April 6, 2007

ICE arrests 40 illegal aliens with criminal records in Raleigh area
North Carolina's first Operation Cross Check a success

RALEIGH, NC - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Raleigh Fugitive Operations Team targeted and arrested 40 illegal aliens with criminal histories during North Carolina's first Operation Cross Check.

The two-day operation culminated Wednesday netting criminals with histories including indecent liberties with a child, assault on a female, and armed robbery. The Raleigh Fugitive Operations Team worked with local law enforcement agencies to identify and locate the most egregious criminals who are in the country illegally.

"Operation Cross Check is a powerful tool aiding ICE's interior enforcement strategy," said Felicia Skinner, acting Field Office Director for ICE's Office of Detention and Removal overseeing North Carolina. "By working with local law enforcement agencies, we can locate, arrest and deport criminal aliens who might otherwise pose a threat to our communities."

Below are some of the criminal aliens arrested during the two-day operation:

Jesus Cordero-Nava, 23, has two felony convictions for armed robbery and a misdemeanor conviction for assault on a female, and will additionally be presented for prosecution for re-entering the country after being previously deported.

Luis Ochoa-Mencias, 19, has felony convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and statutory rape in Durham County. An immigration judge had previously ordered Ochoa removed.

Alberto Parada, 33, has convictions for sexual battery and assault on a woman.

Those arrested with outstanding orders of removal will be immediately deported, while others will remain in ICE custody awaiting the outcome of their case.

ICE's Fugitive Operations Unit began planning and conducting Operation Cross Check nationwide in Jan. 2007. Other initiatives include Operation Return to Sender, which focuses on removing fugitive aliens from the United States, and Operation Secure Streets, which targets aliens with previous driving under the influence (DUI) arrests and convictions. The Raleigh Fugitive Operations Team arrested 44 criminal aliens during its latest Operation Secure Streets in March.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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