Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

May 16, 2016

News Release

Contact: ICE Public Affairs

949-360-3096

ICE arrests 87 in Nevada enforcement operation targeting convicted criminals

LAS VEGAS Convicted drug traffickers and known street gang members are among the 87
foreign nationals arrested in the Reno and Las Vegas areas last week during an operation conducted
by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting at-large criminal aliens.
The enforcement action, which concluded Friday, was carried out by ICE Enforcement and Removal
Operations (ERO) officers and focused on individuals who pose a public safety threat. During the
five-day operation, ERO officers arrested a total of 65 targets in and around Las Vegas and 22 in the
Reno area.
Of the foreign nationals apprehended during the enforcement action, 20 had prior felony convictions
and two were documented members of violent street gangs. Last weeks arrestees criminal histories
included past convictions for drug trafficking, weapons violations, child sex offenses, and domestic
violence. Four of those taken into custody were criminal aliens who now face federal prosecution for
re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Among those arrested in the Las Vegas area were:
A previously deported 55-year-old Mexican national with a prior felony conviction for
transporting and selling heroin;
A 57-year-old Mexican national convicted of lewdness with a child under 14 that resulted in a
four to 10-year sentence in state prison; and a
42-year-old Salvadoran national with multiple prior felony convictions, including one for
statutory sexual seduction.
The Reno arrests included:
A 33-year-old Mexican national with past convictions for drug trafficking, domestic battery, and
DUI; and a
A 19-year-old Mexican national gang member with prior convictions for resisting an officer and
robbery.
This operation exemplifies ICEs ongoing commitment to targeting convicted criminals and public
safety threats for apprehension and removal, said Daniel Bible, field office director for ERO Salt
Lake City, which oversees the agencys enforcement actions in Nevada. By taking these individuals
off our streets and ultimately removing them from the country, we are making our communities safer
for everyone.

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The foreign nationals arrested during the operation include citizens of nine countries, including
Mexico (65); El Salvador (10); Guatemala (2); Honduras (2); Peru (2); Philippines (2); Cuba (2);
Taiwan (1); and Vietnam (1). Those who are not being criminally prosecuted will be processed
administratively for removal from the United States. The arrestees who have outstanding orders of
deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to
immediate removal from the country. The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a
hearing before an immigration judge, or pending travel arrangements for removal in the near future.
All of those apprehended during last weeks Nevada operation were immigration enforcement
priorities as outlined in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnsons 2014
memorandum and more than 85 percent were Priority 1 or Priority 2 cases. Priority 1 targets include
threats to national security, criminal street gang members, convicted felons, and aggravated felons.
Priority 2 targets include individuals with convictions for three or more misdemeanors, or
convictions for significant misdemeanors, including DUIs.
For the most up-to-date ICE information, sign up for ICE email alerts. You may also visit us on
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
# ICE #
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.
For more information, visit: www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

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