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