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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ICE Arrests Child Abusers, Violent Thugs, and Robbers

 Press Release:

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

ICE Arrests Child Abusers, Violent Thugs, and Robbers Today marked the one-year anniversary of the re-opening of the VOICE office that was created in President Trump’s first term in office that was shuttered by the Biden administration WASHINGTON –– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced the arrest of more criminal illegal aliens from across the country, convicted for injury to a child, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and other despicable crimes. These arrests coincide with the one-year anniversary of ICE reopening its 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. “The brave men and women of ICE law enforcement continue to target criminal illegal aliens in our communities to prevent another American from being raped, maimed, or murdered by an illegal alien who should have NEVER been in our country. The American victims are why we fight,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Yesterday, ICE arrested multiple violent assailants, including one depraved monster who injured a CHILD. With every arrest, ICE is making American communities safer. We will never stop fighting for justice for the victims of illegal alien crime.” Arrests include: Juan Lorenzo Hurtado-Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Peru, convicted for criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation / injury to a child in White Plains, New York. Vu Nguyen, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, convicted for assault with a semiautomatic firearm in Pasadena, California. Omar Alexander Rodriguez-Grande, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Harris County, Texas. Oscar Fransisco, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Palm Beach, Florida. Josue Coreas-Chavez, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for robbery in Riverhead, New York. Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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Coast Guard Cutter “Escanaba” Seizes More than $33 Million Worth of Cocaine in a Single Interdiction

 Press Release:

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

Coast Guard Cutter “Escanaba” Seizes More than $33 Million Worth of Cocaine in a Single Interdiction WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Escanaba seized 4,510 pounds of cocaine, valued at $33.9 million, during a routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on Easter Sunday. A U.S. maritime patrol aircraft notified Escanaba that a crew on a suspected narco-terrorist vessel was throwing contraband overboard. Escanaba launched its MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew to investigate and marked the suspected drugs off the coast of Manta, Ecuador. Escanaba’s crew deployed its over-the-horizon cutter pursuit boat crew and relaunched the helicopter aircrew to recover the contraband. In total, the Escanaba boat crew seized over 4,510 pounds of cocaine and took it back to the cutter. “Operation Pacific Viper plays a central part of President Trump’s fight against the cartels at sea, cutting off their ability to make money by trafficking their poison into our country,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “This operation has already seized over 215,000 pounds of cocaine and has arrested over 160 suspected narco-traffickers. The brave men and women of the Coast Guard are saving American lives by keeping these deadly drugs out of our communities and off our streets.” Launched in August of 2025, Operation Pacific Viper has accelerated counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific, a popular route for drug-smuggling from Latin America. The Coast Guard has surged cutters, aircraft, and tactical teams to interdict, seize, and disrupt the flow of cocaine and other illicit drugs. These efforts are a critical part of the Trump administration’s strategy to fight narco-terrorism and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. In February, the Coast Guard hit a major milestone by seizing 200,000 pounds of cocaine since this operation began. Overall, the Coast Guard has seized over 215,000 pounds of cocaine and apprehended 160 suspected narco-traffickers through Operation Pacific Viper. This operation led to the Coast Guard’s largest-ever drug offload in history in August of 2025, when USCGC Hamilton offloaded over 76,000 pounds of illegal drugs, valued at $473 million. Pacific Viper also saw the largest amount of cocaine seized by a single cutter in one patrol in the Coast Guard’s history, when USCGC Stone offloaded over 49,000 pounds of illicit narcotics, valued at $362 million, in November of 2025.

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