Thread: ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 22, 2016

I.C.E. News Release

OPERATIONAL

01/25/2016

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 22, 2016






January 20, 2016 – Sex trafficking ring leader sentenced in Houston to life in prison

A 68-year-old woman behind a 14-defendant sex-trafficking ring that operated in Houston was sentenced to life in federal prison. Full Story

January 21, 2016 – Off-duty Boston ICE personnel aid rescues from burning motel

Several U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel from ICE’s Boston office assisted local emergency responders at an overnight motel fire in Western Massachusetts, where they were staying while attending a fellow special agent’s wedding. Full Story

January 20, 2016 – Massachusetts supermarket chain earns ICE "IMAGE" distinction

One of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England became the latest business to partner in a nationwide program by ICE to ensure a legal and more secure work force. Full Story

January 20, 2016 – DHS investigation uncovers alleged immigration asylum fraud scheme

A Rhode Island man was indicted by federal grand jury for allegedly running an immigration fraud scheme in which false asylum applications were filed on behalf of more than 300 individuals who did not request nor authorize the applications. Full Story

January 21, 2016 – Honduran woman convicted of sex trafficking a minor in Houston

A Honduran woman was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. Full Story

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ic...anuary-22-2016
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I.C.E. News Releases:


01/22/2016

AMARILLO, TX


CHILD EXPLOITATION

Amarillo, Texas, man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on child pornography conviction
Alexander Jimenez III, 28, of Amarillo, Texas, was sentenced Friday to 20 years in federal prison following his guilty plea in August 2015 to receiving child pornography.


01/22/2016

DALLAS, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former North Texas police officer sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography
Brian Kelley, 41, of Quinlan, Texas, pleaded guilty in January 2015 to a superseding information charging one count of possessing child pornography. Judge Fitzwater also sentenced Kelley to serve a lifetime of supervised release, and remanded him into federal custody.


01/22/2016

AMARILLO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Texas Panhandle resident sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on attempted child sex trafficking conviction
According to plea documents filed in the case, Xzavion Dayshaun Ragsdale, aka “Yung Billy,” 19, from Amarillo, admitted that from about March 30 to April 3, 2015, he attempted to recruit a 15-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts.



01/22/2016

HOUSTON, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Houston officers deport Mexican national wanted for homicide
Fidel Chan-Amador, aka El Chichi, 48, was turned over to Mexican authorities Jan. 22 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo.


01/21/2016

STURBRIDGE, MA



OPERATIONAL


Off-duty Boston ICE personnel aid rescues from burning motel
"Going back into a burning building to save people is one of the most selfless things I can think of someone doing. SA Lundt, AFOD Sullivan and TEO Adamson are heroes and I’m incredibly proud of their efforts, and those of the local emergency response teams that assisted during this crisis.”


01/21/2016

BALTIMORE, MD



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Over 2,000 counterfeit CDs seized from Baltimore City music store
The seized items were packaged to appear genuine and were sold at the same price point as legitimate goods. According to experts, such high quality counterfeit items suggest they were likely made using commercial grade equipment. Experts from the RIAA accompanied HSI special agents as on-scene subject matter experts.


01/21/2016

WHEELING, WV



CHILD EXPLOITATION


West Virginia man sentenced to 15 years for production of child pornography
Robert J. Gongloff, 26, of Terra Alta, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to one count of production of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Gongloff admitted that he had produced numerous images and videos depicting nude minors and minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.



01/21/2016

HOUSTON, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Honduran woman convicted of sex trafficking a minor in Houston
Maria E. Gonzales Munoz, aka "Merci," 45, co-owned numerous brothels, including Cocodrillos, that posed as bars in and around the Houston area which facilitated commercial sex.


01/20/2016

BOSTON, MA



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


Massachusetts supermarket chain earns ICE "IMAGE" distinction
As an IMAGE certified member, Big Y is recognized as an exceptional employer and a role model in the business community. IMAGE certified employers are committed to hiring only authorized workers whose identity and eligibility to work in the United States is documented.


01/20/2016

CORPUS CHRISTI



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Mexican man sentenced to almost 6 years in federal prison for human smuggling rollover that resulted in 2 deaths
Amurabi Medina-Cruz, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey to 71 months in prison for alien smuggling.


01/20/2016

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Southeast Texas firefighter sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography
Justin Ryan Serna, 28, from Corpus Christi, was sentenced Jan. 19 by District Judge John D. Rainey to 180 months in federal prison. He was also sentenced to serve 10 years of supervised release; and he must also register as a sex offender. Serna pleaded guilty to the charges in October 2015.



01/20/2016

HOUSTON, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Sex trafficking ring leader sentenced in Houston to life in prison
A federal jury convicted Hortencia Medeles-Arguello, aka Raquel Medeles Garcia or “Tencha,” April 24, 2015, following a 10-day trial and about four hours of deliberations. She was convicted on all counts: conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, conspiracy to harbor aliens, aiding and abetting to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.


01/20/2016

DENVER, CO



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Colorado man pleads guilty to producing child pornography with babies just a few weeks old
Jamie Sailas, 30, of Metro Denver, pleaded guilty Jan. 15, 2016 to producing child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez. Sailas is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Martinez April 28.


01/20/2016

PROVIDENCE, RI



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


DHS investigation uncovers alleged immigration asylum fraud scheme
Nimon Naphaeng, 34, a native and citizen of Thailand, who currently resides in Wakefield, Rhode Island, was charged with a 26-count indictment, for charges including visa fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and international money laundering.


01/20/2016

BEAUMONT, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


East Texas registered sex offender sentenced to life in prison for producing child pornography
Jose Stephen Gracia, 45, was sentenced to life in federal prison Jan. 20 by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone for producing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charges July 27, 2015.



01/19/2016

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 15, 2016
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending January 15, 2016


01/15/2016

BUFFALO, NY



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


ICE deports Salvadoran man wanted for human trafficking
Julio Francisco Alvarado was turned over to ICE in Buffalo, New York, Oct. 9, 2015, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered him at the Rainbow Bridge. CBP officers re-instated an earlier issued deportation order against Alvarado, who had a prior removal in 2004.


01/15/2016

TULSA, OK



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


Universal Aryan Brotherhood prison gang associate sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison for violence committed in aid of racketeering
Robert Allen Paul Bryan, 41, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to the charges June 4, 2015 before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan.


01/15/2016

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Former Rwandan refugee in Iowa convicted of naturalization fraud
Ken Ngombwa, 56, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of the following crimes: one count of unlawfully procuring or attempting to procure naturalization or citizenship; one count of procuring citizenship to which he was not entitled; one count of conspiracy to unlawfully procure citizenship; and one count of making a materially false statement to agents of the Department of Homeland Security.



01/15/2016

BOSTON, MA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


Massachusetts man sentenced to 15 years for sex trafficking
Corey Norris aka “Case,” or “Jacorey Johnson,” 26, of the historic Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release.


01/15/2016

LUBBOCK, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


South Texas man sentenced to 17 ½ years in federal prison for producing child pornography
According to plea documents filed in the case, Felipe Martinez Ramirez, 48, of Ozona, Texas, enticed a girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him at a residence in Ozona, and he used a cell phone to record that conduct reflected in a bathroom mirror.


01/14/2016

MILWAUKEE, MN



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Milwaukee arrests 15 during operation targeting criminal aliens
All 15 arrested have been convicted of crimes in the United States and fall within ICE’s enforcement priorities for deportation. Their convictions include: homicide by negligent use of a vehicle, strangulation and suffocation, battery, burglary, theft, domestic abuse, drug possession and drunk driving. The group also included three previously deported aliens.


01/13/2016

BOSTON, MA



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


2 Massachusetts men charged with sex trafficking
Kwamaine J. Wells, 26, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was indicted on two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, four counts of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution, and one count of conspiracy to transport an individual for prostitution. Akil J. DeCoteau, 27, of Boston, was indicted on one count of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution and one count of conspiracy.





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F.B.I. Breaking News
01.22.16
Indianapolis: Man sentenced to 10 years for possessing child pornography.
01.22.16
Miami: Owner home health agencies guilty in $57 million health care fraud.
01.22.16
Dallas: Exec covicted of lying to federal investigators in public corruption case.

D.E.A. TOP STORY

Two Colombian Traffickers Charged with Smuggling Narcotics to NY Aboard Famed Spanish Navy Ship

JAN 22 (NEW YORK)

James Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) New York Division, Bridget G. Brennan, New York City's Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton, and Joseph A. D'Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced today the arrest of two alleged Colombian drug traffickers who conspired to smuggle multi-kilogram quantities of heroin and cocaine to New York City aboard the emblematic Royal Spanish Navy training vessel, the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, between April and May of 2014.

READ MORE MORE TOP STORIES


D.E.A. LATEST NEWS

JAN 22 (BOSTON) Career Criminal Sentenced for Heroin Distribution JAN 22 (NEW HAVEN, Conn.) Man Pleads Guilty to Crack Distribution Offenses JAN 22 (OTSEGO, N.Y.) Local Oneonta Man Arrested on Drug Charges JAN 22 (ALBANY, N.Y.) Jury Convicts Constable Woman of Marijuana Conspiracy JAN 21 (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) Vallejo Resident Charged with Meth Possession

MORE NEWS

A.T.F. Press Releases

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016

Leader of Jewelry Heist Ring Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison for Robbing and Attempting to Rob Jewelers in Chicago and Lake Forest
Chicago Field Division


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2016

Man Who Shot at KCK Police Charged in Federal Court
Kansas City Field Division


Carjacking Suspect Charged in Federal Court
Kansas City Field Division


Kidnapper Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Philadelphia Field Division


Two Maryland Residents Indicted for Conspiracy to Steal Firearms in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Field Division


TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

Joplin Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering in $5.6 Million Cooking Oil Scheme
Kansas City Field Division

Headlines News coverage of the U.S. Marshals

	Manhunt continues for 3 ‘very dangerous’ OC jail escapees
	Feds, Local Police Arrest Hartford Murder Suspect
	How three inmates escaped from O.C. Jail
	Miss. man arrested in kidnapping, robbery
	Double murder suspect caught in Hong Kong to return to US
	Man arrested in connection with Verona kidnapping

JUSTICE NEWS



Federal Court Bars Florida Man from Owning Tax Preparation Business and from Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others
Monday, January 25, 2016




Florida Couple Plead Guilty in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Scheme
Friday, January 22, 2016




Delaware Cheese Company Agrees to Plead Guilty to Food Adulteration Charge, Signs Consent Decree
Friday, January 22, 2016


MORE NEWS

News from CBP

January 22, 2016 | Local Media Release
CBP Officers Seize Nearly $1 Million in Crystal Methamphetamine in Two Separate Incidents at the Laredo Port of Entry

January 22, 2016 | Local Media Release
CBP Seizes Raw Chickens

January 22, 2016 | Local Media Release
U.S. Border Patrol Agents Arrest Man After He Breaks into Alburgh Home


More News

C.B.P. Media Releases


CBP Seizes Hoverboards


Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseBUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Peace Bridge seized 180 counterfeit hoverboards with an estimated MSRP of just over $52,000. The hoverboards contained counterfeit batteries. “This is another example of our...
Read More

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Arrest Man After He Breaks into Alburgh Home
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseAlburgh, Vt.— On January 15, a U.S. Border Patrol agent assigned to the Swanton Station arrested a Massachusetts man soon after breaking into a residence near the border. “This is a great example of our integration with state and local law...
Read More

CBP Officers Seize Nearly $1 Million in Crystal Methamphetamine in Two Separate Incidents at the Laredo Port of Entry
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized a significant amount of crystal methamphetamine in two separate enforcement actions with a combined value of $914,468. “These were excellent interceptions made by our CBP...
Read More

CBP Field Operations Seizes $269K in Unreported U.S. Currency at the Hidalgo International Bridge
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseHIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $269,525 in unreported U.S. currency from a Donna, Texas man who was allegedly attempting to exit into Mexico. “...
Read More

CBP Field Operations Seizes $700K in Marijuana at Pharr International Bridge
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleasePHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility have once again seized over a ton of alleged marijuana that was hidden within two commercial shipments of fresh...
Read More

CBP Finds Large Drug Load In Roofing Shingles
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseEL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at El Paso area ports of entry made seven drug seizures Thursday. The largest drug load was discovered in a shipment of roofing shingles. “Smugglers will...
Read More

CBP Seizes Raw Chickens
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseDALLAS -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport fined a traveler for attempting to smuggle five uncooked chickens and three packages of pork meat, Jan. 20. The traveler, a U.S....
Read More

CBP Office of Field Operations, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry Promotes SENTRI, Ready Lanes
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseHIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry wants to encourage international travelers who cross the border frequently to take advantage of two programs designed to...
Read More

CBP Agriculture Specialists Intercept Pests and Invasive Seeds in Portal, N.D.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Local Media ReleasePORTAL, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations agriculture specialists discovered multiple pests and invasive seeds while conducting inspections of rail containers at the Portal Port of Entry rail facility....
Read More

CBP Prepares And Offers Tips In Advance of Juarez Visit Of Pope Francis
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseEL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection in conjunction with area law enforcement agencies, stakeholders and others is preparing for the Juarez visit of Pope Francis. Below are a series of steps the various CBP components are taking to...
Read More

Man Rescued in Desert, Meth and Heroin Seized at Checkpoints
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents received a frantic cell-phone call from a distressed Mexican man in the Sonoran Desert Jan. 18, asking for help. Border Patrol agents from the Blythe Station seized 32 pounds of meth, while searching a...
Read More

Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize $4,586,779 in Two Seizures at the Progreso International Bridge
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleasePROGRESO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Progreso Port of Entry intercepted two loads of alleged narcotics over the weekend. CBP officers discovered the alleged drugs, carrying a combined street value of approximately $ 4...
Read More

CBP Officers Arrest Child Predator
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseDETROIT- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers working at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel on Saturday January 16th, arrested a U.S citizen wanted for sex related crimes against children in Michigan and Wisconsin, after he was refused entry...
Read More

CBP Seizes Twenty Pounds of Cocaine at the Hidalgo International Bridge
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseHIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a 48-year-old man from San Luis Potosi, Mexico after detecting approximately 20 pounds of alleged cocaine hidden within...
Read More

CBP Officers Seize Counterfeit Hoverboard Scooters at International Falls, Minn. Port of Entry
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseINTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers working at the International Falls, Minnesota Port of Entry (POE) recently targeted a rail container destined to arrive at the Ranier,...
Read More

CBP Officers Seize Total of Nearly Two Tons of Marijuana at World Trade Bridge in Back-to-Back Seizures
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas –While many U.S. residents dreamed of Powerball fortunes, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at World Trade Bridge last Wednesday kept their focus steady on border security and seized consecutive loads of marijuana totaling...
Read More

CBP Officers at Miami's Seaport Recover Stolen Vehicle
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseMIAMI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers working at the Port of Miami seized a stolen vehicle from New York set to be exported to the Dominican Republic. CBP officers conduct inspection operations...
Read More

When Is a Spare Tire Worth More Than $380,000?
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers at the DeConcini crossing Jan. 18 selected a Mercedes sedan, driven by Marisol Lizbeth Cardenas-Monzon, 20, of Casa Grande, Arizona, for additional inspection. When officers checked the spare...
Read More

San Luis CBP Officers Seize More Than $900K in Hard Drugs
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of San Luis arrested four individuals for alleged separate attempts to smuggle heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine during the holiday weekend. Officers discovered a combination of...
Read More

CBP Formally Installs New Director in New Orleans for Gulf Region Operations
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseNEW ORLEANS – For the first time in 10 years, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in the Gulf region has autonomous leadership, as CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske swore in Steven Stavinoha as Director of the New Orleans Field...
Read More

Douglas CBP Officers Seize $135K in Marijuana
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Douglas (Raul Hector Castro POE) arrested a Phoenix man and a Mexican national during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend for separate alleged attempts to smuggle more than 270...
Read More

18 Aliens Arrested, Some with Significant Criminal Histories
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents, assisted by aviation crews from Air and Marine Operations, Yuma Air Branch, arrested 18 people and seized more than 430 pounds of marijuana during multiple holiday-weekend incidents. AMO pilots assisted Border...
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CBP Officers Arrest Man on Outstanding Homicide Warrant
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseLUKEVILLE, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations officers arrested a male U.S. citizen returning from Mexico Saturday after learning he has an outstanding warrant for homicide out of Collin County, Texas. The man failed to...
Read More

Border Patrol Arrests Sureño Gang Member and Seize Meth at 86 Checkpoint
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseCALEXICO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents on Saturday arrested a previously deported gang member and a man suspected of methamphetamine smuggling. At approximately 5 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Station...
Read More

CBP Officers at Miami's Seaport Seize Counterfeit Hoverboards
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 | Local Media ReleaseMIAMI — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Miami Seaport Trade Enforcement Team (TET) seized 235 cartons containing counterfeit hoverboards with an estimated MSRP of $94,000. The self-balancing scooters, commonly...
Read More


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