3 Arrested, Charged for International Sex Trafficking Ring

A Los Angeles man, along with his current wife and ex-wife, face federal charges following a 10-month probe that allegedly revealed they recruited women in Eastern Europe and arranged for them to come to the Los Angeles area to work as prostitutes.

Mher "Mike" Hakopyan, 38; his current wife, Natalya Muravyeva, 31; and his ex-wife, Alla Kassianova, 43, are accused in a federal complaint of conspiracy to transport in furtherance of prostitution. According to the case affidavit, the defendants operated a large-scale prostitution enterprise that brought women, primarily from Eastern Europe, to Southern California to work in the sex trade. Hakopyan and Muravyeva were arrested by special agents with U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department Monday. Kassianova is still being sought at this time and investigators believe she may be out of the country.

The charges are the culmination of a joint probe by HSI and the Santa Monica Police Department. The two agencies received substantial assistance with the investigation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

"The Department of Justice is committed to protecting vulnerable victims from ruthless profiteers," said U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. "International prostitution rings like the one alleged in this case span jurisdictions and have a direct negative impact on both the women involved and also on our local communities. That is why partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, like the Santa Monica Police Department, are vital to our continued success in investigating and in prosecuting this criminal behavior."

According to the case affidavit, the defendants used recruiters in Eastern Europe to identify women who were potentially interested in working for the criminal organization. The defendants then allegedly purchased the women plane tickets and coached them how to enter the United States through the Visa Waiver Program.

Once the women arrived in the Los Angeles area, it is alleged the defendants helped them find housing and arranged for them to be professionally photographed. The provocative pictures were subsequently posted on various websites the defendants used to promote the ring's services, including eros-guide.com, cityvibe.com and thatmall.com. The case affidavit references 14 women definitively identified by special agents during the investigation whom the defendants either brought to the U.S. or attempted to bring to the U.S. to work as prostitutes.

"Criminal ventures like this degrade the quality of life in our neighborhoods, as well as the women involved," said Claude Arnold, special agent in charge of HSI Los Angeles. "HSI will continue to work closely with federal prosecutors and our law enforcement partners to attack and dismantle these types of enterprises that prey on the vulnerable and often bring other criminal activity into our area."

"If the allegations in this case prove true, the defendants' actions were reprehensible," said Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks. "I am quite pleased that our detectives' collaborative work with the federal authorities resulted in the service of warrants and the apprehension of predators who think nothing of taking advantage of a vulnerable segment of our community."

During Monday's enforcement action, special agents executed search warrants at a Los Angeles residence and two area apartments that are suspected of serving as brothels for the ring.

The probe began in September 2011 after CBP officers intercepted two Latvian women at Los Angeles International Airport who were attempting to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. When questioned by CBP officers about the purpose of their trip, the women's stories included many inconsistencies. Subsequently, a query of DHS databases indicated the women's travel reservations had been made by defendant Hakopyan. The women were ultimately refused entry and returned to Moscow.

"This case demonstrates the keen instincts and high level of vigilance of CBP officers at LAX for the detection and disruption of foreign criminal ventures in the United States," said Todd C. Owen, CBP director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. "These arrests highlight the spirit of cooperation and collaboration between our federal agencies, as well as with our local law enforcement partners."

Hakopyan and Muravyeva made their initial appearance in federal court in Santa Ana the afternoon of Monday, June 18, 2012. Both were ordered held without bail. If convicted of the current charge contained in the criminal complaint, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

2013 H-1B Petitions Reaches Statutory Cap

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced June 12, 2012 that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2013. Yesterday, June 11, 2012, was the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2013.

USCIS will consider properly filed cases as received on the date that USCIS physically receives the petition; not the date that the petition was postmarked. USCIS will reject cap-subject petitions for new H-1B specialty occupation workers if they arrive after June 11, 2012 and seek an employment start date in FY 2013.

As of June 7, 2012, USCIS already received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the ‘advanced degree’ exemption. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap.

In addition, petitions filed on behalf of current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap will not be counted toward the FY 2013 H-1B cap.  As such, USCIS will continue to accept and process these petitions to:

               extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the U.S.;

               change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers;

               allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and

               allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.

U.S. businesses use the H-1 B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields such as scientists, engineers or computer programmers.

Operation Orian Rescues 18 Victims, Arrests 190 Child Predators

One hundred and ninety individuals were arrested and 18 victims identified and rescued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents during a month-long, nationwide operation targeting individuals who possessed, received, transported, distributed, advertised or produced images or videos of child pornography.

"With the advent of summer vacation, children may have more time and access to the Internet, making this a good time to talk to them about online dangers. Many of the child exploitation cases under Operation Orion began with a child or teen chatting with someone he or she met online," said ICE Director John Morton. "Let this operation be a warning to anyone who would think they can use the Internet to exploit children: we are out there looking for you, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted."

Operation Orion took place May 1 to 31. Arrests were made by HSI special agents and partner law enforcement agencies. The majority of arrests were made throughout the United States, but also included arrests in Spain, the Philippines, Argentina and the United Kingdom.

Those arrested included:

·                             Andrew Hallock, 28, of Sebastian, Fla., arrested May 2 in Sebastian for possession of child pornography and illegal sexual enticement of a 15-year-old victim he met online.

·                             Cedric Conner, 35, of Lafayette, La., arrested May 4 in Lafayette for production of child pornography based on his sexual assault of a 7-year-old victim, whom Conner babysat.

·                             Joshua Stewart, 23, of Rochester, N.Y., arrested in Rochester May 4 for coercion and enticement of a minor via the Internet, which began as "sexting" with the 13-year-old.

·                             Andrew McKee, 35, of Oklahoma City, Okla., arrested in Garland, Texas, May 9 for coercion and enticement of a minor via the Internet. McKee met the 14-year-old victim on a social networking site and continued to harass the victim via texts, offering money in exchange for sex.

·                             Thomas Wright, 54, of Bangor, Mich., arrested May 16 at his residence in Bangor on an outstanding federal arrest warrant for manufacturing and possessing child pornography. Wright allegedly persuaded an underage boy to participate with him in illegal sexual conduct while he photographed the encounters. Wright also secretly videotaped the boy involved in other sexual activity. Wright later transported the images from his home in Michigan to Florida.

·                             Michael Wojcik, 28, of Warren, Mich., arrested May 18. Wojcik turned himself in to HSI Detroit after being charged in a criminal complaint for receipt and possession of child pornography. A search warrant executed at his home revealed more than 1,200 images and 109 videos of suspected child pornography on computers and media storage devices.

Operation Orion was overseen by HSI's Child Exploitation Investigations Unit in Washington.

Last fiscal year, HSI initiated more than 3,000 cases into child exploitation and made 1,455 arrests. In that same year, the HSI Computer Forensics Program examined the equivalent of 16.5 million filing cabinets of data related to child exploitation cases.

The Child Exploitation Investigations Unit investigates the trans-border, large-scale production and distribution of images of child abuse, as well as individuals who travel abroad to engage in sex with minors. The unit employs the latest technology to collect evidence and track the activities of individuals and organized groups who sexually exploit children through the use of websites, chat rooms, newsgroups and peer-to-peer trading. These investigative activities are organized under Operation Predator, a program managed by the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit.

Operation Predator is a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

ICE Detainee Collapses, Later Dies in Custody

A Mexican national who was hospitalized hours after coming into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody last week was taken off life support the night of Monday, June 4, at a San Bernardino hospital following his parents' arrival from Mexico.

Juan Pablo Flores-Segura was rushed to Saint Bernardine Hospital May 29 after collapsing at ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) processing facility in San Bernardino. Physicians at the hospital determined the 31-year-old had suffered a brain hemorrhage. Doctors declared Flores brain dead May 31, but he was kept on life support until his parents could be paroled into the United States from Mexico to see him and meet with physicians.

Flores was turned over to ICE following his release from the San Bernardino County Jail where he had been detained since his arrest May 22 by the Victorville Police Department on battery charges. Less than four hours after the custody transfer, Flores was in a holding area at the ICE office waiting to be processed by ERO officers when he lost consciousness. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

An autopsy has been scheduled to confirm the cause of death. Consistent with ICE protocol, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been informed. The ERO Los Angeles field office has been in close contact with Mexican consular representatives regarding the case.

Flores is the eighth detainee to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2012.

40 Arrested During Student Visa Target Operation

Forty immigration status violators, visa overstays and foreign students were arrested for violating the conditions of their nonimmigrant visas during a 12-day operation ending Friday, June 1, 2012, by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The 21 men and 19 women were arrested by HSI's Counterterrorism and Criminal Exploitation Unit (CTCEU), part of a national program designed to prevent terrorists and other criminals from exploiting the nation's immigration system. CTCEU also reviews the immigration status of known and suspected terrorists, combats criminal exploitation of the student and exchange visitor visa program, and leverages HSI's investigative expertise to identify national security threats.

"The 9-11 tragedy identified how critically important it is for us to screen, track and enforce the student visa program in the United States," said David M. Marwell, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas. "Maintaining the integrity of the student visa program is a significant segment of maintaining national security." Marwell oversees 128 counties in north Texas and the state of Oklahoma.

Those arrested are from the following 17 countries: Saudi Arabia (1), Yemen (1), Kenya (15), Azerbaijan (1), Zimbabwe (1), Zambia (1), Nepal (2), Nigeria (4), Gambia (2), Cameroon (3), Grenada (2), Thailand (1), Spain (1), Jamaica (1), Dominica (1), Mexico (2), and Antigua and Barbuda (1).

The 40 arrested were encountered in Edmond, Okla., and the following 12 north Texas cities: Wichita Falls, Tyler, Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, Arlington, Prosper, Irving, Dallas, Plano, Carrollton and Mansfield. All have been processed for immigration removal proceedings.

In addition to their immigration violations, three of those arrested falsely claimed U.S. citizenship, which is a felony and results in being permanently barred from legally re-entering the United States. During this operation, CTCEU special agents also criminally arrested a Mexican national for illegally re-entering the United States after having been previously deported twice.

ICE officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Dallas also assisted with this operation. In addition to HSI Dallas, special agents from the following HSI sub-offices also participated: San Angelo, Lubbock, Amarillo, Tyler, Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City, Okla.

20 Arrested for Drug Trafficking After 18 Month Investigation

Twenty people were arrested Wednesday, May 30, 2012, following the two separate federal grand jury indictments charging 22 defendants with crimes related to trafficking methamphetamine and international money laundering. The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of Colorado, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force's (OCDETF) Strike Force.

All 20 people were arrested May 30 without incident in Metro Denver, California, Utah, and Iowa. The two others not arrested are considered fugitives from justice. The first indictment involves 11 defendants and 135 counts. The second indictment involves 11 additional defendants and 22 counts. Most of those arrested appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver Wednesday where they were advised of the charges pending against them.

During the course of the investigation, including fruits from search warrants executed May 30, agents and officers seized more than six pounds of methamphetamine, $715,340 in currency, one firearm and property. Five vehicles were seized, including two 2004 Freightliner tractor trailers, and a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

The arrests are a culmination of a year-and-a-half long OCDETF investigation known as Dark Angel, which targeted the Armando Mendoza-Haro drug trafficking organization (DTO), which has ties to Mexico. The DTO utilized corrupt drivers from a trucking company, using their semi-tractor trailers to move methamphetamine from California to Colorado. The tractor trailers were also used to move money back from Colorado to California. In one instance, the money was hidden in a truck load of milk. The DTO also used other means to send money back to California, including one instance where a minor had cash strapped to his body as he was being driven to California.

One unique aspect of this investigation was the money laundering the defendants allegedly engaged in. The defendants attempted to conceal and disguise the origin of the methamphetamine proceeds. They did this by depositing the methamphetamine proceeds into various bank accounts at financial institutions (called funnel accounts). In an attempt to avoid bank-reporting requirements, the defendants structured the deposits into the accounts by making deposits less than $10,000. Financial institutions are required to file a currency transaction report (CTR) for currency transactions more than $10,000. To further conceal the ownership and source of the methamphetamine proceeds in the funnel accounts, the defendants moved the funds that were deposited into the funnel accounts to other accounts via wire transfers. These wire transfers included transferring funds domestically and internationally. In some instances there were subsequent wire transfers back to the original funnel accounts with cash withdrawals made in California, avoiding the $10,000 reporting requirement.

Commissioned in July 2011, the mission of the Denver OCDETF Strike Force is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute the command and control structure of major international and interstate drug transportation and smuggling organizations operating in and through the Mountain West region of the United States through collaborative criminal and financial investigations. The Denver OCDETF Strike Force is one of only 11 across the country. The Strike Forces are mostly housed in large cities.

The Denver OCDETF Strike Force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Aurora Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Denver Police Department, Fort Collins Police Services, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and Lakewood Police Department.

Those arrested May 30 include the following:

·                             Armando Mendoza-Haro (Northglenn, Colo.)

·                             Jesus Segovia (Denver, Colo.)

·                             Miguel Angel Sanchez (San Bernardino, Calif.)

·                             Daniela Munguia de Ortiz (Pomona, Calif.)

·                             Yuly Hernandez-Orozco (Edgewater, Colo.)

·                             Alejandro Morales-Garcia (Marshalltown, Iowa)

·                             Carlos Martin Segura Chang (Downey, Calif.)

·                             Sonia Perez (Denver, Colo.)

·                             Reyna Mendoza-Haro (Corcoran, Calif.)

·                             Jaime Moreno-Lopez (currently in BOP custody)

·                             Ricky Henry Cisneros (Denver, Colo.)

·                             Ivan Gomez-Avila (Denver, Colo.)

·                             Shana Louise Claybourn (Denver, Colo.)

·                             Cris Anthony Sandoval (Lakewood, Colo.)

·                             Todd Joseph Trujillo (Westminster, Colo.)

·                             Kennie Ray Snyder (currently in state custody)

·                             Christina Rose Malmgren (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)

·                             Desiree Rose Ceballes (Glendale, Colo.)

·                             Ricardo Paniagua-Rodriguez (San Ysidro, Calif.)

·                             Sergio Mendoza-Valdovinos (Utah)

"Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the OCDETF Strike Force, twenty-two drug dealers have been charged with trafficking methamphetamine, most of which was delivered to Metro Denver," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. "This week's arrests will have an impact on the availability of methamphetamine on the streets of Denver."

"The indictments we are announcing today reflect the hard work of Denver OCDETF Strike Force, who targeted a Mexican drug trafficking organization responsible for the transportation of significant quantities of methamphetamine from California to Colorado," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach. "In addition to the drug trafficking aspects of this investigation, it is important to note the success investigators had in detecting and charging the money laundering scheme."

"Methamphetamine-trafficking organizations are deeply rooted in money and greed," said Michael Holt, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Denver. "HSI routinely uses our unique law enforcement authorities in such operations to specifically target the finances that drive these crimes."

"IRS – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is committed to fighting the war on drugs in conjunction with our law enforcement partners," said Sean Sowards, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. "IRS-CI has the financial investigators and expertise to disrupt these organizations and deprive them of their illicit gains."

"Long term collaborative investigations like 'Dark Angel' are invaluable, especially when they achieve this kind of success," said Denver Police Chief Robert White. "Getting 22 drug dealers and their narcotics off the street will make Denver a much safer city."

"This multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional investigation will curtail the illegal drug market in the Western United States," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. "We will continue the efforts with our federal, state and local partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute these drug smuggling organizations that impact our communities."

If convicted, the defendants face penalties ranging from not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, to not less than five years and up to 20 years, depending on the quantity of drugs they are accused of trafficking. Some face not more than 20 years in federal prison for money laundering and/or other drug trafficking charges. Others face not more than four years for using a communication facility (i.e., a phone) while committing the felony drug offense.

The indictments also include asset forfeiture allegations. If convicted, the defendants shall forfeit their right, title and interest in all property constituting and derived from any proceeds obtained directly and indirectly as a result of their crimes.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Phillips and Kasandra Carleton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya Andrews assisted with the asset forfeiture aspect of this case.

The charges contained in the indictments are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

"Citizens' Academy" Launched by ICE

They visited York County Detention Facility, perused the Forensic Document Lab and spent time at a firing range, honing their marksmanship skills. They also hit the books, learning firsthand about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from some of the agency's leaders. They're the inaugural class of the ICE Citizens' Academy.

ICE's Office of Public Affairs began the ICE Citizens' Academy to provide members of the general public with an inside look at ICE and how the agency enforces immigration and customs laws. Over the course of nine weeks, a total of 19 individuals met once a week in one of two locations – Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

For Blaine Young, president of Frederick County Commissioners in Frederick, Md., attending the Baltimore-based academy was an enlightening experience. Since Frederick County participates in the 287(g) program, Young is personally vested in learning about the agency and how its laws affect his community.

"I wanted to see if I could learn anything about ICE's immigration and enforcement program," said Young. "I learned that ICE has a budget to deport 400,000 people per year, and they try to deport the ones that are the biggest threat to us, the citizens, and national security."

Participants also learned a significant amount about Homeland Security Investigations, ICE's investigative arm. ICE's special agents conduct a variety of investigations ranging from drug trafficking to human smuggling to child exploitation.

The Baltimore and Washington, D.C. academies were part of a pilot program. After an initial assessment, the agency plans to roll out citizens' academies throughout the country.

"I would highly recommend to people on both sides of the spectrum – whether they think the government should be doing more or not be involved at all," said Young.