Federal Authorities Shut Down Mexican Drug Tunnel

On Wednesday, February 13, 2013, federal authorities shut down a just-completed, cross-border drug smuggling tunnel and seized more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana following a multi-agency investigation by the Nogales Tunnel Task Force, with significant assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol in Nogales.

Officers with the Tunnel Task Force, which is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), were conducting surveillance in Nogales around noon and observed a van in a parking lot at the south end of Nelson Avenue, approximately 200 yards east of the Morley Pedestrian Gate. After noticing suspicious activity, the investigators approached the van, which was loaded with marijuana bundles. Two men near the van attempted to flee on foot, but were apprehended by task force officers not far from the tunnel and taken into custody.

Task force officers seized 22 bundles of marijuana from the van and 29 bundles of marijuana from inside the tunnel, weighing a total of 1,210 pounds.

The crude, hand-dug tunnel is approximately 68-feet-long and averages approximately two feet wide. The passageway does not contain any wooden shoring, ventilation or electrical equipment. The tunnel location closely parallels a March 2012, drug tunnel discovered in the same location. The tunnel entrance is located in the front yard of a private residence in Nogales, Mexico, and runs for approximately 26-feet underground before passing under the international boundary and running 42-feet on the U.S. side of the border. The tunnel exits on an embankment at the south end of Nelson Avenue.

Mexican authorities responded to the area and secured the tunnel entrance in Mexico. The tunnel will be guarded by Border Patrol agents until it is rendered unusable. The investigation remains ongoing, but investigators believe the tunnel had just been completed early Wednesday, February 13, 2013.

"Members of the Tunnel Task Force each bring unique capabilities from their respective agencies, which greatly enhances our ability to identify and interdict drug tunnels," said Eric Balliet, assistant special agent in charge of HSI Nogales. "In this case, the task force developed information that a tunnel was being excavated in the area. Through the diligence and hard work of all the participating agencies, we were able to shut this tunnel down just as it was completed, stopping its very first load of drugs."

In the last three years, federal authorities have discovered and shut down 26 completed cross-border smuggling tunnels in the Nogales area.

The Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) is an HSI-led, multi-agency U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that seek to exploit vulnerabilities along U.S. borders. There are currently 34 BEST units deployed across the country, covering major seaports and southern and northern border regions. BEST units are composed of more than 750 law enforcement officers from more than 100 federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement and intelligence resources.

BEST Nogales Tunnel Task Force is composed of full time members from HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol, Nogales Police Department, the Santa Cruz County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. BEST Nogales Tunnel Task Force is responsible for identifying, investigating and eliminating illicit subterranean tunnels in one of the nation's busiest border areas with Mexico and combating the Transnational Criminal Organizations that finance, build and use them.

ICE and CBP's "Operation Red Zone" Seizes $13.6 Million Worth of Counterfeit NFL Merchandise

Speaking at a National Football League (NFL) news conference Thursday, January 31, 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton and NFL Vice President for Legal Affairs Anastasia Danias announced the record-breaking results of a nationwide enforcement operation. The initiative, dubbed 'Operation Red Zone,' commenced Sept. 1, 2012, and targeted international shipments of counterfeit merchandise as it entered the United States. Authorities targeted warehouses, stores, flea markets, online vendors and street vendors selling counterfeit game-related sportswear and tickets throughout the country.

Fake jerseys, ball caps, T-shirts, jackets and other souvenirs are among the counterfeit merchandise and clothing confiscated by teams of special agents and officers from ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and state and local police departments around the country - all in partnership with the NFL and other major sports leagues.

"The Super Bowl is one of the nation's most exciting events. Organized criminals are preying on that excitement, ripping consumers off with counterfeit merchandise and stealing from the American businesses who have worked hard to build a trusted brand," said Morton. "The sale of counterfeit jerseys and other sports items undermines the legitimate economy, takes jobs away from Americans and fuels crime overseas. No good comes of counterfeiting American products - whether NFL jerseys, airbags, or pharmaceuticals - and we must go after the criminals behind it."

'Hard goods' seizures

Special agents from HSI and officers with CBP operated in multiple teams with the NFL and law enforcement agencies throughout the nation to identify illegal shipments imported into the U.S., as well as stores and vendors selling counterfeit trademarked items. With only days left before Super Bowl XLVII, these teams have already seized more than 160,000 items of phony Super Bowl-related memorabilia along with other counterfeit items for a total take of more than $13.6 million. Due to the increased activity of counterfeiting operations around the world, this year the operation began Sept. 1, 2012, and will continue through Feb. 6, 2013.

"We're delighted to once again partner with federal law enforcement to help combat the influx of counterfeit merchandise," said Danias. "We are grateful for their tireless efforts to keep counterfeiters from illegally profiting off of the fans' enthusiasm for their team and the Super Bowl and from hurting the local businesses that play by the rules."

"In collaboration with the NFL and our (Department of Homeland Security) partners, we are providing critical support in the effort to protect consumers from counterfeit goods," said Robert C. Gomez, director of field operations in Atlanta and New Orleans for CBP. "The enforcement of iintellectual property rights is a national agency priority, and our CBP officers and import specialists are actively working to intercept these products. Counterfeit merchandise hurts our economy and, in many cases, presents safety issues. It is a potential source of funding illegal activities that present a threat to our national security."

Arrests

In September 2012, HSI Boston - assisted by HSI Providence - executed a search warrant at a residence in Warwick, R.I. HSI seized 226 boxes of counterfeit goods containing 4,016 sports jerseys with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $724,340 and approximately $477,000 worth of additional counterfeit goods, as well as $130,057 in U.S. currency and checks. The owner of the home was subsequently arrested and is currently facing federal charges of trafficking in counterfeit goods and smuggling.

In November 2012, HSI Indianapolis special agents responded to a call from Indiana State Fairgrounds Security that an individual at the Indianapolis International Fest was selling items suspected to be counterfeit. Upon arriving at the festival, the special agents were able to verify the goods to be counterfeit and seized 1,319 counterfeit sports ball caps from the individual with an MSRP of $30,095 and approximately $7,600 worth of additional counterfeit goods. HSI arrested the man for illegally trafficking in counterfeit merchandise. 

Twenty-one other individuals were arrested in partnership with state and local law enforcement
agencies on state charges at locations around the country.

Website seizures

Furthering HSI's efforts to combat the international counterfeiting supply chain and piracy online, special agents seized a total of 313 websites identified to be selling counterfeit merchandise.

The website seizures during Operation Red Zone are the next iteration of Operation In Our Sites, a long term law enforcement initiative targeting counterfeiting and piracy on the Internet. The 313 websites have been seized by law enforcement, and are now in the custody of the federal government. Visitors to these websites will find a seizure banner that notifies them that the domain name has been seized by federal authorities and educates them that willful copyright infringement is a federal crime. Since the launch of Operation In Our Sites in June 2010, the ICE HSI-led Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Center has seized a total of 2,061 domain names.

HSI has continued to work closely with payment processor PayPal to identify bank accounts being used to facilitate the transfer of money to these illegal operations. To date, PayPal and HSI have identified and seized more than $66,000 in assets in these accounts.

"PayPal and eBay Inc. pride ourselves in going above and beyond in the fight against the illegal online trafficking of counterfeit goods by partnering with law enforcement and rights owners globally, and as part of providing safe and trusted payments and commerce platforms," said Tod Cohen, eBay's vice president and deputy general counsel of government relations.

Operation Red Zone continues

Operation Red Zone will continue this weekend at the Super Bowl, throughout the New Orleans-area and around the nation.

The operation was spearheaded by the IPR Center in coordination with the Department of Justice's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and five U.S. Attorneys' Offices, including the District of Maryland, District of New Jersey, District of Colorado, Eastern District of Louisiana and the District of Utah.

The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. Working in close coordination with the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 21 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to intellectual property theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety and the U.S. economy.

New York Jewelry Wholesaler Pleads Guilty to Forging CBP Seal

A jewelry wholesaler has pleaded in federal court to forging the seal of a U.S. government federal agency. The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

Tejas Mehta, 36, was arrested Aug. 5, 2012, by OPR and IRS special agents for forging the seal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Mehta, the owner of Saritijediam Inc., doing business as Design Trends, is a jeweler who conducts business in Manhattan's diamond district. He used the fraudulent CBP seal to allegedly steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from his business associates and other diamond and precious stones wholesalers.

According to court documents, Mehta received diamonds, jewelry and precious stones from other wholesalers under consignment. Once in his possession, he would sell the jewels. Instead of giving the proceeds to the owner of the merchandise as he agreed to do, he would falsely claim that he could not return or sell the merchandise because it had been seized by federal authorities.

Mehta defrauded three victims by accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in precious stone diamonds.

Mehta then allegedly made excuses and did not return the stones or any funds from the sale of the diamonds. He told the victim's attorney that the stones had been seized by federal authorities. He used the fraudulent seal to falsely state that the diamonds, precious stones and jewelry – which were consigned to him – had been seized by CBP.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York.

HSI Arrests Identity Illegal Jamaican National for Aggravated Identity Theft

Cory Howard was living in North Carolina in 2011. While reviewing his credit report, he realized that an unknown person in the state of Florida had opened a Wells Fargo bank account using his personal information. After doing some investigating, Howard learned that the bank account was associated with a Tampa, Fla., address, and he contacted the Tampa Police Department for assistance.

A Tampa Police Department detective embarked on an investigation. Using ATM transaction videos and the address associated with the Wells Fargo bank account, she tracked down Howard's impersonator via a traffic stop. The driver, however, did not present a Florida driver's license bearing Howard's information. Instead, he presented a Florida license indicating that his name was Miguel Cruz. When the detective analyzed both licenses, the images on the licenses bearing both Cruz and Howard's name appeared to be the same person. The driver of the vehicle also appeared to be the same person in the ATM videos.

But was this individual really Cruz?

The detective didn't believe so, and that's why she reached out to Tampa's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents. HSI special agents are highly trained to identify document and benefit fraud.

"Our special agents didn't leave one stone unturned, searching immigration records and working with law enforcement entities in Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands to identify the impersonator," said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge Sue McCormick.

After comparing arrest records and fingerprint samples, the HSI special agents determined that the impersonator was actually Lynval Thompson, a Jamaican national who was illegally residing in the United States.

On Friday, January 11, 2013, Thompson was sentenced to two years in federal prison and one year of supervised release for aggravated identity theft. He will be deported to Jamaica after he completes his prison sentence.

How do you protect yourself from identity theft?

·                             Shred paperwork with personal identifying information before discarding.

·                             Be aware of your surroundings at ATMs. Protect your PIN and account numbers.

·                             Do not enter your credit card number on the Internet (unless you are using a secure site).

·                             Monitor your credit report and bank account statements.

·                             Do not provide personal information to people you do not know. 

Social Security Employee Charged with Viewing Child Pornography at Work

A 49-year-old federal employee from Lynnwood made his initial appearance in federal court Wednesday, January 9, 2013, on child pornography charges following his arrest at the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Seattle.

Thomas Joseph Barrett, a senior case technician with the SSA, is accused of using his government computer to view child pornography. According to the complaint filed in the case, the SSA obtained evidence of inappropriate Internet use during work hours by the defendant in November 2012. A review of Barrett's Internet history and an examination of his computer's hard drive produced evidence that he had viewed child pornography. Investigators also found that he had accessed news stories about the penalties for possessing and distributing child pornography. Barrett has been placed on indefinite leave by the SSA.

The case is being investigated by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Washington State Patrol. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington is prosecuting.

Accessing child pornography with intent to view is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, 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 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse. 

Guatemalan ICE Detainee Passes Away in Phoenix

A Guatemalan man in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away early Sunday, December 23, 2012, at St. Joseph's Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for diabetes complications.

Manuel Cota-Domingo, 34, a detainee at the Eloy Detention Center, was rushed to Florence Anthem Hospital in Florence Thursday, December 20, 2012, after complaining of chest pains and labored breathing. Physicians at the hospital determined Cota-Domingo was suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, an emergency condition caused by untreated hyperglycemia. 

On Saturday, December 22, 2012, Cota-Domingo was transferred by air ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, where he was placed in the intensive care unit. Hospital staff notified ICE officials that Cota-Domingo passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012, just before 1 a.m.

Cota-Domingo, who had recently crossed the border unlawfully, originally came into ICE custody after he was encountered Dec. 8 by U.S. Border Patrol near Sasabe. He had been detained at the Eloy Detention Center since Dec. 12, pending his removal to Guatemala, which was scheduled for Dec. 26. While at Eloy, Cota-Domingo received two routine medical screenings, but he did not disclose his health condition to medical staff until he became ill.

ICE advised the Guatemalan consulate that Cota-Domingo had been admitted to the hospital and provided consular officials with regular updates regarding his condition. Consular officials notified Cota-Domingo's next of kin in Guatemala of his death.

Cota-Domingo is the first detainee to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2013.

HSI Special Agents Train Iraqi Police to Combat Illegal Goods Trafficking

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad hosted a delegation of nine American subject matter experts in the fields of federal law enforcement, justice and cultural heritage protection including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, from Dec. 17 to 20 at a training conference on "Countering Antiquities Trafficking." The four-day training, sponsored by HSI in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, was provided to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior police investigators representing 15 provinces on methods of identifying Iraqi cultural heritage sites, and preventing and investigating looting and illegal trafficking within and beyond Iraq's borders.

Assistant Chief of Mission Ambassador James Knight opened the conference stating that, "Perhaps the most important reason for organizing a meeting such as this is Iraq's unparalleled cultural heritage. Preserving that heritage is to preserve some of mankind's greatest treasures. Not only are they a precious window into the past, they are tangible reminders to future generations of Iraqis of a glorious history."

"The countering antiquities trafficking conference in Baghdad marked a new beginning in HSI's efforts in assisting Iraqi Antiquities Police in their fight against the illegal trafficking of Iraq's cultural property," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ransom Avilla, HSI liaison in Baghdad. "We are hopeful that this training conference will provide the tools necessary for Iraqi Ministry of Interior police to detect, investigate and protect their national heritage."

Other law enforcement agencies that participated in the training conference included U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Justice, Interpol and the U.S. National Park Service.

In July 2011, ICE repatriated to the government of Iraq a collection of objects illegally imported into the United States from Iraq. The objects included Saddam Hussein-era paintings and two AK-47 rifles, and a Western Asiatic necklace (circa 3rd-2nd millennium B.C.). These objects were discovered as part of four separate investigations by HSI special agents in Tampa, Fla.; Newark, N.J.; El Paso, Texas, and Little Rock, Ark. In February 2010, ICE repatriated six objects to Iraq ranging from its ancient past to its recent political history. The collection that was returned included a stone tablet with ancient writing, a Babylonian clay statue, a Roman coin, ancient gold earrings and a chrome-plated AK-47 inscribed with a picture of Saddam Hussein. 

In 2008, ICE returned 1,046 artifacts that were seized in four separate investigations dating back to 2001. The items included terra cotta cones inscribed in Cuneiform text, a praying god figurine that was once imbedded in a Sumerian temple and coins bearing the likenesses of ancient emperors. Remnants of ancient Cuneiform tablets, which were seized by the Customs Service in 2001, were recovered from beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center. The ancient tablets were subsequently restored and returned to the government of Iraq. These repatriations are the latest in a series that ICE has returned to the people of Iraq since the agency was created in 2003.

HSI plays a leading role in criminal investigations that involve the illegal importation and distribution of cultural property, including the illicit trafficking of cultural property, especially objects that have been reported lost or stolen. The HSI Office of International Affairs, through its 73 attaché offices in 47 countries, works closely with foreign governments to conduct joint investigations, when possible.

HSI specially trained investigators, assigned to both domestic and international offices, partner with governments, agencies and experts to protect cultural antiquities. They also provide cultural property investigative training to law enforcement partners for crimes involving stolen property and art, and how to best enforce the law to recover these items when they emerge in the marketplace.

Since 2007, more than 6,600 artifacts have been returned to 24 countries, including paintings from France, Germany, Poland and Austria, 15th to 18th century manuscripts from Italy and Peru, as well as cultural artifacts from China, Cambodia and Iraq. 

Fraudulent Document Mill Shut Down by HSI

Two Fresno-area residents were arraigned Friday, December 14, 2012, on federal charges stemming from a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that allegedly revealed they operated a fraudulent document mill.

Antonio Mora-Cruz, 45, and Soledad Vargas-Herrera, 59, both of Madera, were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shelia K. Oberto on a 12-count indictment charging them with conspiring to produce and sell false identification documents. Mora-Cruz was also charged with being a deported alien found in the United States. The two defendants have been in custody since their arrest Dec. 4, 2012.

According to the indictment, between November and December, Mora-Cruz and Vargas-Herrera produced false identification documents at a residence in Madera they used as a fraudulent document mill. During the course of the conspiracy, customers would place orders for false documents directly with Mora-Cruz and Vargas-Herrera. The defendants took photographs and biographical information from the customers and used the information to produce fraudulent Social Security cards and alien registration cards, also known as "green cards." Mora-Cruz and Vargas-Herrera then delivered the completed false documents to customers, charging approximately $120 for a set of counterfeit cards.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Baker is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

State Official Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Fraudulent Licenses for Illegal Aliens

An employee at a contracted state license office pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, December 11, 2012, to conspiracy to unlawfully assist more than 100 illegal aliens obtain fraudulent Missouri driver's licenses.

This guilty plea resulted from an extensive investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Revenue's Compliance and Investigation Bureau, and numerous other federal, state and local investigative agencies.

Thomas Richard McNamara III, 26, of St. Joseph, Mo., pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully produce identification documents, to unlawfully transfer the means of identification of another person, and to commit Social Security fraud.

McNamara was employed at a contracted license office in St. Joseph during the time of the conspiracy. In September 2009, McNamara began conspiring with others to provide Missouri driver's or non-driver's licenses to illegal aliens who were not legally entitled to them based on the false supporting identity documentation provided.

Based on this operation, illegal aliens traveled across the United States to obtain licenses from this license office by using unlawfully obtained birth certificates and Social Security cards. It is estimated that more than 100 Missouri licenses had been unlawfully issued to illegal aliens as part of this conspiracy.

According to McNamara, it was common knowledge among the employees at the license office that co-conspirators were assisting illegal aliens to unlawfully obtain licenses.

McNamara admitted that he was paid $50 to $100 each time he accepted fraudulent documents from illegal aliens, who were escorted to the office by co-conspirators disguised as translators. These fraudulent documents included invalid Puerto Rican birth certificates and certain state-issued birth certificates in the names of other persons. After accepting these documents, McNamara issued licenses to the illegal aliens who had assumed the identities of others. The licenses could then be used by the illegal aliens to remain in the United States, obtain employment, and for other unlawful purposes.

McNamara admitted that he accepted improper documents about two to three times per week, but he didn't do this every week. Co-conspirators often called McNamara before bringing aliens to the license office to make sure he was working, and to inform him they were bringing clients. McNamara met with co-conspirators on numerous occasions during non-work hours at locations other than the licensing office to receive payment.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, McNamara must pay a money judgment of at least $125,000.

Under federal statutes, McNamara is also subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the U.S. Probation Office completes a pre-sentence investigation.

Numerous law enforcement agencies assisted the HSI-led investigation, including the following agencies: Buchanan County (Mo.) Sheriff's Department; the St. Joseph (Mo.) Police Department; the Platte County (Mo.) Sheriff's Department; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the U.S. Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

ICE IMAGE Program Certifies 21 Puerto Rican Companies for Good Employment and Immigration Practices

Twenty-one businesses representing the automotive, marketing, healthcare, restaurant, security, agriculture, food and telecommunications industries became the latest employers to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to strengthen their hiring practices, reduce fraud and ensure they employ a legal workforce.

The 21 companies officially became members of ICE's Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) Thursday, December 6, 2012, during the largest IMAGE signing ceremony since inception of the program. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private sector businesses to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. As a result, a participating employer is able to maintain a more secure, stable workforce.

"I am pleased to welcome these companies as IMAGE partners," said Deputy Assistant Director of the HSI Transnational Crime and Public Safety Division Waldemar Rodriguez, who has been working closely with company officials in the IMAGE participation process. "This action sends a strong message to the thousands of Puerto Ricans who do business with these companies that the company places a priority on hiring and employing a legal workforce."

"Our IMAGE partnerships enable us to recognize the highest level of employment integrity and foster best hiring practices," said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "When employers make a commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it's good for their business and it's good for the community. In tough economic times, companies like these, who join IMAGE, have made a commitment to protecting our nation's lawful workforce."

Artic-kar Inc. is an auto processing company in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean with more than 500,000 vehicles processed to date. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Artic-Kar provides its business partners with inspection, logistics, transportation and installation services. The company has its headquarters in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, with operations in Cataño and Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

BBDO Puerto Rico Inc. is a marketing and publicity company with 15,000 employees in 289 offices across 81 countries. Their core competencies include advertising, branding, email marketing, mobile and social media, strategy and planning, interactive marketing, direct marketing and design.

Ciracet Corp. is dedicated to the management of healthcare technology and consulting. Comprised of engineers and healthcare professionals, their combined experience allows them to engineer new tools in the medical profession. With more than 60 years of combined experience, Ciracet Corp. provides healthcare in general with engineering tools that can be used during the entire life cycle of medical technology to enhance patient care services, improve healthcare facilities operations and maximize the cost effectiveness of those services.

El Meson Sandwiches Inc. and QSR Champs Inc. are two Puerto Rican franchise businesses with 36 establishments throughout the island with a current workforce of approximately 1,500 employees. QSR Champs Inc. provides administrative support to Meso Express Inc., El Meson Sandwiches Inc., and Western Meat Processors Inc.

Garaje Isla Verde, LLC is the exclusive dealer of Mercedes Benz vehicles in Puerto Rico. The company is currently one of the most recognized companies on the island for their product and service.

G4S Secure Solutions Puerto Rico Inc. is a United Kingdom subsidiary that provides full service security services, including monitoring station, field supervision, risk assessment, contract risk management, mobile patrol, executive protection, security cameras, signal monitored burglary and fire alarms, vehicular tracking and access control systems among other services.

Hacienda Santa Elena Inc., RF (MT Llanos) Inc., and Ganaderias del Sur, S.E. are a cattle breeding, calf raising, hay and silage farms and affiliates of Empresas Fonalledas.

Meso Express is a popular hometown eatery that serves full hot breakfasts and hot grilled Caribbean sandwiches. It is a Puerto Rican business with three establishments located in gas stations and shopping mall food courts in the San Juan metropolitan area.

Plaza del Caribe Inc. is the main shopping mall facility in southern Puerto Rico and an affiliate of Empresas Fonalledas.

Plaza Las Americas Inc. is the main shopping mall facility in Puerto Rico and an affiliate of Empresas Fonalledas.

San Jorge Children's Hospital provides healthcare services for children in Puerto Rico and the islands of the Caribbean. The hospital has a workforce of approximately 450 employees.

Soft & Creamy Inc. is an ice cream company chain and an affiliate of Empresas Fonalledas with approximately 100 employees.

Stryker Instruments Puerto Rico Inc. is a global orthopedic company operating in Puerto Rico for the past 30 years. The company has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees.

Supermercados Maximo Inc. is a local supermarket company with a workforce of approximately 1,600 employees in its 15 stores.

V. Suarez & Co. Inc. is one of Puerto Rico's largest commercial groups and one of the largest Hispanic firms in the United States. The company is diversified in three distinct businesses: food and beverage distribution, investment management and real estate.

Western Meat Processors is a meat processing company that delivers all food supplies for the El Meson Sandwiches and Meso Express establishments.

Worldnet Telecommunications Inc. is the third largest provider of internet and telecommunications services in Puerto Rico. The company has a workforce of approximately 200 employees.

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.

As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides private companies with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify. IMAGE certified companies also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Puerto Rico employers interested in learning more about IMAGE membership may call the ICE IMAGE coordinator in San Juan at 787-729-5151 or visit www.ICE.gov/IMAGE.

Woman Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Document Fraud Scheme

A Tennessee woman pleaded guilty Wednesday, November 14, 2012, to paying approximately $30,000 in bribes to a former Tennessee Department of Public Safety supervisory license examiner in exchange for fraudulent licenses and permits. The guilty plea follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the FBI and Tennessee Department of Safety.

Anny Castillo, 29, of Antioch, Tenn., a citizen of the Dominican Republic and lawful U.S. resident, pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy to unlawfully produce state identification documents, and to selling Social Security cards and citizenship documents.

"Fraudulent documents threaten the security of all citizens by making it easier for criminals to commit a range of offenses from identity theft to terrorism," said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans, who oversees a five state area of responsibility including Tennessee. "This guilty plea should serve as a reminder that HSI and its law enforcement partners continually work together to identify and prosecute criminals who violate the public trust."

According to court documents, Castillo illegally obtained and sold genuine identification and citizenship documents to illegal aliens between August 2011 and April 2012. Undercover federal agents posing as illegal aliens subsequently learned from Castillo that she could also obtain fraudulent state licenses and permits for an additional fee.

Undercover federal agents accompanied Castillo to a driver testing center in Nashville where Larry Murphy, 54, of Antioch, Tenn., worked as a supervisory driver's license examiner. There Castillo paid Murphy more than $15,000 to issue fraudulent licenses to the undercover agents. Castillo admitted in court she and Murphy engaged in approximately 50 total transactions involving at least $30,000 in illegal payments.

Castillo and Murphy were both indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2012. Murphy pleaded guilty Nov. 6 and both are scheduled to be sentenced in February. Castillo and Murphy each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Massachusetts Companies Fined by ICE for Illegal Immigration and Employment Practices

Following an investigation and audit of Form I-9 documents by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), 17 Massachusetts employers were fined a total of $349,619.54 in fiscal year (FY) 2012 for various employment violations.

The inspection of the employers' documents is part of HSI's worksite enforcement strategy that launched in 2009 to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce. This strategy focuses agency resources on the investigation and audit of employers suspected of cultivating illegal workplaces by hiring workers who are not authorized to work.

Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire. This form requires employers to review and record the individual's identity and employment eligibility document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appears to be genuine and related to the individual. Additionally, an employer must ensure that the employee provides certain information regarding his or her eligibility to work, on the Form I-9.

Fines in Massachusetts in FY 2012 include:

·                             Alliance for Affordable Housing Inc. of Everett was fined $888.25;

·                             Amex Inc. of East Boston was fined $70,000;

·                             Bread & Company Inc. of Everett was fined $9,804;

·                             Cap Seafood Inc. of New Bedford was fined $9,804;

·                             Danco Retail Food Outlet Inc. of Worcester was fined $935;

·                             Fruitlands Restaurant, Inc., aka Sorrento's Pizza, of Harvard was fined $2,805;

·                             Jae's Spice of Pittsfield was fined $3,000;

·                             Leechen Restaurant Inc. of Lawrence was fined $9,441.63;

·                             Metropolitan Linen Services Corp. of Everett was fined $13,635.19;

·                             Northern Pelagic Group LLC (NORPEL) of New Bedford was fined $151,200;

·                             Ocean Crest Seafoods of Gloucester was fined $9,000;

·                             Panda House Inc. of Westfield was fined $4,675;

·                             Pier Fish Company Inc. of New Bedford was fined $2,200;

·                             Quality Workforce Inc. of Brockton was fined $26,881.25;

·                             Samar Company Inc. of Stoughton was fined $33,786.22;

·                             Sampco Inc. of Pittsfield was fined $550; and

·                             STAT Products Inc. of Ashland was fined $1,014.

"These settlements serve as a reminder to employers that HSI will continue to hold them accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal and compliant workforce," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston. "We encourage employers to take the employment verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are conducting throughout Massachusetts each year. My agency will continue to focus its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers and will continue to target specific industries and businesses known or alleged to hire illegals."

During FY 2012, HSI conducted 35 inspections of employers' I-9 documents in Massachusetts, an increase over the 30 inspections conducted in FY 2011, 20 in FY 2010 and 17 in FY 2009.
In previous years, the fines in Massachusetts were:

·                             FY 2011: HSI issued fines for worksite violations against 11 companies totaling $175,420.25;

·                             FY 2010: HSI issued fines for worksite violations against three companies totaling $67,440; and

·                             FY 2009: HSI issued fines for worksite violations against one company totaling $9,753.

 

HSI worksite investigations

 

Effective worksite enforcement plays an important role in the fight against illegal immigration. HSI has developed a comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy that promotes national security, protects critical infrastructure and targets employers who violate employment laws or engage in abuse or exploitation of workers.

An effective worksite enforcement strategy must address both employers who knowingly hire illegal workers, as well as the workers themselves. In worksite cases, HSI investigators adhere to high investigative standards, including the following:

·                             HSI will look for evidence of the mistreatment of workers, along with evidence of trafficking, smuggling, harboring, visa fraud, identification document fraud, money laundering and other such criminal conduct; and

·                             HSI will obtain indictments, criminal arrests or search warrants, or a commitment from a U.S. attorney's office to prosecute the targeted employer before arresting employees for civil immigration violations at a worksite.

HSI also works with the private sector to educate employers about their responsibilities to hire only authorized workers and how to accurately verify employment eligibility, through such tools as the IMAGE program.

IMAGE program

 

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006. As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides employers with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify.

IMAGE certified employers also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Employers that are certified with ICE through the IMAGE program pledge to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. ICE recently revamped IMAGE, simplifying program requirements.

E-Verify

 

All IMAGE members must participate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

ICE Supports Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) focused on making the safety and support of ICE personnel in the region a top priority.

"The cohesiveness of our ICE HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) staff in New York and throughout the country to provide assistance to employees in need has been really incredible to see," said James T. Hayes Jr., special agent in charge for HSI New York. "The response to this crisis, from within all of ICE, has been incredibly inspiring."

More than 100 special agent volunteers with HSI New York have united with members of HSI New York's special response team (SRT) and rapid response team (RRT) to help those in need. SRTs and RRTs from other offices including HSI Boston and HSI Tampa, as well as personnel from ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), have joined recovery efforts, demonstrating that in the face of tragedy, ICE works and stands as one force. While multiple teams continue to operate in the hurricane-ravaged area, help was being provided well before their arrival.

"Support efforts were actually taking place on the day of the storm," said Anthony Scandiffio, deputy special agent in charge (DSAC) for HSI New York. "During the hurricane, trees blocked many roadways, electrical wires were down all over the place, and many streets were flooded with water. As a result, we had SRT members trying to reach affected agents in order to rescue them from rising water levels in their homes. We also had ASACs (assistant special agents in charge) driving to relocate agents and their families during the height of the storm."

Weather conditions eventually became so severe that in one case a special agent actually had to swim from his home to safety. Immediately following Sandy's passing, various teams went to check on storm victims. Team members spent hours pumping water out of homes, removing fallen trees and water-logged furniture, issuing generators, and helping to board up homes. In addition to taking care of damaged property, special agents also took care of families, as they delivered food and water to ICE personnel. HSI New York SRT members initiated a food and clothing drive which resulted in the collection of approximately 50 large bags of food, clothing and blankets, which were delivered to a distribution center in Long Beach, N.Y.

"We tried to assist our agents and support staff as much as possible to make this ordeal a little easier on them and their families," said Scandiffio. "SRT and RRT members did welfare checks for two weeks straight on everyone we provided assistance to. SRT members would visit homes at night to see how agents and their families were doing, and to provide them with gas for their generators. They also provided protection for these homes from looting that was taking place in the Rockaways and other places."

In many areas, the HSI New York SRT utilized its Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP) to pull destroyed government vehicles onto the street so they could be towed out of the area. Additionally, members from U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices in the region helped to transport generators and other supplies, including twenty-two generators sent by HSI Miami, as well as power strips, extension cords and five-gallon gas containers sent by HSI Philadelphia. ERO personnel also set up a mobile command center to facilitate teams' movements to those who were most in need.

"The willingness of our fellow employees from around the country and from all levels at ICE headquarters, to not only come and help, but to leave their equipment for us to use, says a lot about the strength and culture of this agency moving forward," said Hayes.
Just a few miles away in New Jersey, leadership from HSI and ERO Newark also worked together to ensure that all ICE personnel in the area were taken care of and that ICE's presence there went on uninterrupted in support of the community.

HSI Newark's RRT responded to help account for employees and conduct welfare checks. Employees not only supported each other but provided law enforcement support to the federal, state and local first responders directly engaged in assisting the millions of people who needed help.

"I was heartened and impressed by the resilience and dedication shown by officers and agents following the devastating storm that New Jersey experienced," said John Tsoukaris, field office director for ERO Newark. "Under very challenging conditions, ERO employees continued to ensure the safety and security of our detainees, as well as ICE's public safety mission. Many employees operated out of offices with no power or heat for several days and did a remarkable job in making the field office operational within a very short timeframe. They did this even as they were going through significant challenges in their personal lives with their families, many of which were struggling without power and other basic amenities."