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http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/052706washingtondc.htm
News Release
June 27, 2005
RECENT OPERATIONS NET GANG ARRESTS AND DEPORTATIONS
More Than 400 Dangerous Gang Members Arrested Since Launch of Gang Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested eight known gang members in four cities and removed nine others in recent days. These arrests are the latest under Operation Community Shield, a national initiative aimed at disrupting and dismantling violent gangs. The arrests bring the total arrested to more than 400 since March 2005.
Over the past week arrests occurred in San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit. The removals occurred from the Buffalo, NY Federal Detention Facility. All eight of the individuals arrested have been charged with being illegally present in the United States and are being detained pending their immigration court hearings.
The eight gang members deported from Buffalo were arrested around the country and staged at the facility as ICE completed the repatriation process. Their criminal activity included manslaughter, criminal weapons possession, robbery, assault and attempted robbery.
William Cleary, Buffalo Detention and Deportation Field Office Director, said that the nine individuals removed were gang members from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. They belonged to gangs such as MS-13, the "Mexican Boys" of the La Gran Familia, the "Big Kings"of SUR-13, "Esquadron," La Gran Raza," and "Trinitarios."
"Every time ICE removes a dangerous and brutal gang member from the country our towns and cities become safer," Cleary said. "Even if the person removed is a low level member of a vicious criminal organization which profits from drug trafficking, prostitution and other violent activities."
Arrests
Oakland, CA
Antonio Garcia-Becerra, a Mexican national and Southside Locos 13 gang member. Garcia was previously deported from the United States and re-entered in violation of federal law. He has a criminal history that includes a weapons violation.
Victor Alejandro Ortega, a Mexican national and member of the Border Brother gang. Ortega is an aggravated felon with convictions for transporting and selling a controlled substance and assault with a firearm.
Miguel Castillo, a Mexican national with an extensive juvenile criminal history and convictions for drug possession and DUI.
Seattle, WA
Arnin Valdez-Bonilla, a Honduran national who is a member of M-13 and has a conviction for assault. Valedez entered the United States without inspection.
Atlanta
Roberto Villazania-Hernandez is a Mexican national and member of the SUR12 gang. He has a conviction for aggravated assault and also entered the United States without inspection. ICE took custody of Villazania from the Clayton County, Georgia Task Force.
Erick Espiritu-Garcia is a Mexican national with a criminal history who is a member of Vatos Locos gang. HE has a criminal record and entered the country illegally.
Miguel Perulero-Casildo has a conviction for eluding a police office and is illegally in the United States.
Detroit
Mario Chavez-Rodriguez is a Mexican national and member of the Sureno gang who was arrested by local authorities for DUI. He entered the United States illegally and is now in ICE custody.
Removals
Demetrio Casco is a native and citizen of Mexico and a member of the gang "Esquadron." His criminal history includes convictions for criminal possession of a weapon, attempted assault and possession of dangerous contraband in prison.
Julian Lopez-Villalobos, is a Mexican national and a member of the "Big Kings" street gang in Phoenix, AZ.
Silvino Felipe-Martinez is a Mexican national who is a member of "Mexican Boys" affiliated with the gang La Gran Familia.
Antonio Hernandez-Alvarez of El Salvador is a member of MS-13 with a criminal history including criminal possession of a weapon
Henry Salgado of Honduras is affiliated with MS-13. He has convictions for gang assault in the 1st degree, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Jorge Martinez of El Salvador is also a member of MS-13 with convictions for attempted robbery and robbery. He also served time in a special housing unit for drug possession while serving time for the criminal convictions.
Moreno Ibel of the Dominican Republic is a member of "Trinitarios", a Dominican prison gang. He served time in two NewYork state prisons.
Carlos Flores of Mexico is affiliated with the "Esquadron" street gang. Flores was arrested in April 1996 for Murder and eventually convicted of manslaughter.
Sandy Rodriguez is a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic and a member of the "Trinitarios", a Dominican prison gang at Rikers Island.
-- ICE --