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Know2Protect Campaign

April 17, 2025San Juan, PR, United StatesChild Exploitation

San Juan charter schoolteacher arrested for child exploitation

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Raul Moises Martinez Rivera, 25, from Carolina and a teacher at a local San Juan charter school April 10 on criminal charges related to his alleged child exploitation conduct.

On April 3, a federal grand jury indicted Martinez Rivera on two counts for coercion and enticement of a minor and the transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, from November to December 2024, Martinez Rivera used a cellular phone, as well as internet instant messaging services, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 13-year-old female minor, to engage in sexual activity. During that time, the defendant also used the internet to knowingly transfer obscene matter to the minor.

"Protecting our children from online predators is one of our highest priorities, especially those that take advantage of their position of trust," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge San Juan Rebecca González-Ramos. "This individual does not represent the commitment and dedication of the teachers in Puerto Rico. HSI remains vigilant to aggressively pursue those who exploit minors. We will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard our communities and hold offenders accountable."

Chief Jenifer Hernandez-Vega and Assistant United States Attorney Daynelle Alvarez Lora from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

For more information about HSI's efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.dhs.gov/k2p; and to report suspicious activities call 787-729-6969 in Puerto Rico or the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated: 05/19/2026
April 21, 2026Miami, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal, Narcotics

Sanctuary jurisdictions helped Cuban illegal alien with decades-long rap sheet, law enforcement cooperation in Florida will ensure his crime spree in America is over

MIAMI — ICE Miami took custody of Cuban criminal illegal alien Eledoro Valenzuela Rodriguez March 24 from the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he has pending charges for cocaine possession with intent to sell, being a felon possessing a firearm and ammunition, and trespassing.

Despite Valenzuela Rodriguez’s final removal order from 1980, lenient sentences from sanctuary states New York and Maryland allowed this serial offender to keep preying on innocent people. He amassed numerous convictions and charges, including those for possession of controlled substances, weapon possession, dealing cocaine, marijuana possession, firearm possession by a convicted felon, trespassing and alcohol violations. These sanctuary politicians released this criminal from jail MULTIPLE times.

“Sanctuary policies protect criminals like Valenzuela Rodriguez and enable them to prey on generations of innocent Americans,” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “These policies don’t make communities safer. They make enforcement more difficult and force federal officers into more dangerous — and more public — situations. ICE will continue to enforce the law, regardless of local politics.”

You 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 public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.

Updated: 04/21/2026
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February 3, 2025Orlando, FL, United StatesChild Exploitation

Scottish man sentenced to 25 years for transporting child sexual abuse material into US

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Scottish man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for possessing and transporting nearly 4,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material into the United States following a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.

Steven Paul McInally, 36, of Scotland, pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2024.

According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2023, McInally arrived at the Orlando International Airport on vacation. Upon his arrival, McInally was subjected to a border search where law enforcement found child sexual abuse material on McInally’s cellphone. Some of the child sexual abuse material found on McInally’s cellphone included images of minors that had been taken during a sleepover party that the minors attended at his home. A forensic review revealed approximately 3,900 images and 70 videos of child sexual abuse material on McInally’s cellphone.

This case was investigated by HSI Orlando and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. McNeff.

HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.

Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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Updated: 05/18/2026
September 17, 2025Brownsville, TX, United StatesWorksite Enforcement

South Texas man charged for assaulting federal officer during arrest enforcement operation

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A South Texas man has been indicted for impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement agents in the course of their duties following an investigation conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations in the Rio Grande Valley. Diego Masiel Torres, 19, of Penitas, Texas, was charged in connection with a criminal complaint. According to court documents, on Aug. 27, law enforcement officers were conducting a consensual worksite enforcement operation in Harlingen, Texas, when several individuals unlawfully present in the country fled the area. While authorities attempted to apprehend one of the individuals, Torres allegedly tried to physically remove a law enforcement officer from the person.

"Homeland Security Investigations takes the safety and integrity of our operations very seriously," said acting HSI Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. "We will not tolerate actions that obstruct or interfere with our agents as they carry out their lawful duties to protect our communities and enforce federal laws. Those who attempt to hinder our efforts will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

Read more on Justice.gov.

Updated: 09/17/2025
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February 14, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesHuman Smuggling/Trafficking

South Texas man pleads guilty to smuggling 36 aliens in tractor trailer following investigation by ICE, US Border Patrol

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A South Texas man pleaded guilty Feb. 13 to smuggling 36 undocumented aliens in the back of a tractor trailer following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Eusebio Cavazos, a 33-year-old resident of Alamo, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to transporting aliens into or within the U.S. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 15 and faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 possible fine.

“The days of transnational criminal organizations raking in billions in illicit profits each year by trampling on our nation’s sovereignty and flooding our country with millions of unvetted aliens who could present a threat to public safety or national security are over,” said ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “The law enforcement community in Southeast Texas is united in our effort to restore law and order along the southern border by aggressively pursuing and dismantling human smuggling organizations and other criminal organizations who are bold enough to test our collective resolve.”

During the hearing it was revealed that Cavazos drove a tractor-trailer into the primary inspection lane at the Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita Dec. 13, 2024. Upon initial inspection, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of humans in the trailer. Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where they discovered 36 undocumented aliens in the back of the trailer and nothing else.

A total of 36 aliens were discovered in the trailer including 15 from Guatemala, 10 from Honduras, eight from Mexico and three from El Salvador. All 36 had illegally entered the U.S. and five have pending charges for allegedly illegally re-entering the U.S. after previously being removed.

During an investigation by ICE HSI Corpus Christi, Cavazos admitted that someone had hired him to drive all 36 illegal aliens from a point near Donna to Houston and promised to pay him $1,000 per alien that he smuggled.

Cavazos will remain in custody pending his sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.

For more news and information on how ICE HSI combats human trafficking and human smuggling in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @HSIHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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June 3, 2025Harlingen, TX, United StatesHuman Smuggling/Trafficking

South Texas stash house discovered by ICE Rio Grande Valley leads to the arrest of 16 illegal aliens

ICE HSI RGV along with our LEO partners uncover a stash house in South Texas.

HARLINGEN, Texas — A suspected stash house in Mercedes, Texas, was uncovered June 2 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement resulting in the apprehension of 16 illegal aliens.

On June 1, ICE received a tip from an anonymous caller reporting that multiple illegal aliens were being harbored at a residence in Mercedes. ICE contacted the Mercedes Police Department, which conducted a welfare check of the property. Authorities spoke to the owner of the property who admitted to harboring approximately 16 individuals inside the home.

“This operation underscores the critical role that the public and local law enforcement partners play in identifying and disrupting human smuggling operations,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. “Transnational criminal networks continue to endanger lives for profit. ICE will relentlessly pursue those who exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.”

The 16 individuals encountered were identified as nationals of Nepal, Albania, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. Sixteen were taken into custody for immigration violations and another individual, a Mexican national, is being questioned for his role in human smuggling.

The investigation remains ongoing. The enforcement action was supported by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activity or tips related to human smuggling by calling 866-347-2423 or by submitting an anonymous tip via the ICE online tip form.

Follow HSI San Antonio on X at @HSI_SanAntonio to learn more about its enforcement efforts and investigations.

Updated: 06/18/2025
June 18, 2025San Antonio, TX, United StatesOperational

South Texas woman charged with threatening to shoot federal agent following an investigation conducted by ICE San Antonio, local partner

SAN ANTONIO — A South Texas woman was taken into custody June 11 for threatening a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement agent in the performance of his duties. The investigation is being conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio with assistance from Goliad County Sheriff’s Office.

Michelle Lee Varela, 42, from San Antonio was charged by criminal complaint. It was unsealed as made she made her initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in San Antonio. She is expected to be in Corpus Christi federal court in the near future.

The charges allege that on June 4, Varela influenced, impeded or retaliated against a federal officer by threat and used interstate communications to transmit a threat to injure another. Specifically, Varela allegedly made threats via cell phone to an agent with ICE.

According to court documents, authorities were conducting a lawful immigration action and had requested information from Varela regarding her husband’s status in the United States. She allegedly used profanity and said if her husband was taken into custody, she would shoot them. The charges allege law enforcement advised her to consider her remarks as she had just threatened a federal agent, but she continued in an elevated voice and a threatening tone. She eventually hung up the phone, according to the complaint.

If convicted, she faces up to 10 and five years in federal prison for the threat and interstate communications allegations, respectively. Both charges also carry a possible $250,000 fine, upon conviction.

“The Southern District of Texas takes allegations of threatened violence against law enforcement very seriously,” said Nicholas J. Ganjei, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas. “Immigration authorities must be able to carry out their lawful duties free from violence or threats, and those that attempt to obstruct or harm such agents will be held accountable.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patti Hubert Booth from the Southern District of Texas is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Updated: 06/18/2025
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April 30, 2025Corpus Christi, TX, United StatesChild Exploitation

Southeast Texas man convicted of distributing child sexual abuse materials following multi-national investigation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Angel Valdez, a 19-year-old Corpus Christi resident, was convicted April 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas of distributing child sexual abuse materials following a multi-national investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Corpus Christi Police Department, and law enforcement authorities in Australia.

Valdez came to the attention of authorities in December 2023 after he posted a comment to social media supporting the work of an individual who had recently been sentenced to prison in Australia for animal cruelty.

Australian authorities launched an investigation and began conversations with Valdez in an undercover capacity. During those communications, Valdez spoke about his interest in animal cruelty and his interest in child sexual abuse materials. On Feb. 14, 2024, Valdez sent a video of child sexual abuse materials depicting a prepubescent girl being forced to perform sex acts on an adult female.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Valdez’ residence in Corpus Christi June 28, 2024, and discovered a laptop containing child sexual abuse materials. Following the discovery, Valdez admitted that he had participated in the online conversations and distributed the video containing a minor being sexually abused.

“As a direct result of multi-national cooperation between Homeland Security Investigations special agents, officers from the Corpus Christi Police Department and our law enforcement partners in Australia, we have successfully removed a dangerous predator from the local community who preyed on two of our most innocent and vulnerable populations – children and animals,” said ICE HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. "Vile criminals like this individual will find no refuge, as law enforcement agencies across the globe stand united in their commitment to pursue justice relentlessly and remove dangerous threats from our society.”

Valdez is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 12. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case.

For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to investigate child exploitation in Southeast Texas follow us on X @HSIHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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February 4, 2025Galveston, TX, United StatesChild Exploitation

Southeast Texas man who previously worked as martial arts, gymnastics instructor admits to receiving, possessing child sexual abuse materials

GALVESTON, Texas - A Southeast Texas man who previously worked as a martial arts and gymnastics instructor pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child sexual abuse materials Feb. 3 following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pearland Police Department, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Franklin Joseph Perkins, a 41-year-old resident of Alvin, Texas, who previously worked at the Kuk Sool Won martial arts studio and Gulf Coast Gymnastics in Alvin pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to receipt and possession of child sexual abuse materials.

“With today’s conviction we have removed a dangerous predator from the community who presented a significant threat to the safety of our children,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “By receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials, Mr. Perkins contributed to the revictimization of the minors who were abused to produce the materials. Thanks to the outstanding support that we receive from our law enforcement partners and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, we were able to expose this vile predator for who he is and ensure he never again serves in a position of trust.”

The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified law enforcement that they had received a tip indicating that a user with a Google account had uploaded files possibly depicting child sexual abuse material onto their servers. Following that alert, authorities were able to link Perkins to the account and determined he had been using various Google accounts and his cell phone to receive and possess child pornography.

Perkins will remain in custody pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 15. At that time, he faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years for receiving child sexual abuse materials and up to 10 years for possessing it. He could also be ordered to pay up to a $250,000 fine, as well as a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Trafficking Act, up to a $35,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act, and mandatory restitution in an amount of no less than $3,000 per victim.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Leo, Carrie Wirsing and Colton Turner are prosecuting the case.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to investigate child exploitation and other transnational criminal activity in Southeast Texas, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSIHouston.

Updated: 06/13/2025
September 8, 2025Los Angeles, CA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Southern California man facing charges after towing ICE vehicle in failed attempt to obstruct immigration enforcement

LOS ANGELES — A South Los Angeles man and tow truck driver was arrested Sept. 2 on a federal criminal complaint charging him with stealing government property by illegally towing a law enforcement vehicle during an active immigration enforcement operation earlier this month.

Bobby Nunez, 33, is charged with theft of government property. His initial appearance was scheduled for Sept. 2 in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

“Interfering with federal law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties has serious consequences, which the defendant has now discovered,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles is committed to bringing swift accountability to all that impede, obstruct or assault federal law enforcement officers.”

This incident highlights the growing challenges federal law enforcement officials face in jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE. Policies in so-called “sanctuary cities” embolden people to obstruct lawful immigration enforcement efforts, creating unnecessary risks to public safety and undermining the rule of law.

When bystanders or protesters deliberately interfere with trained federal officers during an active enforcement operation, they endanger the public, law enforcement personnel and themselves. ICE remains committed to enforcing federal immigration laws and urges local jurisdictions to prioritize public safety by cooperating with federal authorities to prevent dangerous stunts like this from occurring in the future.

Read more on Justice.gov.

Updated: 09/15/2025
July 3, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

Statement from acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons on passage of One Big Beautiful Bill

“I speak on behalf of the entire agency when I say that ICE is grateful to President Trump for putting in the hard work necessary to get the Big Beautiful Bill across the finish line — but the real win is for the American people. The unprecedented funding for ICE will enable my hard-working officers and agents to continue making America safe again by identifying, arresting and removing criminal aliens from our communities. I’m thrilled to work with Secretary Noem, Congress and the president to protect our families, friends and neighbors.”

Updated: 07/03/2025