News Releases and Statements

The undercover investigation, aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Memphis area, began on January 21. Undercover officers placed decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result, the following nine men were arrested and booked into the Shelby County Jail.

According to court documents, on January 19, 2022, law enforcement agents with ICE HSI responded to a request for assistance from the USBP based out of Pembina, North Dakota. USBP initiated a traffic stop on a white-colored, fifteen passenger van less than one mile south of the U.S./Canadian border in a rural area between the official ports of entry located at Lancaster, Minnesota and Pembina, North Dakota. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Steve Shand, 47, a U.S. citizen.

Matthew “Stacks” Woods, 32, and his co-conspirators, Cornelius “Chip” Galloway and Marcus “Taylor Made” Taylor, were charged in a superseding indictment on Dec. 3, 2019, with seven counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased nearly 30%, from to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted. As part of that effort, HSI KC has special agents throughout Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska who are dedicated to the eradication of this egregious crime.

In recognition of this important topic, the DHS's Blue Campaign hosts Wear Blue Day to encourage participants to dress in blue attire and post photos on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay, to show support to trafficking victims, raise awareness and provide prevention information about this horrendous crime.

Law enforcement arrested Chantel Deshay Collins, 28, Houston, and Asia Monae Hailey, 21, Galveston, this morning. They are expected to appear for an initial appearance tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Andrew Edison. Michael Gonzalez, 21, Houston, is currently in the Harris County (Texas) jail on other charges and is expected to be transferred to federal court to answer these charges by the end of the week.

On Dec. 2, as part of Operation Blood Ties and with support from U.S. law enforcement, Brazilian authorities executed 21 search warrants and eight arrests in the states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.

Luis Enrique De La Cerda, 55, of El Indio plead guilty to transporting dozens of noncitizens before a federal judge.

Amalia Gonzalez-Lara, 43, of Phoenix, admitted that she conspired to transport and harbor over 100 illegal aliens for profit during a proceeding before the U.S. Magistrate Judge.

Harleigh Josette Haugen, 20, of Fargo, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter D. Welte to 45 months for conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery. Chief Judge Welte also sentenced Haugen to three years supervised release, and a $100.00 Special Assessment.

According to court documents, Javier Duarte, 22, was driving a box truck through the Highway 118 checkpoint where U.S. Border Patrol agents referred him to secondary inspection.

The following have also been charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens: Sebastian Tovar, 25, of Toledo, Ohio; Nicolas Mondragon-Gonzalez, aka “Chayo” and “Flaco,” 33, of Austin; Veronica Torres-Mendez, 34, of Austin; Jennifer Oralia Davis, aka “Paypa,” 40, of San Antonio; Ruben Junior Rodriguez-Jaimes, 19, of Bastrop, Texas; Lauren Michelle Malmquist, aka “Mama” and “Lala,” 32, of Round Rock, Texas ; Eduardo Rivera Benitez, aka “Lalo” and “Casper,” 23, of Bastrop; Marco Antonio Hernandez, aka “Temo,” 19, of Paige, Texas; and Jose Eli Rodriguez, 21, of Austin.

Maurice Fitzgerald Alexander, 31, arrested in Tucson, and Erica Lucia Navarro, 31, arrested in El Paso, Texas, were simultaneously arrested Oct. 21. Both defendants were initialed in federal court where they both face sex trafficking charges. Neither defendant has been awarded bond.

As the result of a probe by HSI Los Angeles, Jerome Terry Jr., 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who described Terry as “a danger to unsuspecting members of the public” and further remarked that a “lengthy term of incarceration is needed to protect the public.”

Jorge Luis Monsivais, 23, of Eagle Pass, Texas, was sentenced Oct. 21 by a U.S. federal judge to 360 months. Monsivais pleaded guilty May 11 to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death; conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury; conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens; illegal alien transportation resulting in death; and illegal alien transportation resulting in serious bodily injury.

In recognition of the CCHT and to continue to advance its critical work, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas directed DHS components to incorporate a victim-centered approach into all policies, programs, and activities governing DHS interactions with victims of crime.  

Beginning Oct. 13, authorities placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors.

Macario Ulises Barragan-Cisneros, 45, of Mexico, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 10, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash. A conviction for conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented people for profit carries a maximum penalty of 10 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both.

Abid Ali Khan allegedly operates a Pakistani-based smuggling network to facilitate the travel of undocumented individuals into the United States from the Middle East and southwest Asia in exchange for payment.

Jorge Estrada Torres, 34, from Quemado, Texas, also was ordered to serve three years supervised release after completing his sentence.