stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
July 15, 2025Rochester, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo arrests illegally present Cuban national and convicted sex offender

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo personnel, in coordination with United States Border Patrol, arrested an illegally present Cuban national with several criminal convictions, including sexual abuse of a child under age 11 and aggravated assault with a weapon.

“For nearly 20 years, this individual had free reign to commit alleged crimes from coast-to-coast – in New York, New Jersey and California – including at least one offense that involved the sexual abuse of a young child. With this arrest, his luck has finally run out,” said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “I commend HSI Buffalo and our U.S. Border Patrol partners for placing the wellbeing of the public above all else.”

ICE HSI Buffalo arrested Geraldo Lunas-Campos, a convicted sex offender, on July 14 in Rochester, New York.

Lunas, 55, is considered an aggravated felon with an extensive criminal history of violence.

His criminal record, which spans from at least 1997 through October 2015, includes, but is not limited to:

First-degree sexual abuse involving a child under the age of 11
Aggravated assault with a weapon
Criminal possession of a loaded firearm
Driving while intoxicated
Criminal sale of a controlled substance
Three separate instances of petit larceny

Lunas was paroled into the U.S. via Miami, Florida, on Jan. 12, 1996. On March 1, 2005, an immigration judge ordered his removal.

He now remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Updated: 07/15/2025
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July 11, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo arrests Mexican criminal aliens with felony convictions

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Buffalo is keeping New York safe by identifying and arresting criminal aliens and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. On July 7, ICE officers arrested the following two criminal aliens convicted of heinous felonies against innocent New Yorkers.

Aurelio Lopes-Vasquez is a 44-year-old illegal alien and child predator from Mexico convicted by the New York State Supreme Court of course of sexual conduct against a child and acting in a manner to injure a child May 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
Jesus Flores is a 49-year-old citizen of Mexico convicted of manslaughter in the Bronx May 17, 2018. This criminal alien was previously removed from the United States in 2009, 2012 and 2014.

“This sexual predator and murderer have not only shown a complete disdain for our nation’s immigration laws, but also a wanton disregard for New York State Criminal laws, said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden. “Our brave officers are steadfast in their commitment to keeping criminal aliens out of the communities they remain dedicated to serving.”

Lopez and Flores each entered the U.S. on unknown dates and locations without inspection by an immigration official. Both of these felons are currently detained in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings and removal from the U.S.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X, @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 07/14/2025
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December 3, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo arrests notorious drug trafficker and criminal illegal alien from Ukraine who attempted to exploit immigration law to hide from justice

Criminal illegal alien attempted to evade justice by exploiting limited time parole for Ukrainians fleeing war

BUFFALO, N.Y. — ICE Buffalo Fugitive Operations officers arrested criminal illegal alien and international fugitive Anhelina Polishchuk during a targeted operation Nov. 20. The 40-year-old Ukrainian national, who was identified as an armed and dangerous escape risk, is wanted in her home country for drug trafficking and is the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice.

“Foreign criminals will not exploit our immigration laws to escape justice in their home countries,” said ICE Buffalo Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Tammy Marich. “Our officers are committed to protecting the public by ensuring criminals are not allowed to freely roam the streets of New York. We will continue to work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to ensure individuals who commit egregious crimes, like Polishchuk are held to account.

Polishchuk entered the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport June 16, 2023, exploiting a parole program for Ukrainians established by the previous administration. She attempted to use this program to evade justice within the U.S. but was identified by ICE and international authorities as a criminal fugitive. She is wanted for illegal production, manufacture, purchasing, storage, transportation, and possession of illegal narcotics in Ukraine.

The previous administration’s immigration policies allowed millions of unvetted foreigners, including criminals like Polishchuk, to enter and remain in the country. Now, ICE officers have been empowered to enforce the law and prevent dangerous illegal alien criminals from doing any more harm to American citizens.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 12/03/2025
March 20, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo arrests Paisas gang member from Mexico

Criminal alien has been removed from the US on 3 prior occasions

Gilberto Guevara, 26, in ICE custody awaiting removal to Mexico

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Mexican national and criminal alien Gilberto Guadalupe Guevara-Barboza, 26, upon his release from the Federal Correctional Institution in Ray Brook, New York, March 14. The self-admitted member of the Paisas gang has convictions for drug possession, resisting an officer and two counts of illegal reentry.

Guevara illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and location without admission by an immigration official. He was granted voluntary departure July 15, 2015, and departed via the McCallen, Texas, port of entry on Aug. 28, 2015. Guevara later illegally reentered the U.S. without admission or parole. An immigration judge in Arlington, Virginia, ordered him removed to Mexico Jan. 6, 2016, and he was removed the following month. Guevara entered the U.S. without inspection on two additional occasions, was convicted of illegal reentry and subsequently removed from the U.S.

Guevara admitted to reentering the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration official in 2022.

Hidalgo County Court in Edinburg, Texas, convicted Guevara of possession of marijuana and resisting arrest May 28, 2024, and sentenced him to probation. ICE encountered Guevara June 14, 2024, and issued him a notice of intent to reinstate the prior order of removal. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas convicted Guerra of illegal reentry and sentenced him to nine months in prison Nov. 19, 2024.

Guevara is in ICE custody pending removal to Mexico.

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives, transnational gang members or other criminal aliens who are in the U.S. illegally are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

Updated: 03/21/2025
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July 25, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo arrests Salvadoran national, convicted child predator

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Buffalo arrested Salvadoran national Jacobo Argueta Fuentes pursuant to a warrant of deportation upon his release from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision July 23 in Ossining.

This 33-year-old illegal alien and child sexual predator has been convicted of seven counts of rape; two counts of using a child in a sexual performance; four counts of sexual abuse; two counts of promoting prostitution; criminal sex act and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

“This criminal alien is a vile human who depravedly victimized and sexually exploited innocent children in the state of New York,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Buffalo Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden. “ICE will not tolerate those who engage in this despicable and horrific behavior against children. We will pursue these loathsome criminals and seek their removal from the United States with the utmost urgency.”

Argueta illegally entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location without inspection or admission by an immigration official. On March 1, 2019, immigration officers encountered Argueta at the Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, where he admitted he entered the U.S. by illegally crossing the international U.S.-Mexico land border around 2011. The New York State county court convicted Argueta Jan. 9, 2020, and sentenced him to six years in prison.

ICE lodged an immigration detainer with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision May 16, 2023, against Argueta’s release from custody. An immigration judge ordered him removed from the U.S. Dec. 17, 2024. He is in ICE custody pending execution of that order.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 07/25/2025
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February 1, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo arrests violent illegal alien after local sheriff refuses to honor a federal warrant

ICE officers arrest illegal alien Jesus Romero-Hernandez after sheriff refuses to honor a federal warrant

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended Jesus Romero-Hernandez, a 27-year-old illegally present Mexican citizen, when ICE officers, along with deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Romero January 30 in Ithaca, New York, after the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office refused to honor a federal arrest warrant and released him from custody.

Romero was previously removed from the United States six times between July and September 2016.The Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division, convicted Romero of illegal re-entry on one of those occasions and sentenced him to time served.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York charged Romero, Jan. 8, 2024, with illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal. Because Romero was then in the custody of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office awaiting resolution of New York State assault charges, ICE provided a copy of a federal arrest warrant, signed by a U.S. magistrate judge, to the sheriff’s office, which refused to honor the federal arrest warrant and released him.

Members of the public with information regarding child sex offenders can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to increase public safety in Western and Upstate New York on X at @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 06/13/2025
February 24, 2026Syracuse, NY, United StatesChild Exploitation

ICE Buffalo investigation lands criminal illegal alien 25-year prison sentence for distribution of child sexual abuse material

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A criminal illegal alien from Mexico received a 25-year federal prison sentence Jan. 22 for three charges of distribution of child sexual abuse material following an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York. Edwin Morones, 23, who formerly resided in Watertown, must also serve a 15-year term of supervised release following his incarceration and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.

“Edwin Morones, a Mexican national illegally in our country, shamelessly abused his unlawful presence to prey on children and distribute vile content online,” said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI Syracuse will bring predators in our communities to justice, no matter their background or status, as reflected with today's sentence. HSI Syracuse will continue to defend our neighborhoods and safeguard our children from those who exploit our most vulnerable and flout U.S. rule of law."

As part of his September 2025 guilty plea, Morones admitted that during November and December 2024, he used a social media platform to participate in groups dedicated to trading child sexual abuse material and sent numerous files to other users, including child sexual abuse material Morones had personally created. He also distributed non-pornographic but sexually explicit images of children that he personally created. An analysis of Morones’ social media account revealed more than a dozen images and videos constituting child sexual abuse material.

Morones was admitted to the U.S. on or about January 24, 2014, at or near Presidio, Texas, as a nonimmigrant visitor for pleasure. He was authorized to remain in the U.S. until July 10, 2014, at which time he failed to depart the country and in turn violated the Immigration and Nationality Act.

He will undergo immigration proceedings upon the completion of his prison sentence.

“The defendant, who was illegally present in the U.S., used what he thought was a secure social media platform to distribute child pornography and indulge his sick sexual fantasies,” said acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John A. Sarcone III. “But our law enforcement partners, including the dedicated agents at HSI, have methods to monitor and identify child predators, no matter how they communicate. We thank those who work with law enforcement and honor their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, by apprehending dangerous criminals like this. We cannot play politics in ensuring the safety and security of the citizens we serve.”

HSI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Updated: 02/24/2026
July 8, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesLaw Enforcement

ICE Buffalo investigation leads to arrest of Jamestown man charged with threatening to kill a Homeland Security agent

BUFFALO, N.Y. — An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo has resulted in the July 1 arrest of 43-year-old Matthew White. White, of Jamestown, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with communicating interstate threats for allegedly making social media posts threatening to kill ICE personnel. In one post, he allegedly threatened to target an individual’s children.

ICE HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan and U.S. Attorney U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, of the Western District of New York, announced the charges.

“The defendant stands accused of making vile threats against officers and agents who risk their lives every day to uphold an oath they swore to protect the public — even those who wish them harm. There is no place in our community for such hate against any human beings, including and especially innocent children,” said Keegan. “Let it be known, HSI Buffalo is unflinchingly committed to finding and investigating any individuals who threaten, or who are intent on hurting, members of our law enforcement community.”

According to the investigation and outlined in the complaint:

On April 30, HSI Buffalo personnel learned that an X account, believed to be operated by White, was engaged in publicly posting threats to federal immigration agents and administrators employed by the Department of Homeland Security.

On June 4, White voluntarily spoke with investigators and allowed them to extract and copy the contents of his phone. Investigators recovered a number of threatening posts on X, including:

On April 18, White posted, “Kill them all, ICE is the new age gestapo, stop them.”
On April 29, White shared a video clip of Border Czar Tom Homan posted by an X user “America,” and commented, “Then understand that if your ICE agents don’t show proof of identity and a signed warrant, we will kill them.”
In late April, White posted multiple threatening and violent public comments in response to coverage of several ICE arrest operations, including an ICE arrest operation inside a Virginia courthouse that occurred in April 2025. White posted, “I can’t wait to put a bullet into this guy’s brain, but first his children.”

White made an initial appearance on the afternoon of July 1 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Updated: 07/15/2025
Related Information

Know2Protect Campaign

February 18, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesChild Exploitation

ICE Buffalo investigation nets 30-year sentence for New York man on child exploitation charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. - A New York man was sentenced for child exploitation charges following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with support from New York State Police.

William Seneca, Sr., age 65, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child sexual abuse material, the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern New York announced Feb. 12.

“No child should have to live with the horrific trauma Seneca inflicted on his victim for years,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “ICE HSI Buffalo uses a victim-centered approach in their investigations of online child sexual exploitation and abuse to ensure justice is served for the innocent youth preyed upon by depraved predators.”

According to court records, Seneca admitted that, from approximately 2000 through 2008, he engaged in sexual conduct with a minor male child, starting when the child was about seven years old. On several different occasions during that period, Seneca created sexually explicit images depicting that child. Seneca also admitted that, on at least one occasion, he distributed the material he created to someone in Canada.

In addition to the terms of imprisonment and supervised release, Seneca was also ordered to pay $1,141.14 in restitution to the victim and he will have to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

Know2Protect (K2P) is a national public awareness campaign from the Department of Homeland Security. K2P’s aim is to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults, and policymakers to prevent, combat, and report online child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information, please visit our YouTube playlists at Know2Protect Campaign PSA Playlist and Know2Protect Digital Safety Series Playlist on the DHS main channel. Additional resources are available at know2protect.gov, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Updated: 05/19/2026
July 23, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal, Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives

ICE Buffalo, local partners arrest previously convicted Kenyan national on gun charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo, alongside local partners with the Buffalo Police Department, arrested a Kenyan national and lawful permanent resident who was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition.

“HSI Buffalo is proud to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners in Western New York to enhance public safety and national security through ongoing targeted criminal enforcement efforts. We are committed to fostering strong partnerships that strengthen our community and safeguard our region,” said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan.

Personnel from HSI Buffalo and the Buffalo Police Department arrested Aden Ibrahim, 29, on July 9 for alleged unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to the investigation:

On the morning of July 9, Buffalo Police responded to a local residence for a report of an “unwelcomed guest.” Upon arrival, the complainant told officers that an individual known as “Beano” refused to leave the residence. The complainant also stated that “Beano” was in possession of crack cocaine and a firearm. Officers later observed “Beano” exit the residence and attempt to flee on foot. He was in possession of a U.S. permanent resident card identifying him as Aden Ibrahim. Detectives were then called to the residence, where they observed in plain view a revolver with tape on the handle lying on the floor in a bedroom. The complainant stated that “Beano” was staying in the room and that all the contents in the bedroom belonged to him.

Detectives subsequently executed a search warrant at the residence, seizing a revolver, ammunition, approximately 26 grams of suspected crack cocaine base and drug paraphernalia.

Ibrahim was convicted in March 2022 of criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and in January 2024 of criminal possession of a controlled substance, also a felony, and is legally prohibited from possessing ammunition.

He appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge, was ordered detained, and was turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Updated: 07/23/2025
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March 6, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE Buffalo removes 2 illegal aliens, sexual predators to Honduras

left: Rito Emanuel Reconco-Castro convicted of attempted rape, removed by ICE Buffalo | right: Hugo Aguilar convicted of sexual acts to a child, removed by ICE Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed two illegally present Honduran nationals convicted of felony sexual offenses, March 3.

Rito Emanuel Reconco-Castro, 28, illegally entered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without being admitted or paroled by a U.S. Immigration official. The U.S Border Patrol encountered Reconco March 29, 2014, issued him a notice to appear, and placed him into removal proceedings. Suffolk County Court convicted Reconco of attempted rape in the first-degree June 11, 2021, and sentenced him to seven years in prison. An immigration judge issued Reconco a final order of removal Nov. 20, 2024. ICE arrested Reconco Feb. 7 upon his release from Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, New York.

Hugo Abraham Aguilar, 45, illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and location without being admitted by an immigration official. The Morris County prosecutor in Morristown, New Jersey arrested Aguilar Feb. 7, 2014, for sexual assault of a victim under 13 and he was found guilty of the charges. The Dover Police Department arrested Aguilar Nov. 6, 2017, for violating a judicial restraining order and he was found guilty of the charges.

An immigration judge ordered Aguilar removed to Honduras May 11, 2018. Aguilar filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, but the appeal was dismissed, Oct. 1, 2018. Aguilar then filed an appeal with the U.S Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, but the court denied the appeal July 10, 2024. ICE arrested Augilar during a traffic stop Feb. 2 and detained him, pending removal, to fulfill the judge’s order.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X, @EROBuffalo.

Updated: 06/13/2025