News Releases and Statements

In recognition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) 10 year anniversary in March 2013, we presented a series of stories, images and a timeline to highlight our accomplishments and give a broad look at our proud history, as well as to educate the American public about our agency.

Jose Gallegos, 47, was caught at the Sarita Border Patrol checkpoint Aug. 17 with a scantily clad 18-year-old female passenger.

Babar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan pleaded guilty Tuesday in New Haven federal court to conspiring to provide and providing material support, including funds, personnel and physical items, to the Chechen Mujahideen, the Taliban and associated terrorist groups.

On Feb. 24, HSI special agents received information that William Berrios-Cruz, a police officer with 33 years of service, had allegedly sexually assaulted a minor girl after slipping something into her drink.

Mikhnail DelRosario, aka Mickey, 28, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow to 11 years in prison.

John W. Vandermeer, a New Mexico man who had been convicted of child rape in Massachusetts in the 1980s, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for receiving child pornography.

David Ray Camez, 22, of Phoenix, Ariz., was convicted of one count of participating in a racketeer-influenced corrupt organization and one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeer-influenced corrupt organization. Camez, whose sentencing is set for April 10, 2014, faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

HSI New York will coordinate the return of this stolen 2nd century B.C. Bharhut Stupa Yaksi pillar sculpture, valued at approximately $15 million, to India.

Jacob Aniceto Jose Villarreal used his cell phone to produce a video of a boy engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Travis Barr, 32, of New Braunfels, was sentenced Dec. 4 to 12 years in federal prison and further ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release after he completes his prison term; he must also register as a sex offender. Barr pleaded guilty June 10 to distributing child pornography.

David Lloyd Beavers, 42, pleaded guilty in September to the child exploitation charge, following an undercover Internet probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Robin Michael Gattis, the 20-year-old son of Alaska state house member Lynn Gattis, admitted in an August plea agreement to illegally importing methylone and leading a drug conspiracy.

Joshua P. Becker, 33, of Portland, Ore., pleaded guilty in May. He and his co-conspirators operated AandJ Distribution, which distributed brands of synthetic marijuana or 'spice' as it is commonly known.

Rigel Colon-Cruzado, 54, was arrested May 20 after an HSI investigation revealed the physical education teacher engaged in sexually explicit conversations with one of his students, a 12-year-old female.

Evan Richards, 22, of Garland, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn after pleading guilty earlier this year to an Information charging one count of transporting and shipping child pornography.

Gregory Boone, 29, and Randy Coleman Jr., 33, were arrested following a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pittston Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Idelfonso Garcia-Benitez, from Michoacan, Mexico, was indicted on one count of conspiring to transport aliens, 14 counts of transporting aliens and one count of illegal re-entry after deportation. He pleaded guilty Aug. 22 to all counts as charged without a written plea agreement.

Eliezer Lazo, 40, Joel Martinez-Hernandez, 37, and Yilian Hernandez, 30, allegedly conspired to bring certain aliens into the United States. They are also accused of kidnapping and extortion.

Dylan Jordan, 22, of Madison, Wis., is charged with traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, and with traveling in foreign commerce and engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

Alberto Martinez Jr., 49, was charged in federal court Monday with producing and possessing child pornography, and possessing methamphetamine. Martinez's detention hearing is set for Dec. 4.

Lawrence H. Dorman, aka "Howie, " 42, engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female. Throughout the course of the relationship, Dorman produced videos of himself engaged in sexual acts with the minor.

The Honorable Mexican Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam attended the event and provided opening remarks on the importance of collaboration in this initiative.

The event was attended by law enforcement and government agency partners, non-governmental organizations and others, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, special agents, attorneys, historians and analysts who have supported the mission.

Salvadoran law enforcement authorities issued an arrest warrant in November 2010 for Oscar Giovanni Castro, 32. He is wanted in El Salvador for allegedly murdering an individual Dec. 9, 2004. They also issued an arrest warrant in December 2009 for Jose Mario Solis, 28. He is wanted in El Salvador for allegedly raping a child or disabled person.

Doru Gabriel Trifu, 29, was sentenced to 96 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge John Rainey to be followed by three years supervised release. Trifu was further ordered to pay $562,240 in restitution.