News Releases

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Feb. 3, 2012

Feb. 2, 2012 — Special agents and officers seize more than $4.8 in fake NFL merchandise

Fake jerseys, ball caps, t-shirts, jackets and other souvenirs are among the counterfeit merchandise and clothing confiscated during 'Operation Fake Sweep.' Teams comprised of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with federal , state and local officials — all in partnership with the NFL — have seized more than 42,692 items of phony Super Bowl-related memorabilia. Full Story

Feb. 2, 2012 — Michigan man arrested for illegally streaming live sporting events over the Internet

A Michigan man has been charged with criminal copyright infringement related to his operation of a website that illegally streamed live sporting event telecasts and pay-per-view events over the Internet. This charge was the result of an investigation conducted by ICE HSI and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center).  Full Story

Feb. 2, 2012 — 5 indicted in unusual human smuggling scheme

Five Los-Angeles-area residents have been indicted for operating a human smuggling scheme that relied heavily on non-Spanish speaking African-Americans being used to transport illegal aliens from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Los Angeles area. This week, four of the five defendants, including the suspected ringleader of the scheme, were taken into custody. Full Story

Feb. 1, 2012 — 12 indicted in large-scale drug and money laundering case

Twelve individuals were charged for their role in a significant drug distribution operation that allegedly trafficked more than 30 kilograms of heroin, 12 kilograms of cocaine, 1,000 pounds of marijuana and laundered $21 million. These indictments were the result of a joint investigation conducted by ICE HSI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. Full Story

Jan. 30, 2012 — Elementary school teacher faces child pornography charges

Federal child pornography charges have been filed against a California elementary school teacher who allegedly used his cell phone to record sexual abuse of a minor. If convicted, he faces a mandatory prison term of between 15 and 30 years, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime term of supervised release.  Full Story