During Police Week, ICE Arrests Murderers, Child Sex Predators, Drug Dealers, and Arsonists

 News Release:

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

During Police Week, ICE Arrests Murderers, Child Sex Predators, Drug Dealers, and Arsonists This Police Week, we are honoring the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers who risk their lives to make our communities safer WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes including TWO counts of first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault on a child, sex with a minor 3+ years younger, distribution of fentanyl, dealing firearms without a license, and arson. “Despite a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them, the brave men and women of ICE continue to put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Yesterday, ICE law enforcement arrested criminal illegal aliens convicted of murder, sexual assault on children, drug trafficking, and arson. This Police Week, thank the men and women of ICE law enforcement for removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities.” Yesterday’s arrests include: Than Van Pham, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, convicted for TWO counts of first-degree murder in Wichita, Kansas. Hung Quoc Bui, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam and member of the Asian Boys Gang, convicted for sex with minor: 3+ years younger in Superior Court of California, County of Orange. David Zavalz-Jaramillo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Hidalgo County, Texas. Miguel Mejia-Santana, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, convicted for distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and dealing firearms without a license in Boston, Massachusetts. Alejandro Paulino-Espidio, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for arson: inhabited structure/property in Fresno, California. Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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ICE Asks Officials in Dallas, Texas to Not Release Illegal Alien Accused of Two Murders

 News Release:

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

ICE Asks Officials in Dallas, Texas to Not Release Illegal Alien Accused of Two Murders This illegal alien from Mexico is accused of murdering two women in Texas over the course of six years WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for an illegal alien who has been accused of committing two murders in Central Texas. On April 27, 2026, police in Dallas, Texas arrested Luis Benitez-Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, on two felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His criminal history also includes an arrest for possession of dangerous drugs. The suspect: Luis Benitez-Gonzalez  In May, according to local reports, police used DNA evidence to link Benitez-Gonzalez to two separate murders in Texas over the course of six years: The killing of 28-year-old Alba Jenisse Aviles in Bastrop County in 2018, and the killing of 34-year-old Alyssa Ann Rivera in Austin in 2024. The first victim: Alba Jenisse Aviles The second victim: Alyssa Ann Rivera  “This illegal alien from Mexico is accused of murdering two women in Texas,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “He has also been arrested for charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of dangerous drugs. Alba Jenisse Aviles and Alyssa Ann Rivera should still be alive today. ICE asked officials in Dallas to not release this MURDERER. Because Dallas cooperates with ICE law enforcement, we will work with local law enforcement to ensure this criminal is NEVER loose in American neighborhoods again.” Benitez-Gonzalez first illegally entered the country at an unknown date and location, but was arrested by Border Patrol in Texas in 2020 and removed to Mexico. He then once again illegally re-entered the country – a felony – at an unknown date and location.

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On Police Week, ICE Arrests Pedophiles, Violent Assailants, and Armed Robbers

 News Release:

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

On Police Week, ICE Arrests Pedophiles, Violent Assailants, and Armed Robbers This Police Week and every day, DHS honors the sacrifice of law enforcement and remembers those who lost their lives in the line of duty WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more criminal illegal aliens convicted for horrific crimes including enticement of minor for indecent purposes, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault, intoxication assault peace officer, and armed robbery. “Yesterday, the men and women of ICE arrested multiple criminal aliens convicted of enticing children for indecent purposes, assault and battery, and armed robbery,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This Police Week, we are highlighting some of the worst of the worst ICE law enforcement arrested. Every single day, our ICE law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. When you see a law enforcement officer, say THANK YOU for their service.” Arrests over the weekend include: Roberto Valdes-Catalan, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for felony enticement of minor for indecent purposes in Davidson County, Tennessee, and domestic violence in Austin, Texas. Jorge Luis Fuentes, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Boston, Massachusetts. Carvette Anthony Gentles, a criminal illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted for assault in Bronx, New York. Carlos Jared Gonzalez-Trejo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for armed robbery and attempted destruction of a public jail in Navajo County, Arizona. Juan Gonzales-Cruz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for intoxication assault peace officer in Fort Bend County, Texas.  Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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 Press Release

Mexican National Sentenced to 11 Years for Meth Trafficking

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National was sentenced in federal court today for possessing more than 56 pounds of methamphetamine.

Pedro Alberto Quiroz Ayala, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 11 years in prison without parole for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

On Sept. 3, 2024, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a gray 2011 Acura MDX on Interstate 29, near the N.W. 112th Street exit in Kansas City, Mo. Ayala, who did not have a valid driver’s license, was driving the Acura, with a female juvenile in the front passenger seat and other adults in the back seat.

When the trooper searched the vehicle, he found a large duffle bag in the third-row seating area that contained approximately 55.6 pounds of methamphetamine. He also found a grocery bag that contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine on the floorboard where the female juvenile had been sitting, and a loaded firearm in the driver’s door pouch.

When the four occupants got out of the vehicle for the search, Ayala fled on foot. A manhunt ensued and he was apprehended a short time later.

Ayala told investigators that he drove to Omaha, Neb., to pick up drugs and that he was going to receive approximately $2,000 for his help in transporting the drugs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Jackson County Drug Task Force, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

 Press Release

“Operation Red Card”

Friday, May 8, 2026

Multi-agency coalition led by USAO of federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat and prosecute violent crime in the Kansas City metro area

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Over the past week, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, with the help of prosecutors, cleared 442 warrants, most of which are for violent crimes.

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the results of “Operation Red Card”, a multi-agency law enforcement operation that identified, apprehended, and initiated prosecution against some of the most violent offenders in the Greater Kansas City, Mo. metro area.  Its mission was straightforward: use existing Missouri and Kansas City-based law enforcement resources in a coordinated way to serve warrants across partner agencies, arrest individuals wanted for serious crimes and identify additional evidence that supports successful prosecution.

This effort resulted in 442 warrants being cleared, and 170 defendants charged with various offenses, involving firearms and narcotics. During the investigations into these matters, law enforcement seized a total of 8.8 pounds of fentanyl, 418 pounds of methamphetamine, 247 firearms, 52 pounds of ketamine, 15 pounds of MDMA, 6 pounds of cocaine, and $460,872. In addition, five warrants were cleared for individuals wanted for homicide,    

“Operation Red Card represents the tremendous progress that occurs when federal, state, and local agencies collaborate and align their priorities, resources, and focus to confront violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “Through this unified effort, people across greater Kansas City, and visitors this summer, can rest easier knowing that dangerous individuals have been removed from our streets.” 

U.S. Attorney Price thanks the partner agencies in this coordinated effort including:

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Independence Police Department
• Jackson County Drug Task Force
• Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Kansas City Kansas Police Department
• Kansas City Missouri Police Department
• United States Marshals Service
• And the United States Postal Inspection Service 

“The idea behind Operation Red Card is simple. When company is coming over, our home should be a place where guests feel welcomed and able to safely enjoy themselves. We are doing no different on both sides of the state line here in Kansas City with this operation.” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Since becoming the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, I’ve prioritized strengthening the relationship between the federal government and our local and state law enforcement partners. Operation Red Card has continued these efforts by reinforcing that unified communication and combined muscle memory in anticipation of the World Cup. The entire Kansas City metropolitan area can rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to ensure we have a safe and historic international sporting event.”

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The charges contained in any charging document are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

A video of the Operation Red Card press conference, B-roll of the operation, and photos are available on FBI DVIDS.

https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/fbi 

 Press Release

Registered sex offender charged with possession of child pornography

Friday, May 8, 2026

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a convicted sex offender with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 

According to court documents, Jesse William Laws, 46, of Leavenworth was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography.

Laws is accused of knowingly viewing or accessing CSAM in November  2025  and therefore allegedly a violation of his terms of release related to a previous conviction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana for receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography in  2006, and a conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri for possession of child pornography in 2017. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick is prosecuting the case.

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.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Adrian German Marrufo-Morales, 43, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.

James D. Hall, 35, of Kansas City, Kansas, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case.

Raul Leyva-Ramirez, 45, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.

Sergio Manuel Martinez-Sanchez, 53, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry by a previously removed alien. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Hines is prosecuting the case.

Obed Rocha-Flores, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien Drug Trafficker in Sanctuary Virginia

 News Release:

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

ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien Drug Trafficker in Sanctuary Virginia Another day, another criminal illegal alien arrested in Governor Abigail Spanberger's sanctuary Virginia WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an illegal alien in Virginia who was found to be in possession of drugs, including fentanyl, narcotics, and cocaine. On May 4, ICE law enforcement arrested Eduardo Perez-Legra, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, in Newport News, Virginia. During a post-arrest search, law enforcement seized 19.5 grams of cocaine, 101 oxycodone pills, 5 fentanyl pills, and 27 individually packaged suboxone sublingual films. Perez-Legra’s criminal history includes FOUR felony convictions for drug trafficking and TWO felony convictions for cocaine – possession. “Another day, another criminal illegal alien arrested in Governor Abigail Spanberger’s sanctuary Virginia,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This criminal illegal alien from Cuba was previously convicted of drug trafficking. When ICE arrested him on May 4, he was in possession of fentanyl, narcotics, and cocaine. Virginia is a hotbed for criminal illegal alien crime. Criminals flock to sanctuary Virginia because they know Governor Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians will protect them.” Perez-Legra became a green card holder in 2004. His felony conviction in 2011 cost him his green card and made him eligible for removal. The Obama Administration RELEASED Perez-Legra in 2012 despite a Department of Justice Immigration Judge issuing him a final order of removal earlier that year on May 15, 2012. During her first days in office, Governor Spanberger signed executive orders banning state cooperation with ICE as well as terminating 287(g) state and local agreements. Under Governor Spanberger, Virginia has become a hotbed of illegal alien crime. Earlier this month, ICE arrested Walvin Victor Hugo Garcia, an illegal alien from Guatemala, after he was released by sanctuary politicians in Fairfax County despite facing charges of raping a child under the age of 13. Earlier this month, ICE arrested Josue Saul Garcia-Lopez, an illegal alien from El Salvador and MS-13 gang member, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In April, Roni Mendez-Escobar, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested by ICE after previously being released by Fairfax County, despite being charged with possession of child porn with intent to distribute. In April, ICE lodged a detainer asking sanctuary politicians in Arlington County to not release Luzvin Orvando Garcia Moran, an illegal alien from Guatemala, after he was arrested for attempted rape. In April, Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, was convicted for NINE counts of assault and battery after he groped multiple underage girls at a high school in Fairfax County. In April, the Fairfax County District Attorney’s Office offered an insane plea deal of just 5 years to two illegal aliens who murdered a man at a park and walking trail in Oakton, Virginia in July of 2024. In April, Misael Lopez Gomez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested and charged with murder and felony child abuse after bludgeoning his own 3-month-old daughter to death in Fairfax County. In March, Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested and charged with second degree murder after fatally stabbing a man inside his home in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia. In February, Abdul Jalloh, an illegal alien from Sierra Leone with more than 30 prior arrests, was charged with murder after fatally stabbing 41-year-old Stephanie Minter at a bus stop in Hybla Valley, Virginia.

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