News Releases and Statements

A federal criminal complaint filed this afternoon charges Erik Christopher Younggren, 34, of Cherry Valley, with attempted possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in a federal facility, a misdemeanor offense that carries a sentence of up to one year in federal prison.

The operation known as “Behind the Mask” was an undercover operation that targeted the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking. Throughout the operational period, undercover detectives placed ads on websites commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts. The suspects reportedly solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested.

Charles Joshua Petty, 31, pleaded guilty March 15, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Petty also was ordered to forfeit $8,500 seized in the case.

Special agents with ICE's HSI and officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) investigated the case. A state Grand Jury indicted Lynwood Jennet and her co-conspirator, Paul Petersen, in October 2019.

Fernando Ramirez, 53, from Tamaulipas, Mexico, was sentenced July 13, in federal court to 70 months in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release.

As the result of a probe by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Carlos Ayala Hernandez, aka “Juan Juarez,” 45, of Granada Hills, was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison, and Miguel Juarez Guerrero, 24, of Van Nuys, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison.

Alejandro Nario, 65, and Mylene Casupanan, 42, both citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, were taken into custody, without incident, for possible involvement in a visa fraud scheme.

Beginning on July 8, 2021, the operation focused on identifying and recovering potential human trafficking victims as well as identifying those seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. Law enforcement placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases.

According to court documents, Ramiro Ramirez-Barreto, 44, from the Mexican State of Morelos, operated a criminal enterprise with ties to Virginia, North Carolina and California.

Christian Alexander Augustus, 25, aka “Sir Ceeco,” pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a minor in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution and criminal sexual activity, the result of an investigation by HSI Los Angeles and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force - which in addition to HSI, includes local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

As the result of a probe by HSI Los Angeles, Chan Hung Le, 46, of Laguna Hills, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who also ordered him to pay a $250,000 fine.

In the very limited circumstances in which detention is necessary and appropriate, ICE provides general health and well-being care, including regular custody and medical reevaluation, ensuring appropriate pre- and/or post-natal and other medical and mental health care.

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on August 25, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Herlin Hernandez-Trinidad (a/k/a “Rainely), and on January 26, 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Jose Crespo-Lorenzo (a/k/a “El Colombiano”).

Brodrick Keith Rhodes, 32, was sentenced July 8 in federal court to 50 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. During sentencing, the judge noted that had transported an exceptionally high number of noncitizens in his trailer.

According to court documents, on Oct. 1, 2020, Rickon Amyon Wade, aka “Ricky Wade,” 35, attempted to obtain a Nevada “Real ID” identification card at a DMV office in Henderson, Nevada, by presenting counterfeit U.S. Permanent Resident and Social Security cards. Wade presented the cards – bearing his name and a Social Security number not assigned to him – as identification.

Significant disruption to Mexico-bound gun trafficking continues under Operation Without a Trace, with seizures of 1,125 firearms, over 680,000 rounds of ammunition, $28 million in currency and 360 arrests made to date. Along with this multi-agency, ongoing operation, agents seek the public’s assistance in reporting suspicious activity.

Billy Frederick, 51, was arrested Wednesday morning without incident, following HSI’s investigation into the matter. During his initial court appearance late Wednesday afternoon, a U.S. magistrate judge ordered Frederick jailed without bond pending trial.

ICE HSI, Fresno Police Department Vice Unit, and Fresno County District Attorney’s Investigators conducted a multi-day operation to combat child exploitation and human trafficking in the Fresno area, June 23. During the operation, 10 women and girls were rescued from the sex trade while 21 arrests were made for multiple child exploitation related charges including: contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, aiding prostitution, arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes and solicitation of acts of prostitution.

Benny l. Butler, 36, possessed more than 2,800 videos and more than 7,600 images of child pornography on multiple electronic devices.  Butler in 2017 shared several videos and images with users of Chatstep, an anonymous online chat room service.

Clarence Chambers, aka Chris, 29, is expected to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. Also charged are Javon Opoku, aka Glizzy, 20; Damarquis McGee, aka Lil Blue, 23; and Andres Portillo, aka Andro, 20. Portillo is set for an initial appearance on July 1 at 2 p.m., while McGee and Opoku are set for their initial appearances on July 6 at 10 a.m.

As a result of an investigation by HSI Los Angeles with assistance from the brand-holding companies, Zoulin Cai, a.k.a. “Allen Cai,” 29, of La Puente, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

The results of the operation were announced by Homeland Security Investigations Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City, James Wright. He was joined by Heartland Anti-Trafficking Rescue Taskforce partners from across the region in making the announcement.

In May 2017, the Ministry of Culture notified HSI Bangkok that two stolen sandstone lintels, from Khmer era sanctuaries, were exhibited at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. A lintel is an architectural support and artistic element of a structure which is placed over a doorway or window. The artifacts were stolen from northeastern Thailand sometime during the late 1950s or early 1960s. 

The counterfeit N95 masks were purchased by the State of Maine over a series of transactions occurring in late 2020 and early 2021. HSI worked with the State of Maine and 3M to verify the masks fraudulent origin. HSI and law enforcement partners work together regularly to prevent dangerous counterfeit products from reaching U.S. consumers.

Jose Miguel Lazarin-Zurita pleaded guilty March 5 to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and attempting to export a rifle and several firearm-related accessories without a license to Mexico.