Tag Archives: fugitive

Fugitive Utah Attorney Indicted for Alien Smuggling and Visa Fraud is Captured

January 11, 2013blogalien smuggling, arrest, Department of Labor, Department of State, Diplomatic Security Services, fugitive, HSI, ICE, immigration attorney, immigration law firm, immigration lawyer, indictment, USCIS, visa fraudAlex Meyerovich

A Salt Lake City immigration attorney who fled following his 2009 indictment on alien smuggling and visa fraud charges is headed to back to Utah after being captured while attempting to re-enter the U.S. on Christmas Day, 2012, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego.

James Hector Alcala, 44, fled the U.S. in December 2010 and a federal arrest warrant was issued after he violated conditions of his pre-trial release. Alcala made his initial appearance in federal court in San Diego Dec. 26, 2012. Alcala waived his right to a preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2013, which now paves the way for his transfer to Utah in the coming weeks to face charges.

The case investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; and the U.S. Department of Labor uncovered an alien smuggling ring, of which investigators believe Alcala and his law firm participated.

Alcala, the Alcala Law Firm, Westside Property Management, and seven other individuals are charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and visa fraud; encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to come to, enter, or remain in theUnited States; and visa fraud. According to the federal indictment unsealed in July 2009, the defendants conspired to profit financially by assisting Utah employers in obtaining H-2B visas for their foreign national workers by fraudulently representing to the federal government that the foreign nationals were eligible for visas when, in fact, they were not.

Carlos Manuel Vorher, 46, of Tooele; Andres Lorenzo Acosta Parra, 34, of Salt Lake City; and Westside Property Management have since pleaded guilty to charges stemming from their involvement in the case. Sentencing hearings are pending.

Charges against two individuals named in the indictment, Daniel Trigo Villavicencio, 34, of Oremand Gustavo Ballesteros-Munoz, 49, of West Jordan, have been dismissed by federal prosecutors. A fugitive warrant remains in place for Carlos Enrique Gomez-Alvarez, 44, of Salt Lake City, who fled the country in 2009 after his arrest and initial appearance on the charges in New York.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

El Salvador Murder Suspect and Prison Fugitive Deported by ICE

December 10, 2012blogarrest, deportation, detention, El Salvador, ERO, ERO Air Operations Unit, foreign fugitive, fugitive, homicide, ICE, ICE Office of International Affairs, murder, removalAlex Meyerovich

A Salvadoran gang member who escaped from prison in his native country while serving a life sentence for murder was handed over to authorities in El Salvador Wednesday, December 5, 2012, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the latest results of stepped up collaborative efforts to locate Salvadoran criminal fugitives in the U.S. and return them to El Salvador to face justice.

Diego Quintanilla, 29, was repatriated to El Salvadoron board a charter flight coordinated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Air Operations Unit. Upon arrival, ERO officers turned the fugitive over to awaiting officers from the Salvadoran national police and Interpol.

Quintanilla, a documented member of the18th Street Gang in the U.S.and the Mara 18 Gang in El Salvador, was serving a sentence for murder and attempted murder at Cojutepeque prison in Cuscatlan, El Salvador, when he and 36 other Mara 18 Gang members escaped in August 2006. Subsequently, Salvadoran authorities issued an arrest warrant charging Quintanilla with evading capture. He was also the subject of an Interpol Blue Notice.

Quintanilla was taken into custody by officers with the Los Angeles Police Department Aug. 30 during a gang enforcement operation. Following his arrest, Quintanilla was turned over to ICE and the agency placed him in removal proceedings. In October, an immigration judge ordered Quintanilla deported, paving the way for his repatriation. During a pre-removal interview in Los Angeles last month, Salvadoran consular officials confirmed the existence of the outstanding arrest warrant.

“Criminals who seek to escape justice by fleeing to the United States will find no sanctuary in our communities” said John Duncan, ICE Assistant Attaché El Salvador. “As this case makes clear, ICE is working closely with its foreign law enforcement counterparts to promote public safety and hold criminals accountable — no matter where they commit their crimes.”

Officials point to Quintanilla’s deportation as yet another benefit of the expanded cooperation between ICE and authorities in El Salvador to identify, arrest and repatriate Salvadoran criminal suspects who flee to the U.S. to avoid justice. ICE officers are working closely with the El Salvadoran Civilian National Police (PNC), the Salvadoran National Interpol Office and Salvadoran Immigration as part of this effort. As a result, in fiscal year 2012, the PNC was able to execute more than 130 criminal arrest warrants immediately upon fugitives’ return to El Salvador aboard IAO removal flights. More than a fourth of those arrests involved homicide-related charges.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 500 foreign fugitives from theUnited Stateswho 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.

Mexican National Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Bond Jumping

November 12, 2012blogarrest, bond jumping, criminal alien, deportation, detention, DHS, drug trafficking, fugitive, HIDTA, HSI, ICE, illegal alien, marijuana, Mexico, removal, USMSAlex Meyerovich

A Mexican national was sentenced Monday, November 5, 2012, to six years and three months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, and for bond jumping (failure to appear as required), announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

Juan Ramon Garza, a 40-year-old resident alien of Brownsville appeared before U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen who sentenced him Nov. 5 to 63 months in federal prison for the drug conviction, and 60 months for bond jumping. Judge Hanen also ordered that 12 months of the 60-month term be served consecutively to the 63-month sentence. The judge’s orders dictate that Garza must serve 75 months in federal prison.

According to court documents, Garza pleaded guilty June 26 to the drug charges. The government’s evidence indicated that on Oct. 22, 2009, special agents assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) conducted surveillance at a residence on the 400 block of Naranjal in Brownsville. The special agents received consent to search the residence. During their search, they discovered large black trash bags that contained bundles of marijuana totaling 125.25 kilograms (276 pounds). When Garza returned home, he admitted he was to be paid money for storing the marijuana in the garage.

On Nov. 4, 2009, Garza was released on a $100,000 bond with a $3,000 deposit. However, on Jan. 5, 2010, Garza failed to appear for court and a warrant was issued. He remained a fugitive until he was arrested by the U.S. Marshal Service (USMS) April 3, 2012.

This case was investigated by officers with HIDTA, HSI and USMS.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Llanos-Salinas, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

Mexican National Wanted for Murder is Deported by ICE

October 26, 2012blogarrest, CAP, deportation, detention, ERO, ERO Criminal Alien Program, fugitive, ICE, ICE Air Operations, murder, Office of International Affairs, removalAlex Meyerovich

A 36-year-old Mexican national wanted in his native country for murder was removed Wednesday, October 24, 2012, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers.

Rigoberto Puga-De La Rosa was transported from the Seattle area by an ICE Air Operations charter flight to San Diego, Calif., where he was turned over to Mexican officials at the Otay Mesa border crossing.

Puga-De La Rosa was taken into custody by ERO Criminal Alien Program officers at the Grays Harbor County Jail in August and placed in removal proceedings following his release by local authorities. He was in local custody on state charges.

Records checks by ERO at that time indicated Puga-De La Rosa might be a suspect in a homicide committed in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Los Angeles-based representatives from the Mexican Attorney General’s Office subsequently confirmed there was an outstanding 2003 warrant for his arrest on charges of first degree murder. Mexican authorities requested theU.S.government’s assistance in returning Puga-De La Rosa to face charges.

Earlier this month, Puga-De La Rosa was order deported by an immigration judge, paving the way for his repatriation to Mexico Wednesday, October 24, 2012.

“ICE’s top immigration enforcement priority is to protect the community from individuals who may pose a threat to public safety,” said Bryan Wilcox, acting field office director for ERO Seattle. “Had it not been for ERO officers working cooperatively with local jail authorities to screen inmates for immigration violations, this dangerous murder suspect would have been set free.”

Puga-De La Rosa was held by ICE at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma pending his removal.

ERO’s Criminal Alien Program (CAP) identifies potentially deportable aliens incarcerated in jails and prisons throughout the United States. CAP officers interview and review inmates’ biographical information. Although ERO initiates removal proceedings against criminal aliens through CAP, these individuals may remain in prison or jail to complete their criminal hearings or sentences. Under CAP, ERO uses a risk-based approach to make determinations about the detention and arrest of criminal aliens, with priority given to cases involving individuals deemed to be a security or public safety threat.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 500 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.

Puerto Rican Fugitives Arrested by HSI for Drug Trafficking and Weapons Violations

October 19, 2012blogarrest, criminal, criminal activity, drug, Drug Enforcement Administration, drug ring, drug smuggling, drug trade, drug trafficking, drugs, FBI, fugitive, gun control, guns, HSI, ICE, Metropolitan Detention Center, money laundering, narcotics, Operation Lighthouse, Puerto Rico, US Marshals Service, USMS, Violent Offenders Task Force, weapons, weapons violationsAlex Meyerovich

Two fugitives wanted for weapons violations and drug trafficking were arrested Tuesday, October 16, 2012, in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Violent Offenders Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.

Edwin Monge-Peña, 29, wanted by HSI for drug trafficking, and Luis Daniel Rivera-Carrasquillo, 32, wanted by the FBI for weapons violations, were arrested by USMS and HSI special agents in the vicinity of Paseo de Torre Alta in the municipality of Barranquitas, while they were looking for a third fugitive who remains at-large. During the arrest, special agents asked for and obtained consent to search the residence, resulting in the seizure of six rifles; a 9 mm pistol; a machine gun; several magazines, ammunition and cellular telephones; and more than $10,000 in cash.

“These men made the wrong decision by engaging themselves in criminal activity and again, by evading their arrest,” said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “HSI will continue working with our partners in the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Offenders Task Force to apprehend those who think they can commit a crime and then run and hide.”

Monge-Peña is one of the 53 individuals indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering and was a target of Operation Lighthouse, a joint HSI-U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigation that culminated in the arrest of 44 individuals Oct. 4.

Both men were transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, awaiting the outcome of their case.

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.

Polish Manslaughter Fugitive Deported by ICE

September 24, 2012blogarrest, border crossing, CBP, criminal alien, deportation, detention, ERO, fugitive, HSI, ICE, illegal alien, manslaughter, Poland, removalAlex Meyerovich

A Polish national, who is wanted in his home country for manslaughter, was deported and turned over to Polish law enforcement officials Thursday, September 20, 2012 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Dariusz Wietocha, 43, was deported via commercial flight Wednesday, September 19, 2012 and arrived Sept. 20 in Warsaw, Poland.

An arrest warrant was issued for Wietocha Aug. 30, 2004, by the Bialystok Regional Court in Poland in connection with a fatal traffic accident that killed one person and injured a second victim. According to the warrant, on Dec. 28, 1990, Wietocha was driving in Bialystok when he violated traffic regulations and hit two pedestrians, killing one. Wietocha then fled the scene of the accident.

Wietocha entered the United States by illegally crossing the Mexican border in 1991. He has an extensive criminal history in the United States, including a felony conviction in 2004 in the Northern District of Illinois for possessing Ecstasy with the intent to distribute.

In June ERO received information that Wietocha might be living in the Chicago area and that he was wanted for the crime of manslaughter in Poland. On July 17, ERO Fugitive Operations Unit officers arrested Wietocha near his Schaumburg residence and took him into ICE custody.

On July 31, Wietocha was issued an administrative removal order by federal immigration officials in Chicago. He remained in ICE custody until his removal yesterday.

“This individual snuck across the Mexican border 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.”

ERO is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets serious criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, such as those charged with or convicted of homicide, rape, robbery, kidnapping, major drug offenses and threats to national security. ERO also prioritizes the arrest and removal of those who game the immigration system including immigration fugitives or those criminal aliens who have been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country.

ICE Deports Slovenian Fugitive for Blackmail

September 17, 2012blogarrest, blackmail, deportation, detention, ERO, fugitive, Fugitive Operations Team, ICE, Interpol, removal, Slovenia, St. LouisAlex Meyerovich

A Slovenian national, who is wanted in his native country for blackmail, was deported Tuesday, September 11, 2012, by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

After being flown to New York City from St. Louis, Okica Pajazetovic, 35, was escorted to Ljubljana, Slovenia, on a commercial flight. Upon his arrival in Slovenia, ERO officers transferred him to Slovenian authorities.

According to Slovenian court records, Pajazetovic’s criminal charges stem from two separate incidents in December 2001 and March 2003.

In 2001 he allegedly demanded 1,000 Deutsche Marks, Germany’s former currency, from another man. When his victim refused to pay, Pajazetovic is alleged to have made threatening phone calls to the victim’s wife and daughter. In 2003 Pajazetovic allegedly illegally purchased a pistol and ammunition; the next day he accosted another victim, a relative of his first victim, by holding the weapon to his head at the James Dean Pub in Ljubljana.

On March 26, 2009, Judge Mateja Luzovec from the District court in Ljubljana in Slovenia issued an arrest warrant for Pajazetovic on blackmail charges.

On Nov. 25, 2010, Interpol published a warrant on Pajazetovic for blackmail.

Based on information in the Interpol notice, U.S. law enforcement authorities were guided to a relative of Pajazetovic’s living in the St. Louis area. Pajazetovic was apprehended July 31 without incident at his St. Louis residence by members of ERO’s local Fugitive Operations Team.

“This removal allows Slovenian authorities to continue to seek justice for crimes committed in their country,” said Ricardo Wong, field officer director for ERO St. Louis. “We are resolute in our commitment to identify, arrest and remove aliens who falsely believe they can escape legal issues in their home country by hiding in ours.”

Records show that Pajazetovic entered the United States in 2003 in Chicago as a visitor, and failed to leave when his visa expired. He was issued an Order of Deportation the day he was arrested on immigration violations. He has remained in ERO custody since his July 31 arrest.

ERO’s Fugitive Operations Teams are specially trained to apprehend foreign fugitive aliens. Interpol, the world’s largest international police organization with 188-member countries, facilitates international police cooperation.

ICE Target Operation Arrests 28 Criminal Aliens in Wisconsin

August 22, 2012blogarrest, CBP, child predator, criminal alien, deportation, drug trafficking, ERO, fugitive, gang activity, HSI, ICE, illegal alien, removalAlex Meyerovich

As part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ongoing commitment to prioritizing the removal of criminal aliens and egregious immigration law violators, 28 convicted criminal aliens, immigration fugitives and immigration violators were arrested during a five-day operation in northeastern Wisconsin which ended Tuesday, August 21, 2012.

This operation was conducted by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Fugitive Operations teams in Milwaukee.

Of the 28 arrested, 26 had prior convictions for crimes, such as: sexually assaulting a minor, theft, possessing cocaine, domestic abuse, carrying a concealed weapon, battery, criminal trespass and drunken driving. Four of the 28 were immigration fugitives who had been previously ordered to leave the country but failed to depart; all of those are convicted criminals in addition to having outstanding deportation orders. Four of the 28 – also all convicted criminals – had been previously deported and illegally re-entered the United States, which is a felony.

Following is the nationality breakdown of the 27 men and one woman arrested: Mexico (23), Laos (3) and Honduras (2). The arrests were made in the following northeast Wisconsin communities: Appleton (3), Bailey’s Harbor (1), Casco (4), Fond de Lac (1), Gillette (1), Green Bay (6), Manitowoc (5), New London (1), Oshkosh (1), Reedsville (1), Sheboygan (2), Two Rivers (1) and Wrightstown (1).

Following are summaries of two individuals arrested during this operation:

A 25-year-old Laotian national was previously convicted of two counts of sexually assaulting a minor, fleeing an officer and theft. He was arrested Aug. 17 in Oshkosh and is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
A 21-year-old Mexican national has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, battery using a dangerous weapon, criminal damage to property, domestic abuse and resisting law enforcement. He was arrested Aug. 21 in Sheboygan and remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

“The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE’s ongoing commitment to strengthening and protecting public safety,” said Ricardo Wong, field office director of ERO Chicago. “By focusing our efforts on arresting and removing convicted criminal aliens, we immediately improve the safety of our communities.”

These arrests were coordinated with ICE’s National Fugitive Operations Program, which is responsible for investigating, locating, arresting and removing at-large criminal aliens and immigration fugitives — aliens who have ignored final orders of deportation handed down by federal immigration courts. ICE’s Fugitive Operations teams give top priority to cases involving aliens who pose a threat to national security and public safety, including members of transnational street gangs and child sex offenders.

Criminal Alien Wanted in Massachusetts is Arrested in Puerto Rico by ERO

August 20, 2012blogarrest, crime, criminal alien, detention, drug trade, drug trafficking, ERO, extradition, fugitive, fugitive alien, Fugitive Operations, HSI, ICE, intent to murder, National Fugitive Operations Program, removalAlex Meyerovich

A Dominican Republic national, wanted in Massachusetts for assault with intent to murder and drug trafficking, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations’ (ERO) officers Friday, August 10, 2012, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

Upon learning and confirming that Yael Sanchez-Correa was residing in Puerto Rico, an ERO Fugitive Operations team began a thorough search for the fugitive that led them to the residence of some of his relatives in the local area who persuaded Sanchez-Correa to make the correct decision to surrender to law enforcement authorities. He was arrested immediately after he surrendered to ERO officers in Guaynabo.

“The arrest of this Massachusetts fugitive by ERO officers in Puerto Rico should send a loud and clear message to those criminals who try to evade justice by fleeing a particular jurisdiction that ERO and its Department of Homeland Security partners will go after them,” said Marc Moore, field office director of ERO Miami. “ERO will continue working with our local, state and federal partners in an effort to protect our communities from those who pose a threat to our public safety and security.”

Sanchez-Correa was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting the outcome of his case and possible extradition to Massachusetts.

The removal of criminal aliens from the United States is a national priority. To address this priority, ICE designed the National Fugitive Operations Program (NFOP) within the ERO directorate.

The primary mission of NFOP is to reduce the fugitive alien population in the United States. NFOP identifies, locates and arrests fugitive aliens, aliens that have been previously removed from the United States, removable aliens who have been convicted of crimes, as well as aliens who enter the United States illegally or otherwise defy the integrity of our immigration laws and border control efforts.

ICE encourages the public to report criminal activity and related information by calling at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.