ICE ERO deportation officers recognized for global fugitive arrest

On December 5, 2016, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Los Angeles Field Office (LAFO) Deportation Officers (DO) Scott Palmer and Charles Smith were recognized by the Assistant Director of the FBI International Operations Division and the Director of the Federal Criminal Intelligence Service in Austria for their efforts in locating and arresting an Austrian fugitive living in the United States.

DO Palmer and DO Smith collaborated with the local FBI task force for approximately 3 months while attempting to locate Austrian citizen Manuel Thiemer, wanted in the European Union for alleged fraud against the citizens of Austria in the amount of approximately $50 million.  The fugitive became an interest of the FBI following a visit to the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, where he stated that he had knowledge of a future terrorist attack on the Port of Los Angeles. 

After the FBI expended considerable resources investigating Thiemer’s claim, the terrorist threat was determined to be a hoax.  A subsequent ERO investigation revealed that Thiemer entered the U.S. without inspection and began residing in Southern California.  While residing in California, Thiemer is alleged to have committed fraud against a U.S. citizen for approximately $65,000.  Thiemer was tracked from California to Arizona, and eventually located in San Luis Obispo, CA. 

On June 9, 2016, ERO Los Angeles officers arrested Thiemer and served him with a Notice to Appear before an Immigration Judge.  Thiemer was ordered removed from the U.S. and on August 3, 2016, Thiemer was removed to Austria and immediately arrested by the Austrian Criminal Intelligence Service.