News Releases and Statements

Ecotex is the fourth employer in New Mexico to become a full IMAGE partner. There are more than 250 IMAGE partners throughout the United States.

Lelo Sandoval, 47, of Jalapa, Guatemala, and Cesar Duran, 55, of Chicago, were indicted on four counts of conspiracy to import and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and at least five kilograms of cocaine. Sandoval and Duran each face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

Tempest Amerson, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Rosland Starks, 45, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

HSI uses its financial investigations to beat criminals at their trade. By following money trails, HSI can identify and dismantle international criminal networks – ultimately seizing their proceeds and related assets.

Three illegal aliens were charged Wednesday with federal criminal charges following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Philadelphia.

Ruben A. Vazquez, 40, of Del Rio, was sentenced Aug. 20 before U.S District Judge Alia Moses, who ordered him to serve 120 months in federal prison, pay a $ 5,000 fine and be placed under supervised release for ten years after completing his prison term.

"Greed is a prime motivator that drives transnational crimes," said Nathan Emery, HSI resident agent in charge who administrates the HSI Columbus BCSTF. "Our task force is working every day to dry up the criminals' cash supply and cut off pipelines that support criminal activity."

"This training helps reinforce the broader law enforcement efforts of HSI and its Brazilian partners to combat transnational human trafficking and financial-related crimes," said Bassett. "By shutting down money laundering operations criminal and terrorist organizations use to move their funds, we can make significant dents in their ability to commit future crimes."

"Today's signing is a reflection of the great bilateral relationship we have with the government of Honduras," said PDAS Winkowski. "Sharing criminal history information better equips both countries to protect its citizens."

On Feb. 3, Thomas Andrew Taylor, 53, of Grifton, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. On March 26, he pleaded guilty to that charge.

HSI and CBP discovered two acres of marijuana plants Aug. 7 hidden in a grow field just 10 minutes away from Raymondville. After two days of hand picking the plants, agents reported a total seizure of 11,500 plants.

Flavio Camacho Hernandez, 39, was transferred to the custody of representatives from the Mexican Attorney General's Office at the San Ysidro port of entry. Camacho is charged with first degree murder in an arrest warrant issued in July 2004 in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.

Balakrishnan Patwardhan, 54, pleaded guilty in March to 19 counts of visa fraud as originally charged in an indictment handed down last year.

The following defendants from Mexico received individual sentences that included hostage taking: Andres Perez-Moshan, 37, 264 months in prison, Humberto Alvarez-Cheo, 25, 120 months in prison, Roberto Salinas-Martinez, 29, 120 months in prison and Euclides Moreno-Dominguez, 34, 204 months in prison.

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Aug. 15, 2014

Misael Perla," 26, of Dallas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey to 300 months in federal prison. Hugo Sanchez, 25, also of Dallas, was sentenced by Judge Godbey to an aggregate sentence of 360 months in federal prison.

"With this certification, Arizona Labor Force makes a strong statement in supporting federal hiring laws," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI Arizona. "When a large staffing company makes a proactive commitment to ensure they provide their customers with a lawful work force, it is not only good for those customers, but benefits the community as a whole."

According to court documents, Sierra Danyelle Halsey, 23, became involved in the conspiracy when she was contacted by co-conspirator Robert Harold Scott Jr. under his assumed online identity of "Mike Pyro."

Jesus Gabriel Ibarra-Espinoza, 41, was arrested Aug. 12 in Centennial, Colorado, by ERO’s Denver Fugitive Operations Team.

Antonio-Bonifacio admitted manufacturing and selling six fraudulent green cards and six fraudulent Social Security cards in September 2013.

Jesse Oziah, 19, previously pleaded guilty in February to two counts of production of child pornography.

The victims ranged in age from 14 to 17 years old, and were forced into prostitution in the Boca Chica area. Sixteen of the 25 victims were minors; 12 were girls and four were boys.

Justin Turcheck, 29, of Abilene, Texas, who is on bond, faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Tomas Camargo-Chavez, 39, aka Thomas Camargo, aka Thomas Camargo-Chavez, aka Scarface, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James H. Payne to 63 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.