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Dominguez Martinez, the first law enforcement partner outside the U.S. to receive the award, was recognized for leading Interpol Mexico’s contributions to ERO Mexico City’s Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) — a robust information sharing relationship with the Government of Mexico that supports ERO’s ability to identify, arrest, and remove fugitives with active criminal arrest warrants in Mexico from the United States.

On January 25, HSI and AJPD conducted a search warrant at the residence of Dale Lenz, 30, of Phoenix, who was subsequently arrested after a forensic analysis of his device revealed hundreds of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) files.

William T. Bouza, 45, of Watchung, New Jersey, was sentenced via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton who sentenced Bouza to 168 months imprisonment, five years supervised release and a $25,000 fine. Bouza previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin on April 27, 2022.

According to court documents, Shailene Ashanty Gutierrez, 19, of El Paso, entered the U.S. from the Republic of Mexico at the Paso Del Norte port of entry. Gutierrez was a passenger in a vehicle where a small quantity of marijuana and empty rifle magazines were located.

The Surprise Police Department Criminal Investigations Division also partnered with the Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear and the Peoria Police Department, in addition to the United States Marshals Service and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for operation “Back to Skool.”

As early as July and August 2020, Darris Cotton submitted at least 16 fraudulent applications for unemployment using other people’s names, dates of birth, and social security numbers.

Jonathan Zarazua, 28, of Austin, was sentenced Sept. 20 by a federal judge to serve 50 months in federal prison to immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Zarazua was responsible for trafficking numerous loads of illegal narcotics. Zarazua pleaded guilty Jan. 13.

Ghacham Inc. and Mohamed Ghacham admitted that, between July 2011 and February 2021, they undervalued imported garments by more than $32 million and failed to pay customs duties approximately $6,390,792.

Homeland Security Investigations agents in Grand Junction, Colorado were contacted by Deputy Marshals from USMS at five p.m. Sept. 20. They were assisting a Summit County Sheriff’s Office in a parental kidnapping case and needed assistance. There was information the child was being taken to the border of Mexico in violation of a court order.

Emmanuel Oppongagyare, 22, was sentenced Sept. 20 by a federal judge to serve 21 months in federal prison while Ralph Gregory-Saint-Joie, 19, was sentenced to 13 months in prison. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences.

According to court documents, Salamon Ruiz-Lopez, 48, had previously been deported five times between 2010 and 2011.

Cedric Robert Cox, 53, was sentenced in the Southern District of Texas to seven years for each of the receiving and possessing convictions, but his terms will run concurrently for a total of seven years in prison. Cox was further ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution to known victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Cox will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

Kelley Stanley, 48, of Sierra Vista, was arrested by HSI special agents after attempting to pick up a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct. According to law enforcement, Stanley planned to pick up the girl from a parking lot near the intersection of Wilcox and Coronado Drive.

ICE works with correctional facilities to identify probable, removable noncitizens in the interest of public safety and lodges immigration detainers on individuals so ICE officers can take custody of that person in a safe and secure setting without further endangering the public.

 ERO apprehended Angel Adrian Bermejo, 26, in Chester, Virginia, after local authorities refused to honor an ICE detainer and released Bermejo from jail.

Manuel Oswaldo Guzman-Morales, a citizen and national of Ecuador, has had several prior arrests while in the United States.

Michael Roberts, 40, of Round Rock, was arrested without incident.

On Aug. 25, Scottdale Police Department (SPD) officers arrested Guardado-Orellana, and charged him with kidnapping/apprehension of injury, kidnapping for ransom/hostage, domestic violence/endangerment, and custody interference of a child or incompetent person. On that same date, ICE officers interviewed Guardado-Orellana at the Maricopa County Jail (MCJ) in Phoenix, and lodged an Immigration Detainer-Notice of Action, Form I-247, with the MCJ.

Kelly, 55, of Chicago, was convicted on three counts of producing child pornography and three counts of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. Producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years. The maximum sentence for enticement of a minor is 10 years. In all, Kelly faces a sentence of 10-90 years in prison.

Jorge Costilla-Sanchez, 51, from Mexico, was sentenced Sept. 15 by a federal judge to serve the rest of his life in prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information detailing how Costilla-Sanchez profited $5 million from drug trafficking.

HSI’s wildlife trafficking initiative focuses on investigations regarding the illegal trade of protected, endangered, and non-native species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 makes it unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to import or export certain species into or from the United States or to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any species in interstate or foreign commerce.

Erminia Serrano Piedra aka Irma, and Boss Lady, 31, led the human smuggling operation. Other defendants include Jeremy Dickens, 45; Katie Ann Garcia aka Guera, 39; Kevin Daniel Nuber aka Captain, 41; Laura Nuber aka Barbie, 40; Lloyd Bexley, 51; Oliveria Piedra-Campuzana, 53; and Pedro Hairo Abrigo, 33. All were arrested in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas pursuant to charges previously filed and unsealed in the SDTX.

Alicia Loraine Robinson, 36, from Sioux City, pleaded guilty Sept. 6 in federal court after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms following a joint HSI, law enforcement partner probe.

Martin Mendez and Alfredo Alvarez encountered a truck engulfed in flames on a highway near the ICE Krome Service Processing Center.