Minnesota Resident Sentenced for Transporting Illegal Aliens

A southern Minnesota man was sentenced in federal court Thursday, January 31, 2013, for transporting illegal aliens.

The sentence resulted from an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in cooperation with the St. Peter Police Department, the Nicollet County Sheriff's Office, the LeSueur County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

John Arrazolo, 44 of St. Peter, Minn., was sentenced to three years probation, six months home confinement, and a $2,000 fine on one count of transporting illegal aliens. Arrazolo was indicted on April 16 and pleaded guilty Aug. 16.

"Those who transport or harbor illegal aliens require secrecy and often coercion to succeed," said Special Agent in Charge Michael Feinberg, of HSI St. Paul. "HSI works with our state and local law enforcement partners to bring justice to anyone who exploits others for illegal profit."

In his plea agreement, Arrazolo admitted that between October 2006 and October 2011, he transported two illegal aliens from Texas to Minnesota to work in his business.

Arrazolo's company, Poultry Service Management, provided manual labor to large corporate chicken farms in Minnesota and the surrounding area. The workers loaded chickens for shipping, vaccinated chickens, trimmed chicken beaks and provided other general labor as requested by the poultry producers.

Arrazolo admitted that one of the individuals he transported was a citizen of Mexico, and that he knew the individual was not a U.S. citizen when he transported him from Texas to Minnesota.

Brazilian Couple Plead Guilty to Human Trafficking

Two Brazilian nationals pleaded guilty Wednesday, January 16, 2013, to smuggling illegal aliens into the United States for profit. The guilty plea follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Juliana Rose Tome-Froes, 36, and her husband, Fabio Rodrigues Froes, 49, pleaded guilty to six counts of bringing and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and two counts of bringing and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for private financial gain.

According to plea documents, from at least October 2008 until approximately September 2010, the defendants organized, operated and managed a human smuggling network that operated in Brazil, France, England, the Bahamas and the United States. The defendants met with illegal aliens and negotiated forms of payment to be smuggled into the United States. 

Before the illegal aliens departed Brazil, the defendants instructed them to act like tourists and explained that the itinerary through Europe would support a tourist cover story. In exchange for approximately $16,000, Tome-Froes, with assistance from Froes, arranged air transportation from Brazil to Paris, then London and Nassau, Bahamas. Tome-Froes arranged the illegal aliens' lodging in Paris and Nassau, and then instructed them to fly to Freeport, Bahamas, where they waited for a boat to transport them to the United States. For the final leg into the United States, Tome-Froes coordinated with various individuals in South Florida to pilot a small boat to Freeport, which picked up the illegal aliens and transported them to the United States.

At sentencing, scheduled for March 21, Tome-Froes faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and Froes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Guatemalan Alien Smugglers Sentenced

Two Guatemalan men were sentenced by a federal judge Monday, January 14, 2013, to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a hostage-taking conspiracy that resulted in the violent treatment of smuggled aliens held captive in a Mesa drop house.

Domingo Agustin-Simon, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 42 years in federal prison for conspiracy, hostage taking and brandishing a shotgun in connection with hostage taking. Leonardo Rabanales-Casia, 30, was sentenced at the same hearing to 25 years in prison for conspiracy and hostage taking.

The sentences follow the pair's October conviction by a federal jury on charges stemming from a probe led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

"These lengthy sentences serve not only to punish and deter such cruel and inhumane activity but also to protect the public from dangerous individuals that prey upon the vulnerabilities of their victims," said U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo.

"This case illustrates the ruthlessness and brutality of the human smuggling trade," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI Arizona. "The smugglers treated the people in the drop house as a mere business commodity, with no qualms about jeopardizing their lives in order to extort personal profit. Investigating these cases is a top priority for HSI, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring those who would choose to exploit people in this despicable way to justice."

Evidence presented at trial showed the defendants were part of an alien that smuggled aliens into the U.S. to a drop house in Mesa. In August 2011, HSI special agents and officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Phoenix Police Department went to the drop house and found more than 40 illegal aliens being held inside. Trial testimony revealed the smugglers used a shotgun to keep order in the house and threatened the aliens with physical harm and death in an effort to extort monetary payments from the aliens' families. One hostage was beaten by the smugglers and women in the drop house were sexually assaulted.

Four other co-defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the drop house and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 24 months to eight years.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Keller and Sean K. Lokey of the U.S. Attorney's Office-District of Arizona.

6 Human Smugglers Sentenced for Alien Trafficking and Harboring

Six people were sentenced Tuesday, December 18, 2012, following their convictions in an illegal alien harboring/transportation conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The defendants sentenced Dec. 18 are: Christian Lara-Reyes, 29; Victor Lara Bravo, 52; and Jose Alfonso Hernandez, 30, all Mexican citizens; and Raquel Dainese Phillips, 23; Dale Franklin Jones, 51; and Clarence Leroy Teel, 53, all of Houston. All previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport and harbor illegal aliens within the United States.

U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller sentenced Lara-Reyes to 24 months in prison. Hernandez and Jones were ordered to serve 11 and four months, respectively. Bravo and Teel were each ordered to serve 12 months in federal prison. Phillips was sentenced to probation and will serve two years on home confinement. Jones and Teel will serve two and three-year-terms of supervised release, respectively, following completion of their prison terms. Lara-Reyes, Bravo and Hernandez are expected to face deportation proceedings upon their release from prison.

The case against these six began after HSI special agents obtained information during the investigation of an alien smuggling operation in the Corpus Christi area headed by Armando Olmedo-Trevino, 47, of Wharton, Texas. Lara-Reyes admitted he transported undocumented aliens from south Texas to the Houston area in order to further facilitate the aliens' movement into the United States at the request of Olmedo-Trevino. Lara-Reyes transported and harbored the undocumented aliens with the assistance of Bravo and Hernandez. Bravo and Hernandez watched over the aliens until smuggling fees were paid by the aliens' friends and family members.

Teel recruited and provided drivers to transport undocumented aliens on behalf of the alien smuggling organization. Teel admitted he began smuggling illegal aliens in 2008 and eventually graduated to recruiting drivers for the alien smuggling organization.

Additional evidence revealed that on multiple occasions, Phillips and Jones transported undocumented aliens for the alien smuggling organization. Phillips informed HSI special agents she was recruited to transport illegal aliens by Jeffery Mark Williams, 55, of Sugar Land, Texas.

On Sept. 7, Williams entered a guilty plea to conspiring to transport and harbor illegal aliens.

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 15, 2013, at which time he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

The case against Olmedo-Trevino was prosecuted in the Corpus Christi Division by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Cowan and Jeffrey Preston, Southern District of Texas. He received the statutory maximum of 120 months in prison.

The Houston case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Menes and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimani Eason, Southern District of Texas.

HSI Recues Toddler from Human Smuggling Ring

Late the night of Wednesday, November 28, 2012, special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recovered a toddler who had been separated from her mother during a human smuggling venture.

The 23-month-old child was recovered Nov. 28 after being smuggled into the United States from Mexico. The mother was separated from the child following their illegal entry into the United States; she was subsequently apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Border Patrol officers near the south Texas border.

The girl's mother informed officers that she was in contact with smugglers about her daughter and that the smugglers were seeking additional money to return the child. Contact was made with an individual in Houston alleging to be the child's babysitter. After a series of calls, the child was delivered to HSI special agents in Houston. The young girl is currently in Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) custody. HSI is working with CPS to reunite the child with her mother.

Information developed by HSI Falcon Dam special agents revealed that smuggling arrangements were made to have the child transported to New York for a fee of $9,000. This investigation is ongoing.

Human smuggling is the importation of people into the United States by deliberately evading immigration laws. This includes bringing illegal aliens into the country, as well as the unlawful transportation and harboring of illegal aliens already in the country. Smuggling situations often involve death, rape, torture and assault.

HSI is the lead U.S. law enforcement agency responsible for combating human smuggling and human trafficking.

Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Alien Smuggling Scheme that Resulted in Fatality

A south Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday, November 14, 2012, to alien smuggling and harboring that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old Mexican national in September 2011, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Lewey Martinez, 31, of Falfurrias, pleaded guilty Nov. 14 to alien smuggling and harboring before Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack. The government detailed that for five years, Martinez coordinated transporting aliens around the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint in Falfurrias. On the evening of Sept. 15, 2011, Martinez arranged for about 20 illegal aliens to hike around the checkpoint with the assistance of brush guides. After walking around the checkpoint, the aliens were driven to a stash house on Martinez's property.

Shortly after the group's arrival, two brush guides drove to the stash house with an additional alien who died from exposure and dehydration. Martinez and two others loaded the victim's body into a pickup truck and drove it to a public intersection. Martinez then called the emergency operator from a payphone and directed police to the body.

Following his arrest, Martinez admitted his role in the smuggling operation and his involvement in disposing the body.

Martinez faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 25. He will remain in federal custody pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Preston, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.

Honduran National Sentenced for Hostage-Taking and Alien-Harboring

A Honduran national was sentenced Monday, November 5, 2012, to 35 years in federal prison following multiple convictions in a hostage-taking and alien-harboring conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. The investigation was conducted by the Houston Police Department (HPD), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Cesar Avila, 38, was sentenced Nov. 5 to 420 months in prison and ordered him to pay a $1,000 special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. Avila was convicted of hostage-taking conspiracy, four counts of hostage-taking, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and four counts of aiding and abetting the harboring of illegal aliens. Avila was convicted by a jury following a three day jury trial that concluded June 6.

Additional testimony was presented by one of two female victims who Avila sexually assaulted. She provided graphic testimony about how she was abused, and how that abuse has affected her. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rosenthal noted that Avila's statement that he had himself been a victim of smugglers was "chilling" in light of the evidence presented at trial. As an illegal alien, Avila is expected to face deportation proceedings after he completes his 35-year prison sentence.

Trial testimony showed that on Aug. 19, 2011, the Houston Emergency Center received a 911 call from a subject who spoke only Spanish. The victim advised he was being held against his will at a house in Houston by alien smugglers who had been hired to smuggle him to an unspecified location in the United States. He claimed Avila was armed with a handgun and had threatened them with death, and they were in fear of their lives.

HPD officers eventually located the residence on the 100 block of Jamaica Street in Houston. The location had no windows and the French doors on the north side of the residence had the glass panes covered with aluminum foil. Once inside the location, several people, who were later identified as hostages, began pointing to Avila as the hostage-taker and smuggler. Officers also discovered a semi-automatic handgun and a ledger detailing payments by the smuggling organization under the mattress where Avila was sitting.

Several of the aliens who were held hostage also identified Carlos Martinez-Aguilar, 44, an illegal alien from Mexico. They stated that Martinez-Aguilar came into the building where they were being held and drank beer with Avila in the hours prior to law enforcement arriving. They also stated that Martinez-Aguilar asked about the status of payments of smuggling fees. The victims indicated Martinez-Aguilar was not involved in abuse or threats, and he had provided them food and blankets. Officers discovered Martinez-Aguilar had been living in the larger house in front of the building where the aliens were housed.

One of the victims advised officers he had been in the Houston area for about eight days, and had been moved from house to house in the Houston area with five other aliens. He admitted he was in the country illegally and that he had paid smugglers $5,000 to smuggle him into the United States. He identified Avila as the subject who was holding him. He stated that Avila was constantly armed with the handgun, and had threatened to kill him if he tried to escape. Further testimony revealed that the smugglers were threatening to kill him if his family did not pay an additional $5,000.

The mother of one of the victims testified at trial that she and her family had been contacted by smugglers demanding more money and threatening her son's life, as well as the life of her family if the additional money was not paid. She was so frightened she contacted police who conducted surveillance to protect them. Her daughter also testified that the family raised money by borrowing it from friends, and they sent as much money as they could via wire transfer to smugglers in Mexico.

Avila will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Martinez-Aguilar was previously sentenced to 36 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of harboring illegal aliens.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Searle and Douglas Davis, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.

Chinese Nationals Arrested for Harboring and Unlawfully Employing Illegal Aliens

Three Chinese nationals from the Katy, Texas, area were taken into custody Thursday, October 25, 2012, following the return of an indictment alleging a conspiracy to harbor and induce illegal aliens to reside in the U.S, and unlawful employment.

These arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The indictment indicates Song Yu, 32, Hue Chen, 36, and Cheng Jie Chen, 40, hired illegal aliens from Guatemala to work at the Bamboo Village, aka New Bamboo Village restaurant. In addition, some of these aliens were allegedly directed to obtain fraudulent work authorization documents. They never presented identification documents and never completed I-9 forms, as required by law, according to the indictment. The indictment further alleges illegal aliens and other workers were provided housing, and were transported to and from the restaurant.

Bamboo Village restaurant is a Chinese restaurant located on the 5100 block of Avenue H, in Rosenberg, Texas. Cheng Jie Chen was its original director and president. On April 5, 2010, the restaurant changed the corporation name to New Bamboo Village Inc., at which time Yu, Cheng Jie Chen's nephew, was named as the director and president.

Federal law requires employers to hire only U.S. citizens and aliens who are authorized to work in the United States. Further, employers must verify employment eligibility using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9). The employer is required to examine, at the time of hire, the documentation provided by the individual that establishes his identity and employment eligibility to ensure the documents presented appear to be genuine and relate to the individual. The employer must retain the I-9 forms for three years after the date of the hire or one year after the date the individual's employment is terminated, whichever is later.

On March 24, 2009, HSI special agents encountered and arrested illegal aliens at a residence on the 4900 block of Timber Lane in Rosenberg. These individuals, who did not have the proper I-9 documentation, allegedly worked at Bamboo Village and resided at the Timber Lane location. According to the indictment, they were transported daily to work at the restaurant.

HSI issued a warning notice to the restaurant on or about July 1, 2010, advising then owner Chen Jie Chen of the penalties associated with knowingly hiring and employing illegal aliens, and the lack of the I-9 forms.

On Aug. 22, 2012, HSI personnel again encountered more illegal aliens who were arrested at the same Timber Lane residence. At the time, all were allegedly being housed by the defendants at this location while working at New Bamboo Village.

The three were expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson Oct. 26. If convicted of the conspiracy charge, they face up to 10 years in prison, as well as a maximum $250,000 fine. Unlawfully employing illegal aliens carries an additional six-month prison term, and a $3,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Elmilady, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

Michigan Man Convicted in Extreme Human Trafficking Case

A Michigan resident was found guilty Tuesday, October 20, 2012, by a federal jury, after less than a day of deliberation, on charges related to the forced slavery of minors from his native Togo. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge William Hayes.

Evidence introduced during the trial established that Jean-Claude "Kodjo" Toviave, a native of Togo, West Africa, used force, and threats of force, to obtain the domestic labor of four minors from Togo from January 2006 to January 2011. Toviave brought the four minors into the United States by giving them passports with false names and dates of birth. In immigration documents, Toviave represented that the four individuals were his biological children.

Toviave pleaded guilty Feb. 24 to visa fraud, mail fraud and harboring aliens in connection with bringing the four minors to Michigan from Togo.

The four victims testified at trial that Toviave regularly beat them with broomsticks, a toilet plunger, sticks, ice scrappers and phone chargers if they failed to obey his orders to complete household labor. The victims' testimonies during trial detailed the work they were forced to do on a weekly, and occasionally, daily basis, spanning nearly five years. They were required to cook and clean for the household, wash laundry by hand, iron Toviave's suits, shine his shoes, wash and vacuum his car, babysit his friends' children and clean a friend's home. In addition to force and threats of force, Toviave used food and sleep deprivation as punishment for the minors.

"This conviction is a victory not only for the young victims in this particular case, but also for human dignity and the rule of law," said Hayes. "HSI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners, both local and international, to combat the crime of human trafficking. Sadly, this crime occurs every day in America. We encourage anyone who suspects that human trafficking or forced labor is occurring in their community to report it to authorities immediately."

"Many people are shocked to learn that slavery and human trafficking still exist in this country, but the victims are often hiding in plain sight," said McQuade. "We are working with victim advocates and law enforcement agencies to expose these crimes. This conviction and the liberation of these victims occurred because of the diligence of school teachers, advocates, investigators and prosecutors."

Toviave's sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2013, where he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Sentencing for Three Texans Involved in Alien Smuggling

Three Laredo residents were sentenced Wednesday, September 26, 2012, for their roles in an alien transporting conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Border Patrol and the Laredo Police Department (LPD).

Manuel Chavez-Casarez, 40, Hector Fernandez-Garay, 24, and Imelda Rodriguez, 23, all of Laredo, appeared before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia to receive their sentence. Judge Garcia handed down the following prison terms:

 Fernandez-Garay was sentenced to serve 37 months to include a supervised release for three years; Rodriguez will serve 18 months; and Chavez-Casarez will serve a 12-month prison sentence. In addition to their prison terms, Rodriguez and Chavez-Casarez will each serve two years of supervised release.

According to court documents, during the March 2012 trial of Rodriguez, HSI responded to a request for investigative assistance from Border Patrol and LPD officers regarding an alien smuggling event. LPD officers initiated two traffic stops on Highway 83 near the Riverhill subdivision in Laredo, resulting in several apprehensions.

The first vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Chavez-Casarez, did not initially yield and was eventually stopped for a traffic violation by LPD. The LPD officer observed several individuals lying down in the bed of pickup truck and requested assistance from the Border Patrol. Agents conducted brief interviews and determined 14 passengers in the truck were illegal aliens with no legal right to enter or remain in the United States.

A Dodge Durango, driven by Fernandez-Garay, also did not yield and led officers on a pursuit which resulted in the collision of two LPD vehicles and an injury to one of the officers. The Border Patrol responded to the scene and determined Fernandez-Garay and passenger Rodriguez were both U.S. citizens. However, seven other passengers in the vehicle were found to be illegal aliens with no legal right to enter or remain in the United States.

Fernandez-Garay will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Chavez-Casarez and Rodriguez were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney's Raul Guerra and David White, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

Business Owner Sentenced for Employing Illegal Aliens

A local man and his company were sentenced Thursday, September 13, 2012, in federal court to forfeitures and probation following their visa fraud guilty pleas. The sentences resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.

Robert Brake, 33, of Byrnes Mill, Mo., along with his company, Brake Landscaping & Lawncare Inc., pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor charges of employing illegal aliens. Brake Landscaping & Lawncare Inc. is located in the 3500 block of Gratiot Street in St. Louis.

The company pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Brake and his company were sentenced to two years of probation. The company paid $145,000 in forfeitures.

The H-2B non-immigrant visa program permits employers to hire aliens to enter the United States to perform temporary, non-agricultural services on a one-time, seasonal, peak-load or intermittent basis. The number of H-2B visas available each fiscal year is limited and in high demand.

According to court documents, between March 2007 and February 2010, Robert Brake and his company illegally sub-contracted H-2B workers to an associate on a weekly basis at a profit of more than $2 per hour per alien. To facilitate illegally employing temporary H–2B visa workers throughout the year, Brake Landscaping employees were hired by another company owned by Robert Brake, Brake Snow and Ice Removal, which artificially created a need for temporary or seasonal workers that didn't actually exist.

Assisting in this investigation were the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Guatemalan Nationals Indicted for Immigration and Document Fraud

A federal grand jury indicted two Guatemalan nationals Wednesday, August 15, 2012, for conspiring to provide false identity documents so more than 100 illegal aliens could fraudulently obtain driver's and non-driver's licenses from the Department of Revenue license office in St. Joseph, Mo. These indictments resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Domingo Ajanel-Castro, 33, a Guatemalan national residing in St. Joseph, Mo., and Pedro Pablo-Solis, 28, a Guatemalan national residing in Liberal, Kan., were charged in an 18-count superseding indictment returned Aug. 15 by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

This indictment replaces an earlier indictment that charged only Ajanel-Castro.

The indictment alleges that Ajanel-Castro and Pablo-Solis, both illegal aliens from Guatemala, participated in a conspiracy from July 1, 2010 to Jan. 10, 2012 to sell fraudulent birth certificates and Social Security cards in the names of others. The indictment alleges that illegal aliens traveled to St. Joseph, Mo., from across the United States to obtain either a Missouri driver's license or non-driver's license by using unlawfully obtained birth certificates and Social Security cards. The illegal aliens then used the state licenses to remain unlawfully in the United States, to unlawfully obtain employment, or for other unlawful purposes.

It is estimated that more than 100 Missouri licenses have been unlawfully issued to illegal aliens as part of this conspiracy.

Ajanel-Castro allegedly received identification document sets from Pablo-Solis, who obtained and sold state-issued birth certificates and corresponding Social Security cards in matching document sets. Ajanel-Castro then sold the document sets to the illegal aliens, the indictment states, for between $500 and $950 for the document sets and the licenses.

The illegal aliens were then charged an additional fee of about $100 to be escorted to the license office in St. Joseph. Individuals accompanied illegal aliens into the St. Joseph license office under the guise of being translators, the indictment says, to assist them with obtaining Missouri licenses in the name of another person.

These individuals assisted illegal aliens prepare for potential questions from the license office employees, such as information on the birth certificates and the Social Security numbers. They also assisted with having them practice signing the name so that the signatures would be similar. The individuals also provided Missouri residential addresses to the illegal aliens who did not live in Missouri, the indictment says.

In addition to the conspiracy, Ajanel-Castro and Pablo-Solis are charged together in three counts of aggravated identity theft, three counts of Social Security fraud, and two counts of illegally transferring a person's identity documents to another person.

Ajanel-Castro is also charged with four more counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of illegally producing identification documents, one count of possessing false documents, one count of making a false statement on a federal document, and one count of illegally re-entering the United States after having been deported.

The public is reminded that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford, Western District of Missouri, is prosecuting the case.

San Antonio ICE Office Removed Record Number of Aliens in 2012

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in the local San Antonio field office deported a record number of aliens so far this fiscal year – more than 68,000 – with less than three months remaining in the year.

Of the more than 68,000 removals, 99 percent were within ICE's enforcement priorities: 37 percent convicted criminals, 33 percent repeat immigration violators or immigration fugitives, and 29 percent recent border entrants. Through smart and effective immigration enforcement, this administration remains committed to prioritizing immigration enforcement resources to target criminal aliens as well as those who threaten border security or the integrity of the immigration system.

"These record statistics show our officers are making effective enforcement decisions while adhering to our national priorities," said Enrique M. Lucero, field office director for ERO San Antonio. "Since many of our removals are criminal aliens, these stats also show our commitment to public safety. However, our success would not be possible without the close coordination of our local and federal counterparts."

The San Antonio field office encompasses 54 counties in central and south Texas, including the cities of San Antonio, Austin, Waco, the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo and Del Rio.

In fiscal year 2011, ERO San Antonio removed 63,090 individuals, a 14 percent increase from the 55,124 aliens removed in 2010. Even with three months left in the fiscal year, ERO San Antonio's current 2012 stats reflect a seven percent increase from removals for all of fiscal year 2011. Historically, the San Antonio field office has led in the nation in removals in recent years.
Following are two egregious criminals wanted for homicide who were recently removed:

·                             Carlos Alberto Tobar-Guevara, 33, a citizen of El Salvador, was removed in July. Tobar-Guevara was returned to his home country after an Interpol arrest warrant indicated he was wanted for homicide and aggravated assault.

·                             Abraham Moreno-Gutierrez, 34, was turned over to Mexican law enforcement May 17. According to an Interpol arrest warrant issued in February 2010, he was wanted for homicide and family violence in China Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Moreno-Gutierrez was illegally living the U.S. until ERO arrested him Aug. 5, 2011.

Some other criminal aliens that ERO San Antonio removed include convictions for the following crimes: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, sex offenses, homicides, indecency with children, numerous drug charges and human smuggling.

Mexican National Charged with Alien Smuggling

A Mexican national appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge Wednesday, July 18, 2012, to face charges for allegedly harboring and transporting five illegal aliens who were discovered boarding a plane at the McAllen-Miller International Airport, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol.

A federal grand jury in McAllen issued an indictment July 10 against Jorge Luis Gallegos, 39, a citizen of Mexico, charging him with four counts of harboring and transporting illegal aliens, and conspiring to do so.

According to the criminal complaint, Gallegos was arrested June 20 near the McAllen-Miller International Airport after he was observed dropping off a small group of people at the airport. During a ramp check inspection conducted by HSI and CBP, the same five people were identified as illegal aliens and were boarding a charter plane destined for San Antonio, Texas.

Gallegos had allegedly, along with other individuals, picked up the illegal aliens from the Rio Grande River before taking them to several stash locations in the area. On the same day, he drove one of the aliens to the airport to purchase the flight to San Antonio for the five aliens. He then picked up all five aliens later that day from the final stash location before dropping them off at the airport.

Gallegos has been held without bond since his June 20 arrest. He will remain in custody pending trial.

Jury selection for trial is set for September before Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa.
If convicted, Gallegos faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each count as well as a maximum $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sully, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.
A complaint or indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Texas Woman Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Alien Trafficking

A local woman was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison Thursday, June 28, 2012, for her role in a conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Petra Hernandez, 35, of Laredo, Texas, was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen to serve three years of supervised release and 150 hours of community service. Judge Kazen also forfeited Hernandez's personal residence, which was used as a stash house and purchased with proceeds from the alien smuggling conspiracy spanning more than a decade. Hernandez pleaded guilty to the charges Sept. 7, 2011.

On July 10, 2011, HSI special agents executed a search warrant at Hernandez's residence and discovered 16 illegal aliens who had arranged to be smuggled to various parts of the United States. Hernandez was arrested and later indicted along with Rachele Lynn Munoz, 31, of Laredo, for harboring aliens at her home.

On Aug. 1, 2011, HSI special agents received information that a group of illegal aliens had been found in the brush by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol. This information led special agents to suspect the person harboring them was Hernandez, who was out of jail on bond. She was again arrested, along with Nancy Rodriguez, 29, also of Laredo.

The indictment was later superseded charging Hernandez, Munoz and Rodriguez with conspiracy to harbor and transport aliens, and four substantial counts of harboring and transporting aliens. Hernandez subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of alien smuggling conspiracy. At the plea hearing, Hernandez admitted to being involved in transporting and harboring aliens from August 2001 through August 2011, and having used the proceeds from the illegal activities to fund a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing a house with cash and a cashier's check.

Munoz and Rodriguez also pleaded guilty to separate counts of alien transporting and alien harboring, and are awaiting sentencing. Munoz was released on bond pending sentencing. Rodriguez will remain in federal custody as an illegal alien subject to deportation after the judicial proceedings.

Hernandez had been on bond awaiting sentencing. However, on May 21, HSI special agents again found her harboring five illegal aliens. She was indicted on those charges June 5, and is currently pending trial on that case. She will remain in custody.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sonah Lee and D.J. Young, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ellen Smyth handled the asset forfeiture matter.

4 Mexican Nationals Rescued from Human Smugglers

Four Mexican nationals, including three suspected torture victims, were rescued from a human smuggling drop house Wednesday, May 2, by special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assigned to the Phoenix Border Enforcement Security Task Force Drop House Response Group, with support from the Phoenix Police Department.

Following their rescue Wednesday, May 2, three of the hostages told HSI investigators their captors had beaten, sexually assaulted and attacked them with a stun gun. One man had been stabbed.

The four were freed after HSI special agents developed information that suspected human smugglers were operating out of a residence located near 83rd Avenue and Osborn. Based upon that information, investigators initiated surveillance of the house and subsequently observed a vehicle enter its garage only to leave a short time later. Special agents stopped the vehicle, discovered $7,200 in the vehicle, and apprehended two suspected smugglers and two recently smuggled Mexican nationals. Shortly after the vehicle stop, agents observed three other men leave the residence on bicycle and on foot. All three were identified as suspected smugglers and apprehended.

When HSI special agents and Phoenix Police Department officers entered the residence, they discovered four male Mexican nationals in a bedroom. Two of the men were bound with rope around their ankles and a third man had been stabbed recently on his upper back. All three had other visible injuries consistent with being physically abused. The fourth man appeared physically unharmed.

The stabbing victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and later released to authorities. The other three men were evaluated and treated as needed by the Phoenix Fire Department at the scene. All four of the men are now in ICE custody and receiving victim services.

"Tragically, this case shows yet again the brutality of the human smuggling trade," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI Arizona. "To the smugglers, these human beings are nothing more than a business commodity. They have no qualms about using ruthless violence in an effort to collect their smuggling fees. HSI is fully committed to disrupting this violent activity and dismantling the criminal organizations involved."

The five suspected smugglers, all of whom are Mexican nationals, were arrested by the Phoenix Police Department and booked into the Maricopa County Jail Thursday on kidnapping, aggravated assault, sexual assault and extortion charges. They are expected to make their initial court appearance late Thursday. The five may also face future federal charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

HSI established the Drop House Response Group in September 2009 to identify, target and dismantle the infrastructure used by human smuggling organizations operating in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Third Man Sentenced as Part of Document Fraud Ring

A third man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday, March 28, after pleading guilty to a conspiracy that involved making false statements in applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the creation and transfer of false identification documents, and the altering and transferring of foreign passports.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Rajin A. Latchman, 29, of Winter Garden, Fla., was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. Co-conspirators Ted B. Shirley and Gaitrie Latchman were previously sentenced after pleading guilty for their roles in the conspiracy. Shirley was sentenced Jan. 25 to 30 months in federal prison. Gaitrie Latchman was sentenced Feb. 28 to 28 months in federal prison.

According to court documents, Gaitrie and Rajin Latchman would, for a fee of between $2,500 and $3,000, arrange for illegal aliens to obtain a Florida driver license. They were assisted by Shirley, who was an examiner at the Clermont office of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). As part of their services, the Latchmans would provide immigration and identification documents to the aliens, to present at the DHSMV office. To obtain such documents, the Latchmans would file applications with USCIS to cause the issuance of Form I-797C notices of action. The notices of action then served both as an immigration classification document and as proof of identity.

The Latchmans also altered I-797Cs and foreign passports. They then coordinated with Shirley so that their customers would make contact only with him when they went to the DHSMV office, thereby avoiding any scrutiny of such documents.

During the period of time that this criminal activity was taking place, Gaitrie Latchman also applied for naturalization and obtained U.S. citizenship. Pursuant to statutory requirements, the court revoked her citizenship and declared her certificate of naturalization to be void.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Armstrong.