Burning cigarette leads to deportation arrest

Automatic deportation. That is what is next for Yonny Canales. The 19-year old is here illegally from Honduras. He applied for protective status and it was denied by a Miami judge.

Over the weekend, while in the parking lot of Antonio's Resturant in Golden Gate, a Collier County deputy watched as Canales tossed his burning cigarette into the bushes. Smoke began "billowing", as the arrest report states, "more so that what cigarette would cause." Concerned about brush fires, the deputy arrested Canalaes for "possession of an incendiary device to set fire."

"In this case he is not a felon or had a habitual criminal record as far as we can tell," says Commander Mike Williams, "but it is an example don't know who we got until you get them to jail."

At the Naples Jail Center, deputies ran Canales' picture and finger prints and found he had a hold from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for deportation.

"If you go to jail and you are here illegally you run the risk that you are going to be deported," says Williams.

Through CCSO's partnership with ICE deputies can check background information and for warrants. It allows deputies remove criminals that are here illegally- not send them back on the street.

"You don't want them to come to your jail and have them leave. Without the program that is exactly what would have happened."

CCSO started its partnership with ICE in September 2007. CCSO says it has helped keep crime down and lower the jail population each month.

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