More than 600 snagged in ICE roundup
More than 600 snagged in ICE roundup
By Jason Buch
Updated 12:06 p.m., Thursday, April 26, 2012
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced agents have rounded up 637 gang members, almost half of them foreign nationals, in a nationwide sweep.
Project Nefarious netted suspects in 150 cities, including gang members in South Texas, according a news release.
They include Richard Paul Gonzales, a 40-year-old U.S. citizen and member of the Mexican Mafia in Bexar County wanted on an indecent exposure charge. They also include a 29-year-old U.S. citizen and member of the Hermanos Pistoleros in Laredo and a 30-year-old U.S. citizen and member of the Valluco gang in Starr County.
“The goal of Project Nefarious was to identify, locate, arrest, prosecute and remove gang members and associates affiliated with human smuggling and trafficking organizations,” said James Dinkins, ICE executive associate director. “By ridding our streets of 637 gang members and associates, we are putting a dent in the violence these transnational criminal street gangs bring to our communities.”
jbuch@express-news.net
More than 600 snagged in ICE roundup - San Antonio Express-News
637 gang members and associates arrested during Project Nefarious
I.C.E. News Release
April 25, 2012
Washington, DC
637 gang members and associates arrested during Project Nefarious
WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced today the arrests of 637 gang members and associates from 168 different gangs during Project Nefarious, an HSI-led operation executed in 150 U.S. cities and Honduras targeting transnational street gangs, prison gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs involved with human smuggling and trafficking organizations (HSTOs).
Project Nefarious began in February 2012 with threat assessments, intelligence gathering, information sharing and target identification, which resulted in enforcement operations from April 9 to April 21. Through Project Nefarious, HSI special agents worked side-by-side with 148 federal, state, local and international law enforcement partners to apprehend individuals from 28 gangs affiliated with HSTOs. More than 40 percent of those gang members or associates arrested during this operation were affiliated with gangs tied to HSTOs.
"The goal of Project Nefarious was to identify, locate, arrest, prosecute and remove gang members and associates affiliated with human smuggling and trafficking organizations," said HSI Executive Associate Director James Dinkins. "By ridding our streets of 637 gang members and associates, we are putting a dent in the violence these transnational criminal street gangs bring to our communities."
The impetus for Project Nefarious was the U.S. Department of Justice, National Gang Intelligence Center, National Gang Threat Assessment 2011 report, which identified gangs who are progressively becoming involved with human smuggling and trafficking. The report classified numerous gangs as exceedingly dangerous due to their involvement with cross-border criminal activity linked to human smuggling and trafficking.
Transnational criminal street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-national members and are frequently involved in human smuggling and trafficking; narcotics smuggling and distribution; identity theft and benefit fraud; money laundering and bulk cash smuggling; weapons smuggling and arms trafficking; cyber crimes; export violations and other crimes with a nexus to the border.
Of the 637 gang members or associates arrested;
479 were charged with criminal offenses,
158 were administrative arrests,
210 had violent criminal histories,
10 were wanted for murder, and
290 were foreign nationals.
In addition to the 637 arrests, 155 individuals were arrested for federal and state criminal violations, or administrative immigration violations. Of the 155, 117 were charged with criminal offenses, 58 had violent criminal histories, 38 were administrative arrests and 69 were foreign nationals. In addition to the arrests, during the operation special agents seized 52 firearms, 5,462.6 pounds of marijuana, 6.6 pounds of cocaine, $201,437 in U.S. currency and 14 vehicles.
Arrests during Project Nefarious included:
Carlos Alexander Melgar-Andrede, 22, an El Salvadoran national and associate of MS-13 was arrested in Los Angeles County on rape charges.
Richard Paul Gonzales, 40, a U.S. citizen and member of the Mexikanemi, also known as the Mexican Mafia gang, was arrested in Bexar County, Texas, for indecent exposure to minors and adults. His criminal convictions include aggravated robbery, evading arrest, dangerous conduct and numerous narcotics-related offenses. Pursuant to this arrest, HSI San Antonio seized two pistols and two shotguns.
Rodney Zaid Mejia, Pedro Melendez and Hector Villarreal, all 20-year-olds and Hector Abarca, 21, and Johnnie Sanchez, 31, all members or associates of MS-13, were arrested in Houston on federal charges of racketeering, drug trafficking and firearms violations.
Ernesto Zaragoza Solis, 29, a U.S. citizen and associate of Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos, was arrested in Laredo, Texas, for kidnapping and engaging in organized criminal activity. His criminal convictions include transporting of an undocumented alien for private financial gain.
David Solorio, 29, and Ronald Lopez, 46, both associates of the Mexican Mafia, and Sheldon McMorries, 34, all U.S. citizens, were arrested in Los Angeles County for conspiracy and murder. McMorries is a member of the street gang Varrio Carson 13, and an alleged hit man for the Mexican Mafia. His criminal convictions include taking a vehicle without consent, attempted grand theft auto and assault with a deadly weapon.
Jorge Luis Garcia, 30, a U.S. citizen and member of the Valluco gang was arrested in Starr County, Texas, for evading and resisting arrest and open state warrants for aggravated assault. He is also a registered sex offender and has criminal convictions for possession of marijuana and a controlled substance, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual assault, theft, resisting arrest, evading arrest and burglary.
Those arrested came from 33 countries in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Of the total number arrested, 720 were males and 72 were females.
This enforcement operation is part of HSI's Operation Community Shield global anti-gang initiative, and is administered by HSI's National Gang Unit (NGU). Operation Community Shield partners with existing international, federal, state and local anti-gang efforts to identify violent street gangs, and develop intelligence on gang members and associates, criminal gang activities and international movements to arrest, prosecute, imprison and deport transnational gang members. NGU's mission is to leverage its anti-gang initiative "Operation Community Shield" to enhance U.S. public safety by developing strategic domestic and foreign law enforcement partnerships, and utilizing those partnerships along with unique legal authorities to target gangs, suppress their violence and prosecute their criminal enterprises.
Since the inception of Operation Community Shield in 2005, HSI special agents working in conjunction with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide have arrested more than 25,629 street gang members and associates. Almost 40 percent of those arrested had a violent criminal history. Of those arrested, 313 were gang leaders and 3,910 were MS-13 gang members or associates. Through this initiative nationally, HSI has seized 3,024 firearms. To date, of those arrested, 13,405 have been charged criminally, and 12,224 have been charged with immigration violations.
Federal agencies involved in Project Nefarious included the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Prisons and U.S. attorneys' offices around the country.
To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.
U.S. Dept of Homeland Security
637 gang members and associates arrested during Project Nefarious
San Diego: 25 arrested in nationwide immigration sweep
San Diego: 25 arrested in nationwide immigration sweep
1 hour ago • By EDWARD SIFUENTES esifuentes@nctimes.com
Immigration authorities arrested 25 people in San Diego County as part of a nationwide operation targeting criminal gangs that netted 637 gang members and associates, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The operation, called Project Nefarious, was conducted in 150 U.S. cities, including Vista, San Diego, Calexico and San Ysidro, and in Honduras, federal officials said.
Of the people arrested in San Diego County, nine are facing criminal prosecution for federal or state crimes ranging from illegal re-entry after deportation to document fraud and battery, officials said. They include people from South Korea, Somalia and Mexico.
"Through gang enforcement surges like Project Nefarious, we are taking back our streets and making it clear that the scourge of fear and crime fostered by these ruthless organizations is coming to an end," said Derek Benner, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, in a prepared statement.
Among those facing federal charges is a 37-year-old gang member in San Diego with an extensive criminal history, including a conviction for attempted murder in 1993 that resulted in a seven-year prison term, ICE officials said. He is being prosecuted for returning to the country illegally after being deported.
In addition to the criminal arrests, 16 people with gang ties were taken into custody on administrative immigration violations, officials said. They include people with criminal convictions for drugs and weapons violations.
Of the 637 gang members and associates arrested nationwide, 479 were charged with criminal offenses, 210 had violent criminal histories, 10 were wanted for murder, and 290 were citizens of other countries, officials said. Administrative immigration violations were the reason for 158 arrests.
Nationwide, authorities also seized 52 firearms, more than 5,400 pounds of marijuana, 6.6 pounds of cocaine, $201,437 in cash and 14 vehicles.
REGION: 25 arrested in nationwide immigration sweep : North County Times - Californian
