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http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060922columbus.htm

September 22, 2006

ICE and Ohio Task Force arrest criminal alien wanted for murder and featured on "Mexico's Most Wanted" list
Arrest made under ICE anti-gang initiative Operation Community Shield

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A career criminal alien featured on Mexico's “Most Wanted” list was apprehended here today. The announcement was made by the apprehending agencies, which include: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

Julio Ernesto Cobian-Ariaza, 27, a citizen of Mexico, was apprehended in Dublin, Ohio, today after the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) received information indicating that an outstanding Mexican Fugitive Warrant of Apprehension was issued for Ariaza, who was known to be in the area. Ariaza who was convicted of attempted murder in the United States, is wanted in Mexico for his connection to two homicides and two attempted homicides committed there.

ICE special agents conducted database checks revealing a lengthy criminal history on Ariaza in America, including convictions for attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and street terrorism (gang activity). Ariaza has street gang ties to the Little Brook Street Gang based in California. Database checks additionally revealed that Ariaza was deported twice to Mexico, first in May 1999 and again as an aggravated felon in September 2001. It is a felony to re-enter the United States punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Ariaza was arrested under ICE's Operation Community Shield, a comprehensive national initiative launched by ICE in February 2005 to dismantle violent street gangs with foreign-born members. Since its inception, Operation Community Shield has resulted in arresting more than 3,400 gang members nationwide, which represent 370 gangs.

“This case is a prime example of how federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work together seamlessly to take an alleged murderer off the streets of America, so he can be brought to justice in his homeland,” said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Detroit. “We will not hesitate to use our Nation's immigration laws in our continued efforts to protect the American people from violent criminals who do not belong in this country.” Moskowitz' area of responsibility includes the States of Ohio and Michigan.

“I am pleased with the collaborative effort from the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) and the Department of Homeland Security. Diligent investigation and sound tactics made locating and apprehending this fugitive possible,” said U.S. Marshal, Southern District of Ohio, James Wahlrab.

Ariaza remains in ICE custody pending his removal to Mexico.

About Operation Community Shield:
Operation Community Shield was launched in February 2005 after a threat assessment by ICE identified MS-13 as one of the largest and most violent street gangs in the country. The assessment found that most of these gang members were foreign-born, in the United States illegally, had prior criminal convictions, and/or were involved in crimes that made them subject to ICE's broad immigration and customs authorities.

ICE kicked off Operation Community Shield with an enforcement action that resulted in arresting more than 100 MS-13 gang members. In the months afterward, ICE agents nationwide joined ranks and continued targeting MS-13 members in their jurisdictions. In May 2005, ICE expanded Operation Community Shield to include all criminal street gangs and prison gangs with foreign-born members.

Since that time, ICE has been targeting all violent gang members nationwide by using its administrative immigration authorities to detain and deport illegal alien gang members from the country, and by using its criminal authorities to arrest and prosecute gang members involved in criminal activities.

-- ICE --