Tag Archives: Board of Immigration Appeals

Former Peruvian Police Officer Deported by ICE for Weapons Trafficking

February 19, 2013blogarrest, Board of Immigration Appeals, criminal alien, deportation, detention, DHS, ERO, foreign fugitive, Fugitive Operations Team, HSI, ICE, ICE Office of International Affairs, Peru, removal, U.S. Marshals Service, weapons traffickingAlex Meyerovich

A former Peruvian police officer wanted in his native country for weapons trafficking was handed over to authorities in Lima late Wednesday, February 13, 2013, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his capture in Stockton, Calif.

Hector Antonio Llontop-Novoa, 51, was repatriated to Peru on board a commercial aircraft accompanied by Sacramento-based officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Upon arriving in Lima, the ERO officers handed Llontop-Novoa over to awaiting officials from the Peruvian National Police (PNP).

In July 2010, Interpol’s U.S. National Central Bureau received a “red notice” indicating Llontop-Novoa was the subject of a criminal warrant issued by Peru charging him with a “national security offense.” Specifically, Peruvian authorities allege that in July 2000 while Llontop-Novoa was serving as a captain with the PNP he supplied government small arms to a criminal or terrorist organization. The weapons were purportedly used in an armed assault that occurred in Peru Aug. 29, 2000.

Less than a month after the attack, U.S. Department of Homeland Security databases indicate Llontop-Novoa entered the United States on a visitor’s visa and subsequently received an extension authorizing him to remain in the country through Sept. 2001.

In April 2011, after receiving information indicating the Peruvian fugitive might be in northern California, the U.S. Marshals Service sought ICE’s assistance to locate and capture him. Llontop-Novoa was taken into custody May 17, 2011, by ERO’s Sacramento-based Fugitive Operations Team and officers from the U.S. Marshals Service.

This week’s repatriation is the culmination of a nearly two-year effort by ICE to gain Llontop-Novoa’s removal. Following his capture, ICE placed Llontop-Novoa in removal proceedings and an immigration judge ordered him deported in June 2012. He appealed the decision, but the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed the appeal late last year, paving the way for his removal.

“Criminals who seek to escape responsibility for their actions by fleeing to the United States will find no sanctuary here,” said Michael Vaughn, assistant field office director for ERO Sacramento. “As this case makes clear, ICE is working closely with its law enforcement counterparts here and overseas to promote public safety and hold criminals accountable as no matter where they commit their crimes.”

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 566 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE’s Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.

Polish Fugitive Wanted for Attempted Murder is Deported by ICE

October 17, 2012blogarrest, attempted murder, Board of Immigration Appeals, CBP, Chicago, commercial flight, criminal alien, custody, deportation, detention, DHS, ERO, extortion, field office director, foreign fugitive, fugitive, Fugitive Operations Team, HSI, ICE, illegal entry, international crime, Interpol, kidnapping, law enforcement, murder, Office of International Affaird, Poland, prison time, removal, sentence, serious crimes, warrant, WarsawAlex Meyerovich

A Polish national – who is wanted in his home country for extortion, kidnapping and attempted murder – was deported and turned over to Polish law enforcement officials Tuesday, October 16, 2012, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Dariusz Gordziejczyk, 42, departed from Chicago via commercial flight Monday, October 15, 2012, and arrived in Warsaw, Poland, Oct. 16.

An arrest warrant was issued for Gordziejczyk Sept. 14, 2001 by the Bialystok Criminal Court in Poland on charges of extortion, kidnapping and attempted murder. He was found guilty of the charges in Poland but has yet to serve his prison sentence. According to the arrest warrant, Gordziejczyk and others beat and kicked a man in 1999 in an attempt to extort money from him, but the victim escaped. Gordziejczyk was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison. In another case, Gordziejczyk and others kidnapped a man in 1999, drove him into the woods, doused him with gasoline and threatened to set him on fire unless he gave them his BMW. Gordziejczyk was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison, but he fled before he served his prison time.

Gordziejczyk fled to the United States in February 2006 entering on a visitor’s visa. He remained in the United States illegally after his visa expired in February 2007.

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received information from the FBI that Gordziejczyk might be living in the Chicago area and that he was wanted on an active arrest warrant in Poland. On July 12, 2011, HSI special agents located and arrested Gordziejczyk at his River Grove, Ill., residence and took him into custody.

On March 19, a federal immigration judge in Chicago ordered Gordziejczyk’s deportation. The Board of Immigration Appeals denied Gordziejczyk’s appeal July 12. He remained in ICE custody until he was turned over to Polish authorities Tuesday, October 16, 2012.

“This individual tried to escape justice in Poland for the crimes he committed there,” said Ricardo Wong, ERO Chicago field office director. “On a daily basis, ICE protects public safety by arresting and removing international fugitives who pose a threat to our communities.”

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed about 455 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE’s Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.