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According to the federal indictment and the state of Tulsa’s probable cause affidavit, defendant Linda Been led a criminal enterprise of “Boosters” netting more than $4.5 million from the sale of stolen merchandise and over-the-counter products to fencing organizations outside of Oklahoma. The “Fences” then sold the stolen products through e-commerce sites, like eBay and Amazon.

Matthew “Stacks” Woods, 32, and his co-conspirators, Cornelius “Chip” Galloway and Marcus “Taylor Made” Taylor, were charged in a superseding indictment on Dec. 3, 2019, with seven counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking.

For his role in supervising and managing couriers who helped smuggle bulk cash across the U.S.-Mexico border, Roberto Gallegos-Lechuga, 39, of Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international money laundering in July 2021.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased nearly 30%, from to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

Jamshid Muhtorov, 45, was removed by ERO’s Philadelphia Field Office via a commercial flight without incident. Once in Uzbekistan, ICE officers transferred him to the custody of local authorities.

Douglas James Schneider, 51 of Rhame, North Dakota, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor to life in federal prison on one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

In fiscal year 2021, HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted. As part of that effort, HSI KC has special agents throughout Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska who are dedicated to the eradication of this egregious crime.

Christopher Bernard Brown, 39, was sentenced Jan. 5 in the Southern District of Texas on two counts of interference with commerce by threats or violence and ordered to serve 90 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay restitution.

In recognition of this important topic, the DHS's Blue Campaign hosts Wear Blue Day to encourage participants to dress in blue attire and post photos on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay, to show support to trafficking victims, raise awareness and provide prevention information about this horrendous crime.

In a complaint filed in August 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the government alleged that Thu Phan Dinh, Tran Khanh and Nguyen Duy Toan engaged in a wire fraud scheme designed to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants operated more than 300 websites that fraudulently purported to sell products in the United States that became scarce during the pandemic, including hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

Omar Rivas-Saenz, 31, of Denver, was sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.

ICE personnel participating in the pilot program received training on the proper use of the devices, adherence to the ICE Directive outlining the pilot program, legal considerations, and privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties safeguards, as well as training on data uploading, storage, retention, and tagging. The body worn camera will be mounted on an officer’s or agent’s outerwear (e.g., vest, shirt, or helmet).

The HSI-led initiative, dubbed Operation Safety Claus, was supported by CBP and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, with support from the U.S. FDA Office of Criminal Investigations. The coordinated federal law enforcement operation focused on interrupting counterfeit efforts in the New Orleans metro area during the holiday shopping season. In total, the seized counterfeit items had a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $1,012,942.

Astro Rey De Leon, 34, of McAllen, was convicted in federal court. During that hearing, he admitted to possessing child pornography with the intent to sell it on the internet

The individuals in question were part of Neo-Nazi cells that were planning attacks against public areas, such as schools, as well as hate crimes against Jewish and black civilians. Operation Bergón was initiated in May 2021 due to criminal neo-Nazi groups using U.S.-based online platforms to call for violence against Jewish and black civilians.

Jason Coleman, 40, and Kimberly Coleman, 38, of Mesa, Arizona, made their initial appearance in federal court recently on a 62-count indictment charging them with Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Transactional Money Laundering. A federal grand jury previously indicted the Colemans and seven other individuals in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $23 million in PPP loans.

Hamza Abbas, 29, Khalid Abbas, 55, Abdul Fatani, 55, all of Richmond; and Syed Ali, 53, of Sugar Land, are set to make their initial appearances Dec. 16 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew M. Edison.

This extension will continue to apply the guidance previously issued for employees hired on or after April 1, 2021, and work exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19-related precautions.

Jose Rafael Vasquez, 64, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced Dec. 15 by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana to 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

Law enforcement arrested Chantel Deshay Collins, 28, Houston, and Asia Monae Hailey, 21, Galveston, this morning. They are expected to appear for an initial appearance tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Andrew Edison. Michael Gonzalez, 21, Houston, is currently in the Harris County (Texas) jail on other charges and is expected to be transferred to federal court to answer these charges by the end of the week.

The operation, which ran from April 7 – Sept. 30, targeted violent fugitives including documented gang members and other firearms-related offenders in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.