ICE removes 2 Jamaican nationals wanted to face charges in their home country
NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed two Jamaican nationals Thursday, both wanted in their home country to face criminal charges. Dwayne Thomas, 35, is wanted to face murder charges and Mwando Lloyd Pryce, 31, is wanted to face charges of robbery, attempted murder and wounding with intent. They were removed from the United States via an ICE Air Operations Charter flight and transferred into the custody of Jamaican law enforcement authorities.
“These two sought refuge in New York City communities, shielding themselves from Jamaican authorities seeking their apprehension for violent criminal offenses,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “It is important to keep in mind that sanctuary cities also provide safe havens for those wanted in their home countries, like Thomas and Pryce, who now face murder and attempted murder charges. Regardless of the sanctuary New York City is affording these two violent criminals, ICE is committed to arresting and removing criminal aliens in the interest of public safety and in accordance with our nation’s immigration laws.”
ICE previously removed Thomas to Jamaica in June 2011, following a conviction for attempted assault. According to Jamaican law enforcement authorities, later in 2011, Thomas was arrested for murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Thomas illegally returned to the U.S. on an unknown date and place. On March 27, 2017, Thomas failed to appear in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, and was believed to have escaped to the U.S. On the same date, Interpol Kingston issued an Interpol Red Notice for Thomas, seeking his arrest for murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
On March 15, 2018, Thomas was arrested by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and charged in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) with making False Statement in Application for a U.S. Passport and Illegal Re-entry after Removal in violation of Titles 18 USC 1542, and 8 USC 1326(a). On Feb. 6, 2019, Thomas was convicted of both charges in EDNY and sentenced to 14 months in federal custody. Thomas was transferred to ICE custody March 19, 2019, when his previous removal order was reinstated.
According to Jamaican law enforcement authorities, in July 2009, Pryce was charged in Half Way Tree Court, in St. Andrew’s Parrish, with robbery, attempted murder and wounding with intent. In August 2009, Pryce was admitted to the U.S. legally with a nonimmigrant visa, with authorization to remain in the United States until Feb. 7, 2010. Pryce failed to depart the United States as required. In August 2015, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Pryce for the aforementioned crimes committed while he was Police Constable in Jamaica.
In August 2017, ERO Headquarters in Washington D.C. advised ERO New York that Pryce may be living in the New York City metropolitan area. On Nov. 22, 2017, Pryce was arrested in the Bronx, New York, by ERO deportation officers, assisted by ERO New York Special Response Team (SRT) operators, on immigration charges. In September 2018, Pryce was ordered removed by an immigration judge. On March 12, 2019, an appeal of that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) was dismissed, paving the way for his removal to Jamaica.
ICE removed or returned 258,085 aliens in fiscal year 2018. Enforcement and removal operations arrested 158,581 aliens, 90 percent of whom had criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or previously issued final orders. The overall arrest figure represents an 11 percent increase over fiscal year 2017.
ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
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