRUCES, NM
DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD
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Naturalized US citizen living in NM pleads guilty to marriage fraud
On April 19, Yi Lee, 44, and his following five co-defendants were indicted and charged with participating in a conspiracy to commit marriage fraud: Chia-Jung Chang, 39; Dan Zheng, 33; Lian Xiang Deng, 42; and Xiao-Yin Le, 50, all Chinese nationals illegally in the United States; and Santiago Aveles, 31, of Las Cruces.
10/23/2017
LUBBOCK, TX
CHILD EXPLOITATION
Central Texas man sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on federal child pornography conviction
According to documents filed in the case, in December 2016 and February 2017, Sebastian Contreras, 22, of Brownwood, Texas, used the internet to download images of child pornography depicting girls under the age of 18 years engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Contreras will begin serving his prison sentence on Dec. 1.
10/20/2017
NEW YORK, NY
CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS
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Ancient Roman artifacts repatriated to Italy following ICE probe
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the return of a collection of the artifact to the Italian Republic during a repatriation ceremony attended by the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Activities, & Tourism Dario Franceschini, the Ambassador of Italy to the U.S. Armando Varricchio, the Consul General of Italy in New York, Francesco Genuardi, and HSI Acting Deputy Assistant Director Anthony Scandiffio.
10/20/2017
NEWARK, NJ
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
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ICE ERO Newark arrests 36 individuals in Middlesex County, NJ enforcement surge
These individuals range from 19 to 62 years old and all were previously arrested or convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the arrests and convictions included sexual assault of a minor, child abuse, criminal restraint of a minor, domestic violence, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, robbery, receiving stolen property, theft, aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, resisting officer, DUI, unsworn falsification, possession of a weapon, burglary, prostitution and illegal reentry into the U.S.
10/18/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ICE arrests 5 aliens with pending charges in New York after detainers were ignored
ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges. Depending on the alien’s criminal history, an alien who illegally reenters the United States, after having been previously removed, has committed a felony punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
10/18/2017
WASHINGTON, DC
STATEMENT
Statement from ICE Acting Director on Sonoma County's repeated releases of dangerous criminal alien
ICE lodged a detainer against Jesus Gonzalez with Sonoma County jail officials on October 16, following his arrest on felony charges for maliciously setting fire to a property.
10/18/2017
PHILADELPHIA, PA
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS
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Liberian national found guilty of immigration fraud, perjury
Mohammed Jabbateh, 51, aka “Jungle Jabbah” a citizen of Liberia, lied about his activities during Liberia’s first civil war when applying for immigration benefits. Jabbateh was not truthful about his activities as a member of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO) and later ULIMO-K, rebel groups that battled for control of Liberia. Jabbateh was a battalion commander in ULIMO and ULIMO-K from approximately 1992 through 1995.
10/18/2017
ORLANDO, FL
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
Federal criminal sentencings for illegal reentry
Luis Alexander Zaldivar-Ramos, 23, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison. Zaldivar-Ramos was previously convicted of a criminal felony and deported on two prior occasions. Julio Cesar Ontiveros-Tafolla, 30, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served, which equated to five and half months. Ontiveros-Tafolla had previously been removed to Mexico three times and will now be deported for the fourth time.
10/18/2017
CHEYENNE, WY
OPERATIONAL
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ICE HSI Cheyenne a massive area to cover
HSI Cheyenne investigates a wide range of crimes including cybercrime, child pornography, money laundering and cultural property. Additionally, special agents are routinely on high alert for drug trafficking as Wyoming is a “pass through” state for criminals who make their way from source states to end-user states such as California or Midwestern states such as Minnesota.
10/17/2017
NEW YORK, NY
ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL
ERO New York arrests Ukrainian fugitive wanted for manslaughter
In the early morning hours of Oct. 17, ERO deportation officers from the New York-based Fugitive Operations Team, arrested Pavlo Chonka at a Brooklyn, New York, residence without incident. Chonka is wanted by law enforcement authorities in Ukraine for manslaughter. He entered the United States lawfully in 2015 as a visitor, before violating the terms of his visit.
10/17/2017
WASHINGTON, DC
HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
Foreign national sentenced to 31 months in prison for leadership role in human smuggling conspiracy
Sharafat Ali Khan, 32, a Pakistani citizen and former resident of Brazil, pleaded guilty on April 12, to one count of conspiracy to smuggle undocumented migrants into the United States for profit before U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton of the District of Columbia. Khan was extradited to the United States from Qatar on July 13, 2016.
10/17/2017
WASHINGTON, DC
CONTRABAND
Chinese manufacturers indicted in deadly Fentanyl case
Federal grand juries in the Southern District of Mississippi and the District of North Dakota returned indictments, unsealed yesterday, against two Chinese nationals and their North American based traffickers and distributors for separate conspiracies to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and other opiate substances in the United States.
10/16/2017
WASHINGTON, DC
FINANCIAL CRIMES
Isle of Jersey shares nearly $3.6 million in confiscated funds with US
Dubbed “Operation Cash Extraction,” the investigation was led by HSI and spanned more than 15 years – from approximately 2000 to 2015. It resulted in the confiscation of various assets and forfeiture orders entered in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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