Showing posts with label USMS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USMS. Show all posts

Sunday, June 7, 2015

DOJ ANNOUNCES 27 CRIMINAL FOREIGN FUGITIVES ARRESTED IN U.S.

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON — Twenty-seven criminal foreign fugitives with active Interpol alerts were arrested across the United States this week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

Those arrested are from 13 different countries and wanted for crimes abroad. Of the 27, five are wanted for homicide, two for kidnapping, one for raping a child and one for human sex trafficking.

“Criminals who create mayhem here in the United States or abroad should understand that law enforcement is a global partnership,” said ICE Director Sarah R. SaldaƱa. “We will find them, and we will bring them to justice.”

Arrests occurred nationwide in nine states during the three-day sweep, which took place Tuesday through Thursday. Those arrested fell squarely into the agency’s enforcement priorities, which ICE officers prioritize and enforce every day.

“The arrest of these foreign fugitives should send a strong message to anyone attempting to avoid prosecution for their crimes here in the U.S. or abroad,” said USMS Director Stacia Hylton. “Our men and women were relentless in their effort to locate and apprehend these criminals.  We hope our effort gives victims a sense of comfort in knowing these individuals are no longer on the streets.”

“Information-sharing 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year among U.S. law enforcement agencies like ERO and the USMS, along with the 189 other Interpol member countries and Interpol Washington, ensures transnational criminals have no place to hide,” stated Interpol Washington Director Shawn A. Bray. “By facilitating the sharing of this information with our law enforcement partners, together, we will continue to enhance safety and security for U.S. citizens and the global community.”

Arrests included:

On June 2, ERO arrested Nelson Garcia Orellana, 30, and his brother Jorge Garcia Rivera, 23, both natives of El Salvador, in Trenton, New Jersey, and Alexandria, Virginia, respectively. They are wanted by authorities in their home country for kidnapping [external link] and are the subjects of Interpol Red Notices [external link].


On June 2, ERO arrested Gabriel Collado Gonzalez, 40, a native of Nicaragua, in Miami. Gonzalez is wanted by authorities in his home country for embezzlement and criminal conspiracy and is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice [external link].


On June 2, ERO arrested Raul Ortiz Henriquez, 40, a native of El Salvador, in Santa Fe Springs, California. Henriquez is wanted by authorities in his home country for rape of a minor. In November 2013, Henriquez grabbed his victim by her arms and forced her into a van he was driving while she was leaving school. He drove away, parked, beat her in the chest and raped her. He is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice [external link].
The following individuals are all the subject of Interpol Red Notices and remain at-large:

Juan Chicas Ramos, 56, a native of El Salvador, is wanted by authorities in his home country on an Interpol Red Notice [external link] for homicide


Lisandro Medina Gamez, 33, a native of El Salvador, is wanted by authorities in his home country on an Interpol Red Notice [external link] for fraud
The ICE National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center (NCATC) provided critical investigative support for this operation, including criminal and intelligence analysis from a variety of sources. The NCATC provides comprehensive analytical support to aid the at-large enforcement efforts of all ICE components.

ICE credits the combined efforts of the U.S. National Central Bureau-Interpol Washington, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Members of the public who have information about these fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the toll-free ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 720 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with HSI’s Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the United States.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

U.S. MARSHALS ANNOUNCE ARREST OF 307 FUGITIVES TO HONOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE
U.S. Marshals Coordinate the Arrest of 307 Fugitives to Honor Victims of Crime

Phoenix, AZ – Beginning March 2nd, the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Arizona coordinated a state wide fugitive operation involving law enforcement agencies from Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties. This operation targeted over a thousand fugitives wanted for higher level felony crimes, including homicide, robbery, rape, dangerous drugs, and assault.

During this time period, Task Force members made a concentrated effort to go after the most violent career criminals and gang members across the state of Arizona in line with a National strategy. This strategy was not about increasing arrest numbers, but rather an effort to further protect communities by targeting the most dangerous felony fugitives. The approach was quality versus quantity and was strengthened by working with our law enforcement partners to get the worst of the worst fugitives off the streets.

This apprehension effort was designed to coincide with National Crime Victim’s Rights Week. Since 1981, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime has observed an annual week of remembrance for victims of crimes. Since 2008, the U.S. Marshals Service in Arizona has coordinated targeted law enforcement partnerships to seek out and arrest fugitives, thereby ensuring the justice process continues unabated in an effort to bring closure to the victims of crime. While the U.S. Marshals Service targets and prioritizes the worst of the worst every day, operations such as this allows valley law enforcement agencies to come together in a focused initiative netting hundreds of arrests which diminishing resources does not allow to take place on a daily basis.

"In the last 7 years that the U.S. Marshals Service in Arizona has been conducting these interagency fugitive apprehension programs, more than 35,000 felons have been arrested,” said U.S. Marshal David Gonzales. “By taking these criminals off the street we have made our communities safer. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will continue to combine resources to deal with the problem of violent and career criminals".

This initiative proved effective here in Arizona with arrests totaling 307 throughout the state. Of that 307, arrests included 44 for Murder/Aggravated Assault, 23 for Child Abuse/Molestation, 21 for Sex Offenses/Sex Assaults, and 17 for firearms related offenses. This was a strategically focused approach through the use of the U.S. Marshals multi-jurisdictional investigative authority and its fugitive task force networks at the local level. The following arrests are examples of the type of career criminals and predators focused on during this operation:

David Ponce, 39, was wanted by the Peoria Police Department on nineteen counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Child Molestation, Aggravated Assault, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Furnishing Harmful Items to Minors, Kidnapping and Surreptitious Videotaping. Ponce had been on the run for approximately ten months and it was believed that Ponce had fled either to Mexico or California. On April 13, 2015, information was developed indicating Ponce was in the Southern California area. On April 14, 2015 Ponce was taken into custody in Los Angeles.

Jose Araujo Flores, 18, was arrested in Phoenix on April 13th. Flores was wanted by Phoenix Police Department for his possible involvement in the shooting death of a rival gang member. It is alleged that Flores, a documented member of a criminal street gang, and four associates got into an altercation with three members of another rival street gang. Flores was seen leaving an apartment complex in Phoenix in a vehicle. Flores was taken into custody without incident.
Christopher Handy, 28, was located and apprehended in the area of 19th avenue and Northern. Handy was wanted by Mesa Police Department on Probable Cause for Home Invasion, Aggravated Assault and Kidnapping. Handy was observed walking on the sidewalk and ignored commands made by law enforcement, continuing to drop his hand towards his waist. Once Handy was placed in restraints it was discovered Handy had a hand gun in his waistband.

Alex Mundo Lara, 28, was arrested in North Carolina on information provided by U.S. Marshals in Tucson, AZ. Lara was wanted on a warrant issued by Pima County Superior Court charging Lara with Murder in the First Degree and Attempted Murder in the First Degree stemming from a drug related shooting that occurred in Tucson, AZ. During a drug transaction with the victim(s) an argument occurred and Lara produced a handgun. Lara shot the victims several times before fleeing the area.

“The Arizona Department of Public Safety is very proud to have been a part of this combined federal, state and local effort to make communities safer by helping to dismantle illegal business operations conducted by criminal gang members,” said Frank Milstead, Arizona Department of Public Safety Director.

"This multi-agency approach to apprehending violent offenders in our community has proven to be a successful method of focusing resources from various agencies towards one common goal,” said Chief Sean Duggan of the Chandler Police Department. “With every apprehension the victims of crimes in our communities can be reassured that the offenders are off the streets making our City a safer place for people to live, work and thrive.”

“This operation is a clear illustration of how effective Law Enforcement can be when they work together towards a common goal,” said Chief Larry Hall of the Buckeye Police Department. “Criminals know no boundaries and Law Enforcement must constantly adapt to the criminal element in order to be successful and better protect our citizens. This partnership shows that we did just that.”

The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS, FUGITIVE MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 
For Immediate Release
Contact:
January 17, 2015 Kevin Neal, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal
District of Massachusetts 
Jimell Griffin, Senior Inspector 
Domestic Investigations
USMS Office of Public Affairs 
U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Arrested in Dominican Republic 
Fugitive allegedly killed military veteran; fled the country
 Peter Castillo (Captured)

Washington – After only three months on the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive list, suspected murderer Peter Castillo is now in custody after he was arrested Thursday, Jan. 15, in the Dominican Republic.

Castillo, 26, was wanted for allegedly shooting and killing 22-year-old military veteran Stephen Perez on May 10, 2012, following an altercation that occurred in the Boston Theater District. The Boston Police Department immediately identified Castillo as the shooter, and a warrant was issued charging him with homicide. Shortly after the incident, Castillo allegedly fled to New York then to the Dominican Republic where he had extensive ties.

“The arrest of Peter Castillo is a testament to how effective and valuable our relationships are with our international and domestic law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton.

“Because of these strong partnerships and the global network they provide, Castillo’s attempt to flee and disappear in another country after murdering a member of our military proved unsuccessful. We will never rest in seeking those who murder or assault our public servants,” said Hylton.

The manhunt for Castillo gained momentum when U.S. Marshals developed significant information leading them to believe he was at a residence in the city of Santo Domingo. Marshals forwarded the information to the country’s Direccion Nacional Control de Drogas Fugitive Task Force whose members responded to the location. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Castillo, with the help of local neighbors, fled the residence and hid in the neighborhood. After a brief search, authorities located and arrested him at approximately 6:15 p.m.

On Saturday, U.S. Marshals escorted Castillo back to the U.S. He is currently being held in a U.S. jail awaiting transfer to Massachusetts.

“Today, I want to commend the deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service and the officers of the Boston Police Department for their steadfast commitment to Castillo’s apprehension in the Dominican Republic” said John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts.

“I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office, which assisted in securing the arrest warrant, and charging Castillo with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution; the Dominican Direccion Nacional Control de Drogas (DNCD) Fugitive Task Force for their assistance in the apprehension; and Interpol Washington for issuing the red notice that helped facilitate the arrest."

“Countless hours of collaborative investigative work by the agencies involved and sheer determination have finally brought Castillo to justice,” said Gibbons. “I hope his arrest brings some comfort to the family of Stephen Perez.”

"I want to commend the U.S. Marshals, our law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic, as well as, the members of the Boston Police Homicide and Fugitive Apprehension Units for the shared efforts and team first approach that lead to the arrest of Peter Castillo,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans.

“Castillo’s capture should send a strong, clear message to anyone who cruelly and callously takes the life of another in our city that although you can certainly run and attempt to hide, BPD investigators, working hand-in-hand with our federal partners, will ultimately run you down, find you and bring you to justice."

“Stephen Perez was a young man who certainly deserved better. What began as a night out with friends in Boston’s Theater District on April 28, 2012 ended in an unthinkable tragedy and the loss of a young man who had proudly served his country as U.S. Army sniper in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, Stephen Perez deserved more including a long life well beyond his 22 years. Today, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Perez family and it is our sincere hope that the news of today’s arrest will provide for them some small measure of comfort and relief," Evans said.

“This defendant’s capture and return to U.S. soil is a major step toward justice for Stephen Perez,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.”

“It’s a moment his family, his friends, and his fellow veterans have awaited for too long. We expect to arraign him on a first-degree murder indictment at the earliest opportunity.”

Sunday, May 11, 2014

FUGITIVE ARMED ROBBER OF 100 POUNDS OF GOLD CAPTURED IN BELIZE

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 
May 07, 2014
USMS Office of Public Affairs 
Fugitive Wanted for $2.8 Million Gold Heist Captured in Belize
and Returned to U.S. to Face Charges

Washington – The international manhunt for a man wanted for allegedly committing armed robbery in Coral Gables, Fla., and making off with more than 100 pounds of gold has ended. The fugitive was captured and is back on U.S. soil after being deported today from Belize.

Raonel Valdez-Valhuerdis, 34, was detained Feb. 18 in Belize after he was stopped by Belize immigration officials while crawling through some bushes at the Guatemala/Belize border. Valdez had a Cuban passport in his possession, but the passport did not bear an immigration stamp documenting his entry into that country.

The immigration officers quickly realized not only did they stop a subject from entering their country illegally, but they had also just captured an international fugitive wanted for allegedly committing the biggest gold heist ever in Florida history.

“Working in conjunction with the government of Belize, we have brought back to South Florida a violent fugitive who will be prosecuted for his alleged crimes,” said Amos Rojas, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida.

The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force adopted the Valdez case in May 2013 as a task force fugitive investigation since it was believed that Valdez had fled the United States.

Once Valdez was detained in Belize, investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service International Investigations Branch in Washington, D.C., quickly alerted the U.S. Embassy that a fugitive wanted in South Florida had been detained in that country.

On Oct. 12, 2012, an employee for a Bolivian Export company walked out of his apartment building in Coral Gables, only to be met allegedly by Valdez and two other unidentified men. It is alleged that Valdez pointed a gun at the employee and said, “We are only here for the gold.” Valdez is alleged to have struck the victim in the face and held the victim at gunpoint while his two accomplices grabbed the two suitcases filled with more than 100 pounds of gold flakes valued at approximately $2.8 million.

At the time of the armed robbery, Valdez was wearing a court ordered GPS ankle monitor as a result of a previous arrest.

Coral Gables police detectives investigating the gold heist received a tip that Valdez was the mastermind behind the gold robbery. Coral Gables police detectives analyzed the GPS locations on Valdez’ ankle monitor that confirmed Valdez was at the scene of the crime at the exact time the victim was robbed. A further analysis of the GPS locations for weeks prior to the armed gold robbery showed that Valdez appeared to be conducting his own surveillance of the gold broker’s residence.

According to an Oct. 22, 2012, police report, the victim positively identified Valdez from a photographic lineup. That same day, Coral Gables police detectives arrested Valdez for allegedly committing the armed gold heist. Subsequently, a Miami Dade County Circuit judge released Valdez on a $75,000 bond. Valdez failed to appear for any future court hearings, and an arrest warrant was issued March 20, 2013, charging him with armed robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft of more than $100,000 and altering/tampering with an electronic monitor. Another arrest warrant was issued April 4, 2013, charging Valdez with probation violation.

The Cuban passport in Valdez’ possession was issued Dec. 28, 2012, two months after the fugitive is alleged to have committed the armed robbery of the gold. The passport was issued in Washington, D.C.
Valdez is currently being held in the Miami Dade County Jail.

his arrest and successful extradition has been the result of the combined efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service, Miami Dade Police Department, Coral Gables Police Department, U.S. Department of State – Regional Security Office – Belize, Department of Justice – Office of International Affairs and Interpol.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

U.S. MARSHALS ANNOUNCE FUGITIVE ON THE RUN FOR 36 YEARS WAS ARRESTED

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 
Chris Bozeman, Lone Star Fugitive Task Force
Deputy U.S. Marshal/Public Information Officer (PIO)
Western District of Texas – San Antonio (210) 657-8500
36 Years On The Run Can’t Out Run Justice
Fugitive To Face Attempted Murder Charges

 LSFTF LogoFarmington Hills, MI – Kathlyn Regina Huff, 58, was arrested this evening by the United States Marshals Service Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) in Farmington Hills, MI. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where more than 36 years ago Huff was indicted on allegations of attempted murder.

On December 9, 2013, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Cold Case Squad (LSFTF CCS) initiated an investigation in the search for Huff. Subsequent to the investigation, task force officers discovered that Huff had previously fled from San Antonio, TX to Farmington Hills, MI. The LSFTF CCS then contacted the DFAT in Detroit, MI for assistance in locating and apprehending Huff. This evening, task force officers determined through investigative efforts that Huff was residing at a house in the 30000 block of Gladstone Street in Farmington Hills, MI. Task force officers conducted a brief surveillance and observed Huff arrive and park her vehicle in the driveway of the residence. Task force officers approached the vehicle, identified themselves, made contact with Huff, and took her into custody without incident.

On September 14, 1977, Huff was formally indicted by a Grand Jury in Bexar County on allegations of attempted murder. A warrant for Huff’s arrest was issued the same day. Reports stated that Huff allegedly shot a man in the head after a heated argument. Sometime after the alleged incident, Huff fled San Antonio, married, and started a new life as Kathlyn Regenia Rose. Huff may have eluded capture by law enforcement over the past 36 years due to her name change.

Huff is currently being held in custody at the Oakland County Jail awaiting extradition to Bexar County.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “Words alone cannot express how proud I am of the investigative efforts displayed by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Cold Case Squad and the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team. This is a perfect example of how diligent and determined our task force officers are at solving the most challenging cases. No matter how many years a fugitive is on the run, we will hunt, we will search, and we will pursue until they are brought to justice.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:

New Braunfels Police Department
San Antonio Police Department
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Comal County Sheriff’s Office
Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Office of The Attorney General
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General
Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal
U.S. Marshals Service

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