News Releases and Statements

An industrial town, Dalton is commonly referred to as the “Carpet Capital of the World” or the “First Lady of Carpet.” It is home to several carpet and flooring industry corporations such as Mohawk, Shaw Industries and Engineered Floors, among others. In the 1970s, Dalton had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the United States.

Juan Luis Perez Garcia, 44, a Dominican national residing in Bronx, New York, and Juan Artiles Taveras, 43, of Lakewood, New Jersey, were arrested Friday, June 3, 2017, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.           

David H. Bentz, 46, of Norwell, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Bentz made his admission before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith.

The New York Attorney General’s Office announced Friday the indictment of 106 individuals charged with conspiring in two major drug trafficking organizations that transported heroin, fentanyl and crack and powder cocaine to the area.

Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been notified about the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.

The entire administration of the Luchese Family, as well as the captains, soldiers and associates, 19 members in total, are being charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics and firearms offenses. The superseding indictment announced Wednesday stems from a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, the FBI, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Waterfront Commission of the New York Harbor.

On April 14, 2016, ICE lodged an immigration detainer on Elder Antonio Quintero Rodriguez, a Honduran citizen. On May 19, 2017, the facility released him from custody without notifying ICE. Quintero Rodriguez has a felony conviction of endangering abuse; the neglect of a child. On April 21, 2017, ICE lodged an immigration detainer on Rolando Herrera Saavedra, a Mexican citizen. On April 29, 2017, the facility released him from custody without notifying ICE. Herrera Saavedra is currently facing state criminal charges. 

Andres Flores Lopez, 36, entered the United States without inspection at an unknown date and location. His two misdemeanor convictions are from December 2012 and May 2014.

Lawrence T. Gunn Jr., 33, whose last known residence was in Woodland Hills, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. 

Two indictments were unsealed charging 25 defendants with a variety of narcotics, firearms, and robbery-related offenses. Of the 25 defendants, 21 are associated with a drug-distribution organization operating primarily in the Hunts Point neighborhood in the Bronx and are charged in United States v. Hector Palermo, et al. (Palermo Indictment).

Officers from the ERO Tulsa office arrested 22 criminal aliens and immigration violators during a six-week operation ending May 16. Those arrested are from the following countries:  Mexico (16), Guatemala (5) and Turkey (1).

A total of 186 foreign nationals were arrested over the last 10 days in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware during a targeted enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aimed at criminal aliens, immigration fugitives, re-entrants, and other immigration violators.

The lawsuits seek the forfeiture of nine properties: a commercial property in the City of Industry valued at over $3 million; five residences in the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Arcadia (worth approximately $4 million), Diamond Bar, Riverside and Duarte (valued at $5.5 million); and parcels of land located in Ontario, Indio (worth nearly $6 million) and Rancho Cucamonga (valued at more than $7.7 million).

Six of the seven charged defendants were arrested early Tuesday in an operation led by the following law enforcement agencies: Texas Department of Public Safety; U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Levelland (Texas) Police Department; the Cochran County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; as well as the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team; Roosevelt County (New Mexico) Sheriff’s Office; and the Region V Metro Drug Task Force, based in New Mexico.

Marquis Konrad Streaty, 32, of Arlington, Texas, was convicted Wednesday on one count of enticing a child. The offense carries a penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison.

Victor Leos, 63, of Garland, Texas, faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.  Sentencing is set for Aug. 28, 2017.

Srdjan Bilic, 44, departed Miami International Airport Monday morning escorted by ERO officers and arrived Tuesday morning at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, Serbia, where he was transferred into the custody of Serbian law enforcement.

Si Chen, also known as Cathy Chen, 32, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court on charges contained in an indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury April 27 and unsealed following her arrest.

Bassett was one of 11 inductees in the 2017 class. The second annual ceremony honored Westfield State graduates who have excelled in their law enforcement careers and made a significant impact on a local, national or international level. Bassett was presented with a plaque from the university president, Dr. Ramon Torrecilha.

Ryan Michael Booth, 32, of Long Beach, was convicted by a jury in March of eight counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a minor 10 years or younger and five felony counts of using a minor for sex acts.

The 5K was hosted by the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) to honor fallen law enforcement officers by raising awareness to the sacrifices officers make every day. This year, more than 2,500 people participated in the 3.1 mile race that took runners from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and back via 3^rd Street Northwest in front of the U.S. Capitol.