More Foreign Nationals Arrested In San Fernando Valley


Twenty-eight arrests were made Friday, bringing to 37 the number of foreign nationals facing federal charges or deportation as a result of enforcement actions aimed at gangs in the San Fernando Valley, officials said.

The arrests made Friday morning were the result of the second of two major enforcement actions carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and aimed at immigrants linked to 15 violent Valley-based street gangs, the federal agency reported.

The other nine suspects were arrested during the first operation, which took place on Sept. 20.


Among those arrested Friday morning was Jorge Torres, 31, a reputed gang member who has been deported five times previously. He has been indicted by the U.S. attorney's office for "re-entry after deportation," a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to ICE.

The two enforcement actions were part of the nationwide anti-gang effort dubbed "Operation Community Shield," under which more than 5,000 gang members and associates have been arrested by ICE agents since February 2005.

In the Los Angeles area, more than 500 people have been arrested under Operation Community Shield.


Previous Stories:
October 3, 2007: ICE: Largest Criminal Immigrant Sweep Carried Out In LA



http://www.knbc.com/news/14279268/detail.html