News Releases and Statements

ICE's ERO Houston Field Office arrested eight noncitizen sex offenders from Oct. 21-Nov. 4 during a national operation targeting unlawfully present individuals who have previously been convicted of sex offenses.

This enforcement operation was implemented to address unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of sex offenses. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.

Officers with ICE's ERO Detroit Field Office apprehended six unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of sex offenses during a nationwide enforcement effort Oct. 22 through Nov. 4. The law enforcement action ERO conducted resulted in a total of 138 arrests nationally, including some with an executable final order of removal.

ICE's ERO officers in Denver apprehended two unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of sex offenses, including those with executable final orders of removal, during a nationwide enforcement effort from Oct. 22 through Nov. 4.

For more than two decades, Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City has protected the public from crimes of victimization and strategically targeted and investigated individuals and networks that engage in child exploitation. Recently, the United Nations officially declared Nov. 18 to be the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. The U.N. proclaimed the day to shine a light on child sexual exploitation and abuse and bring together stakeholders, such as HSI, from around the world to prevent it.

Gustavo Guadalupe Gonzalez Jimenez, 26, was wanted in Mexico for negligent homicide and injuries. Gonzalez was flown from Alexandria International Airport to Valley International Airport, Harlingen, Texas, on a flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations Unit. ERO Harlingen then transported Gonzalez via ground transportation to the Matamoros Port of Entry.

Special Agent in Charge of HSI Kansas City Katherine Greer and Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jacob R. Price, 38, of Bellevue, was sentenced Nov. 17 in federal court by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. to 168 months’ imprisonment for receipt of child pornography following a joint HSI, law enforcement partner investigation.

Gail Hostetter, a 54-year-old resident of Corpus Christi, was sentenced in the Southern District of Texas to serve two years in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release for knowingly and intentionally possessing and attempting to provide methamphetamines to an inmate. Hostetter pleaded guilty to the charges July 21.

Honduran national Luis Fernando Lopez-Avila, 22, was flown from Miami International Airport on a flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations Unit. Upon his Nov. 11 arrival, the fugitive was turned over to the Honduran National Police.

Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Katherine Greer and Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Robert Williams, 52, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 144 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City Katherine Greer and Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Sidney Marker, 28, of Seward, Nebraska, was sentenced in an Omaha federal court Nov. 14 for conspiracy to sex traffic minors following an HSI and law enforcement partner investigation. On Nov. 8, Chief Judge Rossiter sentenced Marker’s codefendant, Carney Turner, 42, of Omaha, to life imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to sex traffic minors, three counts of sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of enticement of a minor. Chief Judge Rossiter also sentenced codefendant Julisha Biggs, 20, of Omaha, to 87 months of imprisonment for her role in the conspiracy.

According to court documents, Phil Pascoe, 60, of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; Monica Pascoe, 45, of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; Scott Tubbs, 59, of Georgetown, Kentucky; and Quadrant Magnetics LLC were charged with wire fraud, violations of the Arms Export Control Act and smuggling of goods for their roles in an illegal scheme to send export-controlled defense-related technical data to China and to unlawfully supply the U.S. Department of Defense with Chinese-origin rare earth magnets for aviation systems and military items. 

Edwin Francisco Cubillas, 27, of Mexico, was indicted Oct. 25 for his attempt to enter the United States through the San Luis, Arizona, port of entry, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 16 packages containing circular, blue pills that tested positive for fentanyl hidden in Cubillas’ car. The packages’ combined weight exceeded 71 pounds.

Brian Scott McGalem, 24, received the lengthy sentence on Wednesday for attempted production of and possession of child sexual abuse material.

On Oct. 5, ERO Fugitive Operations officers, pursuant to a targeted enforcement operation in Wilmington, California, arrested 22-year-old Wilder Mario Romero Perez. The ERO team received a lead referral identifying Romero as the subject was wanted for murder in Guatemala.

In recent months, HSI Houston has seen a significant increase in scammers using this tactic to make their phone number appear to be from a legitimate source in order to collect sensitive information from the public that can then be used to commit financial fraud or identity theft.

Adrian Guadalupe Valdez, 45, of Wendel, Idaho, previously pleaded guilty to the smuggling of goods from the United States.

Osmar Mendez Martinez, a 34-year-old unlawfully present Mexican national, was transported by ICE officers Nov. 9 from the Montgomery Processing Center (MPC) in Conroe, Texas, to the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas. Upon arrival, he was turned over to Mexican law enforcement officials.

Marcelo Alonso-Almaraz, 32, and Eloisa Almaraz-Vasquez, 35, both undocumented noncitizens from Mexico, are charged with human smuggling and hostage taking. Alonso-Almaraz is also charged with possession of a firearm. Both made an initial appearance in federal court Oct.4, and attended a preliminary and detention hearing today, where they were ordered held without bond pending their judicial proceedings.

Legusta Juaquim Rodan, 54, of De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, pleaded guilty Aug. 1, and was sentenced Nov. 8, by a federal judge to serve up to 87 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Rodan engaged in a pattern of conduct in narcotics trafficking as opposed to being caught up in a one-time event.

For more than two decades, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), working collaboratively with industry and brand owners, has led the effort in the government's response to prevent intellectual property theft, and has played a significant role policing the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, social media, and eCommerce marketplaces.

Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City Katherine Greer and United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Omaha residents Carney Turner, 42, and Julisha Biggs, 20, were sentenced Nov. 8, in federal court for a conspiracy to sex traffic minors, following an HSI and joint law enforcement partner investigation.

Luis Hernandez-Huazo, 40, has a criminal history with convictions at both the state and federal levels.

According to court documents, Jimmy Lynn, 50, of Wichita is accused of using a young child to create sexually explicit images and distributing child porn.

On Oct. 26, Warren Evan Jose, 38, was sentenced by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 440 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit with endangerment during which death resulted; two counts of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon; and two counts of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.