FEDS ARRESTING CRIMINAL ILLEGALS LOCALLY
Above: D.E.A. N.E. image, HN edits
DEA NEW ENGLAND STATEMENT – 3/5/25 – DENNIS, MASSACHUSETTS: “Agents in Massachusetts and our law enforcement partners @EROBoston just arrested an illegal immigrant in Dennis, Massachusetts. The target has been previously charged with rape of a child and assault and battery with a deadly weapon.” (No further details available at this time. HN will provide official updates as they become available.)
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DEA NEW ENGLAND STATEMENT – 3/7/25 – MARTHA’S VINEYARD: “We continue to collaborate with our federal partners! An active drug investigation on Martha’s Vineyard leads to an arrest of an illegal immigrant with the help of @ICEgov.” (No further details available at this time. HN will provide official updates as they become available.)
OTHER RECENT MASSACHUSETTS OPERATIONS:
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ICE arrests criminal alien wanted for indecent assault and battery, other charges, after release by noncooperative jurisdiction
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – [I.C.E. BOSTON MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/7/25] – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a 25-year-old criminal alien from the Dominican Republic on charges of indecent assault and battery, assault and battery, and gross lewdness, Jan. 29.
“This arrest underscores ICE’s unyielding commitment to public safety and our resolve to hold dangerous criminal aliens accountable, no matter the obstacles,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. “When jurisdictions fail to cooperate, ICE will take every necessary step to locate and apprehend those whose release poses a significant threat to the community.”
The U.S. Border Patrol initially arrested the illegal alien June 2022 after he unlawfully entered the United States near Rio Grande, Texas, without inspection or admission by an immigration officer. He was subsequently detained at Bluebonnet Detention Facility before being released on parole.
The Boston Police Department later arrested the alien July 1, 2024, for indecent assault and battery, assault and battery, and open and gross lewdness. ICE attempted to place an immigration detainer to transfer custody in the jail, but was forced by the noncooperative jurisdiction to conduct an operation Jan. 29 in Dorchester to apprehend the alien.
The criminal alien remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Members of the public 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.
ICE arrests criminal alien and foreign fugitive wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – [I.C.E. BOSTON MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/6/25] – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested criminal alien and fugitive from justice Leandro Romano de Souza, 27, for a felony drug trafficking conviction in Brazil, Jan. 27.
“The arrest of this criminal alien, who illegally entered the U.S. in an attempt to evade justice, underscores our relentless commitment to identifying and apprehending individuals who exploit our borders to escape accountability,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. “We remain dedicated to working closely with our international law enforcement partners to ensure that foreign fugitives seeking refuge in our communities are swiftly located and removed from our community.”
Romano de Souza entered the United States at or near Calexico, California, without inspection or admission by an immigration officer in April 2024. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Romano de Souza and released him on an order of recognizance.
The Criminal Enforcement Court of the District of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil issued an arrest warrant for Romano de Souza in September 2024 to serve the remainder of his 14 plus year sentence in Brazil.
ICE arrested Romano de Souza during an enhanced operation in Peabody, Jan. 27. Romano de Souza remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Members of the public 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.
“Barnstable House of Corrections ignored the ICE detainer…”
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ICE Boston, law enforcement partners arrest illegal Haitian alien charged in Massachusetts with sex crimes, witness intimidation
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/3/25] — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apprehended an illegal Haitian alien charged in Massachusetts with two counts of rape, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older, possession of child pornography, witness intimidation, and violation of a harassment prevention order. Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston along with agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England and ATF Boston arrested Queenssy Bryan Lindor, 21, in New Bedford Feb. 5.
“Queenssy Bryan Lindor stands accused of some unspeakable crimes, when combined with his convictions prove that he represents a substantial threat to the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said ICE ERO acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We refuse to allow law-abiding New Englanders to be subjected to such a menace. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our neighborhoods.”
U.S. Border Patrol arrested Lindor after he illegally entered the United States near Del Rio, Texas, Nov. 21, 2019. USBP served Lindor with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.
ICE ERO San Antonio released Lindor Nov. 27, 2019, on an Order of Recognizance.
The Barnstable District Court arraigned Lindor Feb. 13, 2023, for assault and battery. Later that day, ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Lindor with the Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Police Department.
The Barnstable House of Corrections ignored the ICE detainer and released Lindor on $1,000 bail and GPS conditions.
The Barnstable District Court convicted Lindor of assault and battery Sept. 14, 2023, and sentenced him to 30 days in prison
The Barnstable Superior Court indicted Lindor Nov. 1, 2023, for two counts of rape, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older, possession of child pornography, witness intimidation, and violation of a harassment prevention order.
The Barnstable District Court convicted Lindor Sept. 20, 2024, for violation of a harassment prevention order and sentenced him to probation.
Officers with ICE ERO Boston along with agents from ICE HSI New England and ATF Boston arrested Lindor in New Bedford Feb. 5.
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.
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ICE Boston removes illegal Honduran national wanted for homicide in home country
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/3/25] — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed an illegally present Honduran national convicted in Massachusetts of assault with a dangerous weapon and wanted by authorities in Honduras for homicide. Officers with ICE Boston removed Rene Alejandro Rosales-Vindel, 52, from the United States to Honduras Feb. 3 and turned him over to Honduran authorities.
“Rene Alejandro Rosales-Vindel attempted to flee justice in his home country and hide out in the United States,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Not only did he break our immigration laws, but he also assaulted a resident of Massachusetts. Now he is back in Honduras to answer the charges against him. We will not allow our New England communities to become safe havens for the world’s criminals. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders.”
U.S. Border Patrol arrested Rosales Mar. 28, 2014, after he illegally entered the United States and placed him into immigration proceedings. ICE released Rosales May 5, 2014, after he paid an immigration bond.
Officers from ICE Boston arrested Rosales Aug. 30, 2017, after his arrest for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. ICE Boston cancelled Rosales’ bond and detained him to continue his immigration proceedings.
On Oct. 11, 2017, a Department of Justice immigration judge in Boston ordered Rosales removed from the United States to Honduras.
ICE Boston released Rosales on an order of supervision May 25, 2018. The next day, the Chelsea District Court convicted Rosales of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
ICE Boston arrested Rosales Nov. 23, 2024, and revoked his order of supervised release.
Officers with ICE removed Rosales from the United States to Honduras Feb. 3 and turned him over to Honduran authorities.
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.
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ICE Boston arrests illegal Jamaican national charged with assault, battery in Massachusetts
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT] — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Jamaican alien charged in Massachusetts with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a family member when officers arrested Jahmari Taffari Westcarth, 26, in Boston Jan. 25.
“Jahmari Taffari Westcarth stands accused of assaulting and victimizing a family member in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He represents a significant threat to the residents of our community,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We simply refuse to tolerate such dangers to the law-abiding residents of our New England neighborhoods. ICE Boston stands firm in our commitment to prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our neighborhoods.”
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Westcarth after he illegally entered the United States near San Ysidro, California, Dec. 30, 2022, and served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.
The Dorchester District Court arraigned Westcarth Jan. 8 for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a family member.
ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Westcarth with later that day with the Dorchester District Court but the court refused to honor the immigration detainer and released Westcarth from custody.
Westcarth remains in ICE custody following his arrest.
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.
OTHER RECENT REGIONAL OPERATIONS:
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ICE arrests Chinese citizen charged with sex trafficking
PORTLAND, MAINE – [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/6/25] – An unlawfully present Chinese national charged with sex trafficking now faces removal to China after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation. Tian Tao, 54, a citizen of China, was arrested by Rockland Police and ICE for sex trafficking violations and entered ICE custody Feb. 20. He remains in ICE custody pending removal.
“Illicit massage parlors are notoriously difficult to investigate, but collaboration between our special agents and local police allowed us to bring a significant consequence to a person charged with a serious crime in our community. There is no place in New England for people who exploit and traffic vulnerable people. Working together, we prove that actions have consequences – in this case, the consequence is removal from the United States,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.
Local police in Lincoln County received information in 2023 regarding a potential illicit massage parlor operating in the county. ICE was contacted to assist in the investigation and developed information allegedly tying Tao to other illicit massage parlors in the area. With this information, Rockland Police obtained a state warrant and arrested Tao for sex trafficking.
Tao entered the United States lawfully in 2016 but violated the terms of his admission.
This case was investigated by ICE alongside the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockland Police Department.
British national indicted in organized multi-state fraud and money laundering scheme
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/6/25] – 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.
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.
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ICE New York City arrests previously removed Guatemalan national, child sex offender
NEW YORK – [I.C.E. N.Y. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/7/25] – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Axel Ramirez-Hernandez, a 32-year-old Guatemalan national with convictions for sexual assault of a victim less than 16 years old and illegal reentry after deportation, March 6 in Spring Valley with a criminal warrant of arrest for illegal reentry after deportation.
“ICE is committed to apprehending predators who commit horrific acts of violence against our youngest citizens and residents,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “Our officers will find these criminal aliens and seek their removal from the United States.”
Ramirez illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission or by an immigration official. ICE served Ramirez with a notice to appear July 6, 2012, charging him with being inadmissible to the U.S. An immigration judge ordered Ramirez removed from the U.S. July 18, 2012, and he was subsequently removed to Guatemala Aug. 16, 2012. The U.S. Border Patrol encountered Ramirez April 13, 2013, in McAllen, Texas, after he illegally reentered the U.S. and served him with a notice of intent to reinstate a prior order. ICE removed him from the U.S. to Guatemala Aug. 11, 2014. Ramirez again reentered the U.S. on an unknown date at an unknown location without admission by an immigration official.
The Superior Court of Connecticut for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk convicted Ramirez of sexual assault on a victim under 16 years old June 6, 2011, and sentenced him to five years in prison, 18 months supervised release and 10 years of probation. The U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas convicted Ramirez of illegal re-entry after deportation Jan. 23, 2014, and sentenced him to 18 months incarceration. Ramirez also has local criminal charges pending for driving while intoxicated in Ramapo, New York.
ICE N.Y. City arrests convicted Romanian national with removal order
NEW YORK – [I.C.E. N.Y. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/7/25] – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Dan Adrian Agafitei, 26, an illegally present Romanian national upon his release from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, March 4.
“The arrest of Mr. Agafitei reinforces the agency’s commitment to identify, detain and remove violent criminals and immigration law violators who pose the greatest threat to national security and public safety,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “Thanks for the proactive approach of the men and women of ICE and due to the extraordinary partnerships between federal agencies, this alien is not free to pose any additional threat to the community.”
Agafitei illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission by an Immigration Official.
A grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York indicted Agafitei on 17 counts of criminal violations related to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, Feb. 21, 2024. The FBI arrested Agafitei on a criminal arrest warrant a week later, and ICE lodged an immigration detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service against his release. Agafitei was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud Feb. 27 and sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison while being ordered removed from the U.S.
Agafitei remains in ICE custody awaiting removal to Romania.
I.C.E IMAGES: 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 / HN edits
ICE removes 2 illegal aliens, sexual predators to Honduras
BUFFALO, N.Y. – [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/6/25] – 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.
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25 Canadian nationals connected to nationwide multi-million dollar “grandparent scam” charged in Vermont
BURLINGTON, VERMONT – [I.C.E. MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/5/25] – Canadian law enforcement provisionally arrested 23 Canadian nationals March 4 after they were indicted by federal grand jury in Vermont for participation in a “grandparent scam” uncovered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The scam allegedly defrauded elderly individuals in more than 40 states of over $21 million.
According to the indictment returned by the grand jury Feb. 20 and unsealed on March 4, between the summer of 2021 and June 4, 2024, the defendants engaged in a “grandparent scam” involving phone calls made from call centers in and around Montreal, Québec. During these phone calls, defendants falsely claimed to be an elderly victim’s relative, typically a grandchild, who had been arrested following a car crash and needed money for “bail.” Other defendants posed as an “attorney” representing the elderly victim’s relative. Elderly victims were often told that there was a “gag order” in place to prevent the elderly victim from telling anyone about their family member’s supposed arrest. Elderly victims were convinced to provide bail money to an individual falsely posing as a bail bondsman, who would come to the elderly victim’s home to collect the money. This money was later transmitted to Canada following cash deliveries and financial transactions, sometimes involving cryptocurrency, which, the indictment alleges, obscured the source of the money and the identities of defendants.
When Canadian law enforcement executed search warrants on June 4, 2024, at several call centers, many of the defendants were found in the act of placing phone calls to elderly victims in Virginia. The Indictment alleges the call centers were managed by Gareth West, Usman Khalid, Andrew Tatto, Stephan Moskwyn, and Ricky Ylimaki, and also charges these five defendants with conspiring to commit money laundering. The conspiracy defrauded elderly Americans out of more than $21 million.
“These individuals are accused of an elaborate scheme using fear to extort millions of dollars from victims who believed they were helping loved ones in trouble. Today’s arrests are the result of domestic collaboration as well as our critical international partnerships with our colleagues in Canada, Sûreté du Québec and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Tackling transnational crime is one of our greatest priorities and we’re working hand-in-hand with our neighbors to dismantle organized criminal groups that threaten our safety and security,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge New England Michael J. Krol.
“Today’s operation is an excellent example of ICE Canada’s partnership with the Sûreté du Québec and resulted in the disruption of a significant transnational criminal organization. We will continue to partner with the SQ, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other law enforcement agencies to identify and dismantle criminal organizations operating throughout North America and abroad that exploit our shared border and vulnerable population for illicit gain,” said ICE HSI Attaché for Ottawa Magdalena Sigur.
“The transnational criminal conspiracy described in the Indictment preyed on vulnerable Americans throughout the United States,” observed Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher. “These charges reflect the painstaking investigatory work of the Vermont-based agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Internal Review Service-Criminal Investigations. In addition, we recognize the extensive investigative assistance provided by Sûreté du Québec and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
“Today’s arrest of Gareth West and his co-conspirators demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to protecting the American people from bad actors, no matter where they are hiding.” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “West and his associates lead a transnational criminal enterprise with the sole intent of defrauding hundreds of retirees of their life savings by preying on their emotions and deceiving them into thinking that their loved ones were in peril. IRS-CI is committed to continued collaboration with our law enforcement partners, both at home and abroad, to stop and deter anyone who seeks to profit off the hard work of U.S. citizens.”
“For the Quebec Provincial Police and Homeland Security Investigations, transnational criminal organizations are a significant concern that requires close collaboration. Criminal networks operate beyond borders; thus, it is crucial to have strong partnerships among law enforcement. Today’s arrests highlight the efficiency of our joint efforts, demonstrating that our cooperation delivers concrete results in enhancing public safety on both sides of the border,” said Chief Inspector Michel Patenaude
An indictment contains only allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
West, Khalid, Tatto, Moskwyn and Ricky Ylimaki face up to 40 years of imprisonment if convicted, and the remaining defendants face up to 20 years of imprisonment if convicted.
The investigation was led by ICE and IRS-CI with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Quebec Provincial Police (Sûreté du Québec) in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police conducted the provisional arrests in Canada. Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs as well as the International Assistance Group at Justice Canada. This case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
More information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
Individuals charged in the indictment:
- Gareth West, a.k.a. “Buddy” and “Muscles,” (38 – Burlington, Ontario)
- Usman Khalid, a.k.a. “Paul” and “Pauly,” (36 – Les Coteaux, Québec)
- Andrew Tatto, a.k.a. “Chevy” and “Truck,” (43 – Pierrefonds, Québec)
- Stephan Moskwyn, a.k.a. “HK,” (42 – Pierrefonds, Québec)
- Ricky Ylimaki, a.k.a. “Ruffles,” (31 – Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Québec)
- Richard Frischman, a.k.a. “Styx,” (31 – Montréal, Québec)
- Adam Lawrence, a.k.a. “Carter,” (41 – Lasalle, Québec)
- Michael Filion, a.k.a. “Elvis,” (45 – Pierrefonds, Québec)
- Jimmy Ylimaki, a.k.a. “Coop,” (35 – Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Québec)
- Nicolas Gonzalez, a.k.a. “Brady,” (27 – Kirkland, Québec)
- Ryan Melanson, a.k.a. “Parker,” (27 – Montréal, Québec)
- Joy Kalafatidis, a.k.a. “Blondie,” (31 – Pointe-Claire, Québec)
- David Arcobelli, a.k.a. “Phil,” (36 – Pierrefonds, Québec)
- Jonathan Massouras, a.k.a. “Borze,” (35 – Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Québec)
- Nicholas Shiomi, a.k.a. “Keanu,” (42 – Montréal, Québec)
- Antonio Iannacci, a.k.a. “DJ,” (33 – Pierrefonds, Québec)
- Jonathan Ouellet, a.k.a. “Sunny,” (29 – Saint-Eustache, Québec)
- Kassey-Lee Lankford, a.k.a. “Lex,” (28 – Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec)
- Sara Burns, a.k.a. “Ginger,” (31 – Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Québec)
- Justin Polenz, a.k.a. “Happy,” (34 – Montréal, Québec)
- Ryan Thibert, a.k.a. “Toast,” (37 – Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec)
- Michael Farella, a.k.a. “Honda,” (29 – Sainte-Geneviève, Québec)
- Sebastian Guenole, a.k.a. “Tweeter,” (30 – Pierrefonds, Québec)
- Ryan Bridgman, a.k.a. “Clint,” (37 – Deux-Montagnes, Québec)
- Stephanie-Marie Samaras, a.k.a. “North” (29 – Laval, Québec)
All but two of the above-named individuals were arrested in Canada on March 4. West and Jimmy Ylimaki remain at large.
An additional nine individuals have previously been charged in the District of Vermont in connection with this grandparent scam, including Otmane Khalladi (32 – Miami, Florida), Jean Richard Audate (39 – New York, New York), Philippe Alvarez (34 – Montréal, Québec), Paul Conneh (37 – Guangzhou, China), Dave Leblanc (37 – Greenacres, Florida), Zavier Buchanan (27 – Wellington, Florida), William Comfort (29 – Los Angeles, California), Alejandro Garcia (34 – Miami, Florida), and Enmanuel Castillo (31 – Miami, Florida).
If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11). This hotline is a free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older.
(I.C.E. image: Officers with ICE Boston’s Providence, Rhode Island field office arrest Edilio Agustin-Orellana Jan. 27 in Providence. Agustin, an illegally present Guatemalan national is charged in Brockton, Massachusetts, with armed home invasion and kidnapping crimes.)
ICE Boston arrests illegal Guatemalan alien charged with armed home invasion, kidnapping crimes
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [I.C.E. STATEMENT] — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national charged in Brockton, Massachusetts, with five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of kidnapping, intimidation and armed home invasion when officers arrested Edilio Agustin-Orellana in Providence, Jan. 27.
“Edilio Agustin-Orellana stands accused of some extremely egregious felonies and represents a significant threat to the residents of New England,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We simply cannot tolerate such threats to our residents. ICE Boston remains dedicated to prioritizing the safety of our public by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from the streets of our communities.”
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Agustin after he illegally entered the United States Jan. 25, 2002, near Brownsville, Texas, and transferred custody to Immigration and Naturalization Services at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas. INS released Agustin on bond two weeks later.
A Department of Justice immigration judge in Harlingen, Texas, ordered Agustin removed from the United States to Guatemala Sept. 23, 2002.
The 6th Division District Court in Providence, Rhode Island, convicted Agustin Oct. 13, 2004, of eluding police, resisting arrest, and driving with suspended license. The court sentenced him to one year of probation and court costs.
ICE encountered Agustin Nov. 13, 2006, following a subsequent arrest in Providence and lodged an immigration detainer against Agustin with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
ICE arrested Agustin Nov. 15, 2006, at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston and removed him from the U.S. to Guatemala Dec. 30, 2006.
Border Patrol agents arrested Agustin after he illegally reentered the U.S. Feb. 7, 2007, near Ocotillo, California, and issued him a notice of intent/decision to reinstate a prior removal order. ICE removed Agustin from the U.S. to Guatemala Feb. 8, 2008.
Agustin illegally reentered the U.S. Aug. 4, 2019, near Del Rio, Texas, and ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Agustin with Brockton District Court Feb. 20, 2024, following his arrest for armed home invasion. The Brockton District Court refused to honor the ICE detainer and released Agustin from custody.
The Plymouth Superior Court in Brockton, Massachusetts, arraigned Agustin June 24, 2024, for five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of kidnapping, intimidation and armed home invasion.
ICE arrested Agustin, who was at large in Providence, Jan. 27. He remains in ICE custody.
Ecuadoran man sentenced to more than 26 years in prison for recording his sexual abuse of a minor in Connecticut
HARTFORD, CONN. [ICE STATEMENT – 3/3/25] – Servio Barros-Terreros, 58, an illegal alien from Ecuador last residing in Stamford, was sentenced Feb. 20 to 320 months of imprisonment for taking pictures of his repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
According to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation, in December 2022, a minor female victim reported Barros sexually assaulted her multiple times, took sexually explicit pictures of her, and threatened to publish the pictures and show them to the victim’s mother if she told anyone. Barros also instructed the victim to undress during video calls he initiated with the victim, during which he also engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
“Not only did Barros sexually abuse a young child, he used guilt and fear to threaten her and prevent her from coming forward about this abuse. It takes real bravery to overcome those threats and thanks to her perseverance, this predator is facing serious time behind bars as well as deportation after the completion of his sentence,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.
On Jan. 12, 2023, Stamford Police arrested Barros on state sexual assault and risk of injury offenses and seized Barros’ iPhone. Analysis of the iPhone by ICE special agents revealed sexually explicit images of the minor victim, and images of Barros engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the minor victim.
Barros has been detained since his arrest. On March 5, 2024, he pleaded guilty in federal court to production of child pornography.
Barros entered the U.S. illegally without inspection at an unknown date and unknown location. ICE lodged a detainer with the Bridgeport Correctional Facility in 2023. Barros faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
The case was investigated by ICE New England’s Hartford Resident Agent in Charge office and the Stamford Police Department.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
HN NOTE: Above are just some of the most recent Federal law enforcement media statements that pertain to recent arrests of illegal aliens charged with (or convicted) of serious criminal offenses…
… and according to I.C.E., the Barnstable House of Corrections is still not cooperating with “I.C.E. detainers…” (along with possibly other local agencies/institutions, according to sources). HN will provide official updates on that subject as they become available. Stay tune!
P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by THE ISLEY BROTHERS… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]
