ICE removes Romanian fugitive wanted for fraud
NEW YORK — A Romanian man, who was wanted in his native country following his conviction for fraud, was removed on Monday, by officers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO).
Radu Sebastian Popa, 40, was escorted from John F. Kennedy Airport on Nov. 11 via a commercial flight. He was turned over to Romanian authorities in Bucharest, Romania.
“Popa is an international fugitive who tried to evade justice in Romania by coming to the United States,” said Christopher Shanahan, field office director for ICE ERO in New York. “Popa’s removal should send a message to foreign criminals; coming to this country to evade justice is not an option. We will find you and send you back to face prosecution.”
The ERO New York Fugitive Operations Team located and apprehended Popa at his residence in Queens, New York, in June 2013. Interpol issued a Red Notice for his arrest based on the active warrant from Romania.
On March 25, 2011, a Bucharest Tribunal convicted Popa on charges of fraud and criminal organization and association. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 720 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.
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