News Releases and Statements

Senior U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen also sentenced Yvonne Garcia Inocencio, 32, of Laredo, Texas, to a three-year term of supervised release after she completes her prison sentence.

A South Texas man pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of marijuana.

The defendants recruited female couriers to smuggle drugs in lycra shorts and hair weaves and wigs.

A federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned a nine-count indictment charging Roger S. "Scotti" Luczkowiak with production of child pornography, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. A forensic analysis of his computer found two videos that appeared to be produced by the defendant at his home with a six-year-old victim.

According to the indictment, on or about Oct. 18, 2009, Dwight R. Spaulding, 42, of Duquesne, Pa., produced false identification documents. On April 15, 2010, Spaulding had in his possession imitation U.S. Marshals Service credentials

A Central Colorado man was sentenced Wednesday to 5 1/2 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the seven-month investigation.

Marie Claire Mukeshimana, a convicted human rights violator wanted by Rwandan authorities to serve a 19-year prison sentence for a murder conviction in the death of a child, was deported to Rwanda Tuesday by officers with ICE's Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO).

Yusef Alhakk, aka Joseph Daniels of Buffalo, N.Y., who was an ICE top ten most wanted fugitive before his capture on Dec. 30, 2010, was convicted for receipt of child pornography and sentenced to 120 months in prison. The sentence is the result of an investigation led by ICE's HSI.

Oytun Ayse Mihalik, a Turkish citizen who resides in Orange County, Calif., was indicted Wednesday for providing material support to terrorists by sending money to Pakistan to help fund attacks against American military personnel.

Julian Zapata Espinoza has been extradited from Mexico to the United States to face charges for his alleged participation in the murder of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE HSI Special Agent Victor Avila on Feb. 15, 2011, in Mexico.

William J. Korn, 53, a former intelligence research specialist with by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), pleaded guilty on Dec. 20 to taking part in a fraud scheme involving more than $50,000 in government money. The scheme involved the improper use of Temporary Duty (TDY) money.

Esteban Santos Gutierrez-Pineda, the general manager of a local fast-food restaurant, is in federal custody after ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested him Dec. 19 for illegally using someone else's immigration documents and unlawfully re-entering the United States after being previously deported.

Andrew Hitas of Palm Coast, Fla., pleaded guilty to a federal charge of receiving child pornography over the Internet, following an investigation by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. One of Hitas' computers contained 3,904 images and 514 videos.

An illegal alien from Mexico, Edgar Santos Ortiz, was sentenced to 16 months in prison Tuesday for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. The sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Watertown Police Department.

Three men were sentenced on Tuesday for making false sworn statements on federal forms to buy firearms from federal firearms licensees and then export those firearms to Mexico. This case was investigated jointly by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Ricardo Rojas-Hernandez, A Mexican national in the custody of ICE's Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) since Nov. 4, passed away on Dec. 19 at Northeast Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. A preliminary medical report indicates the cause of death was cardiac pulmonary arrest.

Three defendants - Henry Oliver Ford, Vincent James Vendittelli and Jason Mark Chrzanowski - have each been sentenced to two years in prison on mortgage fraud conspiracy charges following a three-year investigation by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Julian Gonzalez, 31, from Mission, Texas, was sentenced Dec. 19 by U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to 91 months in federal prison.

Bryan Martin was ordered held without bond on charges of online coercion and enticing a child.

Diego Mata Sanchez, who was wanted in his native country of Costa Rica for raping a 3-year-old child a decade ago, is facing deportation following his capture Friday night by the U.S. Marshals and agents from ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Randall Starcher of Kissimmee, Fla., was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit his airplane for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, following an investigation by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County, Fla., Sheriff's Office.

ICE's Office of International Affairs and its Cyber Crimes Center developed a 40-hour First Responder Computer Forensics Training course.

Brielle Latoi Orridge of Bronx, N.Y., was arrested Monday at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport for being in possession of 1.38 kilograms of cocaine after a canine alerted the presence of narcotics inside Orridge's luggage.

Of the 63 individuals arrested during the enforcement action, 55 have prior criminal convictions. The remaining eight have been charged with crimes, but their cases are still pending. The offenses range from selling heroin and amphetamines to child molestation and spousal abuse. The largest number of convictions, a total of 18, involve driving under the influence.