stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
March 11, 2025Albuquerque, NM, United StatesFirearms, Ammunition and Explosives

4 illegal aliens charged with firearms offenses as a result of an ICE Las Cruces and ATF investigation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Federal authorities on March 6 announced charges against four illegal aliens for unlawful possession of firearms and related offenses following a series of state-wide law enforcement operations.

On Feb. 25, Homeland Security Investigations special agents executed a search warrant at an apartment in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In one bedroom, agents recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine containing 19 rounds of ammunition. A witness stated that the firearm belonged to Maikol Ramos and had previously seen it in his possession.

Ramos, a Venezuelan national, was confirmed to be unlawfully present in the United States. Ramos is charged by criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

In another bedroom, agents recovered another loaded pistol and ammunition from under a bed. Antoni Herrera, confirmed to be a Venezuelan national unlawfully present in the United States, admitted the firearm was his and that he had received it two weeks prior as payment for a debt.

Herrera is charged by criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

On Feb. 19, HSI executed a federal search warrant at a residence of Raul Esparza-Gonzalez in Espanola, New Mexico. Agents discovered 11 firearms, including pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles. Esparza-Gonzalez admitted to purchasing the firearms privately, knowing it was illegal for him to possess them. He stated he had been deported to Mexico previously and re-entered the United States illegally about six years ago. Esparza-Gonzalez is charged by criminal complaint with being an alien in possession of a firearm.

In a separate investigation, HSI initiated an inquiry into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025, following an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez, an illegal alien from Venezuela suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, was allegedly residing with other illegal aliens in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and had been in possession of firearms. The investigators determined Ortega-Lopez had entered the United States illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings. Social media evidence showed Ortega-Lopez in possession of multiple firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces.

Ortega-Lopez is charged by criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

All four men will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, they each face 15 years in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the investigation with enforcement assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department and New Mexico State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley, Patrick Cordova, Maria Armijo, and Ry Ellison are prosecuting these cases.

Updated: 03/12/2025
March 5, 2025Jacksonville, FL, United StatesNarcotics

4 sentenced to federal prison for cocaine conspiracy involving 89 kilograms

ORLANDO, Fla. – Four individuals from Central Florida were sentenced March 4 to a combined 32 years and three months in federal prison for their roles in conspiring to distribute more than 89 kilograms of cocaine in the Orlando region following a joint Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Each previously pleaded guilty. The conspirators also forfeited $464,031 in cash seizures in the case:

Israel Miranda, 36, of Kissimmee, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Abiezer Laboy Lozada, 36, of Orlando, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Jorge Antonio Gonzalez de la Fuente, 31, of St. Cloud, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison.
Carlos Antonio Garcia Garcia, 35, of Kissimmee, was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreements, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified a group of individuals working to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine and the proceeds of those sales during 2022. On May 1, 2023, the DEA surveilled Miranda as he distributed drugs to Laboy Lozada in a parking lot. In this and similar meetings during the conspiracy, Laboy Lozada admitted to obtaining 20-30 kilograms of cocaine from Miranda. On Oct. 4, 2023, Miranda delivered a shoe box to Gonzalez de la Fuente, who delivered it to Garcia Garcia. When law enforcement stopped Garcia Garcia’s vehicle, he was found to be carrying that same box containing a kilogram of cocaine.

Over the course of the conspiracy, Gonzalez de la Fuente met with his conspirators two or three times a month and was involved in distribution of 15-50 kilograms of cocaine. Gonzalez de la Fuente continued to engage in drug distribution after being charged federally and was detained when this was discovered.

On Oct. 13, 2023, Miranda delivered drug proceeds to an individual who was found to be transporting $262,257 in a brown paper bag. At the same time, Miranda texted a conspirator an image of the stacks of bills he was distributing with the message “should be 110k.” Similar enforcement actions resulted in the seizure of $51,989 from Miranda on Nov. 7, 2023, and $149,785 from Miranda on March 6, 2024. Over the course of the conspiracy, Miranda distributed drugs or drug proceeds reflecting distribution of more than 89 kilograms of cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol, ICE Orlando, U.S. Secret Service, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana E. Hill. This case was part of an OCDETF investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

Updated: 03/05/2025
March 14, 2025Fort Myers, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

4-time removed, twice convicted criminal alien sentenced to 1+ year for illegal reentry

FORT MYERS, Fla. – An investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement led to Tomas Juarez-Santos, 45, a four-time removed criminal illegal alien from Mexico with two prior convictions for illegal reentry after deportation, being sentenced March 11 to more than a year in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.

Juarez-Santos, previously convicted in 2010 and 2019 for illegal reentry, pleaded guilty in December 2024.

Juarez-Santos was arrested in Collier County on state criminal charges Sept. 3, 2024, and found to be present in the U.S. without legal authorization.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

Updated: 03/17/2025
August 4, 2025San Juan, PR, United StatesNarcotics

53 members of the criminal organization known as Las Farc charged with drug trafficking and firearms violations in San Juan, Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — On June 11, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 53 gang members from the municipality of San Juan with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances and firearms violations. ​The indictment alleges that beginning in 2019, the members of the Las Farc Playita drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, crack, cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, oxycodone and alprazolam near public housing projects and other areas in and around San Juan.

“Our message to these criminals is clear: We are reclaiming our streets from the grip of drug trafficking and the violence it brings,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González Ramos. “State and federal law enforcement agencies stand united in this mission. Our unwavering commitment is to restore peace to our communities and safeguard the true families of our island.”

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau’s San Juan Strike Force led the investigation with help from federal partners and local officials.

USAO News Release

Updated: 08/04/2025
March 11, 2025Jacksonville, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

6 foreign nationals indicted for illegal reentry

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six illegal aliens who were all previously removed from the United States have been indicted for illegal reentry following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.

Cesar Antonio Geronimo-Morales, 34, of Guatemala; Calixto Gomez-Lopez, 42, of Guatemala; Fermin Diaz, 37, of El Salvador; Lenar Donaldo Martinez-Garay, 32, of Honduras; Lesman Yohan Lopez-Gamez, 33, of Honduras; and Juan Jose Resendiz-Gonzalez, 47, of Mexico, have been indicted with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, each faces up to two years in federal prison.

According to court documents, all six individuals have been previously deported from the United States and were found present in Duval County. None have received the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the United States to apply for readmission to the United States.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenna Falzetta.

Updated: 03/11/2025
March 12, 2025Jacksonville, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

6-time removed, twice convicted Mexican national charged with illegal reentry

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement investigation led to Juan Carlos Ruiz-Diaz, 44, an illegal alien from Mexico, being indicted with illegal reentry into the United States after having been previously removed six times and convicted twice for the same offense.

Ruiz-Diaz faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

Ruiz-Diaz was found illegally present in the U.S. on Feb. 26 after having previously been removed on July 16, 2002, Oct. 25, 2002, Nov. 25, 2002, Dec. 16, 2003, Sept. 23, 2008, and April 28, 2011. Ruiz-Diaz was previously convicted of illegal reentry on Aug. 27, 2008, and Oct. 27, 2010. Ruiz-Diaz had not received the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission.

This case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.

Updated: 03/12/2025
July 16, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons’ statement on Benjamin Hanil Song’s arrest

“I want to congratulate and thank our partners at the FBI for bringing in Benjamin Hanil Song, the man who conspired with more than a dozen other criminals to kill ICE officials,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “This wannabe-killer is now off the streets. It’s horrifying that dangerous rhetoric, often spread by elected officials, has brought us to this point, but let this be an example to other people planning on terrorizing federal law enforcement officers: If you attack the brave men and women protecting this nation from dangerous criminal aliens, we will arrest you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

Updated: 07/16/2025
July 21, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons’ statement on illegal alien shooting CBP officer

“Sanctuary city policies and the Biden administration’s open border policies allowed two criminal illegal aliens to enter this country, roam free and commit multiple crimes with no repercussions. Habitual criminals who weren’t even supposed to be in the United States shot an off-duty federal officer in one perpetrator’s second armed robbery this year. I’m tremendously relieved that this CBP officer will recover, but the bottom line is that this shouldn’t have happened. It is clear these criminal aliens have no respect for laws or, quite frankly, for life. ICE’s mission remains to remove this exact type of heinous criminal from our streets, and it will continue to do just that.”

Updated: 07/21/2025
February 6, 2025Waco, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal, Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives

Aliens involved in road rage incident charged with firearms offenses following multi-agency investigation

WACO, Texas — Two undocumented aliens from Guatemala were arrested for federal firearms offenses Feb. 3 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Anderson Morales-Calderon, 19, and Ever Morales-Calderon, 25, were arrested and charged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas with aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm as undocumented aliens.

Anderson and Ever first came to the attention of law enforcement Jan. 24 after a 911 caller reported that someone in their vehicle had pointed a rifle at a semi-truck on IH-35 during a road rage incident. Officers from the Troy and Lorena Police Departments responded to the call and conducted a traffic stop of their vehicle. During the stop, officers observed two air rifles and a .22 rifle in plain view in the back seat and floorboard of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that both Anderson and Ever had illegally entered the U.S.

“ICE is committed to aggressively pursue dangerous criminal aliens and other immigration violators who perpetuate violence in our local communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Our officers work tirelessly, in conjunction with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, to identify and apprehend undocumented aliens who threaten public safety, national security or border security.”

If convicted, Anderson and Ever each face up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will consider U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors in deciding on any potential sentence.

The Troy and Lorena Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting the case.

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

Updated: 02/06/2025
September 19, 2025Tucson, AZ, United StatesChild Exploitation

Arizona man sentenced to 8.5 years for attempt to engage child for sex following ICE Tucson investigation

TUCSON, Ariz. — John Stephen Baker, 71, of Tucson, was sentenced Sept. 10 to eight years and six months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release following an ICE Homeland Security Investigations case. In February 2023, Baker communicated with a person he thought was a 14-year-old child but was actually an undercover HSI special agent. Three months later, he traveled to a Tucson suburb intending to engage in sexual activity with the person he believed was the child, but special agents met and arrested him instead.

“A dangerous predator has been removed from our community, ensuring the safety and well-being of our children,” said HSI Arizona acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede. “We will use every tool we have to find predators like this, to stop them, and make sure they spend as many years as possible behind bars. There is zero tolerance for those who harm children.”

Read more on Justice.gov.

Updated: 09/19/2025
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February 5, 2025Los Angeles, CA, United StatesDocument and Benefit Fraud

Arrests of foreign nationals made in electronic benefit transfer card fraud scheme

LOS ANGELES — On Feb. 1 and 2, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles’ El Camino Real (ECR) Financial Crimes Task Force, alongside the United States Secret Service, California Department of Social Services, United States Marshals Service, United States Attorney’s Office Central District of California, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles Sheriff Department, Hermosa Beach Police Department, Baldwin Bark Park Police Department, Culver City Police Department, El Monte Police Department, Inglewood Police Department, Orange County District Attorney Office, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General conducted a large-scale enforcement action at several locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

The goal of this operation was to arrest individuals perpetrating access device fraud through unauthorized cash withdrawals from victim Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This type of fraud victimizes recipients of government sponsored relief programs which are some of our most vulnerable members of the public. During previous operations targeting the same fraud type, the majority of individuals arrested were foreign nationals with no lawful presence in the United States.

In the past year, the California Department of Social Services has reported more than $100 million in stolen funds from California victims’ EBT cards. The majority of illicit cashouts in the past year occurred in Los Angeles County.

For violations of 18 United States Code § 1029 (Access Device Fraud), the ECR Task Force and partners arrested 11 foreign nationals, recovered over 300 cloned EBT cards, and recovered over $30,000 in cash during the two-day operation. One of the suspects in custody had been previously arrested by Romanian law enforcement for murder and aggravated murder in Romania. The suspects arrested were transported to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Los Angeles for processing, to include identification and immigration status determination for suspects unable to be identified or presenting suspected fictitious identification documents.

Historically, this type of criminal activity has been widely perpetrated by elements of Romanian organized crime who have no legal status in the U.S. or are prior deportees.

Anyone with information regarding fraud related to government sponsored relief programs is encouraged to call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSILosAngeles.

Updated: 06/13/2025
March 6, 2025Providence, RI, United StatesFinancial Crimes

British national indicted in organized multi-state fraud and money laundering scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A British national from Northern Ireland residing illegally in the United States has been indicted by a Rhode Island federal grand jury in for participating in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme uncovered by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation. The scheme is alleged to have defrauded residents of several states of over $1 million.

The indictment charges Elijah Gavin aka Timothy O’Reilly aka Elijah Thomas, 29, with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.

According to court documents, Gavin and other co-conspirators are purported to be associated with the so-called Traveling Conmen Fraud Group (Conmen Travelers), a group recognized by the FBI’s Terrorist Screen Center as a transnational organized crime group.

Gavin and his co-conspirators allegedly defrauded property owners in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York of more than over $1 million by misrepresenting to property owners who they were, the qualifications of their construction businesses, and construction needs or repairs required on properties. Co-conspirators billed property owners and collected funds for equipment that was not needed or used.

View the criminal complaint.

The victims of this scheme included a 78-year-old Rhode Island woman who was fraudulently induced to pay over $850,000 for unnecessary foundation and basement repairs, including in checks written to Gavin and others.

Money collected through this conspiracy was deposited into bank accounts controlled by co-conspirators or transferred to other individuals who laundered the fraudulently obtained funds.

Gavin last entered the United States lawfully in 2022 but did not comply with the terms of his admission. He is currently wanted on local charges in the U.K. Gavin has been detained in criminal federal custody since his arrest in New Jersey on January 29. Arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2025, at the U.S. District Court in Providence.

A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The matter is being investigated by ICE, the Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.

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: 01/27/2026
March 16, 2026Los Angeles, CA, United StatesLaw Enforcement

California and Colorado women found guilty of stalking ICE officer

The women followed the officer home from work and livestreamed the pursuit on social media

LOS ANGELES — A jury found two women — one from California and the other from Colorado — guilty March 2 of felony stalking for following an ICE deportation officer home and livestreaming their pursuit on social media.

Cynthia Raygoza, 38, of Riverside, and Ashleigh Brown, 38, of Aurora, Colorado, were each convicted of one count of stalking.

“Stalking and intimidation of our personnel and their families crosses a line,” said ERO Los Angeles acting Field Office Director Andre Quinones. “This verdict sends a clear message that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting our officers and ensuring their safety both on and off duty.”

Amid continued escalations in dangerous rhetoric from anti-ICE politicians and activists, ICE officers and agents currently face an 8,000% increase in death threats and a 1,421% increase in assaults.

“Justice has been served against two agitators who stalked a federal employee, livestreamed it on social media, and traumatized both the victim and his family,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “Our Constitution protects peaceful protest — not political violence and unlawful intimidation.”

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case.

Read more on Justice.gov.

Updated: 03/16/2026
September 26, 2025San Diego, CA, United StatesCyber Crimes

California man accused of doxxing ICE employee now in custody

SAN DIEGO — An investigation by the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility in San Diego led to the arrest of Gregory John Curcio, 68, who is accused of doxxing an ICE attorney by posting her personal information online and urging others to harass her.

Curcio was arrested Sept. 22 according to federal prosecutors and made his first court appearance in Los Angeles, where a judge ordered him held without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 14.

"Doxxing is not just an invasion of privacy; it is a deliberate act of intimidation that undermines the safety and security of ICE employees who are dedicated to upholding the law and protecting our nation,” said ICE Office of Professional Responsibility Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Valenzuela. “Arresting individuals responsible for doxxing sends a clear message that such malicious behavior will not be tolerated and ensures accountability for actions that threaten the safety of our workforce."

Court documents allege in February 2025, Curcio posted the attorney’s home address to social media and directed others to “swat” her; a tactic involving false emergency calls to provoke an armed law enforcement response. The documents further allege that he used multiple accounts and conducted a harassment campaign against the attorney and her family dating back to January 2024.

Curcio faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted.

To report suspicious criminal activity, to include doxxing, call the ICE Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 866-DHS-2-ICE or use the ICE online tip form. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE.

Read more at Justice.gov

Updated: 09/26/2025