News Releases and Statements

Hany Veletanlic, a citizen of Bosnia legally residing in the United States, was found guilty of violating the Arms Export Control Act, illegally possessing two unregistered silencers, and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

The 63-year-old Cuban man, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced dead by a hospital physician at 9:32 a.m. local time January 27, 2020. The preliminary cause of death was ruled to be cardiac arrest.

Christian Camilo Millan-Romero, 35, was removed from the United States by ERO officers via an ICE Air Charter flight, and transferred into the custody of Colombian law enforcement authorities upon arrival in Bogota.

This multi-day operation involved HSI, Washington State Patrol (WSP), local Snohomish County law enforcement agencies and several partner agencies. These cases will be reviewed by the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to determine whether or what criminal charges should be filed.

William Derek Williams, 40, of Cameron, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

Leonardo Antolin, 25, a.k.a. “Rowdy,” of Whittier, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips, who said that Antolin had shown a “lack of concern for members of the community” through his acts of violence, and “all of that counsels for a very lengthy sentence.”

Charles Lopez, 27, was arrested at his residence following a months-long criminal investigation after HSI and LBI executed a federal search warrant April 30, 2019, at Lopez’s home, where evidence was obtained indicating Lopez received images and videos depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

In a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Speed Fab Crete, a Texas-based builder, admitted it illegally employed individuals not authorized to work in the United States, and agreed to forfeit $3 million to the U.S. Treasury for use in promoting law enforcement activities related to immigration enforcement.

Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate agencies have been notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. Additionally, ICE has notified the United Kingdom consulate and Mr. Owen’s next of kin.

Roberto Ramirez, 23, of Tucson, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps after previously pleading guilty August 8, 2019, to one count of transportation of illegal aliens for profit placing in jeopardy of life, three separate counts of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Tomas Rivera, a/k/a Profugo, a/k/a Caballo, a/k/a Jonas Portillo Escobar pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder and extortion for his role as an MS-13 gang member, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

Abel Cruz-Perez, 24, of Anchorage, was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, by Sr. U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to serve 33 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Marcos German Mendez, 32, is charged with: two counts of using a minor to produce child pornography; one count of transporting child pornography; and, one count of possession of child pornography on his cell phone.

As the excitement of football builds in the Bay Area, sports fans around the city, state and nation, seek out team adorned gear to show support as the Super Bowl nears. Another group paying close attention to sports-related items, is the men and women of ICE's HSI, San Francisco, and CBP.

Officers from ICE's ERO in New York arrested two individuals Thursday after being released by local authorities on an active detainer.

On Jan. 24, officers with ICE's ERO arrested Medardo Cruz-Ventura, a Mexican citizen, who is an illegally present criminal alien that has been removed from the United States on multiple occasions.

Elizabeth Roxanne Haysom, 55, convicted of two counts of accessory before the fact to murder was removed from the U.S. Wednesday, pursuant to a final order of removal, by officers with ICE's ERO.

Joseph Charles Nolan, 51, was sentenced by Commissioner Julie LaFave in Maricopa Superior Court also who also ordered him to serve a consecutive term of lifetime probation in addition to requiring him to register as a sex offender.

ICE ERO removed Eldar Rezvanov on Jan. 16, to his home country of Kazakhstan via commercial aircraft.

Brenda Yadira Gamez-Castaneda, aka Guera La Trailera, 41, of Mexico was sentenced Jan. 22 before U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez to 120 months for her role in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Gamez-Castaneda is illegally present in the United States and has previously been deported. She also received 24 months for illegally reentering the U.S.

Jose Ramos-Delgadillo, 32, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced Jan. 22 to 46 months in federal prison. Ramos-Delgadillo, who was illegally present in the U.S., is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

Darryl Gartley, 23, pleaded guilty on Aug. 12, 2019, to two counts of sex trafficking minors before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon of the District of Oregon, who sentenced him earlier today and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.