News from 2023
Tennessee man charged with trafficking counterfeit airbags from China
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
Following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, a Memphis man has been indicted and arrested for one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods and one count of causing the criminal transportation of hazardous materials by air carrier.
MS-13 gang member gets 28 years in federal prison following HSI Baltimore investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore, the FBI and the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) resulted in a Maryland MS-13 gang member receiving a lengthy federal prison sentence for his part in a racketeering conspiracy that included two murders. On May 19, a judge in the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt sentenced Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, 26, of Adelphi, to 28 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Sanchez must also pay restitution in the full amount of all the victims’ losses, including funeral costs incurred by the two murder victims’ estates.
HSI Baltimore investigation lands Maryland man in prison for conspiracy to smuggle weapons, munitions to Cameroon
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Baltimore; and the Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Mid-Atlantic field office, which is part of the agency’s Office of Inspector General, resulted in a 30-month prison sentence for a Maryland resident for his part in a scheme to smuggle weapons to separatists fighting against the government of Cameroon.
ERO Houston removes accused child rapist, 3 other foreign fugitives to Mexico
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Mexico and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed a foreign fugitive wanted for aggravated rape of a minor and three other foreign fugitives from the U.S. to Mexico on May 25.
ERO Boston arrests fugitive gang member convicted of murder in Brazil
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested a Brazilian fugitive, who was convicted of murder in Brazil, in Somerville, Massachusetts, May 23.
California man pleads guilty to $1.2M financial fraud scheme after HSI-led investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
A convicted felon from Orange County who used Instagram to teach his followers how to defraud banks pleaded guilty May 30 to conspiring with a bank employee and others to commit a check fraud scheme in which they sought $1.2 million.
ICE conducts removal flights May 30
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted multiple removal flights including to the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Honduras as part of dozens of flights conducted each week.
Man convicted of immigration fraud after lying about atrocities committed during Bosnian Civil War following HSI Tucson investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
On May 19, after a nine-day jury trial, a federal judge convicted a Tucson man of charges related to visa fraud and attempted unlawful procurement of citizenship. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and its Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) investigated the case.
ERO Philadelphia removes wanted drug trafficker to Honduras
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO) Philadelphia removed Harby Rigoberto Vargas-Sanchez, a Honduran citizen with a final order of removal, to Honduras on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Air Operations charter aircraft May 26. Vargas-Sanchez is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Honduras for illegal drug trafficking.
ERO Boston arrests fugitive noncitizen convicted of firearms charges in Brazil
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested a Brazilian fugitive May 24. The man was convicted of unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives in Brazil and sentenced to incarceration.
Chinese national charged with attempting to bring child sexual abuse material into the US following HSI, federal partner investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
A Chinese citizen was indicted for transporting child pornography following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector.
It's hurricane season. Are you ready?
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
As the hurricane season begins on Jun. 1, MyCG has assembled some tips and resources to help you and your family prepare for any hurricanes that may come your way. Become familiar with www.ready.gov and Center for Disease Control’s hurricane guide.
2023 Inspirational Award Winners
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
The Coast Guard takes great pride in announcing the winners of the 2023 Inspirational Awards. The Commandant, Adm. Linda Fagan, and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Heath Jones, called each winner on May 23 to inform them they won.
0-1-2-3: What are the low-risk drinking guidelines?
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
In previous MyCG articles, we’ve talked about the long-term health consequences of your relationship with alcohol. Now, let’s get back to basics. What’s the big deal with the occasional binge drinking session?
The Long Blue Line: The Sermon—never forget the heroes of Iwo Jima
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
On March 16th, D-Day plus 25, organized resistance on Iwo Jima finally ended. Over the course of the one-month battle, U.S. forces suffered nearly 5,000 killed and 16,000 wounded while enemy dead numbered over 21,000 or virtually the entire Japanese garrison force. Lt. Roland Gittelsohn was the first Jewish rabbi to serve as a chaplain for the Marine Corps. His sermon is considered by many one of the finest delivered in wartime.]
Coast Guard authorizes alternate uniform and weapon-mounted lights for law enforcement
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
The Coast Guard recently made two generational policy changes for law enforcement designated units:
Officers: Join OPM’s virtual roadshow to learn about response assignments
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
The Officer Personnel Management’s (OPM), Career Management Branch (OPM-4) hosts its eighth virtual road show June 7, at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
CG Civilians eligible for up to $4,500 year for professional credentialing
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
Civilian employees can now get help paying for their professional certifications through the Coast Guard’s Credentialing Assistance (CA) Pilot Program.
CBP to align Hours of Operations at the East Richford Port of Entry
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be reducing the hours of operations for the East Richford, Vermont Port of Entry (POE) from its current operating hours of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to align with the Glen Sutton Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) POE operating hours. CBP will continue operating two additional 24-hour POEs within 12 miles of East Richford, ensuring minimal impact on local traffic.
Laredo Field Office encourages seeking online travel permits, consulting border wait times as summer travel begins
By Homeland Newswire Report | Jun 3, 2023
With the looming Memorial Day weekend poised to kick off the summer travel season, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Laredo Field Office is recommending that travelers apply for tourist permits online and consult Border Wait Times on www.cbp.gov to minimize trip delays.