News Releases and Statements

HSI’s wildlife trafficking initiative focuses on investigations regarding the illegal trade of protected, endangered, and non-native species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 makes it unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to import or export certain species into or from the United States or to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any species in interstate or foreign commerce.

Erminia Serrano Piedra aka Irma, and Boss Lady, 31, led the human smuggling operation. Other defendants include Jeremy Dickens, 45; Katie Ann Garcia aka Guera, 39; Kevin Daniel Nuber aka Captain, 41; Laura Nuber aka Barbie, 40; Lloyd Bexley, 51; Oliveria Piedra-Campuzana, 53; and Pedro Hairo Abrigo, 33. All were arrested in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas pursuant to charges previously filed and unsealed in the SDTX.

Alicia Loraine Robinson, 36, from Sioux City, pleaded guilty Sept. 6 in federal court after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms following a joint HSI, law enforcement partner probe.

Martin Mendez and Alfredo Alvarez encountered a truck engulfed in flames on a highway near the ICE Krome Service Processing Center.

Juan Diego Arteaga-Hernandez, 34, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced Sept. 8 to four years and four months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the U.S. after removal and being convicted of an aggravated felony. Arteaga-Hernandez pleaded guilty May 11.

William Thomas Bailey, 42, pled guilty to the charges Jan. 4.

Jesse Paul “JP” Blankenship, a 39-year-old resident of Stratford, Missouri, received the sentence in the Eastern District of Texas after being convicted on Nov. 16, 2021, of racketeering conspiracy, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering.

Any time spent on the internet can potentially expose a child to cyber predators who know how to exploit them. Children are vulnerable when they are online – parents can help protect and help them make safer and smarter choices when they are online and interacting through social media.

The Court of Justice of the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, issued an arrest warrant for Thomas Francis Donschat in June 2020, due to his charge of rape of a vulnerable (minor female 13 years of age). The Federal Police of Brazil requested assistance in the apprehension of Donschat.

Billy Rae Clark, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 17 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Clark to 30 years of supervised release following incarceration.

A Springfield man and woman were sentenced in federal court today for the sex trafficking of a child following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), joint law enforcement partner probe. Joseph W. Gibson, 43, and Danna Marie Rodriguez, 37, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes.

Okanlawon Azeez Egerongbe, aka Tony Kunle, Alex Tohee, 37, of Round Rock, was sentenced Aug. 26 by a federal judge to serve to 120 months in federal prison and pay $633,520 in restitution. On May 18, 2021, Egerongbe pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Jose Manuel Soto-Ramirez, 33, was removed Aug. 29 via ICE Air Operations, arriving at the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where he was turned over to authorities without incident.

Gilbert Gallegos, 46, of Lordsburg, pleaded guilty on Jan. 29, 2021, to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Javier Alfredo Valle Anaya, 54, is a Colombian citizen who obtained status in the U.S. through fraudulent means. Valle Anaya is a former agent of Colombia’s now disbanded intelligence agency, the Administrative Security Department. He was arrested on immigration violations Oct. 5, 2018, by special agents with HSI New York.

Corey Cato, 41, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner, who also ordered him to pay $1,908,481 in restitution. Cato pleaded guilty on May 9 to one count of conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Sharif Djabbarov is suspected of large-scale theft by the Uzbekistani authorities and human trafficking in the Dominican Republic.

In authorizing the seizure of the Boeing 737-7EM owned by PJSC LUKOIL, the court found probable cause that the aircraft was subject to seizure based on violations of federal law.

Aldo Castillo-Caraveo, 52, is wanted in Mexico on domestic violence charges. Castillo was detained by ICE officers June 17 upon completion of his sentence with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for illegal reentry.

Ian Esteban Serrano, 27, and Marco Antonio Romero, 22, were sentenced by United States District Judge Raner C. Collins to nearly 4 years; a sentence of 37 months was imposed for their role in smuggling undocumented noncitizens into the United States, and a consecutive sentence of eight months was imposed for Serrano’s violation of supervised release from a previous conviction for the same offense in 2016 and Romero’s violation of supervised release from a previous conviction for the same offense in 2019.

Marin Fuentes Baltazar, 39, departed Miami International Airport to his destination of Harlingen, Texas, where he was turned over to authorities in Mexico via the Brownsville, Texas, port of entry.

According to court documents, Brandi Snyder, 34, of Americus, is accused of persuading and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction, and of allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography.

Juan Jose Roque, 36, illegally residing in Garland, was sentenced Aug. 29 by a federal judge to serve 41 months in prison and is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) put their voluntary collaborative program with America’s business community on display during the 2022 HR Florida Conference & Expo, Aug. 28-31, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.