Press Release

Indian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Illegal Gambling Ring

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Indian national pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for his involvement in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy occurring at six locations in southwest Missouri.

Rahulkumar D. Patel, 41, a citizen of India residing in the state of Washington, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Patel admitted that he and his co-conspirators obtained approximately $7,696,085 in gross proceeds from their wire fraud scheme and illegal gambling businesses and then conducted various financial transactions for the purpose of laundering the proceeds.

On May 14, 2025, Patel was charged, along with eight other individuals, in a 72-count superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield. The federal indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with money laundering.

Through Patel’s guilty plea, he admitted that he and his co-conspirators ran illegal gambling businesses under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades, and adult arcades. Patel and his co-conspirators hired local employees to work in their businesses, which operated contests of chance, gambling devices, and slot machines in violation of Missouri and Federal law. There were four locations that operated in Springfield: Big Win Arcade #1 at 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Big Win Arcade #2 at 1135 E. Commercial St., Spin Hitters at 838-840 S. Glenstone Ave., and Vegas Arcade at 615 S. Scenic. They also opened Spin Zone at 2331 E. 7th St. in Joplin, Mo., and Vegas City Arcade at 16585 Missouri Highway 13, Branson West.

Under federal statutes, Patel is subject to a sentence of up to 20, five, and 20 years in federal prison without parole, respectively, for each count to which he pleaded guilty. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri National Guard Counter Drug Unit, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, the Jasper County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, and the Johnson County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney.
 

Homeland Security Task Force

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Kansas City comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.

 

Homeland Security Task Force Investigation leads to seven defendants sentenced to prison in methamphetamine trafficking ring tied to Mexico

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation into a drug trafficking ring connected to a Mexican drug cartel resulted in convictions and prison sentences for defendants in the Kansas City metro area. 

In January 2020, federal agents opened an investigation into a methamphetamine trafficking operation headed by Jose Santos Macias-Roman, 46, a Mexican national residing illegally in the United States after overstaying his visa. Investigators learned that Macias Roman arranged the transportation of liquid methamphetamine from Sinaloa, Mexico to the Kansas City, Kansas area. Between February 2020 and July 2023, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled methamphetamine purchases from Macias Roman and members of his drug trafficking organization. Investigators learned the traffickers converted the methamphetamine from liquid into crystal form before distributing the finished product to customers. 

Over time, law enforcement identified several members of the drug trafficking network and their stash houses, two of which contained active methamphetamine conversion labs. As a result of the investigation, law enforcement seized over 70 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately $35,000 in cash, and three firearms. 

“The Homeland Security Task Force model is directly focused on targeting transnational criminal organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “This case is a perfect example of coordinated law enforcement resources to achieve justice. We will continue to build collaborative relationships with state, local, and federal partners to eliminate transnational and other threats to our communities here in Kansas and elsewhere.”

Macias Roman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 300 months in prison. 

Juan Ramirez-Gonzalez, 37, an illegal alien from Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 300 months in prison.

Ezequil Castro-Aviles, 40, a Mexican national residing illegally in the United States after overstaying his visa, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 172 months in prison.

Manuel Alexis Soltero-Alvarez, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 168 months in prison.

Manuel Arturo Faudoa, 26, of Dodge City, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 144 months in prison.

Gerardo Sierra-Martinez, 21, an illegal alien from Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to 97 months in prison.

Marcos Antonio Valencia, Jr., 35, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 72 months in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Jackson County, Missouri Drug Task Force, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Nebraska Highway Patrol, and the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program investigated the case.  
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug prosecuted the case.

This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Kansas City comprises agents and officers from FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.

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 Press Release

Two Kansas men sentenced for sexual exploitation of a minor in separate criminal cases

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

TOPEKA, KAN. – Two Kansas men received prison sentences following separate Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigations into reports of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, Douglas Harpster, 53, of Salina pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possession of child sexual abuse material.  

Harpster was sentenced to 78 months in prison and a ten-year term of supervised release.

In October of 2022, the FBI received a tip that a computer IP address with a geolocation in Salina was downloading known CSAM files using an Internet file sharing platform. The user was identified as Harpster. FBI agents executed a search warrant on Harpster’s home and seized multiple electronic devices and electronic storage devices.  A review confirmed his files contained over 1,500 thumbnails or cached images depicting minors, including those under the age of 12, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

In a separate case, according to court documents, Eric Holloway, 53, of Clay Center pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possession of child sexual abuse material, with statutory sentencing enhancement as the defendant has a prior conviction for a crime of sexual violence.

Holloway was sentenced to 135 months in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release.

“Child sexual abuse material is a plague on our communities. If you possess, create, and/or distribute these perverse images you should expect to be prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the cases. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Walton prosecuted the cases.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Other Dangerous Criminal Illegal Aliens

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Other Dangerous Criminal Illegal Aliens Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S.   WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announce the arrest of more criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes, including murder, THREE counts of sexual assault with a minor, and grand larceny. “Just yesterday, the NICE men and women of ICE arrested criminal illegal aliens across the country, including murderers, pedophiles, and one monster convicted for THREE counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor and THREE counts of illegal sexual contact with a minor,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE will continue removing these public safety threats from our communities. America will be safe again.”  Yesterday’s arrets include: Carlos Bran-Calderon, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for second-degree murder in Wayne County, North Carolina. Mario Ectali Lopez-Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for the offenses of THREE counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor and THREE counts of illegal sexual contact with a minor in New Haven, Connecticut. Tanaka Chikerema, a criminal illegal alien from Zimbabwe, convicted for enticing a child for indecent purposes, and child molestation in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Victor Parra-Subero, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, convicted for grand larceny in New York, New York. Noslan Ruiz-Bernal, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for armed burglary of conveyance in Davie, Florida Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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ICE Arrests Violent Illegal Alien Sex Offender After Governor Pritzker and Illinois Sanctuary Politicians Released Him From Jail Into the Community

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Arrests Violent Illegal Alien Sex Offender After Governor Pritzker and Illinois Sanctuary Politicians Released Him From Jail Into the Community Erik Giovanni-Quiroa was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 5-year-old child WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Chicago arrested a criminal illegal alien who was released by Illinois sanctuary politicians despite charges for child sex abuse. Erik Giovanni-Quiroa, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, has a criminal history that includes a conviction in 2011 for aggravated battery with a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and a conviction in 2025 for aggravated sexual abuse of a 5-year-old child, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison. ICE lodged a detainer with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), but Governor J.B. Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians refused to cooperate with ICE and RELEASED this pedophile from jail into the community. On April 22, 2026, ICE conducted a targeted vehicle stop and arrested him at large in the community. Giovanni-Quiroa again endangered the public by refusing to stop when given lawful commands and attempting to flee in his vehicle. Officers eventually safely arrested him, and he remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and will receive full due process. “It is shameful that Governor Pritzker and his Illinois sanctuary politicians chose to RELEASE a pedophile from jail back into our communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “ICE law enforcement arrested this pedophile who sexually abused a 5-year-old child. Governor Pritzker must end this insanity and stop releasing pedophiles into our communities. Sanctuary politicians protect criminal illegal aliens and allow them to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims.”  Giovanni-Quiroa illegally entered the country in 2002. In December 2025, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul calling on him to put the safety of Americans first and honor ICE arrest detainers of the more than 4,000 criminal illegal aliens in the state’s custody, including murderers, sexual predators, and those convicted of or charged with weapons offenses. When sanctuary politicians ignore ICE detainers, they are protecting criminal illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens. These are criminals with prior convictions for rape, murder, drug trafficking and other dangerous crimes, and instead of holding them for ICE, sanctuary politicians release them back into our communities.

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DHS Suspends Former South Florida Congresswoman, Associates After Indictment Alleging $5.7 Million Disaster Fraud

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

DHS Suspends Former South Florida Congresswoman, Associates After Indictment Alleging $5.7 Million Disaster Fraud WASHINGTON – Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS and FEMA are working with federal, state and local law enforcement to investigate fraud and hold offenders accountable. Consistent with this commitment, the DHS Office of the General Counsel and the FEMA Office of Chief Counsel have indefinitely suspended former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of South Florida, her brother Edwin Cherfilus and multiple associates and affiliated entities following a federal indictment alleging they misappropriated approximately $5.7 million in disaster funds and used the proceeds for personal enrichment and illegal campaign contributions. In this case, FEMA provided disaster funding to the State of Florida through the Public Assistance program to support the state-led COVID-19 vaccination efforts. “Former Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick abused Americans’ trust in the most egregious way possible. She manipulated the COVID-19 crisis to funnel over $5 million dollars of FEMA relief funds to her and her family members,” said James Percival, DHS General Counsel. “This is outright fraud. That’s exactly what a federal grand jury and the U.S. House of Representatives found. I am proud that my office is taking the first step to ensure she is held accountable and American taxpayers’ money is protected from further misuse.” These actions are in alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, led by Vice President JD Vance, which directs federal agencies to combat fraud, waste and abuse in federal benefit programs, restore integrity to taxpayer-funded safety‑net programs and ensure that benefits go only to eligible Americans. The overpayment and subsequent misuse of funds were identified through a combination of state-level reconciliation, FEMA’s closeout process, and a federal investigation led by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Public Integrity Unit. FEMA’s Office of the Chief Security Officer and Public Assistance program staff worked closely with the DOJ to explain FEMA’s funding processes to help trace the flow of funds and support the government’s efforts to protect taxpayers. Members of the public who suspect disaster fraud related to FEMA programs are encouraged to report by emailing StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. Timely reporting helps protect disaster survivors, strengthens program integrity and supports the administration’s efforts to safeguard taxpayer dollars.

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ICE Asks Governor Newsom and California Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Illegal Alien Arrested for Fatal Stabbing in San Francisco

 Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Asks Governor Newsom and California Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Illegal Alien Arrested for Fatal Stabbing in San Francisco This illegal alien from Venezuela was released into the country by the Biden administration WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement confirming that Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, who is charged in the fatal stabbing of a man in San Francisco, California in December is an illegal alien. On December 11, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer requesting that California sanctuary politicians not release Tortolero-Arriechi from jail. This criminal illegal alien from Venezuela stabbed 51-year-old Alberto Rangel at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on December 4. Rangel died of his injuries two days later, on December 6. The victim: Alberto Rangel The suspect: Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi  “If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, Alberto Rangel would still be alive,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “We are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to commit to not releasing this murderer from jail. California’s sanctuary policies put American lives at risk. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released from jails back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans. If we work together, we can make America safe again. 7 of the 10 safest cities in the U.S. cooperate with ICE law enforcement.” In the weeks before the attack, Tortolero-Arriechi reportedly threatened his doctor and staff at the hospital. He now faces charges for homicide and use of a deadly weapon, and is currently being held at the San Francisco County Jail. U.S. Border Patrol agents first encountered Tortolero-Arriechi in 2023. He was then released into the country by the Biden administration. In February, ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta calling on him to put the safety of Americans first and honor ICE arrest detainers of the more than 33,000 criminal illegal aliens in California’s custody.

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