Thread: I.C.E. Top Stories Last Week 8/20/18

ICE arrests 45 in Houston area during 5-day operation targeting criminal aliens, immigration fugitives Federal Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 45 illegal aliens in the Houston area for violating U.S. immigration laws during a five-day enforcement action. Full Story

ICE removes El Salvadoran national wanted for murder A 32-year-old Salvadoran fugitive, wanted in his home country for homicide, was removed from the U.S. by deportation officers with ICE ERO. Full Story Man charged with child pornography production, additional victims sought A New Port Richey man was indicted on federal charges of enticement of a minor and with producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography. The indictments follow an investigation by ICE HSI. Full Storye Los Angeles-area man pleads guilty in scheme to violate US sanctions against Syria A Walnut man pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to export U.S.-origin tactical gear to Syria, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Syria Sanctions. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by ICE HSI, among others. Full Story ICE returns Romanian national convicted of providing support to a foreign terrorist organization A Romanian national and weapons trafficker, convicted of conspiring to kill officers and employees of the U.S. government, and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, was returned to his home country by ICE ERO deportation officers. This is following a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Montenegrin National Police, and Romanian law enforcement authorities, which led to a guilty plea and subsequent sentencing. Full Story

I.C.E. News Releases


08/20/2018

MIAMI, FL

CHILD EXPLOITATION

Florida man sentenced for traveling to Dominican Republic for child sex
According to court documents, Theodore Williams Symonds, 51, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, travelled frequently between the United States and the Dominican Republic including a trip on March 20, 2017. Symonds was arrested March 23, 2017 by local Dominican authorities for crimes related to the sexual abuse of children.



08/16/2018

NEW YORK, NY



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


33 charged in half a billion dollar smuggling scheme of counterfeit luxury goods
33 individuals were charged Thursday following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) into a scheme to illegally bring into the United States millions of dollars of Chinese-manufactured goods by smuggling them through ports of entry on the East and West Coasts. One defendant is also charged with unlawful procurement of naturalization.



08/16/2018

TAMPA, FL



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Man charged with child pornography production, additional victims sought
According to the indictment, between 2015 and January 2017, William Matthew Napolitano, 35, of New Port Richey enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexual activity. Napolitano is also charged with persuading a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography in June 2015.



08/15/2018

NEW YORK, NY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE returns Romanian national convicted of providing support to a foreign terrorist organization
ERO deportation officers escorted Cristian Vintila, 47, to Romania via a commercial flight. Vintila was transferred to the custody of Romanian law enforcement authorities upon arrival in Bucharest.




08/15/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY


Former ICE special agent arrested on federal civil rights charges that allege he sexually assaulted 2 women
John Jacobs Olivas, 43, of Riverside, was arrested this morning without incident by special agents from the FBI and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).



08/14/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



COUNTER PROLIFERATION INVESTIGATION UNIT


Los Angeles-area man pleads guilty in scheme to violate US sanctions against Syria
Rasheed Al Jijakli, 57, a Syrian-born naturalized U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge James V. Selna.



08/13/2018

BEAUMONT, TX



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES


Honduran man sentenced to nearly 3 years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearm, shooting son of off-duty law enforcement officer
Santos Alfredo Paz-Ruiz, 42, was sentenced Aug. 13 to 33 months in federal prison for firearms violations. On May 10, 2018, Paz-Ruiz pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien unlawfully possessing a firearm.



08/13/2018

HOUSTON, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 45 in Houston area during 5-day operation targeting criminal aliens, immigration fugitives
Of the individuals arrested during the operation, 15 had previously been removed (deported) and 42 had prior criminal convictions. Several had felony convictions for serious or violent criminal offenses, such as rape, child exploitation, robbery, drug trafficking and assault.




08/13/2018

NEWARK, NJ



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes El Salvadoran national wanted for murder
Brian Alejandro Martinez, who has also gone by the name Maximiliano Cornejo, departed the U.S. and was turned over to Salvadoran law enforcement authorities where he is wanted for the offense of homicide.



08/13/2018

DENVER, CO



NARCOTICS


Federal law enforcement in Colorado targets marijuana grown on federal land
More than 71,000 marijuana plants were removed from about 38 acres of Colorado public lands (not including the islands on the Colorado river) during last year’s growing season.



08/10/2018

SEATTLE, WA



NARCOTICS


Police seize date-rape drug, guns, other narcotics after undercover investigation at Belltown nightclub
Twelve people were arrested following an undercover narcotics investigation at the Foundation Nightclub in Belltown by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).



08/10/2018

COVINGTON, KY



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Kentucky man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography
Ryan J. Brock, 34, of Covington, previously admitted to sexually abusing a minor relative and producing photographs and videos of the abuse using a tablet device.




08/10/2018

NAIROBI, KENYA



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Nairobi, Kenyan National Police Service implement CyberTipline
After facilitating the December 2017 signing of the official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Kenya (GOK) and NCMEC, HSI Nairobi partnered with both the AHTCPU and other stakeholders to ensure both the technical capacity and resources were in place to begin delivering actionable child exploitation leads to the GOK.



08/09/2018

NASHVILLE, TN



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


Federal indictment of MS-13 gang members with murder in aid of racketeering
Oscar Degaldo Flores, a.k.a. Flaco, 24, of El Salvador, and Luis Colindres, a.k.a. Listo and Joe, 21, of Honduras, were also charged with conspiracy; witness tampering; using, carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and causing death through the use of a firearm.



08/09/2018

NEW YORK, NY



FINANCIAL CRIMES


12 charged in nationwide cellphone fraud scheme which caused million dollar losses
In connection with the fraud, the defendants and their associates improperly accessed more than 3,300 customers’ cellphone accounts, fraudulently obtained more than 1,200 cellphones, and caused losses exceeding $1 million.



08/09/2018

BOSTON, MA



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Boston, US Attorney, FBI announce arrest for contract killing threat of ICE agent via Twitter
Brandon J. Ziobrowski, 33, was charged in an indictment unsealed Thursday with one count of use of interstate and foreign commerce to transmit a threat to injure another person. Ziobrowski was arrested Aug. 9 in New York and will appear in Boston at a later date.




08/08/2018

GRAND ISLAND, NE



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


ICE executes federal search warrants in Nebraska, Minnesota and Nevada
This enforcement action is part of a 15-month, ongoing HSI investigation based on evidence that these companies allegedly knowingly hired illegal aliens at their facilities, and that many of these aliens are using fraudulent identification belonging to U.S. citizens.



08/08/2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes murder suspect wanted in Guatemala
Alexander Revolorio, 27, entered the United States on an unknown date and place without inspection or parole by an immigration officer.



08/07/2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes rape suspect wanted in Mexico
Francisco Javier Diaz-Lua, 28, entered the United States on an unknown date and place without inspection or parole by an immigration officer.



08/07/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Los Angeles-area man who allegedly led prescription drug ring arrested on new charges of fraudulently procuring US citizenship
Armen Simonyan, 44, who was free on bond in the narcotics-trafficking case, was arrested after being named in a two-count indictment returned today by a federal grand jury.




08/07/2018

NEW YORK, NY



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


5 charged in multimillion dollar counterfeiting scheme following ICE HSI investigation
As alleged in the complaint, from at least in or about January 2016 up to and including in or about July 2018, Suen, Huang, Songhua Qu, Kin Lui Chen, and Fangrang Qu, imported at least 42 shipping containers holding an estimated more than 380,000 pairs of sneakers from China. These sneakers were manufactured to resemble Nike Air Jordans.



08/06/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



STATEMENT


Statement from ICE Deputy Director Ron Vitiello on his nomination
"ICE’s mission is critical to protecting national security and public safety, and the men and women of this agency continue to carry out that mission with courage, dedication, and integrity – even in the face of unfair attacks and threats. I am honored that the president plans to nominate me to serve as director alongside the brave men and women of ICE." – ICE Deputy Director Ron Vitiello



08/06/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



STATEMENT


DHS statement regarding safety and enforcement during northern California wildfires
ICE is deeply concerned by the devastation wildfires have caused in significant portions of northern California. Our thoughts remain with those impacted by this tragedy, while our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety wherever possible.



08/03/2018

NEW YORK, NY



NARCOTICS


More than 2 dozen arrested in NYC following a wiretap investigation
Beginning early Friday morning, 32 individuals were arrested in New York City, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida. An indictment filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) for the City of New York follows a long-term wiretap investigation by HSI and NYPD's Narcotics Borough Manhattan South, Gang Squad Manhattan South and Vice Squad.




08/03/2018

GLYNCO, GA



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Academy trains special agent candidates
CITP is a 56-day program that provides HSI special agent trainees, as well as criminal investigators from other federal agencies, with an understanding of basic criminal investigative techniques. Seasoned HSI special agents, along with instructors from FLETC and numerous other federal agencies, bring their expertise and knowledge to instruct trainees on topics such as criminal law, enforcement operations, courtroom testimony and other interdisciplinary approaches to becoming an effective criminal investigator in today’s fast-paced and changing world.

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F.B.I. Top Stories

• 08.20.2018
  Interstate Cargo Theft
  A two-year investigation by the FBI’s Indianapolis Division, in conjunction with local and state law enforcement partners, resulted in the dismantling of a prolific cargo theft ring.
  
• 08.15.2018
  $100 Million Pharmacy Fraud
  A group of Florida scammers who set up pharmacies to bilk government and private insurance companies ended up writing themselves a prescription for prison time.
  
• 08.10.2018
  Domestic Terrorism
  Joseph Mahmoud Dibee, one of two remaining fugitives linked to a domestic terrorism group in the late 1990s known as The Family, has been apprehended overseas and returned to the United States.
  
• 08.10.2018
  Indian Country Gang Dismantled
  The violent Red Skin Kingz gang, led by a mother-son team on the Navajo Nation, has been dismantled and its leaders sent to prison thanks to an investigation by an FBI-led Safe Trails Task Force.

More

D.E.A. Press Releases

August 17, 2018 Long Island convenience store owner sentenced to prison for selling K2 drug from his convenience store

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. - Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Osman Ak was sentenced by United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley to a year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years’ supervised release, for selling the illegal drug K2, also known as “spice” and synthetic marijuana, from his convenience store in Medford, New York. Ak pleaded guilty in November 2017.


August 17, 2018 28 Arrested in Killeen and Waco on federal drug trafficking charges

Federal and state authorities arrested 22 individuals for their alleged roles in a narcotics distribution activities in the Waco and Killeen areas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Will Glaspy; United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs and other law enforcement partners.
Those arrested today, along with six others who were already in custody, are charged in two separate federal grand jury indictments unsealed in Waco.


August 16, 2018 Justice Department, DEA propose significant opioid manufacturing reduction in 2019

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have proposed a reduction for controlled substances that may be manufactured in the U.S. next year. Consistent with President Trump’s “Safe Prescribing Plan” that seeks to “cut nationwide opioid prescription fills by one-third within three years,” the proposal decreases manufacturing quotas for the six most frequently misused opioids for 2019 by an average ten percent as compared to the 2018 amount.


August 15, 2018 Officials unveil Chicago’s action plan for attacking Mexican drug cartels

CHICAGO – The Chicago Drug Enforcement Administration, along with multiple high-level Mexican Government counterparts, the Chicago Police Department and various federal, state and local law enforcement partners, today unveiled an action plan for attacking Mexican drug cartels.


August 15, 2018 Investigation into Puente 13 Street Gang leads to federal narcotics, fraud and identity theft charges against 17 defendants

LOS ANGELES - Federal authorities have arrested 12 defendants on federal narcotics and fraud charges stemming from an investigation into the Puente 13 Street Gang. Those arrested last night and this morning are among 17 defendants named in a series of indictments returned by a federal grand jury that allege various offenses, including narcotics, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The other five charged defendants were already in federal and state custody.


August 14, 2018 Leader of International Drug Money Laundering Organization Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

LOS ANGELES - Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Jesus Rodriguez-Jimenez, 47, of Monterrey, Mexico, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison by United States District Judge Katherine B.


August 14, 2018 Lafayette man sentenced to nearly 13 years for drug and gun charges

LAFAYETTE, La. – A Lafayette man was sentenced Monday to nearly 3 years (151 months) in prison for conspiring to distribute multiple quantities of narcotics and illegal possessing a 9 mm handgun.
Jacob Glen Collett, 35, of Lafayette, was sentenced by a U.S. District Judge on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.


August 13, 2018 Nampa man sentenced for distribution resulting in death

BOISE, Idaho - Ryan E. Curtis, 45, of Nampa, was sentenced to federal prison on Aug. 9, 2018, for distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl resulting in death. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Curtis to 240 months in prison. Lodge also imposed three years of supervised release to be served after Curtis is released from prison.


August 13, 2018 DEA New Jersey to take part in Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force

NEWARK, N.J. – Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force (Regional Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S.


August 10, 2018 Members of Alabama drug trafficking organization plead guilty to drug and gun charges

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Four members of a drug trafficking organization based in Lee County pled guilty to charges against them on the second day of their trial. Their guilty pleas bring the total number of members of the DTO who have pled guilty in federal court to eighteen. A nineteenth federal defendant, Phillip Maddox, 41, from Auburn, Alabama, is set for trial in October.

A.T.F. Press Releases


FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

KC, Independence Men Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking that led to Kidnapping, Torture

Field Division: Kansas City Field Division

California Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearms in Twin Falls

Field Division: Seattle Field Division

Silver Spring Felon Convicted of Firebombing

Field Division: Baltimore Field Division

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2018

Convicted Felon Sentenced for Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution

Field Division: Washington Field Division

Member of Albuquerque-Based Armed Robbery Crew Sentenced to Seven Years for Conviction on Federal Firearms Charge

Field Division: Phoenix Field Division

Convicted Felon with Gun Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison as Armed Career Criminal

Field Division: Nashville Field Division

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

Three People Indicted for Firearms Crimes

Field Division: Columbus Field Division

Convicted Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Firearms

Field Division: Washington Field Division

Jury Convicts Saratoga County Man of Lying During Attempt to Buy a Gun

Field Division: New York Field Division

Madison Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Gun Crime

Field Division: St. Paul Field Division

Louisville Man Charged with Dealing Heroin that Resulted in Overdose Death

Field Division: Louisville Field Division

Cleveland man sentenced to 32 years in prison for armed robberies of Dollar Tree stores in Cleveland

Field Division: Columbus Field Division

KCK Man Charged with Stealing Dozens of Firarms from Independence Gun Store

Field Division: Kansas City Field Division

Beaumont Residents Guilty in Federal Drug Trafficking Case

Field Division: Houston Field Division

KC Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Meth Conspiracy

Field Division: Kansas City Field Division

Dollar General Robber Indicted on Federal Gun Charges

Field Division: Kansas City Field Division

Chicago, Illinois, Man Sentenced

Field Division: Chicago Field Division

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

KCK Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal Firearm, Threats

Field Division: Kansas City Field Division

Nampa Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Gun Charge

Field Division: Seattle Field Division

Mishawaka Man Sentenced To 210 Months In Prison

Field Division: Chicago Field Division

Firearms Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Prison

Field Division: Washington Field Division

Searsmont Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

Field Division: Boston Field Division

Convicted Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Firearms

Field Division: Washington Field Division

Felon in Possession of Stolen Firearm Sentenced to Federal Prison

Field Division: New Orleans Field Division

Burien, Washington Felon Sentenced to Prison for Trading Guns and Drugs

Field Division: Seattle Field Division

U.S. Marshals News

More »

August 09, 2018 - The U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Derrick Berry, who is wanted for failure to appear in court on multiple charges of sexual assault of minors in Jefferson and Berkeley counties. August 07, 2018 - U.S. Marshal Pete Tobin is pleased to announce that during the morning hours of August 7, 2018, the U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team, Colerain Township Police Department, and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested Fugitive Rondell Hooks on an outstanding warrant from the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, for the charges of Murder, Felonious Assault, Weapons Violations and Aggravated Robbery. August 06, 2018 - The U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force arrested Michael Colclough, an Atlanta man wanted by the Atlanta Police Department for aggravated assault with a weapon, which took place during a domestic dispute, and cruelty toward a child in an incident on July 10. August 03, 2018 - From July 30-August 3, 2018, the United States Marshals Service Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force conducted Operation Southern Star VII. This operation focused on reducing violent crime in Pima, Cochise, and Graham Counties by targeting violent fugitives wanted for violent crimes and drug offenses.

JUSTICE NEWS

United States Files Complaint to Stop Queens, New York Company and its Officers From Distributing Adulterated Seafood Products
Monday, August 20, 2018


Minnesota Real Estate Company, Realtor, And Accountant Indicted For Mail And Wire Fraud Scheme Affecting U.S. Financial Institutions
Monday, August 20, 2018


Indiana Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Distributing Information on Explosives and Poisons for Use in a Terror Attack
Monday, August 20, 2018


Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Delivers Remarks at the Second Annual Forensic Science Symposium
Monday, August 20, 2018


Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Rybicki of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Delivers Remarks at the Alaska Wellness Summit 2.0: Confronting Alaska’s Crime Wave
Friday, August 17, 2018


Former Ohio Businessman Associated With Demolition Companies Sentenced to Prison for Tax Crimes
Friday, August 17, 2018


Eighth Circuit Casts Doubt on Medtronic’s Transfer Pricing Method
Friday, August 17, 2018


Ethiopian Human Rights Abuser Arrested for Fraudulently Obtaining U.S. Citizenship
Friday, August 17, 2018


Attorney General Jeff Sessions Delivers Remarks to the Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference
Friday, August 17, 2018



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