News Releases and Statements

Since last October, 108 criminal aliens were arrested in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia as part of the ERO Philadelphia’s focus on removing those who pose a public-safety threat. These aliens are priorities for removal as established in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nov. 20, 2014 memorandum entitled “Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants.”

This year’s participants include federal and state prosecutors, investigators, prison officials and military personnel from throughout Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The training, led by instructors from the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, is designed to enhance the ability of law enforcement personnel to respond to and identify potential threats posed by gang members and their associates who operate throughout the region.

Patrick Newman, 33, appeared June 2 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin. He is charged with engaging in unlawful online communications with a 13-year-old male (“John Doe”) using the social media applications VINE and KIK. Newman illegally used a means or facility of interstate commerce to knowingly persuade, induce, entice or coerce John Doe to engage in sex.

Lucas J. Reinmann, 35, of Boonton, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty, on Jan. 15, 2015, to one count of knowingly receiving images of child pornography over the internet.

Hector Diaz-Luciano, 44, of Yauco, and Juan Ortiz-Rios, 37, of Gurabo, were arrested Friday and Monday, respectively, following an HSI investigation that revealed they used a peer-to-peer (P2P) network to download sexually explicit images and videos depicting child pornography.

George Deleon, 65, of Cuero, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, the statutory maximum, which is to be immediately followed by 15 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to the charges March 2.

Humberto Reveles, 60, and Maria Isabel Lerma, 32, both from Brownsville, admitted selling membership in the Yamassee tribe as part of a scheme to defraud. Reveles was the tribe’s chief, and later grand chief. He sold these memberships to illegal aliens in the United States.

Latonya Lanette Carson, 41, Ricardo Garth Solomon, 49, and Smith Olsola Akin, 32, made their initial appearances in federal court and each remains in custody. A detention hearing is set for June 1 for Carson. Another defendant, Segun Edomwonyi, aka “Benny O. Prince,” 49, is still at large.

The charges stem from schemes used by Alejandro Mayendia-Blanco, Orlando Mayendia-Diaz and Nell Blanco-Casasnovas to obtain money from mortgage lending institutions.

Justin Kinney, 26, of Newark, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography. Kinney was previously arrested and charged by federal complaint on April 20, 2014.

Patrick T. Deck, 54, of Watchung, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty on Sept. 16, 2014, to two counts of transportation of child pornography.

Luke Atwell, 34, of Hamilton, New Jersey, and Christopher Castelluzzo, 30, of Bayonne, New Jersey, were convicted on one count each of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute methylone, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana.

McMahon and Perez were in Washington, D.C. for National Police Week. The two were presented a token of appreciation for their service by HSI Deputy Executive Associate Director Derek Benner at ICE headquarters. As HSI National Honor Guard members, in addition to honoring the fallen, they have represented the agency at formal events and ceremonies often at a moment’s notice, leaving lifelong impressions on families and loved ones during their difficult time.

Hassan Salem H. M. Al Homoud and his wife, Zainab Al Hosani, and their two children, live in San Antonio while Al Homoud is attending military training at Camp Bullis, according to a federal criminal complaint filed June 1. Camp Bullis is a training facility located at Joint Base San Antonio.

Orlando Rosario-Concepcion, 28, of Paterson, New Jersey, is accused of heading the Bronx and Washington Heights-based drug trafficking organization that supplied local dealers in New York City, upstate counties and Long Island. Jonathan Almonte, 27, Rodolofo Abreu-Crisotomo, 31, Jean Carlos Rosario-Ortiz, 28, Deckson Holguin-Rosario, 28 all from New York, New York are accused of overseeing an alleged heroin packaging mill.

U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Patrick Ronald Silva, 44, of Burnsville, to more than 21 years in prison on production of child pornography charges. Judge Reidinger also sentenced Robert George Ross Thursday on child pornography charges.

Ross Ulbricht, aka “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was sentenced Friday in federal court to life in prison in connection with his operation and ownership of Silk Road, a hidden website designed to enable its users to buy and sell illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services anonymously and beyond the reach of law enforcement between January 2011 and October 2013. 

Gerson Adiel Segovia Alvarado and Nilson De Jesus Lozano Hernandez were transferred into Interpol custody immediately following their arrival in San Salvador, El Salvador.

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending May 29, 2015

Cornelis Jan Slomp, 23, of Woerden, the Netherlands, previously pleaded guilty in April 2014 to conspiracy to import and distribute various controlled substances worldwide. Slomp was also ordered to forfeit $3,030,000 in illegal drug proceeds from his criminal enterprise.

When Carlos Poysky merged his passion for kiteboarding with his desire to serve America’s veterans, Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors (WS4WW) took flight.

The ceremony was held in coordination with the Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (TPC), Italy’s cultural property investigative unit, and recognized the collaborative and investigative work by HSI special agents, TPC investigators, prosecutors from various United States Attorney’s Offices and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to return stolen cultural artifacts.

The 35-count indictment, returned on May 21, and unsealed today, names the following 12 individuals as defendants: Han Tong, Xi Fu, Xiaojin Guo, Yudong Zhang, Yue Zou, Biyuan Li (aka “Jack Li”), Jia Song, Ning Wei, Gong Zhang, Songling Peng, Siyuan Zhao and Yunlin Sun. The identities of the three additional defendants remain under seal.

Eric Worrell, 57, of Rancho Cordova, has been in federal custody since his arrest March 19. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh F. Sigal is prosecuting the case.