Thread: ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending June 26, 2015

I.C.E. News Release

OPERATIONAL

06/29/2015

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending June 26, 2015




June 22, 2015 – ICE-DMV partnership combating identity, document fraud

In December 2009, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit launched a national outreach campaign to raise awareness about potential employee misconduct at DMV facilities. Full Story

June 23, 2015 – ICE removes 2 Brazilian fugitives

Two Brazilian fugitives wanted for separate crimes in Brazil were removed from the U.S. June 16 by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in Boston, Massachusetts. Full Story

June 26, 2015 – ICE, UK National Crime Agency enhance joint efforts to combat child exploitation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah R. Saldaña and U.K. National Crime Agency (NCA) Director General Keith Bristow officially signed an agreement June 25 in London to provide information on the travel of convicted child sex offenders between the two countries. Full Story

June 25, 2015 – Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Labor announce Phase II of Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team initiative

The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) Justice (DOJ) and Labor (DOL) today announced the launch of Phase II of the Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam) Initiative aimed at streamlining federal criminal investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking offenses. Full Story

June 23, 2015 – US, China unite to fight intellectual property theft

Representatives from U.S. and Chinese customs agencies strengthened relations Tuesday by signing an agreement to work together to combat violators of intellectual property rights law. Full Story

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ic...g-june-26-2015


I.C.E. News Releases

06/29/2015

WASHINGTON, DC

OPERATIONAL

ICE issues new guidance on the care of transgender individuals in custody
This new guidance is the result of a six-month agency Working Group that examined these issues with subject matter experts, sought input from transgender individuals, and visited various non-federal facilities across the country to observe best practices.


06/29/2015

FAYETTEVILLE, AR



CHILD EXPLOITATION


ICE seeks public’s help to identify potential additional victims of Arkansas man
Steven Lesmeister, 38, of Harrison, was indicted June 4 on three federal felony charges for sending unprovoked lewd messages and videos to juvenile females in Virginia, New York and North Carolina in September 2014.


06/26/2015

LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM



CHILD EXPLOITATION


ICE, UK National Crime Agency enhance joint efforts to combat child exploitation
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah R. Saldaña and U.K. National Crime Agency (NCA) Director General Keith Bristow officially signed an agreement June 25 in London to provide information on the travel of convicted child sex offenders between the two countries.



06/26/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


Let the 2015 World Police and Fire Games begin and end without incident
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson appointed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., Special Agent in Charge Clark Settles as the 2015 World Police and Fire Games federal coordinator. Settles is charged with overseeing the safety and security of the event.


06/26/2015

GUATEMALA CITY,GUATEMALA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE, Interpol identify 3 wanted Guatemalan foreign fugitives
In less than one week, ERO and Interpol Guatemala identified three men – Marcos Najera Perez, Roberto Agustin Mendoza and Hugo Jose Eguizabal Garcia – wanted by Guatemalan authorities for separate incidents involving aggravated rape, domestic violence, criminal threats and homicide.


06/26/2015

FORT WORTH, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


North Texas man sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for producing child pornography
Jonathan Daniel Kutej, 34, from Tolar, Texas, was convicted in November 2014 on two counts of producing child pornography.


06/25/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Labor announce Phase II of Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team initiative
These departments collaborated to develop the ACTeam Initiative to streamline rapidly expanding human trafficking enforcement efforts, focusing on forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud and coercion.



06/25/2015

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CHILD EXPLOITATION


Canovanas man sentenced to 17 years for producing child pornography
According to the criminal complaint, William Vergara-Alamo, 21, began text messaging with a 14-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, after she mistakenly called his cellphone. Within approximately two weeks of communicating with her, Vergara-Alamo asked Jane Doe to send him photographs of her and eventually, he started requesting sexually explicit photos.


06/25/2015

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CHILD EXPLOITATION


Puerto Rican man to serve 17 years for possession of child pornography
On Oct. 30, 2014, HSI special agents received information from Puerto Rico Police Department’s (PRPD) Arecibo Sexual Crimes Division regarding Edgar E. Nieves-Hernandez, 40. According to the information, Nieves-Hernandez was in possession of sexually explicit images of a child 6 years old.


06/24/2015

FRANKFURT, GERMANY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes German brothers wanted in $2.76 million fraud scheme
Jurgen and Bernhard Striegel were transferred into the custody of the German Federal Police upon their arrival in Germany June 17. According to an Interpol arrest warrant, both men participated in a vehicle fraud scheme that defrauded several banks out of approximately $2.76 million in U.S. currency.


06/24/2015

ATLANTA, GA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 60 convicted criminal aliens in Georgia during weeklong surge
The arrests, made from June 14 through June 18, were made in metropolitan Atlanta, in the Augusta area and in northwest Georgia. Of the 60 taken into custody by ERO, 17 met the agency’s highest priority level due to felony convictions or participation in a criminal street gang. An additional 43 arrestees met the second level of priorities for enforcement due to serious or multiple misdemeanor convictions.



06/24/2015

SAN FRANCISCO, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Northern California juvenile corrections officer pleads guilty to federal child pornography charge
Keith Monroe Wallace, 53, of Eureka, entered his plea in federal court. Wallace admitted he knowingly possessed 600 or more images of prepubescent minors or minors under 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The images included depictions of sadistic or masochistic conduct and other depictions of violence.


06/24/2015

MISSOULA, MT



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Nebraska man sentenced in Montana to more than 16 years in prison for child pornography crime
Tony Gustafson, 48, of Hastings, Nebraska, is also required to forfeit his computer, hard drives, a USB device, and 30 VHS tapes that were involved in the crime.


06/23/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


US, China unite to fight intellectual property theft
Representatives from U.S. and Chinese customs agencies strengthened relations Tuesday by signing an agreement to work together to combat violators of intellectual property rights law.


06/23/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


3 MS-13 leaders sentenced to decades in prison for racketeering, violent crimes
Noe Machado-Erazo, aka “Gallo,” 32, of Wheaton, Maryland, was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years. Jose Martinez-Amaya, 28, aka “Crimen,” of Brentwood, Maryland, was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years. Yester Ayala, 24, aka “Freeway” or “Daddy Yankee,” of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 30 years in prison.



06/23/2015

BOSTON, MA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes 2 Brazilian fugitives
Adilson Pires Ribeiro and Wagner Gregorio De Souza were transferred into the custody of the Brazilian Federal Police once they arrived in Brazil the morning of June 17.


06/22/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending June 19, 2015
ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending June 19, 2015


06/22/2015

WASHINGTON, DC



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


ICE-DMV partnership combating identity, document fraud
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified a potential vulnerability in which DMV employees exploit their positions by selling DMV-issued identification documents for financial gain.


06/22/2015

DALLAS, TX



CONTRABAND


Dallas man sentenced to 97 months in federal prison on drug, child obscenity convictions
Nicholas Todd, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay to 97 months in federal prison. He has been in custody since his arrest in late January 2014 by an HSI task force officer as Freed was attempting to claim a package containing anabolic steroids at the Deep Ellum Postal Center in Dallas.



06/19/2015

SANTA ANA, CA



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Orange County church youth counselor indicted on child pornography charges
Todd Christian Hartman, 32, of Newport Beach, formerly served as a youth counselor for the Vineyard Church in Anaheim.


06/19/2015

HOUSTON, TX



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE Houston deports Mexico man for alleged kidnapping
Jilberto Salazar Perez, 38, was escorted to the Juarez Lincoln Port in Laredo, Texas, and turned over to Mexico’s Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) June 19.


06/19/2015

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CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Puerto Rican Catholic priest sentenced to 11 years for child exploitation
HSI special agents arrested Israel Berrios-Berrios May 13, 2014, at his residence in Naranjito following an indictment that charged him with transporting a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity.


06/19/2015

CHICAGO, IL



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


HSI operation nets more than $180,000 in fake NHL goods during 2015 Stanley Cup Final and Chicago Blackhawks victory celebration
The enforcement initiative, dubbed Operation Team Player, resulted in the seizure of 4,376 items, including fake jerseys, hats, t-shirts, jackets and other souvenirs. The $181,215 value is based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the counterfeit NHL merchandise.



06/19/2015

MIAMI, FL



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE returns fugitive wanted for murder in El Salvador
Santos Lemus Abarca, 29, departed Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana Friday morning, and ERO officers turned him over to authorities at El Salvador International Airport later that afternoon.


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U.S. Marshals Service News

Fugitive's Run Comes to an End After Nearly 12 Years

June 23, 2015 - A fugitive who fled after violating conditions of his pre-trial release was arrested by the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force in Tacoma, WA. Somsock Senlouangrat was released Sep. 14, 2003 on pre-trial release pending his trial after being arrested for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and ... read more

U.S. Marshals Arrest Convicted Sex Offender

June 22, 2015 - U.S. Marshals Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division Task Force arrested William Michael Smith, a Harrison County man wanted for three counts of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Federal Supervised Release Violations and Battery. read more

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Arrests Attempted Homicide Suspect in Bronx, NY

June 22, 2015 - Today, U.S. Marshal Martin Pane announced the arrest of Nygee Taylor, who was wanted by the Pennsylvania State Police for Attempted Homicide – Kidnapping and Criminal Attempt Homicide and other related charges. read more

U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Rape Suspect in Cincinnati

June 19, 2015 - The U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested fugitive Jason W. Schomaker on June 18, 2015 on an outstanding warrant from the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati, Ohio on an indictment charging him with two counts of Rape, Gross Sexual Imposition, Abduction ... read more

U.S. Marshals Capture "Dangerous Dozen" Fugitive Hiding in East Cleveland

une 19, 2015 - Earlier today, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended fugitive Raymell Easter at an apartment in East Cleveland. Easter was wanted by the Cleveland Police Department for Homicide stemming from an incident in which he is suspected of shooting and killing a 17 ... read more

Tuscarawas County Fugitive Tracked Down and Captured in Kansas

June 19, 2015 - The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office of Ohio, have located and arrested violent fugitive Michael D. Evans. Evans was wanted by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear on Aggravated Robbery and Felonious ... read more

U.S. Marshals Add New York Prison Escapees David Sweat, Richard Matt To “15 Most Wanted” Fugitives List

June 18, 2015 - 15 Most Wanted Additions - The U.S. Marshals Service added David Sweat and Richard Matt, the two violent, escapees from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY, to its 15 Most Wanted fugitives list. Sweat and Matt, convicted murderers, escaped June 6 and sparked a massive ... read more

Fugitive on the Run Plays a Game with the Law he was Destined to Lose

June 18, 2015 - Zachary Whiteside was arrested last night by members of the United States Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in San Antonio, TX. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the Live Oak Police Department, where it is alleged that Whiteside violated the ... read more

Fugitive Found Hiding in Refrigerator by Marshals Fugitive Task Force

June 18, 2015 - This afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals – NH Joint Fugitive Task Force located and arrested fugitive, Jeffrey Nickerson. Nickerson was arrested after an extensive search of an apartment building on Park Street in Pittsfield, NH, where he was found hiding inside of a refrigerator. Jeffrey ... read more

U.S. Marshals Holding Auction of Peter and Shana Madoff Assets

June 18, 2015 - The U.S. Marshals are selling 420 lots of assets formerly belonging to Peter and Shana Madoff, announced U.S. Marshal Michael Greco of the Southern District of New York. The online auction at www.txauction.com starts today and ends July 7. read more

Multi-State Heroin Trafficking Operation Based in Baltimore, Maryland Fractured by Federal Indictment

June 16, 2015 - Multiple individuals were arrested today pursuant to a 163-count federal indictment charging 41 people with facilitating an extensive, multi-state heroin trafficking operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, West Virginia State Police Colonel Jay Smithers, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Smith, announced.read more

Deputy U.S. Marshal Loses Cancer Battle Resulting from 9/11 Attacks on World Trade Center

June 16, 2015 - Deputy U.S. Marshal Zacarias Toro lost his long and valiant battle with cancer June 14 while surrounded by his family in New York. Deputy Toro’s cancer resulted directly from exposures while responding to the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, as determined by the ... read more

Double Stabbing Suspect Arrested in Richmond

June 16, 2015 - U.S. Marshal Bobby Mathieson and Sussex County Sheriff Raymond Bell announce the arrest of Maxim Loyd Chisholm today in the City of Richmond, VA. Chisholm was arrested without incident after a traffic stop by a Richmond Police Department Patrol Unit. read more

U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Megan's Law Violator in New York

June 15, 2015 - Today, U.S. Marshal Martin Pane announced the arrest of Cody Stanley, who was wanted for Failure to Register as a Convicted Sex Offender. At approximately 10:30am, Deputy U.S. Marshals visited a home in Freeville, NY and arrested Cody Stanley without incident. read more

Suspect in Grand Rapids Shooting Arrested by U.S. Marshals Task Force in Muskegon Heights

June 15, 2015 - Ryan Lorenz, a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting in Grand Rapids in May, was arrested today in Muskegon Heights. Lorenz is charged with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm less than Murder and five other counts, as well as violating his state ... read more

JUSTICE NEWS



New Jersey Man Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIL and Witness Tampering
Monday, June 29, 2015




Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery of Former Employer
Friday, June 26, 2015




Former American Samoa Government Official Sentenced to 22 Months in Prison
Friday, June 26, 2015


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