Press Release:

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

ICE Arrests Multiple Pedophiles, Rapists, and Violent Assailants Over the Weekend WASHINGTON –– Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested criminal illegal aliens convicted for despicable crimes including aggravated sexual abuse of a child, rape, corporal injuries to spouse or cohabitant, and assault with a deadly weapon.  “While Americans enjoyed their weekends, the heroic men and women of ICE were removing pedophiles, rapists, violent assailants, domestic abusers, thieves, and burglars from American streets,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “From coast to coast, ICE never stops, even on the weekends, arresting criminal illegal aliens in our country. President Trump has made it clear: criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States of America.”  Arrests over the weekend include:  Miguel Lux-Acabal, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for aggravated sexual abuse of a child in Coles County, Illinois.  Gerino Pierda-Pompa, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for indecency with a child -sexual contact in Montgomery County, Texas.  Jose Ortez-Guillen, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for statutory sexual seduction in Ely, Nevada.  Mario Rodriguez-Ramirez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for rape in Davidson County, Tennessee. Carlos Rocemel Sanchez-Coyoy, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for oral copulation and sexual penetration with foreign object involving a person incapable of consent in Los Angeles, California. Orlando Dubon-Vides, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for sexual abuse in Monticello, New York.  Miguel Angel Diaz, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for sexual battery in Prince William County, Virginia.   Carlos Rodezno-Quintanilla, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  Xuan Truong Hua, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, convicted for corporal injuries to spouse or cohabitant and assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles, California.  Jose David Elio Luis-Paraiso, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles, California. Josue Casco, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for TWO counts of larceny and commercial sex in Alfred, Maine. Juan Diaz-Mendia, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador, convicted for grand larceny in Orange County, New York. Jorge Duenas, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for burglary of occupied dwelling in Miami, Florida. Kristoff Jones, a criminal illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted for burglary in New York, New York. Carla Guillen-Olvera, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for felony vehicle theft in Davidson County, Tennessee.   Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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ICE Requests Missouri Not Release Illegal Alien Accused of Raping and Kidnapping a Woman on Easter Sunday

 Press Release:

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

ICE Requests Missouri Not Release Illegal Alien Accused of Raping and Kidnapping a Woman on Easter Sunday Cristian Lopez-Gomez illegally entered the United States and was released into American communities by the Biden administration in 2024 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of a criminal illegal alien from Honduras who entered the country illegally in 2024 under the Biden administration and is now charged with raping a woman in Kirksville, Missouri on Easter Sunday. According to local reports, Cristian Lopez-Gomez is charged with rape and kidnapping after allegedly raping a woman and unlawfully restraining her on Easter Sunday. Cristian Lopez-Gomez Lopez-Gomez is not reported to have any previous criminal history in the U.S. He is being held in the Adair County jail. ICE lodged an arrest detainer requesting Missouri not release him from jail. “This animal kidnapped and raped a woman in Missouri on Easter Sunday,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This sexual predator was RELEASED into our country by the Biden administration in 2024. ICE lodged an arrest detainer requesting Missouri not release this monster back into our communities to rape and assault more innocent women. Thankfully, Missouri cooperates with ICE law enforcement. When state and local law enforcement work with ICE, we can safely remove criminal illegal aliens from our country and put the safety of American citizens first.” Lopez-Gomez entered the U.S. in April 2024 under the Biden administration was released into the country.

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 Press Release:

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

ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Sexual Deviants These arrests took place on the one-year anniversary of the re-opening of the VOICE office that was created in President Trump’s first term to help victims of illegal alien crime WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes including murder, attempted lewdness with a child, aggravated sexual battery, sexual penetration with animate object by force, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  These arrests took place on the one-year anniversary of the re-opening of ICE’s Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office. VOICE focuses on helping victims of crime with a nexus to immigration, and their families, by providing them with the resources and support that they need. VOICE was originally launched under the first Trump administration but was then shuttered by the Biden administration. “Day in and day out, the brave men and women of ICE are risking their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities and stop another American from being raped, maimed, or murdered by illegal aliens with no right to be in our country,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Yesterday, ICE arrested multiple disgusting criminals, including murderers, pedophiles, and sexual deviants. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime. President Trump and Secretary Mullin will continue to fight for justice for victims of illegal alien crime.” Yesterday’s arrests include: Luis Hernandez-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for murder in Upshur County, Texas. Alejandro Laguna-Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for attempted lewdness with a child in Carson City, Nevada. Daniel Albert Urbina, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted TWICE for aggravated sexual battery and sexual penetration with animate object by force or threat in Leesburg, Virginia. Alexander Garcia-Penate, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Nilson Noel Granados-Trejo, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for assault in Hyattsville, Maryland. Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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ICE Arrests TWICE RELEASED Illegal Alien Convicted of Rape and Sodomy in Oregon Following his Release From Jail by Sanctuary Politicians

 Press Release:

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

ICE Arrests TWICE RELEASED Illegal Alien Convicted of Rape and Sodomy in Oregon Following his Release From Jail by Sanctuary Politicians WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of Cristobal Felipe-Sarmiento, an illegal alien from Mexico previously convicted of rape and sodomy, in Salem, Oregon. On April 9, 2026, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a premiere law enforcement agency inside of ICE in Portland, Oregon arrested Felipe-Sarmiento, a convicted rapist.  In December 2016, Felipe-Sarmiento was convicted of both rape and sodomy in Marion County, Oregon. He also has a conviction for driving under the influence from 2014 in Marion County. “This dangerous criminal illegal alien should NEVER have been in this country in the first place—let alone RELEASED TWICE by sanctuary politicians following convictions for driving under the influence, rape, and sodomy,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Oregon sanctuary politicians that continue to release criminal illegal aliens like Cristobal Felipe-Sarmiento into American communities are playing Russian roulette with American lives. The brave men and women of DHS law enforcement are working every day to keep our communities safe by arresting these heinous criminals.” Sanctuary politicians make Americans less safe by releasing criminals from their jails into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims Cristobal Felipe-Sarmiento Felipe-Sarmiento entered the United States at an unknown date and time. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

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 Press Release

Topeka man uses federal grant funds as shopping money

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

TOPEKA, KAN. – A former employee of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) pleaded guilty to misapplying thousands of dollars the tribe received in federal grants and using the money to purchase sports memorabilia.  

According to court documents, Matthew Waits, 41, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of federal grant funds. 
Waits previously worked for the PBPN as manager and program director of the Diabetes Prevention Program. In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) / Indian Health Service awarded federal grants and assistance to the tribe. Waits misapplied more than $5,000 in grant money by using it to buy sports memorabilia, which is not an authorized purchase under the rules of the grant and in violation of federal law. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“Diabetes patients are susceptible to long-term damage to their heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. It was the defendant’s job to teach people how to avoid this chronic disease. Waits took money intended to help save lives and used it to purchase materials to enhance his hobby shop that sold collectables such as Pokemon cards and sports memorabilia,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (HHS – OIG) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Maag and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case.

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 Press Release:

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

PHOTO RELEASE: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Visits with Coast Guard Leadership and Personnel in Bipartisan Oregon Tour  WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and local Oregon leadership, participated in multiple events in Astoria, Oregon that included a tour of Coast Guard training facilities. “We toured the world class rescue facilities and met with the fearless men and women who protect our maritime borders. I found out the USCG has a 90% retention rate which is higher than any of our military branches. Thank you for your outstanding attitude and keeping our country safe,' said Secretary Mullin. Secretary Mullin, along with Commandant of the Coast Guard, Kevin Lunday, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, and other Coast Guard officials received tours of the National Motor Lifeboat School and Air Station Astoria. The Secretary also met offsite with the crew of fallen Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers.  On March 5, 2026, Tyler Jaggers, an aviation survival technician assigned to Air Station Astoria, Oregon, passed away as a result of critical injuries suffered during the rescue of a distressed mariner from a commercial ship offshore of Oregon on Feb. 27.  Below are photos from Secretary Mullin’s visit on Wednesday:    Secretary Mullin meets with USCG personnel  Secretary Mullin receives tour of USCG facility  Secretary Mullin walks with USCG personnel  Secretary Mullin receives tour of National Motor Lifeboat School

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 Press Release:

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

DHS Issues Statement on Pedophile Convicted of Assaulting High School Girls in Fairfax County   The El Salvadorian illegal alien, 18-year-old adult, was attending a Fairfax County High School where he committed   WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the below statement following the conviction of Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, after his conviction for nine counts of assault and battery while attending Fairfax High School.  ICE lodged an arrest detainer requesting Virginia sanctuary politicians not release this criminal illegal alien from jail back into our communities to prey on more innocent young women. Flores-Ortiz will be sentenced on April 21. “This 18-year-old criminal illegal alien should NOT have been attending a Virginia high school and allowed to prey on innocent teenage girls. Following his criminal convictions for nine counts of assault and battery, we are once again calling on Governor Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians to NOT RELEASE this sexual predator from jail back into our communities to victimize more innocent women,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This is yet another example of the Biden Administration’s failed open border policies.” Flores-Ortiz illegally entered the United States in 2024 and was RELEASED into the country under the Biden Administration.  Governor Spanberger’s decision to end cooperation with ICE in Virginia has allowed criminals to be released back into American communities. When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers need to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities. While Governor Spanberger continues to allow the release of pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto Virginia’s streets, DHS law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals.  DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

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