News Releases and Statements

The ongoing IPR enforcement initiative targeting fake websites, dubbed Operation In Our Sites, was facilitated by the IPR Center, a joint-task force agency led by ICE, FBI and CBP.

Hector Moran-Espinoza was arrested April 2, by the Philadelphia Police Department for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, statuary sexual assault, endangering the welfare of children-parent or guardian commits offense, corruption of minors, indecent assault-without the consent of other person, reckless endangerment of another person, rape by forceable compulsion, sexual abuse of children-photographing, videotaping, depicting on a computer or filming sexual acts, and aggravated indecent assault without consent.

Larry James Cline, 31, of Buhl, Idaho, was sentenced on Nov. 19, 2019 in U.S. District Court to 60 months in federal prison followed by five years’ supervised release, for attempted use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Cline pleaded guilty on August 22, 2019.

Arrests took place in the following cities: Richmond (13), Henrico (3), Chester (2), North Chesterfield (2), Chesterfield (1), Petersburg (1), and Hanover (1). ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office all assisted ICE officers during the week.

Arrests took place in the following cities: Fredericksburg (14), Washington, D.C. (9), Fairfax (6), Falls Church (6), Alexandria (5), Leesburg (5), Manassas (5), Herndon (2), Woodbridge (2), District Heights (1) and Sterling (1). ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office all assisted ICE officers during the week.

The investigation began in 2017 after HSI special agents and TPD officers discovered evidence that drug trafficking organizations were utilizing United Parcel Service (UPS) employees to facilitate the movement of bulk narcotics to destinations throughout the eastern part of the United States, along with the movement of bulk U.S. currency back to the Tucson metropolitan area.

Nestor Burgos, 32, of River Grove, Illinois, pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal drug and firearm charges.

The purpose of the Teach-In is to encourage employees, businesses, community leaders, sports figures, local personalities, retirees, community volunteers and parents to become involved in education by sharing what they know with a new generation. The adults visit the classroom and talk with students about work, career challenges, hobbies and life experiences. They provide real life insights into work and careers and reinforce the importance of education for success in any occupation.

More than 14 years ago, the life of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Matthew Brooks and his family was changed forever with the murder of his father.

A statement posted to social media, Nov. 23, is a prime example of the reckless, irresponsible misinformation that continues to mislead the public concerning the mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In June 2019, HSI was contacted by the son of a former U.S. soldier who had legally purchased two Fernando Amorsolo paintings while stationed in the Philippines near the end of World War II.

The final defendant in United States v. Felix-Ramirez, et al, an eighteen-defendant indictment combatting the activities of a transnational drug trafficking organization, was sentenced to prison Nov. 25, by Senior U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson. All defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

The Friday, Saturday and Sunday operation resulted in the arrests of nine people. Five face prosecution for state charges and four have been referred for federal charges. Suspects were booked into the Ada County Jail.

Timothy Howell, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez on November 22, 2019, to 51/2 years in prison and 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Howell’s co-defendant, Cavin Mower, 44, was sentenced by Judge Martinez on September 5, 2019, to 4 years, 2 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering.

ICE's ERO in El Centro arrested Luis Gonzalez-Valencia, a 44-year-old Mexican national and confirmed gang member, who was released from Calipatria State Prison after serving an 11-year sentence for manslaughter in 2003. He was arrested Friday morning after ICE officers verified his identity at the prison.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Independence (Missouri) Police Department, arrested 21 individuals between Nov. 12 and 14 during an undercover operation to combat human trafficking and vice for various crimes, including prostitution, promoting prostitution, possessing controlled substances, and weapons offenses. One individual was charged with violating the Mann Act.

Rony De La Cruz Hernandez-Escoto, 52, a citizen of Honduras, was arrested by ICE officers October 17 at the Tooele County (Utah) Jail after his latest felony conviction for illegally reentering the United States.

Alberto Abelardo Pulido-Garcia, 46, was arrested by ICE officers without incident in West Valley, Utah, Oct. 25, 2019. Pulido-Garcia is a fugitive wanted for murder in Mexico.

Mack Biggers, who pleaded guilty to the felony charges Sept. 6, was also sentenced to five years of supervised release to be served immediately following his prison sentence. The sentence includes an upward variance due to Biggers extensive criminal history.

On Aug. 20, 2015, a Romanian court convicted Ioan Flore of injury causing death, manslaughter, or murder, and sentenced him to incarceration for a period of five years and five months. Flore failed to surrender to serve his sentence. Flore subsequently fled Romania at an unknown date and entered the United States illegally.