News Releases and Statements

Jim Walter Qualls Jr., 28, was arrested on child pornography charges July 31, 2014, based on a criminal complaint charging him with receiving and distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography, and enticing a minor to engage in any sexually explicit conduct to produce visual images.

HSI special agents arrested Francisco Alvarado-Cruz, 31, of Caguas, following a referral from PRPD’s Cyber Crimes Division regarding an investigation the division initiated to identify persons involved in the online victimization of children.

Brahim Lajiq, 55, entered the United States through Mexico at an unknown time. The FBI began an investigation on him in June 2010 for making threats to “slaughter people” if he was not issued a green card, and for stating he and his brothers are engaged in jihad.

According to court documents, between Dec. 14, 2013, and March 14, 2014, David Wendel Thompson, 49, of Seffner, used Facebook to attempt to persuade two minor females in Belize, ages 13 and 15, to engage in sexual intercourse with him.

Thomas Wright and Daniel Dreckmann, owners of Wright Construction Services Inc., signed an agreement with ICE May 6 making their company a full member of the IMAGE program.

Heriberto Gomez Galicia, aka Ramiro Gomez Lopez, 62, was transferred to the custody of representatives from the Mexican Attorney General’s Office (PGR).

HSI Seoul began engaging Korean law enforcement authorities in December 2006 to make the possession of child pornography a felony in Korea. By June 2013, the National Assembly of Korea passed such a bill. Around the same time, HSI Seoul contacted NCMEC to begin receiving investigative leads with a nexus to South Korea.

Shawn Shannon, 43, of Muncie, Indiana, was charged with one count each of sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child pornography.

Imran Farooq Mandhai, 32, pleaded guilty in August 2002 in the Southern District of Florida to conspiring to bomb electrical power stations and a National Guard Armory as part of a jihad mission in the United States.

Reginald E. Newman, 29, and his wife, Tiara Jade Newman, 21, both of Topeka, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to sex trafficking a minor, and one count of sex trafficking a minor.

Sean Cantelmo previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to have a 17-year-old female engage in prostitution and illegal sexual activity from February through May 2014. Cantelmo admitted that he and others used a cell phone to post advertisements for “escort services” involving the minor female on a website, rented motel rooms in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties to facilitate the prostitution activities, and purchased condoms for the minor to use when engaging in commercial sex acts.

Wilfredo Hernandez Pastora was charged with homicide Oct. 15 and later convicted. He fled to the United States after having been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Andres Salinas faces a maximum sentence of six years, but not fewer than four years in federal prison, followed by a maximum of 15 years of supervised release. Also, he will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his sentence.

Jorge Amauri Domingos-Nascimento, 52, departed on a commercial flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport under ICE escort Monday night; he arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday morning, and was turned over to Brazilian authorities without incident.

Santucci, Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Chickos, Gentile, Fernandes and Mase have been released on bond. Pecora remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on May 5, 2015.

Sergio Tulo Vargas, 34, faces up to two years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of illegally re-entering the United States following his 2012 removal.

These arrests resulted from an investigation by ICE HSI and the Passaic County (New Jersey) Narcotics, Gangs and Violent Crimes Task Force. Authorities arrested the following on one count each of promoting gambling, and possession of gambling records: Diana A. Nunez, Maximo Beltre, and Carlos B. Nouel.

Bartice Alan King, aka “Luke,” 44, of Spring, Texas, was found guilty of conducting an illegal gambling business and engaging in a conspiracy to commit money laundering. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.

On April 24, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, and ERO tracked Peach Girling to a Waterville, Ohio residence, where he was arrested on immigration charges for violating the terms of the Visa Waiver Program. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the United States.

On Wednesday, April 15, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Senior Special Agent Brent Easter traveled to Waco, Texas to discuss art smuggling at Baylor University Law School.

“Nothing can erase the pain and sorrow caused by Flores’ vicious, unrepentant, criminal behavior," U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said. “I hope that the life sentence imposed against him brings some measure of relief to Flores’ victims and their families, and that they will at least feel a sense of justice. I am extraordinarily proud of the professionalism and bravery demonstrated by the men and women of law enforcement in this case. They are true heroes and we are especially thankful for their service and commitment to the pursuit of justice."

Sam Rafic Ghanem, age 45, is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon. He owned and operated Washington Movers International, also known as Washington Movers Inc., a freight forwarding business located in District Heights.

Abelardo Delmundo, 53, of Toms River, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and U.S. anti-smuggling laws.

Kyle Unterbrink, 47, was also ordered to pay $51,000 restitution to the identified victims of the child pornography he possessed and distributed. He is to be placed on supervised release for 10 years after he completes his prison term.