Six 'violent gang members' arrested in Sturgis
SBT24/7 News Report
By WSBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Dec 12, 2008 at 5:16 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 12, 2008 at 5:19 AM EST

STURGIS — Six illegal alien gang members from Mexico were arrested late Wednesday in Sturgis as part of a joint local action with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to David Ives, Sturgis Police deputy chief.

The joint local enforcement — Operation Community Shield — is part of an ongoing ICE effort targeting foreign-born members of violent gangs.

The operation targeted foreign-born members and associates of the Surenos 13 and Southside 18 street gangs. All six of the arrested were illegally in the United States and will face deportation hearings.

Two men, twin brothers Rene and Raul Maldonando-Gonzalez, will also be prosecuted on identity and document fraud charges. Police said another person arrested was providing false documents to gang members and other illegal aliens in the area.

The remaining three aliens arrested face administrative immigration charges, and are currently in ICE custody pending their deportation. ICE does not release the names of those arrested on administrative immigration charges.

“The arrest and ultimate removal of these gang members has an immediate positive impact on the safety of the communities in Western Michigan,â€