ICE deports gang member with multiple criminal convictions to Mexico
I.C.E.News Release
August 7, 2013
Philadelphia, PA
ICE deports gang member with multiple criminal convictions to Mexico
PHILADELPHIA – A Mexican national, a career criminal who was removed from the United States four times since 1997, was deported Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Osvaldo Pineda Bonilla, 41, a member of the Los Angeles Surenos Crazy Katz, 38th Street clique, was remanded to the custody of Mexican law enforcement authorities Wednesday.
"Bonilla is a career criminal alien with multiple criminal convictions who has demonstrated a total disregard for the law," said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO Philadelphia. "ERO is determined to remove individuals like Bonilla who present a clear and present danger to the United States."
Bonilla escaped from police custody in May 1991 and remained at large through Aug. 5, 1993, when he was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department based on a warrant for his escape.
Bonilla was subsequently convicted Sept. 21, 1993, of the escape in the Ventura County Superior Court of California and sentenced to two years in prison.
On April 11, 1997, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) encountered Bonilla while he was in custody serving a sentence for a parole violation. He was taken into custody by INS and placed in removal proceedings based on his aggravated felony escape conviction.
An immigration judge ordered Bonilla removed July 30, 1997. Bonilla was deported the same day. He later illegally re-entered the United States at an unknown date.
On Feb. 28, 2005, Bonilla was convicted in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of California for possession of a narcotic controlled substance for sale and sentenced to four years in Ironwood State Prison. ERO San Bernardino encountered Bonilla Jan. 9, 2007, at Ironwood State Prison where he was taken into custody and removed to Mexico the same day.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered Bonilla Jan. 25, 2007, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He was once again removed to Mexico the same day.
On June 9, 2009, ERO San Bernardino encountered Bonilla at the California Institute for Men in Chino, Calif., where he was serving a sentence for a parole violation. A detainer was placed on Bonilla, and he was taken into ICE custody Nov. 17, 2009. He was removed from the United States Jan. 15, 2010, via the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas.
Six months later, in June 2010, Bonilla was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol as he attempted to again illegally re-enter the United States. On March 21, 2011, he was convicted in the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona of illegal re-entry and sentenced to 41 months in prison.
On Aug. 4, 2011, Bonilla was encountered by ERO Philadelphia at the U.S. Penitentiary in Allenwood, Pa., while serving a sentence for illegal re-entry. A detainer was lodged on Bonilla, and he was taken into ICE custody July 10, 2013.
Wednesday’s removal demonstrates the expanded bilateral cooperation to identify, arrest and repatriate Mexican fugitives who have fled to the United States to avoid prosecution. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Mexico works closely with the Mexican government as part of this effort. Many of the arrested individuals are charged with committing homicide or other violent crimes in Mexico.
This removal was coordinated under a new ERO initiative known as the Criminal History Information Sharing Program, an international program being piloted through a memorandum of agreement between ICE and the Mexican government. The program provides law enforcement agencies – both foreign and domestic – valuable criminal history information about individuals being removed by ICE before these individuals depart the United States. The program also permits foreign law enforcement officials additional time to screen individuals with a criminal history before the individuals arrive in their country.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 645 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder.
ERO works with HSI’s Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.
http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1308/130807philadelphia.htm
