News Releases and Statements

This enforcement operation was implemented to address unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of violating multiple local DUI laws. In addition to DUI convictions, criminal histories of those arrested include, but were not limited to crimes involving assault, cruelty toward children, weapons violations, domestic violence, fraud, homicide by vehicle, hit-and-run, and larceny. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A North Shores resident was sentenced to prison for selling counterfeit baseball cards, Oct. 18. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou sentenced Bryan Kennert, 57, to 30 months in prison for selling $43,354.94 of antique baseball that he falsely represented as original and unopened card packs.

Angela Marie Brown, 39, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise from Jan. 1, 2017, to Nov. 6, 2019. Co-defendants Kevin Grant McMillan, 35, Christine Marie Rossiter, 36, and Amber Marie Baley, 38, all of Springfield, and Casie Dee Rice, 52, of Branson, have also pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Gabriel Joseph Bustamante, 43, was sentenced Sept. 28 to 17.5 years in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of firearms. He will also be on a five-year supervised release program following the completion of his prison sentence.

Mychal Olson, 32, of Dubuque, received the prison term after an April 22, guilty plea to receipt of child pornography.

Keivin Crosswell-Cervantes, 28, of Mexico; Carlos Alberto Castro-Ruiz, 27, of Avondale; and Alexander Ortega-Islas, 22, of Phoenix, had their initial appearance on Sept. 23, before United States Magistrate Judge Eileen S. Willett.

This enforcement operation was implemented to address unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of violating multiple local DUI laws. In addition to DUI convictions, criminal histories of those arrested include, but were not limited to crimes involving assault, cruelty toward children, weapons violations, domestic violence, fraud, homicide by vehicle, hit-and-run, and larceny.

Carlos Martin Quintana-Arias, of Mexico, admitted to driving the drug-laden tractor trailer into the United States through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. He acknowledged that he knew the tractor trailer contained methamphetamine, fentanyl, or some other federally controlled substance.

Christopher Heck, Acting Deputy Assistant Director with HSI Public Safety and Border Security Division, participated in the first of two panel discussions focused on curbing the supply and demand of fentanyl across U.S. communities as a part of the National Crime Prevention Council National Fentanyl Summit, Oct. 19.

HSI San Diego is cautioning fans to beware of individuals and businesses selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets during 2022 MLB NLCS in San Diego. The city of San Diego is host to games one and two of the series and would host a potential game six or seven if they are needed.

ERO Los Angeles Foreign Fugitive Officers apprehended Dorel Radu, 43, during a targeted enforcement operation; he was arrested without incident. Radu is currently wanted by the Government of Romania for the offense of attempted murder. On Dec. 6, 2019, the Bucharest Tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Radu.

Andrian Page, 36, was sentenced in the Southern District of Texas to 28 years in federal prison for the production of child pornography; 60 months for the distribution of child pornography; 60 months for the receipt of child pornography; and 60 months for the possession of child pornography.

HSI Houston and the HPD are cautioning fans to beware of individuals and businesses selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets during 2022 MLB ALCS games in Houston. The city of Houston is scheduled to host games one and two of the series beginning today and would host a potential game six or seven if they are needed.

The fugitive operations initiative, dubbed “Operation Secure Streets,” took place in the Houston area from Sept. 12 – 30, and targeted unlawfully present noncitizens who have previously been convicted of a DWI with certain aggravating factors or criminal histories, such as multiple DWIs; felony DWIs; DWIs resulting in bodily injury, property damage or death; and DWIs with other felony convictions.

Richard Orlinski “Sugar” Sanchez, 44, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to various drug, weapons and money laundering charges, following an investigation by HSI. The DEA, USMS, the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, and IRS participated in the case.

This enforcement operation was implemented to address unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of violating multiple local DUI laws. In addition to DUI convictions, criminal histories of those arrested include, but were not limited to crimes involving assault, cruelty toward children, weapons violations, domestic violence, fraud, homicide by vehicle, hit-and-run, and larceny. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The Federative Republic of Brazil officially commemorated its 200 years of independence on Sept. 7. ERO attended the celebration to continue our tradition of diplomacy and bilateral partnership with Brazil.

Manuel Moya, 28, was sentenced in the Southern District of Texas to 25 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Moya was convicted on July 27 of possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Operation Trigger VII, which took place Sept. 24 – 30, saw officers from 19 countries coordinate controls at airports, seaports, land border, and inland hotspots, acting on intelligence pointing to organized crime groups and individuals involved in firearms trafficking.

Partnering with federal, state, local law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as financial, retail, freight transportation, and other industries Operation Boiling Point provides a multi-faceted approach to disrupt and dismantle OTGs through partnerships, investigations, and consumer awareness.

Jose Duenas-Topete, 29, from Hawarden, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

ICE is firmly committed to the health and welfare of all those in its custody and undertaking a comprehensive agency-wide review of this incident, as it does in all such cases. Fatalities in ICE custody, statistically, are exceedingly rare and occur at a fraction of the national average for the U.S. detained population.

Officers with the ICE ERO Seattle Field Office removed Manuel Antonio Baldizon, 52, a citizen of Guatemala, who was convicted in the U.S. of conspiracy to commit money laundering and is wanted by law enforcement authorities in his home country for criminal conspiracy, passive bribery, and laundering of money or other assets.

Jose Maria Guerrero, 68, and Rodolfo Solis Zepeda, 75, both from San Antonio, were arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and five counts of false statements.

Jamel Muldrew, 34, of Houston, was sentenced Oct. 5, 2022, after a TBHTTF investigation revealed that he had been trafficking the minor victim across the country to engage in commercial sex acts.