https://www.ice.gov/ ICE Headline News Feed by Category en Copyright 2022 Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:31:51 -0400 Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:20:23 -0400 https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/homeland-security-investigations-announces-strategy-combatting-illicit-opioids The strategy announced today leverages HSI’s extensive expertise in investigating cross-border criminal activity and its unique access to customs and financial data to prevent illicit shipments of drug precursor chemicals from reaching U.S. borders. Interrupting the precursor supply chain further prevents the synthesis of drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamines.  https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/homeland-security-investigations-announces-strategy-combatting-illicit-opioids Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:20:23 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-houston-law-enforcement-partners-announce-indictments-under-violent-crime On Sept. 7, HSI Houston, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and various other federal, state and local law enforcement authorities announced charges brought against 39 individuals under the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Houston Violent Crime Initiative. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-houston-law-enforcement-partners-announce-indictments-under-violent-crime Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:46:47 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-us-border-patrol-agents-arrest-nicaraguan-gang-member-convicted-murdering-his Sequeira-Thomas, a self-admitted member of a Nicaraguan prison gang, told agents he was convicted and served time in his home country for the 2011 murder of his wife. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-us-border-patrol-agents-arrest-nicaraguan-gang-member-convicted-murdering-his Tue, 05 Sep 2023 16:04:33 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/texas-woman-sentenced-30-years-role-brutal-ms-13-murder-following-hsi-houston Karla Jackelin Morales, a 24-year-old resident of Houston, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced in Harris County for her role in the 2018 killing of Jose Alfonso Villanueva. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/texas-woman-sentenced-30-years-role-brutal-ms-13-murder-following-hsi-houston Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:53:56 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/joint-hsi-fbi-investigation-lands-ms-13-member-life-sentence-racketeering-conspiracy On March 6, a federal judge sentenced Jose Domingo Ordonez-Zometa, 33, of Landover Hills, for racketeering and murder in aid of racketeering conspiracies, committing murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to destroy and conceal evidence connected to his participation a transnational criminal enterprise. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/joint-hsi-fbi-investigation-lands-ms-13-member-life-sentence-racketeering-conspiracy Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:44:38 -0500 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/homeland-security-investigations-announces-indictment-3-ms-13-leaders-terrorism On Feb. 22, Mexican authorities located Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez, aka Vampiro de Monserrat Criminales; Walter Yovani Hernandez-Rivera, aka Baxter de Park View and Bastard de Park View; and Marlon Antonio Menjivar-Portillo, aka Rojo de Park View, and expelled them from Mexico via the United States. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/homeland-security-investigations-announces-indictment-3-ms-13-leaders-terrorism Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:50:57 -0500 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-removes-ms-13-gang-member-wanted-crimes-el-salvador Gerber Membreno-Portillo, 22, has an active arrest warrant in El Salvador for the crime of aggravated terrorist organizations (MS-13) against the public peace and security of the state. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-removes-ms-13-gang-member-wanted-crimes-el-salvador Mon, 23 Jan 2023 12:43:47 -0500 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/texas-gang-members-imprisoned-massive-drug-trafficking-operation Reyna, Coleman and Martinez are documented La Quarenta gang members. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/texas-gang-members-imprisoned-massive-drug-trafficking-operation Fri, 20 Jan 2023 12:34:35 -0500 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/gang-leader-sentenced-10-years-prison-cocaine-trafficking-firearms-violation Tony “Klownman” Torres, a 53-year-old resident of Harlingen, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to 10 years in prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Torres pleaded guilty to the charges Nov. 8. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/gang-leader-sentenced-10-years-prison-cocaine-trafficking-firearms-violation Wed, 11 Jan 2023 13:21:22 -0500 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-los-angeles-arrests-foreign-fugitive-alleged-member-ms-13 Edwing Edgardo Ramos-Alvarado, 39, entered the United States at an unknown date and location without being admitted or paroled by an immigration officer. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-los-angeles-arrests-foreign-fugitive-alleged-member-ms-13 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 08:34:16 -0500 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-integral-takedown-national-multi-million-dollar-catalytic-converter-theft-ring Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the United States, including HSI, executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown Nov. 2 of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars. Arrests, searches, and seizures took place in California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wyoming. In total, 21 individuals in five states have been arrested and/or charged for their roles in the conspiracy. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-integral-takedown-national-multi-million-dollar-catalytic-converter-theft-ring Wed, 02 Nov 2022 17:00:51 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/aryan-circle-gang-leader-sentenced-life-prison-rico-violations-following-hsi-houston Jesse Paul “JP” Blankenship, a 39-year-old resident of Stratford, Missouri, received the sentence in the Eastern District of Texas after being convicted on Nov. 16, 2021, of racketeering conspiracy, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/aryan-circle-gang-leader-sentenced-life-prison-rico-violations-following-hsi-houston Fri, 09 Sep 2022 09:14:42 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/10-ms-13-gang-members-indicted-murder-racketeering-charges The 10 individuals indicted included Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, 25; Julio Vigil-Lopez, 25; Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia, 25; Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, 30; Carlos Alexi Garcia-Gongora, 24; Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, 26; Angel Miguel Aguilar-Ochoa, 37; Marlon Miranda-Moran, 23; Wilman Rivas-Guido, 26; and Carlos Elias Henriquez-Torres, 22. All ten defendants are citizens of El Salvador. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/10-ms-13-gang-members-indicted-murder-racketeering-charges Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:36:15 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-houston-state-and-local-law-enforcement-arrest-5-more-individuals-tied-alleged The individuals arrested pursuant to state arrest warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity include Timothy Ngo, 51, Henry Pham, 55, Quoc Bao Le, 39, Tran Le, 45, and Tram Le, 47. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-houston-state-and-local-law-enforcement-arrest-5-more-individuals-tied-alleged Thu, 25 Aug 2022 08:34:30 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/honduran-responsible-multiple-violent-home-invasions-sentenced-29-years-following-hsi Denis Matute pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence on Nov. 2, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/honduran-responsible-multiple-violent-home-invasions-sentenced-29-years-following-hsi Wed, 17 Aug 2022 17:16:34 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-washington-dc-apprehends-ms-13-member-wanted-murder-el-salvador Jorge Alberto Quintanilla Marquez, 42, was arrested outside his residence in West Springfield, Virginia, July 22. The arrest was the result of many months of work by ICE ERO with the assistance of the FBI. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-washington-dc-apprehends-ms-13-member-wanted-murder-el-salvador Fri, 12 Aug 2022 10:15:06 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-baltimore-fbi-apprehend-high-ranking-ms-13-leader Jose Mojica Aldana, a native and citizen of El Salvador, was arrested near his residence. Mojica Aldana entered the United States without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by an immigration officer. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-baltimore-fbi-apprehend-high-ranking-ms-13-leader Fri, 29 Jul 2022 16:05:10 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/6-individuals-arrested-alleged-role-large-scale-catalytic-converter-theft-ring The individuals arrested pursuant to state arrest warrants for their alleged roles in the theft ring were Jose Martinez, 19; Armando Martinez, 18; Isaac Castillo, 21; Terance Elder, 20; and Armando Martinez Sr., 39; all residents of Houston, and Jose Sanchez, a 21-year-old resident of Dayton, Texas. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/6-individuals-arrested-alleged-role-large-scale-catalytic-converter-theft-ring Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:21:15 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ms-13-member-sentenced-racketeering-conspiracy-involving-murder-following-multi According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial of three co-defendants, Juan Garcia-Gomez, aka Scooby, 26, of El Salvador, conspired to participate in the affairs of Mara Salvatrucha, a violent criminal gang also known as MS-13, founded in Los Angeles and active in numerous states across the United States, as well as in El Salvador, Central America, and Mexico. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ms-13-member-sentenced-racketeering-conspiracy-involving-murder-following-multi Wed, 27 Jul 2022 16:30:00 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/leader-robbery-rip-crew-sentenced-26-years-prison-following-investigation-hsi-houston Jose Salomon Madrid-Paz, a 59-year-old unlawfully present Honduran national, was sentenced in the Southern District of Texas to 26 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $30,400 in restitution for interference of commerce by robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 10. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/leader-robbery-rip-crew-sentenced-26-years-prison-following-investigation-hsi-houston Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:13:56 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-lands-annapolis-ms-13-gang-member-life-sentence After a nine-day trial, in October 2019, a federal jury convicted Sandoval-Rodriguez of murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, in connection with a murder that occurred in March 2016. Then on January 24, after a three-month trial, a federal jury convicted Sandoval-Rodriguez of racketeering charges, along with co-defendants Jose Joya Parada, a/k/a “Calmado,” age 21; Oscar Armando Sorto Romero, a/k/a “Lobo,” age 23; and Milton Portillo Rodriguez, a/k/a “Little Gangster,” a/k/a “Seco,” age 26. Sandoval-Rodriguez and Portillo-Rodriguez were also convicted of multiple counts of murder in aid of racketeering. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-lands-annapolis-ms-13-gang-member-life-sentence Fri, 27 May 2022 12:12:15 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-results-life-sentence-notorious-ms-13-gang-member On May 13, Milton Portillo Rodriguez, a/k/a “Little Gangster,” a/k/a “Seco,” age 26, was sentenced to serve life in federal prison for a racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, as well as related violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including three murders, connected to his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-results-life-sentence-notorious-ms-13-gang-member Tue, 17 May 2022 08:40:28 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-lands-ms-13-gang-member-federal-prison-life On January 24, 2022, a federal jury convicted Sorto Romero of the racketeering charges, along with co-defendants Jose Joya Parada, a/k/a “Calmado,” age 21, Milton Portillo-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Little Gangster,” age 26; and Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro,” age 24, after a three-month trial. Portillo-Rodriguez and Sandoval-Rodriguez were also convicted of multiple counts of murder in aid of racketeering. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-lands-ms-13-gang-member-federal-prison-life Mon, 09 May 2022 16:10:29 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-nets-ms-13-gang-leader-life-sentence-federal Junior Noe Alvarado-Requeno, a/k/a “Insolente” and “Trankilo,” age 24, of Landover, Maryland was sentenced to life in federal prison, on April 25, for conspiring to participate in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13, and for three counts each of murder in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, as well as for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-nets-ms-13-gang-leader-life-sentence-federal Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:05:35 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-results-50-year-sentence-notorious-ms-13-gang The three-month trial focused on four brutal murders, in two of which Parada personally participated. The federal jury also convicted Milton Portillo-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Little Gangster,” age 26; Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro,” age 22; and Oscar Armando Sorto Romero, a/k/a “Lobo,” age 22; on the same charges. Portillo-Rodriguez, Sandoval-Rodriguez, and Sorto Romero were additionally convicted of multiple counts of murder in aid of racketeering. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-hsi-baltimore-led-investigation-results-50-year-sentence-notorious-ms-13-gang Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:33:49 -0400 ICE Headline News Feed by Category - Narcotics, Transnational Gangs