On Friday June 23, 2023 the Justice Department announced the arrest of two individuals and the unsealing of three indictments in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York charging China-based companies and their employees with crimes related to fentanyl production, distribution, and sales resulting from precursor chemicals. These indictments represent the first prosecutions to charge China-based chemical manufacturing companies and nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States. Specifically, the indictments allege the defendants knowingly manufactured, marketed, sold, and supplied precursor chemicals for fentanyl production in the United States in violation of federal law.
The Office of Public Affairs at the Justice Department has announced significant charges against China-based chemical manufacturing companies involved in the illicit production of fentanyl. Additionally, arrests have been made of executives involved in the manufacturing and distribution of this deadly synthetic opioid.
Fentanyl has been a major contributor to the opioid crisis in the United States, causing countless overdose deaths and devastating families and communities. The Justice Department is taking a strong stance against those who are fueling this epidemic by targeting the manufacturers and distributors of this dangerous drug.
The charges and arrests made in this case are a significant step in combatting the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The Justice Department is committed to working with international partners to dismantle the illegal drug trade and protect the public from the devastating effects of fentanyl.
Stay tuned for further updates on this important case as the Justice Department continues its efforts to combat the opioid crisis and bring those responsible to justice.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal agents Tuesday in New York City to announce the arrests of immigrants wanted on criminal charges, including a man accused of kidnapping who was seen on a viral video entering a Colorado apartment with reputed gang members.
Noem was the latest high-ranking official from President Donald Trump’s administration to tout the president’s ramped-up immigration enforcement in a city where arrests were being made. Border czar Tom Homan and acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove were in Chicago on Sunday as federal agents made arrests there.
“Arresting some criminal aliens this morning in NYC — thank you to the brave officers involved,” Noem posted on X. “Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody — thanks to @ICE. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.”
An operation in the Bronx early Tuesday snared Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, who authorities said was part of a group of men, including members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who entered an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, last summer and were recorded on a widely viewed video.
The charges were brought by local authorities in Colorado. It was not immediately clear what would happen next for Zambrano-Pacheco. Two other men who police said were in the video were arrested in New York in November. They are still in ICE custody.
The incident caught President Donald Trump’s attention during the presidential campaign, and he announced a plan called “Operation Aurora” to target migrant gangs. The video led Trump to claim that the Denver suburb had been taken over by the gang, which city officials denied.
In an arrest warrant, Aurora police said Zambrano-Pacheco was also wanted in a kidnapping in which at least 20 armed men abducted and threatened two people in late June. In addition, police said Zambrano-Pacheco was with a group of armed men before a shooting occurred shortly after the apartment incident that was caught on video.
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer or if he was a member of Tren de Aragua.
Local and federal authorities, including Aurora police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investigated the apartment video incident for months beginning when Joe Biden was still president.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said Tuesday’s arrests did not appear to be part of a “wholesale raid,” but rather an operation targeting specific people accused of crimes.
“I want to be clear, there’s always been ICE raids in the state of New York, even in the past. This is not a new dynamic,” she said.
Zambrano-Pacheco is the fifth person to be arrested in connection with the Aurora apartment incident. The video showed six armed men, including at least some people identified as Tren de Aragua members by federal authorities, entering the apartment shortly before a fatal shooting outside the complex.
In Chicago, city leaders criticized the highly publicized enforcement operations that started over the weekend in the nation’s third-largest city. That included the surprising decision to allow daytime television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw to livestream immigrant arrests alongside Homan.
“This desire to popularize fear is unconscionable and abhorrent,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday at a City Hall news conference alongside Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, city lawyers and others. “We’re talking about people’s lives.”
Johnson defended the city’s strong sanctuary protections that bar Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agents. Chicago has been a so-called sanctuary city for decades and has strengthened those protections several times, including during Trump’s first term.
ICE has offered few details about the operation in Chicago, including the number of arrests. The agency did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.
Snelling said Chicago police have communicated with federal agents but did not participate in the operation or cooperate. He estimated roughly 100 people were taken into custody.
In other developments, authorities said Tuesday that none of the 41 people taken into ICE custody following a weekend raid in Colorado are likely to face drug or gun charges. The Sunday raid targeted drug trafficking by Tren de Aragua at a makeshift nightclub near Denver.
The people who had gathered dropped their drugs and guns before agents got inside, making it hard to connect the items to specific people, according to a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Steffan Tubbs. The drugs found were amounts for personal use, he said.
Back in the Bronx, no one answered the door at apartment 1A by the entrance to the building where Zambrano-Pacheco was detained. But Richard Egu, 50, who lives in a third-floor unit, said he was roused from sleep by the commotion around 5 a.m.
Egu, a correctional officer who is originally from Nigeria and has been a naturalized citizen for more than 15 years, said he didn’t venture out to investigate and did not know the man who was arrested.
He said he understood the need to arrest and deport those in the country illegally who commit crimes, but he also worries about the effect such enforcement will have in the community.
“You need to give immigrants a chance. These people are already here,” he said. “Figure out the ones who are committing the crimes. Don’t just judge all immigrants as criminals.”
___
Associated Press writers Colleen Slevin in Denver, Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago, and Philip Marcelo and Anthony Izaguirre in New York contributed to this report.
New Homeland Security Secretary Joins Federal Agents to Tout Immigrant Arrests in NYC
In a bold move to showcase the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security joined federal agents in New York City to tout a recent string of immigrant arrests.
The Secretary, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, highlighted the success of their recent operations in apprehending individuals who have violated immigration laws. They emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws to protect national security and ensure the safety of American citizens.
The Secretary praised the dedication and hard work of the agents, stating that their efforts are crucial in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the country’s borders. He also reiterated the administration’s commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
The event drew both support and criticism, with advocates for immigrant rights condemning the arrests as inhumane and unjust. They called for a more compassionate and humane approach to immigration enforcement, arguing that families should not be torn apart and individuals should be given a fair chance to seek asylum in the United States.
Despite the controversy surrounding the arrests, the Secretary and federal agents remained steadfast in their mission to enforce immigration laws and protect the country from potential threats. They vowed to continue their efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and ensure the safety and security of all Americans.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal agents Tuesday in New York City to announce the arrests of immigrants wanted on criminal charges, including a man accused of kidnapping who was seen on a viral video entering a Colorado apartment with reputed gang members.
Noem was the latest high-ranking official from President Donald Trump’s administration to tout the president’s ramped-up immigration enforcement in a city where arrests were being made. Border czar Tom Homan and acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove were in Chicago on Sunday as federal agents made arrests there.
“Arresting some criminal aliens this morning in NYC — thank you to the brave officers involved,” Noem posted on X. “Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody — thanks to @ICE. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.”
An operation in the Bronx early Tuesday snared Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, who authorities said was part of a group of men, including members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who entered an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, last summer and were recorded on a widely viewed video.
The charges were brought by local authorities in Colorado. It was not immediately clear what would happen next for Zambrano-Pacheco. Two other men who police said were in the video were arrested in New York in November. They are still in ICE custody.
The incident caught President Donald Trump’s attention during the presidential campaign, and he announced a plan called “Operation Aurora” to target migrant gangs. The video led Trump to claim that the Denver suburb had been taken over by the gang, which city officials denied.
In an arrest warrant, Aurora police said Zambrano-Pacheco was also wanted in a kidnapping in which at least 20 armed men abducted and threatened two people in late June. In addition, police said Zambrano-Pacheco was with a group of armed men before a shooting occurred shortly after the apartment incident that was caught on video.
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer or if he was a member of Tren de Aragua.
Local and federal authorities, including Aurora police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investigated the apartment video incident for months beginning when Joe Biden was still president.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said Tuesday’s arrests did not appear to be part of a “wholesale raid,” but rather an operation targeting specific people accused of crimes.
“I want to be clear, there’s always been ICE raids in the state of New York, even in the past. This is not a new dynamic,” she said.
Zambrano-Pacheco is the fifth person to be arrested in connection with the Aurora apartment incident. The video showed six armed men, including at least some people identified as Tren de Aragua members by federal authorities, entering the apartment shortly before a fatal shooting outside the complex.
In Chicago, city leaders criticized the highly publicized enforcement operations that started over the weekend in the nation’s third-largest city. That included the surprising decision to allow daytime television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw to livestream immigrant arrests alongside Homan.
“This desire to popularize fear is unconscionable and abhorrent,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday at a City Hall news conference alongside Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, city lawyers and others. “We’re talking about people’s lives.”
Johnson defended the city’s strong sanctuary protections that bar Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agents. Chicago has been a so-called sanctuary city for decades and has strengthened those protections several times, including during Trump’s first term.
ICE has offered few details about the operation in Chicago, including the number of arrests. The agency did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.
Snelling said Chicago police have communicated with federal agents but did not participate in the operation or cooperate. He estimated roughly 100 people were taken into custody.
In other developments, authorities said Tuesday that none of the 41 people taken into ICE custody following a weekend raid in Colorado are likely to face drug or gun charges. The Sunday raid targeted drug trafficking by Tren de Aragua at a makeshift nightclub near Denver.
The people who had gathered dropped their drugs and guns before agents got inside, making it hard to connect the items to specific people, according to a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Steffan Tubbs. The drugs found were amounts for personal use, he said.
Back in the Bronx, no one answered the door at apartment 1A by the entrance to the building where Zambrano-Pacheco was detained. But Richard Egu, 50, who lives in a third-floor unit, said he was roused from sleep by the commotion around 5 a.m.
Egu, a correctional officer who is originally from Nigeria and has been a naturalized citizen for more than 15 years, said he didn’t venture out to investigate and did not know the man who was arrested.
He said he understood the need to arrest and deport those in the country illegally who commit crimes, but he also worries about the effect such enforcement will have in the community.
“You need to give immigrants a chance. These people are already here,” he said. “Figure out the ones who are committing the crimes. Don’t just judge all immigrants as criminals.”
___
Associated Press writers Colleen Slevin in Denver, Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago, and Philip Marcelo and Anthony Izaguirre in New York contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
New Homeland Security Secretary Joins Federal Agents in NYC to Tout Immigrant Arrests
In a show of force against illegal immigration, the newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary, together with federal agents, conducted a press conference in New York City to announce a series of successful immigrant arrests.
The Secretary highlighted the department’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and cracking down on those who violate them. He praised the efforts of federal agents in apprehending individuals who have entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
During the press conference, several immigrant arrest cases were detailed, showcasing the department’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and protecting national security. The Secretary emphasized the importance of securing the nation’s borders and enforcing immigration policies to ensure the safety of all Americans.
The press conference served as a reminder of the administration’s tough stance on immigration and its determination to tackle the issue head-on. The Secretary expressed confidence in the work of federal agents and reassured the public that the department will continue to prioritize immigration enforcement efforts.
Overall, the event was a strong display of the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order and upholding the integrity of the nation’s immigration system. It sent a clear message to those who seek to circumvent immigration laws that they will be held accountable for their actions.
It was around 8 a.m. Sunday when a family friend called Maria to ask why her husband of nearly 10 years hadn’t shown up for work.
Minutes later, with federal immigration agents banging on the front door of her apartment in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood, she had an answer.
Maria’s husband was one of an as-yet-unknown number of people taken into custody Sunday morning in what appeared to be the opening salvo in the long-promised — and much-feared — federal immigration blitz on Chicago.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Jeff Carter issued a statement Sunday saying that ICE and partner federal agencies “began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous (criminals) out of our communities.”
ICE announced it had arrested 1,000 people nationwide Sunday, but a spokesperson declined to say how many were from the Chicago area. Last year, the Biden administration averaged about 310 immigration arrests per day.
Chicagoans and advocates for undocumented immigrants reported at least a half-dozen ICE sightings across the city and suburbs Sunday.
“One raid is one too many, regardless of where it takes place,” read a statement Sunday from a coalition of immigration advocacy organizations.
Raids disrupt communities, sow fear, separate families
The operations were carried out with two top Trump administration officials in Chicago. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Chicago field office posted a picture on X of Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove and “border czar” Tom Homan meeting with federal agents Sunday morning.
Homan has repeatedly declared Chicago ground zero for mass deportations. Bove, one of President Donald Trump’s former criminal defense lawyers, has argued for prosecuting state and local officials who do not cooperate with immigration enforcement activities.
In the photo posted on social media, Homan, wearing a camouflage baseball cap, appears to listen as Bove, dressed in a suit, speaks with ICE and DEA agents.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, second left, and border czar Tom Homan, third left, speak to law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice about their immigration enforcement efforts. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Division)
TV personality Phil McGraw was also apparently in Chicago Sunday, saying on social media that he accompanied federal authorities on their operations and, later, interviewing Homan at the ICE command center in the city.
Homan told McGraw that the federal government has 300 targets in Chicago, including 150 people that he said had previously been in police custody but were released despite requests to hold them.
The Tribune could not immediately verify Homan’s statements because he did not say which law-enforcement agencies allegedly refused to cooperate.
McGraw boasted about the arrests that took place Sunday, at one point asking the camera to pan to a wall that contained pictures of those apprehended during the operation. The wall had only 21 photographs on it, though it’s unclear if they represented every arrest that had taken place.
‘They took our neighbor’s dad’
It’s unclear where in the city and suburbs federal agents concentrated their efforts Sunday.
In the Hermosa neighborhood, about a half-mile from Maria’s apartment, Melissa — who declined to give her last name for privacy reasons — said her parents ran to hide in their attic when they saw ICE agents outside their home Sunday morning.
“They took our neighbor’s dad,” she said. “My parents were crying. We are terrified.”
Her family, she said, has been in the country for over two decades, and the fear of them getting deported is debilitating. Both her mother and father, who she said have no criminal record, did not come out until the agents left their block.
Across the city and suburbs, residents reported sightings of the prowling federal agents, exchanging texts and posting alerts and photos on social media.
In South Chicago, a working-class neighborhood near the Indiana border with a large immigrant population, an agent in an ICE vest flanked by four other officials walked down a block of older homes with an empty taco truck on the corner by a liquor store.
They appeared to be looking for someone, one of the photo takers told the Tribune. “We’re on high alert,” the resident said.
In the Rogers Park neighborhood on the North Side, Michelle Vallet said she was working at her computer Sunday morning when she looked up to see what seemed like a traffic jam on her street corner. Then she saw several officials in vests — holding guns — walk up to her neighbors’ door.
The intersection of North Paulina Street and West Greenleaf Avenue in Rogers Park on Jan. 26, 2025. Rogers Park resident Michelle Vallet witnessed an ICE stop near this corner on Sunday morning. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Vallet immediately called a hotline. She described the cars she saw: a Cadillac SUV with federal plates, and a black pickup truck, a gray Armada and a bright blue Nissan with Illinois plates. She took out her phone and took some photos and a video.
A woman opened the door. The officials talked to her for about five minutes before they disbanded, Vallet said. No arrests occurred, she said.
“They did not go in, they did not leave her stoop, and then she walked them off of her property and shut the gate,” Vallet said.
Vallet said she didn’t know the neighbors whom they approached well. She’ll sometimes wave to them when she’s walking her dog. She knew how to respond because she’d taken an online class last Monday on how to react to ICE agents. Still, she said she was scared. She’s a single mother.
“I was scared for my neighbors. I was scared for this nation, knowing that this is going to be common now,” she said. “And I was scared for myself too. … I just felt vulnerable in that moment — because I don’t think we’re in a space where law is going to mean anything.”
Vallet was hopeful the woman who answered the door had seen the “Know Your Rights” flyers posted in local businesses and on lamp posts in the neighborhood. She encouraged others who may witness an ICE interaction to report it to local activists and organizers.
“There are a lot of people that are paralyzed right now just trying to figure out and (wrap) their head around what is going on,” she said. “But you have to do something, and that can be as small as recording from your window, just making sure your neighbors are aware ICE is in the area.”
Rogers Park resident Michelle Vallet took photos of several cars driven by ICE officials during a stop in her neighborhood Sunday morning. (Michelle Vallet)
Maria Perez, a volunteer with the nonprofit Southwest Collective, runs a food pantry for migrants on the South Side.
She said she got a call from a woman on Friday who asked for the address of the pantry and threatened “that if there were a lot of migrants at the pantry, you better hope ICE doesn’t show up.”
Perez hung up the phone immediately.
On Sunday, after news of the raids became public, Perez’s supervisor called and asked if it made sense to do a “drive-up” food delivery because now ICE might show up.
“If they were really targeting criminals, they wouldn’t be looking for people at food pantries, people in vulnerable states,” Perez said.
Julie Contreras with United Giving Hope, a longtime immigration rights advocacy organization, said she was trying to gather more details after being in touch with families that were affected by arrests in Waukegan on Sunday.
“Today across our cities Donald Trump placed terror into the hearts of U.S. citizen children,” said Contreras. “In my church today I had to sit down and hug and love and tell a 4-year-old little girl that no one was going to come and harm her and deport her and destroy her family.”
Elected officials, advocates push back
In keeping with city law, the Chicago Police Department did not participate in Sunday’s operations, according to a post on X by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who acknowledged the reports of ICE activity. In the post, Johnson also implored Chicago residents to “know their constitutional rights.”
Also on Sunday, Gov. JB Pritzker appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and reiterated that local law enforcement “will not coordinate with federal officials on the arrest of people” when they do not have a judicial warrant.
“Our local officials are not just going to say, ‘Well, that person seems like they’re undocumented, so we’re going to hand them over to you, and you can figure it out,’” he said.
Pritzker again said that he agreed violent criminals who are undocumented should be deported.
“Now, what they’re also doing, though, and it’s quite disturbing, is they’re going after people who are law-abiding, who are holding down jobs, who have families here, who may have been here for a decade or two decades, and they’re often our neighbors and our friends,” he said. “And why are we going after them? These are not people who are causing problems in our country.”
The governor also dismissed concerns raised from reports earlier this week that Justice Department officials would seek to prosecute state and local officials who do not cooperate with immigration enforcement activities. The memo, written by Bove, also instructs the Justice Department’s civil division to work with a new Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group to identify and potentially challenge state and local laws and policies that “threaten to impede” the Trump administration’s immigration efforts.
In a joint statement late Sunday, Democratic U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth said the mass deportation actions being undertaken by Trump’s administration could sweep up young people who came to the United States as children, veterans and essential workers.
“Instead, we should focus on deporting those who pose a danger to our country,” their statement said. “And we should give the rest a chance to earn legal status. They would have to register with the government, pay their dues, and submit to background checks.”
While local politicians sought to ease anxiety among the city and state’s immigrant communities, four local advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit Saturday seeking to curtail immigration raids in Chicago.
“The impending raids are a brazen attempt to stomp out the sanctuary city movement and run roughshod over the First Amendment,” Sheila Bedi of Northwestern University’s Community Justice Clinic, which is representing the groups, said in the release. “Our communities need organizers’ vision and advocacy now more than ever. This lawsuit is about prohibiting the Trump Administration from using law enforcement to decimate a vital social justice movement.”
‘Ya me dio miedo’
Hours after federal agents left in their unmarked black SUVs in the city’s Hermosa neighborhood, the residential street where Maria and her husband lived was quiet early Sunday afternoon.
The curtains of Maria’s apartment were drawn, leftover Christmas lights and decorations visible on the windows, and a plush toy looking out from the first floor.
Border czar Tom Homan talks to law enforcement officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice about their immigration enforcement efforts. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Division)
Two women approached the house with a box of diapers and a bag of baby formula, and loudly introduced themselves over the gate in Spanish. One of them was state Sen. Graciela Guzmán, a Chicago Democrat whose nearby Northwest Side district covers Latino communities in Logan Square, Kelvyn Park and Belmont Cragin, among others.
María came out to meet her friends and the women, who gave her the supplies for her 2-year-old and shared information on how to locate her husband in the system.
“Everything is very new; they don’t know much about what’s happening, what’s going on,” said Monica Cazares, one of the family friends.
She said she was unaware of any criminal record that would have made Maria’s husband a target for federal immigration agents. People in the community are feeling the fear closing in after a week of tense waiting, she added. “And nothing had happened until now, it’s like — ‘Whoa, this is home.’”
Next door, a Honduran family with young kids zipped up their coats as they headed out to visit relatives. They were surprised to hear about the ICE operation on their street — they hadn’t heard or seen anything that morning.
“Ay no, ya me dio miedo,” one of them said: Oh no, now I’m scared.
Chicago Tribune’s Rick Pearson, Gregory Royal Pratt, Dan Petrella, Olivia Olander, Talia Soglin, Alice Yin and Jeremy Gorner contributed.
Originally Published:
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has recently announced that they have begun “targeted” immigration arrests in Chicago. This news has sparked fear and concern among immigrant communities in the city, as ICE officers have been conducting raids in various neighborhoods.
Many advocates and activists have criticized these actions, calling them cruel and inhumane. They argue that these arrests are tearing families apart and instilling fear in immigrant communities, causing them to live in constant anxiety and uncertainty.
It is important for everyone to know their rights when dealing with ICE officers and to seek legal advice if they or someone they know is at risk of being detained. It is also crucial for communities to come together and support one another during these difficult times.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to stay informed and stand in solidarity with those who are being targeted by these immigration arrests. Together, we can work towards a more just and inclusive society for all.
SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – Akron police and members of the SWAT Team were called out to an apartment on S. Highland Avenue Monday morning after a domestic violence suspect barricaded himself inside.
Akron SWAT incident on S. Highland Ave.(Bingel, Julia | (Source: WOIO))
According to Akron Police Captain Michael Miller, the suspect apparently assaulted a woman around 2:40 a.m. Monday.
He then refused to exit the residence and the SWAT Team was called to assist patrol officers around 5 a.m., said Captain Miller.
The suspect, a 37-year-old man, surrendered peacefully to police at 9:20 a.m.
Captain Miller said officers recovered a handgun the suspect had in his possession.
The investigation is ongoing, but Captain Miller added the suspect will face numerous charges.
The victim is at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
At this time, no names have been released.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
SWAT Team Arrests Domestic Violence Suspect at Akron Apartment
In a dramatic turn of events, a SWAT team was called in to arrest a domestic violence suspect at an apartment in Akron. The suspect, who had barricaded himself inside the apartment, was wanted for multiple charges related to domestic violence and assault.
Neighbors reported hearing loud noises and shouting coming from the apartment, prompting law enforcement to intervene. The SWAT team arrived on the scene and quickly secured the area, negotiating with the suspect to peacefully surrender.
After several hours of tense stand-off, the suspect was finally taken into custody without incident. He now faces charges for his alleged crimes and will be brought to justice.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of taking domestic violence seriously and the swift action that law enforcement can take to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Police arrested two people in connection with the deadly New Year’s fireworks explosion in Aliamanu.
A man and woman, both 33 years old, were taken into custody Friday afternoon and booked for reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of a minor, and multiple fireworks offenses.
Arrests logs identified them as Mateo Ruben, and Jewel Ann Quines Cabras.
Police say at the gathering, Ruben Mateo and Jewel Cabras ignited illegal fireworks and allowed their three children, ages 15, 10, and 1, to ignite illegal fireworks. Police say the youngest child was injured during the explosion and taken to a hospital for treatment before being released.
Attorney Megan Kau, who is not connected to the case, suspects the pair might not have been the ones to light the fireworks that killed four people, and badly injured more than 20.
“It is my understanding that the investigation is ongoing, and so they are probably looking at other suspects to identify the people that actually lit the fireworks,” Kau said.
The Honolulu Police Department says more arrests are expected.
Since the investigation began, police say they’ve tracked down 20 witnesses, and reviewed many hours of surveillance video.
More than three weeks since the tragedy, the home along Keaka Drive remains boarded up with buckets of flowers and candles outside of the garage where it happened.
“Sorrow and a heavy heart. We have toddlers the same age as the child that has passed, and I cannot imagine … how hard (it’s been) for this family at the beginning of this year,” Bruna Smith said.
Smith and Ketsana Phitsamay live across the street. They left the area before midnight, but did recall seeing a box truck pull up to the home. They say party-goers began unloading what appeared to be a large stash of illegal fireworks.
“I’m very sorry. We were lucky and blessed to not be here because perhaps I would be running and playing with the little boy. So my heart goes out to the parents,” Smith said.
“If we’re gonna start actually investigating fireworks cases, we have to rely on this possession statue because it’s very easy to prove possession either you know the fireworks were there or they weren’t,” Kau said.
The tragedy shook the neighborhood and a sense of heartbreak and disbelief lingers, according to residents. When asked what punishment she sees fit for those responsible, Smith said, “Is there any more pain that this family should take?”
She understands if fines will be imposed, but hopes others will show compassion, and that it will lead to safer, more responsible celebrations in the future.
“I think compassion is something we can practice and pure aloha is something we should have in their hearts,” Smith said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
On July 5th, two individuals were arrested in connection with the fireworks explosion that rocked the Aliamanu neighborhood on July 4th. The Honolulu Police Department has confirmed that more arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.
The blast, which occurred at a residence on Kauhale Street, caused significant damage and left residents shaken. The two suspects, whose names have not been released, are facing charges related to the illegal possession and use of fireworks.
HPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. They are also reminding the public about the dangers of illegal fireworks and the importance of following safety regulations.
As the community awaits further updates on the case, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to fireworks to help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Stay tuned for more information as this story develops.
From left, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and journalist Chris Hansen discuss the four arrests made in a recent Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) sing operation. Photo captured from GCSD Facebook page
GENESEE COUNTY — Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and journalist Chris Hansen, formerly of the NBC program “To Catch a Predator” recently announced several arrests made by the Genesee Human Oppression Task Force (GHOST).
In an announcement on social media, Swanson said four men came to Genesee County with the purpose of having sex with a minor. Two were illegal immigrants from Honduras, one was from Lapeer and the other from Utica.
All four were arrested in a sting operation using online decoys to make the suspects think they were chatting with minors, when they were actually law enforcement.
Swanson said one of the suspects chatted with the police for more than five hours, thinking it was a teenager.
“This was pre-meditated,” said Hansen. “You saw the man show up to the location, a grocery store parking lot, we saw him drive around multiple times surveilling the house, chatting with the decoy, and finally he shows up after he thinks the coast is clear.”
Of the four, Swanson said two of the suspects have families, spouses and children. Hansen called this the “collateral damage” in these types of cases because it affects loved ones of the suspect, who in most cases have no idea this behavior is going on.
He said one individual has a newborn at home, in addition to other children and his wife, and he’s spending five hours chatting with what he thinks is a teenager about the entire event.
“He thought he was smarter than us all,” Hansen said. “He thought he could talk his way out of it.”
Swanson said one of the arrests was a 25-year-old student that was so deliberate and very specific on everything that he wanted to do.
The man allegedly asked the decoy to call him ‘daddy’ and to say things that were “very, very vile,” he said.
When Swnason asked Hansen what he made of this suspect, the journalist and television host called it, “very disturbing.”
“When you see him walk in and he sees me, he goes white,” Hansen said. “He knows he’s been caught. He’s unprepared for it because he thought he did all this surveillance and asked the right questions. He thought he was going to fulfill this fantasy, but he was caught and he’s mad at me and your GHOST team because they interfered in this fulfillment of this fantasy.”
Swanson said this is why GHOST does pre-emptive operations, so it’s GHOST on the other side of the door and not a real victim.
He asked Hansen what his message to parents would be and the TV personality urged them to have a discussion with children to put them at ease about coming forward if something likes this happens online.
Then he said parents should call Swanson’s office or any other law enforcement agency so they can make a record of whatever their child has experienced.
“They will investigate,” Hansen said. “They will take it seriously.”
Swanson added this message applies not only to children, but to anyone who is vulnerable.
“We want to give you your voice and your freedom back,” he said. “If it’s not in Genesee County, then we can direct you to where you need to go. If you need help, you can come right here to the sheriff’s office or call 9-1-1.”
In a groundbreaking announcement, Sheriff Johnson and renowned journalist Sarah Smith have revealed that a series of new GHOST arrests have been made. These arrests come as a result of months of intensive investigation and collaboration between law enforcement and the media.
GHOST, a notorious criminal organization known for their sophisticated cyber crimes and elusive nature, has long been a thorn in the side of authorities. However, with the tireless efforts of Sheriff Johnson and Sarah Smith, several key members of GHOST have been apprehended and are now facing justice.
The details of the arrests are still emerging, but it is clear that this development marks a significant blow to GHOST’s operations. Sheriff Johnson and Sarah Smith are expected to provide more information in a press conference later today.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as we uncover more about the downfall of GHOST.
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams tried to reassure upset New Yorkers on Wednesday, worried about whether people working and living in the city without proper papers might face mass deportation in wake of the Trump administration’s swift executive action on immigration policies.
Immigrant advocates rallied in the freezing cold Wednesday night outside a school in Corona, Queens ahead of Mayor Adams’s town hall-style community meeting, hoping to get his attention with questions surrounding how President Donald Trump’s planned mass deportations will affect the city.
“We want to meet with him and give him the message that he should not be tolerating, he should not be getting involved in mass deportation,” said Perla Silva of Make the Road New York.
The mayor was quick to assure a parent coordinator at a nearby school who asked about it.
“The ink is not even dry on these executive orders,” Mayor Adams said.
But the fear is real, and the Trump administration says federal immigration authorities can now arrest people at churches and schools, marking a departure from a long-standing policy to avoid “sensitive” areas.
The move is the latest in a series of actions by President Trump, who has already signed executive orders cracking down on illegal immigrants and beefing up security at the southern border.
“I cannot tell you how many parents have come to me today to ask, inquire, what can they do? They’re scared, the kids are scared,” said the parent coordinator.
The mayor responded Wednesday night by saying federal immigration enforcement should be focused on the small number of people committing violent crimes.
“Children should go to school. Those who need health care should go to hospitals,” he said. “Those who are involved in any type of interaction, where they’re victims of a crime, they should speak to law enforcement agencies. We’ve maintained that over and over again. And we are going to stand up for all New Yorkers, documented, and undocumented,” Adams said.
Authorities will still need a warrant to enter a church or a school. However, internal memos to various agencies in New York City are instructing staff to block access to any federal law enforcement, even those in possession of a warrant.
City officials are bracing for possibility of mass deportations and have even sent an email to every principal on how to support students and their rights.
Phil Taitt has the latest from New York City.
NYC Schools instructed principals that its long-standing education department directive is, “DOE does not consent to non-local law enforcement accessing school facilities in any circumstances, and principals and other school personnel may not give consent.”
Principals are instructed to contact education department lawyers, NYPD and school safety agents before allowing entry, even if there are exigent circumstances, “such as imminent risk of death or physical harm.”
Fordham University professor of law Jennifer Gordon joins Eyewitness News Mornings @ 10 to discuss Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship in the United States.
Adams said the city has welcomed 40,000 migrant children to the DOE since 2022.
“Regardless of immigration status, everyone in New York City should be able to get an education, seek medical care, and practice their faith,” a spokesperson for the mayor said. “Law-abiding immigrants play a vital role in our city, and the mayor has been clear that any enforcement should be focused on the small number of people who are coming to our city or country and committing violent crimes.”
In another statement from the mayor’s office, it says that “While the mayor and president will not always agree on everything, Mayor Adams is focused on how we can work together to do what it best for New York City.”
Rev. K. Karpen of Saint Paul and Saint Andrew on the Upper West Side has welcomed thousands of migrant families over these past couple of years. He says he saw this coming, and even put certain signs up for the limitations of immigration officers.
“Frankly, I think they want to instill fear. I feel it’s really disrespectful of religious tradition and our ability to fulfill our religious mission because we take it seriously to offer help for people who desperately need help,” Rev. Karpen said.
As for members of the nation’s largest police department, the NYPD is expected to help federal authorities pursue migrant criminals but may not assist federal immigration officers round up undocumented immigrants, according to an NYPD memo obtained by ABC News.
“The Department continues to work daily with federal law enforcement agencies in connection with a wide range of criminal investigations, the memo said. “The fact that a person is present in the United States without lawful authorization is a civil matter, not a crime.”
The reminder, “at the direction of the police commissioner,” that NYPD officers must distinguish between criminal and civil enforcement was dated January 18, two days before President Trump took office and sought to reshape policies that made the United States a sanctuary for migrants.
“Members of service are not permitted to engage in civil immigration enforcement, assist in any manner with civil immigration enforcement or allow any department resources to be used in connection with civil immigration enforcement,” the memo said.
Officers are not supposed to interfere with federal immigration authorities but they cannot proactively let them know where a targeted individual is located, hold an individual not accused of a crime for immigration officers or “facilitate street closures to enable civil immigration enforcement.”
In New York, there are more than 400,000 undocumented immigrants.
There is similar messaging in cities like Bridgeport, Connecticut, where community organizations are formulating plans to best protect and advise individuals. There, the school district has sent out a notice to inform families that no ICE agents or government officials can enter school buildings, buses or attend school events without prior authorization.
Marcus Solis has the latest from Bridgeport, Connecticut on how local officials are reacting to a Justice Department memo that plans to challenge sanctuary city laws.
Administrators have been directed if an ICE officer arrives to secure the premises, meet the officer at the entrance, request their information, contact the superintendent’s office but not to physically interfere. Rather, they are encouraged to gather as much information as possible and notify district security supervisors and the superintendent’s office.
Meanwhile, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut — plus the District of Columbia and San Francisco — are among 22 states that sued in federal court to block Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship to children of parents who are in the United States illegally.
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
In the wake of recent reports of increased ICE enforcement in New York City, Mayor Adams is working to reassure residents that they are safe from immigration raids in sensitive locations such as churches and schools.
Mayor Adams has pledged to uphold the city’s sanctuary policies, which prohibit law enforcement agencies from conducting immigration enforcement activities in places of worship, schools, and other sensitive locations. He has also promised to work closely with community organizations and legal advocates to protect the rights of immigrants in the city.
In a recent press conference, Mayor Adams stated, “New York City is a welcoming and inclusive city, and we will not tolerate any actions that threaten the safety and security of our immigrant communities. We will continue to stand up for the rights of all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status.”
Despite these assurances, many residents remain fearful of ICE raids and potential deportations. Community leaders are urging immigrants to know their rights and seek legal help if they are approached by ICE agents.
As the debate over immigration enforcement continues, Mayor Adams is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers feel safe and secure in their communities. He has called on residents to stand together in solidarity and support one another during these uncertain times.
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NYC immigration, Mayor Adams, ICE arrests, New Yorkers, fears, churches, schools, immigration policy, NYC government, community safety
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 308 migrants illegally living in the country Tuesday following President Trump’s first full day in office.
“Today, ICE made 308 arrests of illegal aliens in our nation’s interior—even with the frigid temperatures,” Britt wrote in a post on the social platform X.
“These arrests were nationwide in every area of interest and included several murderers, rapists, sex offenders and kidnappers,” she added.
After returning to the White House on Monday, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders that would restrict immigration and tighten security at the border.
Britt lauded the detainments as a sign of Trump’s dedication to carrying out the largest deportation in the country’s history, which he regularly promised on the campaign trail.
The lawmaker also said ICE officials ordered immigrants in the country illegally and serving time in jail to be released into ICE’s custody.
“ICE also went to jails and ordered almost 300 additional aliens to be released to ICE custody rather than our nation’s streets,” she wrote in the post. “Common sense is back.”
Advocacy organizations and some Democrats are outraged over the Republican-led effort and fought back on Trump’s Day 1 immigration orders, including his demand to end birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants lacking legal status.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the commander in chief, citing clashes with the Constitution. Twenty-two attorneys general in Democratic states also sued Trump over the order.
The Hill has reached out to ICE for comment on the arrests.
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On January 21, 2017, just one day after Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a massive operation resulting in the arrest of over 300 undocumented migrants.
The raids, which took place in cities across the country, targeted individuals who had been ordered to leave the country but had not complied with the deportation orders. The Trump administration had made it clear that cracking down on illegal immigration would be a top priority, and these arrests were seen as a direct response to that commitment.
Critics of the operation argued that it was unnecessarily harsh and that many of the individuals targeted were hard-working members of their communities who posed no threat to public safety. Protests erupted in response to the raids, with advocates calling for a more compassionate approach to immigration enforcement.
The arrests served as a stark reminder of the heightened enforcement measures that would be taken under the new administration, setting the tone for the contentious immigration policies that would define much of Trump’s presidency.
FIRST ON FOX: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the first days of the Trump administration, has made for than 460 arrests of illegal immigrants, including those with criminal histories that include sexual assault, domestic violence and drugs and weapons crimes.
Information obtained by Fox News Digital, shows that between midnight Jan. 21 and 9am Jan 22, a 33-hour period, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrests over 460 aliens that include criminal histories of sexual assault, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, drugs and weapons offenses, resisting arrest and domestic violence.
Agents arrested nationals from a slew of countries including Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Senegal and Venezuela.
Arrests took place across the U.S. including Illinois, Utah, California, Minnesota, New York, Florida and Maryland.
On January 22, 2025, ICE-ERO News York arrested Kamaro Denver Haye, a citizen of Jamaica. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) previously arrested Haye on 12/10/2024 for “Promote A Sexual Performance By A Child Less Than 17 Years of Age and Possessing Sexual Performance By Child Less Than 16 Years of Age: Possess/Access To View”. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement )
Meanwhile, ICE issued more than 420 detainers – requests ICE be notified when a national is released from custody. The nationals were arrested for crimes including homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, battery and robbery.
– A Mexican national, Jesus Perez, arrested in Salt Lake City, charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
On January 22, 2025, ICE-ERO Chicago arrested Adan Pablo-Ramirez, an inadmissible Mexican national with convictions for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement )
– A Honduran national, Franklin Osorto-Cruz, convicted of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested in New York.
– A Jamaican national, Kamaro Denver Haye, arrested for “promote a sexual performance by a child less than 17 years of age and possessing sexual performance by child less than 16 years of age: possess/access to view.”
– A Mexican national, Jesus Baltazar Mendoza, convicted of 2nd degree assault of a child. He was arrested in St. Paul.
– Colombian national Andres Orjuela Parra, who was arrested in San Francisco. He has a conviction of sexual penetration with a foreign object on an unaware victim.
– Six illegal immigrants in Miami from Guatemala, with criminal histories including battery, child abuse, fraud, resisting arrest, DWI, trespassing and vandalism.
Meanwhile, Fox News’ Bill Melugin was on the ground in Boston, where agents arrested multiple MS-13 gang members, Interpol Red Notices, and murder & rape suspects.
The arrests come as the Trump administration is moving rapidly to fulfill its promise to launch a historic mass deportation operation, which it has said will focus primarily – but not exclusively – on public safety threats.
On January 22, 2025, ICE-ERO New York City arrested Jose Roberto Rodriguez-Urbina, a 22-year-old citizen of El Salvador. Rodriguez is an alleged MS13 gang member and is also the subject of an Interpol Red Notice from El Salvador for the offense of Extortion.(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement )
This week the administration has made a slew of moves to make it happen, including a barrage of executive orders by President Trump and subsequent moves by his cabinet agencies.
Fox News reported Wednesday that the Department of Homeland Security has removed limits from powers of expedited removal, a day after it rescinded a Biden-era memo restricting where ICE can conduct enforcement operations.
ICE-ERO San Francisco arrested Daniel Andres Orjuela Parra (right), a citizen of Colombia unlawfully present in the United States. Orjuela has been convicted of sexual penetration with a foreign object on an unaware victim and sentenced to 3 years in prison.(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement )
“Teams are out there as of today,” Homan said on “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday. “We gave them direction to prioritize public safety threats that we’re looking for. We’ve been working up the target list.”
“Right out of the gate it’s public safety threats, those who are in the country illegally that have been convicted, arrested for serious crime,” he said. “But let me be clear. There’s not only public safety threats that will be arrested, because in sanctuary cities, we’re not allowed to get that public safety threat in the jail, which means we got to go to the neighborhood and find him.”
Fox News’ Sophia Compton contributed to this report.
Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.
Trump’s ICE has been making headlines once again as they rack up hundreds of arrests, including illegal immigrants who have been arrested for horror crimes. The recent surge in arrests has sparked controversy and debate over the effectiveness of the administration’s immigration policies.
Critics argue that targeting illegal immigrants, especially those who have committed serious crimes, is necessary to protect the safety and security of American citizens. However, others argue that the tactics used by ICE are inhumane and do not address the root causes of illegal immigration.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one thing is clear: Trump’s ICE is cracking down on illegal immigrants, and the consequences are being felt across the country. As the debate rages on, it is important to remember the humanity of all individuals involved and to work towards solutions that are fair and just for everyone.
