News Releases and Statements

A group with a name like Club Operators Against Sex Trafficking (COAST) doesn't want any part of sex trafficking in their adult entertainment establishments. And U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a lead federal law enforcement agency in combating human trafficking, is the first such agency to give club owners and their associates the training they need to help stop it.

Sheriff Olaleran Mohammed, 51, a naturalized citizen from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, was convicted on one count of smuggling firearms from the United States and 17 counts of providing false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

Grigor Chatlayan, 44, of Hollywood; along with Varduhi Avagyan, 42; and Meri Avetsiyan, 40, both of Glendale; are charged with bringing illegal aliens into the United States for financial gain. Chatlayan is also charged with aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft.

Michael J. Carroll, of Milford, Connecticut, who was convicted in February by a federal jury, blamed a Target-style attack, referring to the recent data harvest by hackers on the national retailer, as the reason investigators found child pornography on his computers and in his email account.

Elijah Meskano pleaded guilty in May 2013 to a superseding information charging conspiracy to steal public funds. Following the June 12 hearing, U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle remanded him into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Sean Libbert, 38, of Newport Coast, and Kyle Kledzik, 26, of Dana Point, were taken into custody by federal agents associated with the Los Angeles HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Southern California Drug Task Force.

"Operation Southern Crossing" took place May 1-31, throughout the five HSI areas of responsibility along the southern border: Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Phoenix and San Diego. However, due to the significant levels of human smuggling occurring near and through Texas' Rio Grande Valley, this initiative focused heavily on HSI's investigations and enforcement actions in southeast Texas.

Jose Santiago Hernandez-Lopez, 36, of Gainesville, was found guilty March 24 for illegally re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony. Hernandez-Lopez first illegally entered the United States on Sept. 8, 1991. He was convicted in 1998 by the Superior Court of Alamance County, North Carolina, for taking indecent liberties with a minor child.

Eight handguns, an AR-15 assault rifle, about $140,000 in U.S. currency, nearly a half-kilogram of heroin and some cocaine were seized during the arrests. Another half-kilogram of heroin was seized during the course of the investigation from last August through this month.

Roohid Hakimi, 29, is accused of attempted murder, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and unauthorized possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an alleged 2011 restaurant shooting in Vaughan, Ontario, that left one man injured.

Seven suspects are in custody after federal and local investigators seized nearly a ton of marijuana Tuesday during the execution of search warrants as part of an ongoing probe targeting a drug-trafficking ring tied to the Phoenix area that is believed to be operating under the direction of a 'Mexican supply source.'

Special agents and officers arrested Adams Amen, 29, of Ghana, and Ayeesha Amen, 37, of Detroit, without incident late Tuesday at an east side residence. Two stolen vehicles were seized at the residence. Both suspects are in state custody on possession of stolen vehicle charges after being arraigned in 36th District Court Wednesday afternoon.

Agustin Lopez-Velasco, 38, a native and citizen of Mexico unlawfully residing in the United States, was charged in a two-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg. If convicted, Lopez-Velasco faces a maximum sentence of up to 12 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Zackary Adam Knight of Carlisle, was charged in a four-count indictment filed by a Grand Jury in Harrisburg. If convicted of all offenses, Knight faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and fines up to $1,000,000.

Anthony Michael Gonzales, 23, pleaded guilty in December to one count of receiving images of child pornography. As part of his sentence, Gonzales will be required to serve a five-year period of supervised release following his incarceration, pay $50,000 in restitution to a victim, and register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison term.

Perez-Lopez was arrested Dec. 19, 2013 in Eagle Pass, Texas, by agents with U.S. Border Patrol while illegally entering the United States. She was convicted of illegal entry and sentenced to 30 days in prison. After serving time, Perez-Lopez was transferred to ICE custody Jan. 16. She was subsequently ordered to be removed from the United States by an immigration judge on March 20.

More than 90 officials from the Attorney General of Mexico (PGR), state attorney general offices (PGJ), the Mexican Federal Police (CNS) and the National Immigration Institute (INM) participated. The participants explored how to identify potential human traffickers and victims of human trafficking and related crimes. One of the objectives of the conference was to increase collaboration between the United States and Mexico to combat human trafficking.

Mark A. Chasey, 49, of Crescent, was charged in a four-count indictment. If convicted, he faces up to 70 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both.

HSI special agents investigating this case believe "John Doe," whose real first name may be Shaun, is an adult male between 40 and 50 years old. They do not have a photo of the suspect. Based on investigative clues, HSI special agents believe this person may be living within a 100-mile radius of the New Haven, Connecticut, area.

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending June 6, 2014

Eric Olaniyan must pay $65,040.46 in restitution. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be transferred into ICE custody for immigration removal proceedings.

HSI Shadow Wolves trained 12 Polish border guards, who already have experience in tracking, on instruction techniques so they can share their experience and knowledge with their colleagues.

Michael Darnell Boswell Jr., 31, must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Bradley W. Pattee, 57, of Henrietta previously pleaded guilty Jan. 31, to 13 counts of producing, distributing and possessing child pornography.