Category: US Immigration

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

WASHINGTON — During the first week of July, ICE continued removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens with convictions including arson, sexual assault of a child and murder.

“While many Americans spent the Fourth of July celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday, ICE officers were on the job,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles. “During that week, our officers removed criminal illegal aliens convicted of horrible crimes — including sexual assault of a child, arson and murder. Each of these removals represents an American community that’s safer today than it was yesterday.”

President Donald J. Trump signed the Secure America Act into law on June 10, providing nearly $70 billion in funding to Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement agencies through fiscal year 2029.

Those removed include the following: 

Each of these criminal illegal aliens has been removed from the United States.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 23-year-old criminal illegal alien from Mexico has been charged with felony aggravated assault on a federal law enforcement officer after attacking an ICE agent during an attempted apprehension in Orange County, Florida.

“Assaults on our officers will not be tolerated. Irresponsible rhetoric has contributed to a massive increase in violence and threats against federal law enforcement officers performing their Congressionally-mandated duties,” said ERO Miami Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. “Assaulting and obstructing law enforcement officers is a felony, and anyone who does so will be fully prosecuted. ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats. This is unacceptable.”

On June 18, ICE officers, working with the Florida Highway Patrol’s Criminal Alien Apprehension Team, conducted a vehicle stop near Americana Boulevard and Pointe Vista Circle.  Multiple occupants fled the vehicle on foot. An ICE agent pursued one of the fleeing individuals, identified as Elias Bautista, who actively resisted apprehension.

A physical altercation ensued, during which Bautista struck the ICE agent, causing a significant head injury before fleeing the scene.

Investigators from the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence, Criminal Alien Apprehension Team, ICE ERO, and Homeland Security Investigations launched an extensive investigation. Using surveillance, intelligence gathering, witness interviews, and law enforcement databases, authorities identified and located Bautista.

On June 18, with assistance from thea Levy County Sheriff’s Office, ICE and FHP carried out a targeted operation at the suspect’s location. Bautista was taken into custody after again resisting law enforcement and was charged with felony aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.

Bautista entered the country illegally at an unknown time and location.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

WILMINGTON, Del. — Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia announced June 17 that Brahmananda Prasad, of Queens, New York, was sentenced to nearly 23 years in prison following an intensive HSI investigation into a nationwide cocaine-trafficking conspiracy. The conspiracy was responsible for moving 956 kilograms of cocaine from California to the East Coast for further distribution.

“This sentence sends a clear message to those who would attempt to profit from poisoning our communities with dangerous drugs,” said HSI Philadelphia acting Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel. “Through persistent investigative work and strong partnerships with our law enforcement counterparts, HSI dismantled a coast-to-coast trafficking operation responsible for flooding the East Coast with staggering quantities of cocaine. We remain committed to holding traffickers accountable and protecting our neighborhoods from the devastating impact of narcotics distribution.”

On May 29, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika sentenced Prasad, 65, to 275 months in prison for his leadership role in the conspiracy. The court also ordered forfeiture of $2,495,500, representing the gross proceeds of Prasad’s cocaine trafficking enterprise.

According to court documents and evidence presented in connection with sentencing, Prasad orchestrated a coast-to-coast cocaine distribution network by repeatedly traveling from New York to California to pick up large quantities of cocaine from suppliers. On each trip, he routinely purchased between 20 and 24 kilograms of cocaine, and on some occasions acquired approximately 48 kilograms at a time.

Prasad arranged to ship the drugs from California to New York, directing others to pose as representatives of a purportedly legitimate shipping business to evade law enforcement detection. After the cocaine reached the East Coast, Prasad supplied it to drug dealers in New York and Maryland. Those dealers spread the dangerous drug into Delaware and other states along the East Coast.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threatens the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Philadelphia comprises agents and from U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE HSI; the Federal Bureau of Investigation); the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware; the DEA; the ATF; IRS-CI; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program; the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware led the prosecution.

Learn more about this case here.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

WASHINGTON — On June 15, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. officers arrested Jose Jairo Rivas-Santiago, 32, a Honduran national and suspected MS-13 gang associate convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery June 15.

In April 2019, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Richmond agents found and arrested Rivas-Santiago on charges of armed robbery and conspiracy related to an MS-13 gang murder. HSI turned him over to the Richmond City Police Department for prosecution. In April 2021, a judge convicted him of murder and armed robbery, sentencing him to 30 years in prison.

“After Rivas-Santiago’s sentencing, ICE lodged an immigration detainer with the Coffeewood Correctional Center, where he was serving his sentence,” said acting ICE Director David J. Venturella. “The Virginia Department of Corrections honored our detainer and notified us of his release, and he’s now in ICE custody awaiting removal.”

In July 2011, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Rivas-Santiago in Carrizo Springs, Texas, after he unlawfully entered the United States. Officials turned him over to juvenile detention authorities. By April 2019, he was living in the United States and was arrested in Richmond for serious violent crimes.

ERO processed Rivas-Santiago under a previously issued final order of removal, and he now awaits removal to Honduras.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

LOS ANGELES — A Santa Monica man admitted last month in federal court to doxing an ICE attorney. Gregory John Curcio, a 68-year-old U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the protection of individuals performing certain official duties. Curcio identified his victim, an ICE attorney, as an ICE agent, posted her home address, and directed others on social media to “swat” her using that address in Feb. 2025.

Doxing is the act of publishing private or identifying information about an individual on the internet with malicious intent. Swatting is a form of harassment that often involves placing a false emergency call to law enforcement, such as reporting a false ongoing crisis at a specific location to prompt a significant law enforcement response.

“ICE attorneys litigate removal cases against illegal aliens who are human rights abusers, murderers, child rapists and terrorists,” said ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall. “Like all federal officials, they play an enormous role in protecting American lives. The Trump administration has zero tolerance for people who jeopardize these legal professionals’ safety.”

The victim in this case told authorities Curcio once lived at her mother’s apartment building in Santa Monica, and he had harassed and threatened her mother for years before doxing her as an ICE attorney earlier this year.

ICE officials are currently facing a staggering uptick in threats and violence, including a 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats.

U.S. District Judge Michelle Williams Court scheduled an Aug. 21 sentencing hearing, at which time Curcio will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Restrepo of the National Security Division prosecuted it.

Learn more about this case on Justice.gov.

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Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump signed the Secure America Act into law on June 10, providing necessary funding to ICE to enhance the agency’s ability to protect the American people and uphold the nation’s immigration system. A key component of the Act includes $350 million in additional funding, championed by Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt, specifically to help ICE arrest more criminal illegal aliens in jurisdictions that do not cooperate with ICE, commonly referred to as sanctuary jurisdictions.

Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella released the following statement on the initiative and Sen. Schmitt’s bold leadership:

Senator Schmitt released the following statement on the importance of securing this funding to combat sanctuary jurisdictions:

“Sanctuary politicians have released tens of thousands of criminal illegal aliens from jail and let them back onto our streets to continue victimizing American citizens. They created the greatest public-safety failure in our nation’s history, but that betrayal ends now. I secured $350 million in the Secure America Act to give ICE the resources they need to meet these criminals outside the jailhouse door and take them into federal custody, just as the law intends. Our ICE agents are on the front lines enforcing our immigration laws, and if leaders in sanctuary cities are going to refuse to protect their own neighbors, we will ensure ICE has the tools they need to go after known criminals and protect Americans. I’m thankful for ICE and DHS’ work and look forward to continuing to support their efforts to secure our country and arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens.”

While additional known criminal history is not a prerequisite for immigration enforcement, nearly 70% of ICE arrests under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership have been illegal aliens charged with, or convicted of, a crime in the United States.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — An ICE Homeland Security Investigations Fort Wayne case has led to a Roanoke man being sentenced for sexual exploitation of children.

HSI and the Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Cecil Spangler, 37, to 60 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, on May 28. Restitution will be imposed at a later date.

“Cecil Spangler’s horrific conduct has caused unimaginable physical and emotional trauma to children,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “I’m proud of our agents’ diligence and tenacity in facilitating this 60-year sentence, ensuring he can never hurt another child.”

According to documents in the case, between June 2021 and August 2023, Spangler used a child to engage in sexual conduct and produced a visual depiction of that conduct.

“A predator who used a minor to engage in sexual conduct and produced a visual depiction of that sexual conduct will spend the next 60 years in prison for his sick and depraved decisions. He did this over the period between June 2021 and August 2023. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Department of Homeland Security — HSI, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Huntington County Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery, along with support and coordination of the Huntington County Prosecutor’s Office led by Prosecutor Jeremy Nix and Chief Deputy Theresa Searles, the defendant was arrested, prosecuted, convicted, sentenced and locked up in a place where he can no longer harm children,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said.

This case was investigated by HSI Fort Wayne with assistance from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Huntington County Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke Police Department, and the Huntington County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

Read more about this case on Justice.gov.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about HSI Fort Wayne’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @HSIChicago.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Vancouver, Washington, woman received a 100-month sentence for distributing fentanyl that resulted in two overdose deaths. ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the DEA and Oregon’s Woodburn Police Department investigated the case.

Alondra Stephanie Trujillo, 34, also received three years of supervised release and an order to pay $6,349 in restitution.

“This case highlights the dangers of fentanyl and the dangers of buying counterfeit drugs of any type,” said acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “You can lose your life, as these two brothers did, when these street drugs are marketed as one thing and instead contain fentanyl. This lengthy sentence won’t bring back the brothers, but hopefully it will serve as a deterrent to anyone who thinks about engaging in this type of deadly deception.”

According to court documents, on July 12, 2020, the two brothers were pronounced deceased from an accidental fentanyl overdose after their mother and first responders attempted life-saving measures to revive them.

Investigators learned that Trujillo sold counterfeit pills containing fentanyl the day prior to their overdose deaths.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl — a few grains of the substance — is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

“The tragic fentanyl poisoning deaths of two brothers underscore the deadly reality of illicit fentanyl and the irreversible harm caused by those who distribute it,” said Special Agent in Charget A. Saccone of the DEA’s Seattle Field Division. “DEA remains relentless in its pursuit of drug traffickers who endanger our communities for profit. Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA is combining aggressive enforcement, strategic partnerships, intelligence-driven investigations and public awareness efforts to eliminate the fentanyl threat.”

On Oct. 17, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Trujillo with one count of distribution of fentanyl. Trujillo pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, the Longview Police Department, the Everett Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau helped investigate the case.

HSI partners with federal, state and local stakeholders to share information and track and disrupt fentanyl networks within communities.

DHS is on the front lines fighting against cartels and transnational criminal organizations that are flooding our communities with illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

Read more on this case here.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

NEW ORLEANS — Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans, in coordination with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, arrested Alexis Mejia-Colon, a 39-year-old criminal illegal alien from Honduras, on charges including first-degree rape, oral sexual battery, and aggravated crimes against nature involving a child victim. ICE filed an immigration detainer against Mejia-Colon May 28.

The joint investigation began after allegations that Mejia-Colon had sexually assaulted a child over a period of two years. Based on this information, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for him.

On May 28, HSI special agents and St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives located Mejia-Colon in Luling and took him into custody for second-degree rape. He was subsequently booked on May 29 for first-degree rape, oral sexual battery and aggravated crimes against nature. Mejia-Colon is illegally present in the United States but has no prior immigration encounters.

“Protecting children from exploitation and bringing offenders to justice is one of HSI’s highest priorities,” said acting HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright. “This arrest demonstrates our unwavering commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to safeguard our communities and bring offenders to justice.”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has arranged medical and other appropriate services for the child victim.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact HSI Houma or the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

For more news and information on HSI New Orleans, follow us on X at @HSINewOrleans.

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

COVINGTON, Ky. — A Kentucky man will spend the next three decades behind bars for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material worldwide while serving as the child victim’s caretaker.

On June 18, Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning sentenced Leandro Davila III, 31, of Newport, to 408 months in prison. The sentencing followed a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations Northern Kentucky, HSI The Hague in the Netherlands, and the Campbell County Police Department.

“This sentencing reflects Homeland Security Investigations’ dedication to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said HSI Nashville acting Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting. “Through strong partnerships and relentless investigation, we ensure justice for victims and send a clear message to predators that crimes against children will not be tolerated, no matter where they operate.”

Court records show Davila created child sexual abuse material involving the victim and shared it through the messaging platform Kik, repeatedly distributing the content to users worldwide. According to local media reports, prosecutors stated Davila abused a single mother’s trust by abusing the girl during times he watched her while her mom was at work. Davila also distributed child sexual abuse material involving other minors.  

Kik reported the activity to law enforcement, prompting the investigation in July 2025. Investigators linked the activity to Davila through account records, and a search of his Kik account uncovered at least 50 videos depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Records from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children showed multiple prior CyberTipline reports associated with Davila’s IP address. The court imposed several sentencing enhancements, including one for abusing a position of trust.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Know2Protect is a Department of Homeland Security national public awareness campaign that educates and empowers the public to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse, explains how to report online enticement and victimization, and offers support resources for victims and survivors. To report an incident, you can call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org.