News Releases and Statements

A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Hainze Diaz Arroyo, known in the music industry as Hanzel la H, with firearms violations. Diaz Arroyo was arrested on July 10 for violating his federal supervised release and has remained detained since his arrest.

Deportation officers from ERO Boston apprehended Pedro Romo-Gonzalez, 42, an unlawfully present Mexican citizen, on June 14 after local authorities arrested him in Westford for possession and intent to distribute drugs.

In support of the 14-month investigation, HSI worked with AFP investigators and key partners to plan and execute the takedown of the Long River money laundering organization, through investigative actions, such as obtaining financial records through subpoenas, analyzing bank records, obtaining search warrants, and conducting undercover operations, which contributed significantly to the multinational investigation, arrests and charges.

Operation Tin Man focused on MS-13’s criminal activity in the Northern Virginia area. The operation yielded significant convictions for five MS-13 members, including a life sentence for the leader of one MS-13 clique. The investigation led to convictions for racketeering, murder, attempted murder and drug distribution.

Individuals who lack a lawful basis to stay in the United States are ordered removed, consistent with U.S. law. All individuals who are removed have been screened for protection concerns.

The Bangladeshi citizen entered the United States on or about March 7, 2009, at or near New York as the spouse of a U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident.

Sunshine Michelle Betters, 47, of Tucson, was sentenced to an additional 11 months imprisonment for violating her federal supervised release for a prior conviction for transportation of noncitizens.

Sean Stevenson, 58, of San Diego, was scheduled to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell Dembin Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.

Noncitizens, including Venezuelan nationals, who lack a lawful basis to stay in the United States will be removed, consistent with U.S. law. In keeping with standard practice, the United States ensures that all noncitizens, including Venezuelan nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, are properly screened for valid protection claims and withholding of removal in accordance with our laws and U.S. international obligations.

According to court records, Tien Tan Vo, 47, of El Centro, injected as many as 178 patients with unapproved drugs that had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

ERO Philadelphia removed Jaime Ernesto Navarette Mejia, a citizen of El Salvador with a final order of removal, to El Salvador on October 20.

ERO Philadelphia removed Maria Bernarda Moran Martinez, a citizen of El Salvador with a final removal order, to El Salvador on Oct. 20.

According to court documents, Vint Wade, 65, and Donna Wade, 67, of Moab, Utah; Steven Willing, 67, of Los Angeles, California; and Jordan Willing, 40 of Ashland, Oregon, committed several felony offenses against the United States by violating the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.

The roundtable brought together local, state and federal leaders to discuss and collaborate on California’s efforts to end the fentanyl crisis. Bonta shared the California Department of Justice’s strategy to address the multifaceted crisis by collaborating on enforcement operations and seizures with law enforcement partners statewide, bringing billions of dollars for recovery services into the state by holding the opioid industry accountable and developing and implementing effective public policy solutions with legislative partners.

Richard Wesley Robinson, 74, of Cambridge, received the decade-long sentence at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore Oct. 13. 

Individuals who lack a lawful basis to stay in the United States are ordered removed, consistent with U.S. law. All individuals who are removed have been screened for protection concerns.

Juwan James Davis, a 28-year-old resident of Houston, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to serve 25 years in federal prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

Luis Hector Montes-Hernandez, 40, was flown from Denver International Airport to San Diego International Airport, where he was escorted by ERO San Diego to the San Ysidro Port of Entry and turned over to the proper authorities in Mexico.

Victor Torres, 28, pleaded guilty before a federal judge for importing cocaine concealed in a car battery. During his plea, Torres admitted he knew he was transporting drugs into United States and that individuals in Mexico recruited him.

A federal grand jury returned indictments for Jeremiah Pittman, 21; Shamall McDonald, 21; Juan Christian Rodriguez-Luhan, 20; Raeshawn Demond Roberts, 21; Jacob Deshaun Raglin, 24; Javion Lavelle Cooper, 19; Tyson Charae Hawthorne, 21; and Dantawn Richardson, 20, all charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

ERO Boston arrested an unlawfully present Brazilian national who, since July 21, has been wanted in Brazil by law enforcement authorities for aggravated homicide of a child under the age of 14.

Individuals who lack a lawful basis to stay in the United States are ordered removed, consistent with U.S. law – all individuals who are removed have been screened for protection concerns.

Jeremy Carson Lamb, 39, of Mesa, pleaded guilty on June 13 to one count of attempted production of child pornography.

The 35-year-old Guatemalan national, who fled the state of California, was arrested by local police in Waltham after they discovered he was wanted by California authorities for failing to register as a sex offender there.

ERO New York City’s Fugitive Operations team arrested the 29-year-old noncitizen without incident outside of 26 Federal Plaza in New York. He will remain in custody, without bond, pending removal proceedings.