Press Release

Somali Illegal Alien Sentenced to 30 Years for Kidnapping Resulting in Death

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Somali National was sentenced in federal court today for a kidnapping resulting in death.

Mahamud Tooxoow Mahamed, 44, was sentenced by United States District Judge Megan B. Benton to 30 years for the kidnapping resulting in the death of J.M.

According to court documents, J.M.’s body was discovered on July 29, 2019, near Missouri Highway 59, after an individual observed a pink suitcase in a roadside ditch with feet sticking out. Law enforcement located J.M.’s severely decomposed body lying next to the pink suitcase. DNA analysis confirmed that J.M.’s blood was located on multiple items recovered from a vehicle utilized by J.M. and Mahamed.

J.M. was last seen alive on July 16, 2019, when law enforcement officers responded to a call at her apartment. J.M. reported to 911 that Mahamed had held her at knife point and tried to force her to have sexual intercourse with him. J.M. repeatedly told the 911 operator that she was worried that Mahamed would harm her three young children who were in the apartment with him.

On July 17, 2019, J.M. and her children were reported as missing after attempts to contact J.M. on the phone and in-person failed. The children were eventually located at a residence in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 8, 2019. 

After abandoning the children in Iowa, Mahamed left the United States and was a fugitive from justice until he was located and expelled from Guatemala on July 27, 2021. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the McDonald County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Rochester, Minn., Police Department, and the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department.

 Press Release

Four defendants sentenced to prison for kidnapping

Thursday, May 7, 2026

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Four defendants in a kidnapping received prison sentences in a crime where the victim was bound and blindfolded for approximately 10 hours. 

According to court documents, Tahreon L. Allen, 23, of Lawrence, Kansas, Jean Willy Petit Frere, 26, of Lawrence, Kansas, Mustafa D. Muhammad-Springs, 22, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Tamara U. Jackson, 25, of Kansas City, Missouri, all pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping.

Allen was sentenced to 262 months in prison. 

Muhammad-Springs was sentenced to 204 months in prison.

Petit Free sentenced to 135 months in prison.

Jackson was sentenced to 54 months in prison. 

In May 2023, Tahreon L. Allen, Jean Willy Petit Frere, and a third suspect forced a 65-year-old man from his home in Lawrence, Kansas, at gunpoint and demanded he give them money. They bound the victim’s hands with duct tape and put a pillowcase over his head. The kidnappers stole money from the victim and stole two vehicles. They transported him to various locations before eventually meeting up with Muhammad-Springs in Kansas City, Kansas, where Petit Frere and the third suspect withdrew from the conspiracy. The victim was driven back to his home in Lawrence, where a third vehicle was stolen.  

After returning with the victim to the Kansas City area, Muhammad-Springs called Tamara Jackson and asked her to find a place where the victim could be concealed. She orchestrated putting the victim into the basement of the apartment where she was residing in Kansas City, Missouri. As Muhammad-Springs and a co-conspirator attempted to transfer the victim, who still had the pillowcase over his head, back into one of the victim’s stolen vehicles, they were confronted by bystanders, who physically removed the victim from the vehicle. Muhammad-Springs and the co-conspirator then fled in the stolen vehicle, which was later found abandoned in Kansas City, Missouri.

 Allen was arrested later that day after he drove one of the victim’s vehicles to his place of employment.

“The victim spent hours bound, blindfolded, and in mental anguish fearing that at any moment his captors would end his life, but the perpetrators didn’t care. Their utter depravity means our society is safer with them behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser.

The Lawrence Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel prosecuted the case.

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ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien in Texas Convicted of Attempted Murder of Police Officer

 News Release:

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

ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien in Texas Convicted of Attempted Murder of Police Officer As DHS observes Police Week, ICE is removing this attempted cop-killer from our communities WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an illegal alien who had previously been convicted for attempted murder of a police officer. On May 5, 2026, ICE law enforcement arrested Dinh Quy Nguyen, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, in Houston, Texas. Nguyen has remained free in the local community for over 15 years despite having a final order of removal and prior convictions for attempted capital murder of a police officer and burglary. Nguyen was admitted into the U.S. on December 15, 1977, in Honolulu, Hawaii. On June 28, 1989, he was convicted of attempted capital murder of a police officer and burglary. A Department of Justice Immigration Judge issued him a final order of removal on December 30, 1997. That decision was affirmed by the Board of Immigration Appeals on May 26, 1998. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice transferred Nguyen into ICE custody on March 17, 2011. On June 22, 2011, ICE was forced to release Nguyen since Vietnam would not take him back. ICE can only detain illegals for the purpose of removal. “As we observe Police Week, the men and women of ICE law enforcement are removing this illegal alien convicted of attempted murder of a police officer from our communities, so he cannot victimize anymore Americans,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This criminal illegal alien from Vietnam was also previously convicted for burglary. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will always stand by our brave ICE law enforcement who put their lives on the line to arrest heinous criminals from American neighborhoods.” Previously, an agreement between the United States and Vietnam made ICE unable to repatriate Vietnamese citizens, regardless of their immigration status or criminal history, if they arrived in the U.S. prior to July 12, 1995. As a result, Nguyen – and other dangerous criminal aliens from Vietnam who arrived prior to that date – were essentially untouchable by immigration officials and allowed to remain. President Donald J. Trump has removed those limitations and made it possible for ICE to arrest and deport Nguyen and other criminal illegal aliens from Vietnam. He was arrested on May 5, 2026, and remains at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, pending his removal to Vietnam.

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Coast Guard Finalizes Contract for Five New Arctic Security Cutters

 News Release:

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

Coast Guard Finalizes Contract for Five New Arctic Security Cutters With this historic contract, the Coast Guard will roll out a brand new class of polar icebreakers that will strengthen America’s dominance in the Arctic WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after the U.S. Coast Guard finalized a $3.5 billion contract for the construction and delivery of five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a brand new class of polar icebreaker vessels that will strengthen America’s position in the Arctic. The contract was awarded to Davie Defense. This is the first of three contracts for the construction of the new ASC class, with two remaining contracts set to be finalized by the Coast Guard soon. The first vessel under this contract is scheduled to be delivered in 2028, and all five vessels will be delivered by February of 2035. The Coast Guard’s contract with Davie Defense was initially awarded in early February, and was the third ASC contract awarded. These initial contract awards allowed shipbuilders to begin planning while all final details were negotiated. The finalized contract with Davie Defense announced today is the first of those three ASC contracts for which terms were fully defined. The Coast Guard plans to finalize the two remaining contracts soon. “Finalizing this contract represents decisive action to guarantee American security in the Arctic,” said Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. “The Arctic Security Cutters will deliver the essential capability to uphold U.S. sovereignty against adversaries’ aggressive economic and military actions in the Arctic. These cutters will ensure the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend our northern border and maritime approaches.” Using the $25 billion provided by the historic Fiscal Year 2025 budget reconciliation, the Coast Guard has already ordered over $13 billion in new fleet assets and capabilities. This rapid investment demonstrates the Coast Guard’s commitment to modernizing acquisition, delivering next-generation technology, and revitalizing American shipbuilding. The ASC program will fulfill President Donald J. Trump’s promise to expand the nation’s Arctic fleet by delivering 11 Arctic Security Cutters. The program will also bring Arctic shipbuilding expertise back to the United States, strengthening long-term industrial capability and workforce development at American shipyards.

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ICE Asks Indiana to Not Release Illegal Alien Serial Rapist

 News Release:

ICE Asks Indiana to Not Release Illegal Alien Serial Rapist This sexual predator from Mexico was released into our country by the Biden Administration  WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer asking Indiana officials to not release an illegal alien serial rapist.  On April 22, 2026, police in Indianapolis arrested Leonel Catalan Torreblanca, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who is the suspect in a decade-long serial rape case and now faces 30 charges including rape, sexual battery, criminal confinement, kidnapping, strangulation, and burglary. His criminal history includes convictions for patronizing a prostitute, voyeurism, and multiple DUIs.  The reported sexual assaults occurred between 2013 and 2024.  “Thanks to the incredible work of the men and women of federal law enforcement, this demented rapist’s ten-year crime spree is over. He is now facing 30 charges including rape, sexual battery, criminal confinement, kidnapping, strangulation, and burglary,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “ICE is asking Indiana officials to hand him over to ICE custody. Indiana cooperates with ICE, so we will be able to work together to get him off our streets and out of our country. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the United States.”  Torreblanca first illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and location. ICE arrested him in 2012, but he was released by the Obama Administration. ICE arrested him again in 2017, and he voluntarily returned to Mexico in 2018. He then illegally re-entered the United States – a felony – in 2023 under the Biden Administration.

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MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN: ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, Violent Assailants, and Other Criminal Illegal Aliens Over Mother’s Day Weekend

 News Release:

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

MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN: ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, Violent Assailants, and Other Criminal Illegal Aliens Over Mother’s Day Weekend While Americans celebrated Mother’s Day, the men and women of ICE were hard at work arresting criminal illegal aliens to protect American families WASHINGTON – Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes including capital murder, sex crimes against children, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping. “While Americans celebrated Mother’s Day, the NICE men and women of ICE risked their lives to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from American communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This weekend, ICE arrested a murderer, pedophiles, violent assailants, and a kidnapper. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we are protecting American families by removing the worst of the worst from our neighborhoods before they can victimize another innocent American.” Arrests over the weekend include: Miguel Solis-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for capital murder in Bexar County, Texas. Wenceslao O. Panameno, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for sex offense against child-fondling, rape – strongarm, fraud – impersonating, and pending conviction of sex assault – carnal abuse in Peabody, Massachusetts. Jorge Alberto Ramos-Coreas, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for lewd acts with a minor child under 14 years of age by force in Oakland, California. Fredis Antonio Gonzalez-Recinos, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for sexual abuse – 1st degree, contact with victim less than 13/defendant 21 or older in Suffolk County, New York. Ricardo Crespo-Ruiz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for voluntary manslaughter and burglary in Los Angeles, California. Vicente Margarito Lopez-Sixto, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted purchasing sex with a minor, sexual abuse in the first degree, and stalking in Marion County, Oregon. Magdaleno Roman Rosales, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for kidnapping in Irving, Texas. Gilberto Nehemias Pena-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for assault with a deadly weapon and illegal re-entry in Roma, Texas. Juan Carlos Javier-Garces, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for assault and domestic violence in Uintah County, Utah. Antonio Efrain Morales-Diego, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for strangulation: wound/injury in Accomack, Virginia. Jose Medina-Silva, a criminal illegal alien from of Ecuador, convicted for assault on a family member - injury in Harris County, Texas. Olvin Alejandro Vasquez-Orellana, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for assault on a family member - injury in Harris County, Texas. Leonel Hernandez Medina, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for simple assault and drug possession in Reading, Pennsylvania. Juan Gonzalez-Paz, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for grand theft and burglary tools in Miami, Florida. Axel Nunez-Munoz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for vehicle theft and possession of a controlled substance in Boulder, Colorado.  Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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Meet One of the Media’s ‘Non-Criminals’: ICE Law Enforcement Officers in New Jersey Arrest International Fugitive Wanted for Murder in His Origin Country

 News Release:

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

Meet One of the Media’s ‘Non-Criminals’: ICE Law Enforcement Officers in New Jersey Arrest International Fugitive Wanted for Murder in His Origin Country Nearly 70% of ICE arrests have been of criminal illegal aliens convicted or charged of a crime in the U.S.–those who committed crimes in foreign countries are not counted in that statistic WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement officers in New Jersey arrested an illegal alien who is wanted for murder in Honduras. On April 20, 2026, ICE law enforcement arrested Fredy Alexander Lopez Lara, an illegal alien from Honduras and fugitive who has an international warrant for homicide in his home country. The warrant was first issued in 2020. ICE arrested Lopez Lara near Eatontown, New Jersey during a vehicle stop. “The brave men and women of ICE have removed another dangerous criminal from our streets. This illegal alien is wanted for murder in his home country of Honduras,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This is the kind of illegal alien that the mainstream media falsely describes as a ‘non-criminal’ because he lacks a criminal history in the United States. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. This statistic does not even include foreign fugitives wanted for crimes in their home country like this illegal alien.” Lopez Lara illegally entered the United States at an unknown date and location. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

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