IFIRE.org

59. Indianapolis--Dec. 2009--Abduction, high speed chase, illegal reentry


http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... e=printart

December 3, 2009


Abduction, chase ends on I-65

Curt Slyder

One man was in custody and his young child was safe Wednesday after police say the man abducted his son Wednesday morning in Indianapolis, leading to an eventual police chase north of Lafayette.

The chase ended near the Kankakee River on Interstate 65 in Newton County, where police took the man into custody.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, police were called to a storage unit business on the city’s northwest side around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday for a reported domestic disturbance.

When police arrived, they found a woman who reported being beaten by her estranged husband, Byron G. Dixon, 46.

According to the release, Dixon jumped into the woman’s car, a silver Toyota sport utility vehicle, and sped off, crashing through the business’ gate with the couple’s 3-year-old son still in the back seat.

Dixon drove north on I-65, eventually leading police on a high-speed chase through Jasper County. Police were able to flatten Dixon’s wheels, sending his vehicle into a guardrail near the Kankakee River.

The child, who was in a car seat, suffered only minor bruising, police said.

Dixon was being held by Indianapolis police on Wednesday. Police said a fingerprint check showed Dixon was a citizen of Guatemala and had been deported there in March 2009 for an immigrations violation.

60. Chesterton, IN--March, 2010--fleeing police, illegal re-entry

Man who fled faces deportation
(http://www.post-trib.com/news/2093191,n ... 10.article)

March 10, 2010

BY TERESA AUCH SCHULTZ, (219) 648-3120

A man accused of fleeing a police officer, causing a five-hour manhunt Thursday, will be charged with illegally re-entering the country.

A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Hammond says that Angel Reyes-Palacios, 26, was deported in December 2008 to Mexico after being convicted of transporting illegal aliens.

Reyes-Palacios, who has been living in Chicago, was arrested after a Lake County officer attempted to pull him over around 10 a.m. on Interstate 94 for weaving in and out of traffic. He finally pulled over but ran from his car.

Police from Porter, Chesterton, Burns Harbor and Porter County, along with the Indiana State Police, were called in to help search. Officials finally found him just before 3 p.m. hiding in the water under a log in the Little Calumet River.

He was taken to Porter hospital to be treated for hypothermia. A search of his car turned up no drugs.

Reyes-Palacios told police he ran from the police because he had been deported and didn't want to be sent back. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated him and found that he had re-entered the country without permission, according to the complaint. A release from ICE says he faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge.

61. Crown Point, IN--March, 2010--Theft via Bar Code Switching Scam

http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/art ... f3df0.html

Feds: C.P.-based illegal immigrant stole from national, local Lowe's stores
Man accused of raking in $69K in bar code scam

By Dan Hinkel - dan.hinkel@nwi.com, (219) 852-4317 | Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 12:05 am
HAMMOND | Federal authorities say an illegal immigrant from Serbia ran a nationwide bar code-switching scam, reaping bargains that were too good to be true at Lowe's stores before he sold the illegally discounted products online.

Secret Service agents aware of the alleged scheme arrested Branko Nenadic, of Crown Point, after he tried to check out at the Portage Lowe's store Monday, said a source with knowledge of the investigation who asked not to be identified. Nenadic remained jailed Wednesday, and he faces a hearing today in Hammond federal court to determine whether a fraud charge is supported by probable cause.

The judge also will decide whether Nenadic will remain jailed pending trial.

The federal investigation started in January when Lowe's "loss prevention" specialists called Secret Service agents to identify Nenadic, of 8137 Pine Island Terrace, as the main suspect in a nationwide bar code-switching scheme, according to a Secret Service agent's report. Lowe's security personnel told agents Nenadic cost the company $69,272.28, more than $20,000 of it in northern Indiana. Nenadic ran 185 bar code switches at 91 stores in 14 states, the agent wrote.

Nenadic's alleged fraud is a version of a scheme that has victimized many retail stores: He would stick an adhesive bar code belonging to a less expensive item onto a more expensive product at Lowe's, the agent wrote. Federal authorities said Nenadic would pay the illegally discounted price for the item, often in the self-checkout lane, and later he would return the merchandise for its full price in store credit. Nenadic then used the store credit funds to buy more discounted products, the agent wrote.

Lowe's security personnel identified seven other people who returned items Nenadic bought from the store chain, the agent wrote. The agent's report does name every store Nenadic allegedly hit, but the report mentions a buy in January from the Schererville store.

Lowe's security officers told federal authorities Nenadic used an eBay account -- "banci219" -- to sell items matching the products Nenadic bought from the store chain. That account was not selling any items as of Wednesday. Dozens of buyers gave largely positive feedback to banci219 for selling new items including an industrial flooring stapler and a chainsaw.

"Great seller, fast delivery," one buyer wrote.
"Husband is very happy with your saw!!!" another buyer wrote.

Nenadic admitted in court Tuesday he is not a U.S. resident, according to court records. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent told the Secret Service agent that Nenadic entered the United States on a Serbian passport and was given permission to stay six months, the Secret Service agent wrote.

Nenadic was arrested in February 2009 at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint southeast of El Paso, Texas. He was released on $12,000 cash bond, the agent wrote.

Nenadic's defense attorney, William Padula, could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

62. Schererville, IN—March,2010—Illegal reentry, employment, ID, gun possession

13 arrested in restaurant raid
(http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2121 ... 25.article )March 25, 2010
BY CHRISTIN NANCE LAZERUS, (219) 648-3086
Thirteen people were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Schererville's Paragon Restaurant on U.S. 30 and at an undisclosed residence on Wednesday morning.
About 8 a.m., agents executed a federal search warrant at the restaurant as part of an investigation. Paragon owner Michael McClellan said customers were escorted outside and the restaurant was closed for the day.
An empty parking lot and a hand-lettered sign indicated the restaurant's closed status.
McClellan said he couldn't confirm how many employees were among those detained. He said he plans to reopen the restaurant on Friday.
Gail Montenegro, spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the searches were part of an ongoing criminal work site enforcement investigation. She did not disclose the location of the residence.
"Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, no further information can be disclosed at this time," Montenegro wrote in an e-mail.
McClellan said he turned over some paperwork to federal agents.
McClellan said he bought the restaurant about 16 months ago and he's tried to resolve some of the problems.
"Apparently some of the issues are still here," McClellan said. "It's a sad day for us. The hardest thing for a business owner to do is turn away paying customers."


http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake ... a85b9.html
Alleged illegal immigrant charged with gun possession
Another man criminally accused after S'ville restaurant raid
By Dan Hinkel - dan.hinkel@nwi.com, (219) 852-4317 | Posted: Thursday, April 8, 2010 12:00 am
HAMMOND | One of the men arrested in March in a raid on the Paragon Family Restaurant in Schererville has been criminally charged with illegally possessing a .357-caliber handgun.
Filemon M. Romero, of Schererville, was indicted Wednesday in Hammond federal court on charges of illegal gun possession and using a false Social Security number, according to a news release from the federal prosecutor's office. Another man -- Raul Reyes, 38, of Gary -- is charged with using a false Social Security number and illegally re-entering the United States after being removed from the country in 2002, the release stated.
Both men were arrested in the Paragon raid March 24, said a source with knowledge of the investigation.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested several people in the early morning raid on the restaurant on U.S. 30 near U.S. 41. An ICE spokeswoman said the agents served search warrants as part of an "ongoing criminal work site enforcement investigation." Agents also raided a nearby house.
Most local immigration violations are handled through civil proceedings in Chicago, but illegal immigrants accused of crimes are charged in Hammond federal court.

63. Indianapolis, Castleton, IN - April, 2010 - Murder

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=12300187

Police investigating homicide in Castleton
Posted: Apr 13, 2010 6:42 AM EDT
Updated: Apr 13, 2010 6:21 PM EDT

Jeremy Brilliant/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Metro police say a man called 911 Tuesday morning and admitted that he killed his friend at a Castleton apartment complex.

Police found the body of the victim, the suspect and the alleged murder weapon at the Woods of Castleton apartments just north of 82nd Street and I-69.

The suspect, Jose Luis Tinajero-Garcia, told police twice that he in fact killed his friend, once when he called 911 and again when investigators arrived on the scene. The bloody kitchen knife that police believe is the murder weapon was at his feet.

Police later identified the victim as 23-year-old Fabian Gutierrez-Barcenas.

The knife was marked as evidence and pictures were taken of the victim's SUV. That vehicle and the suspect's truck were searched using a police narcotics dog, but no drugs were found, deepening the mystery as to the motive of the murder.

"We're really just trying to figure out what really just caused this stabbing to take place. He was pronounced dead here at the scene multiple stab wounds, and just look at the evidence, look at what's here; see if anyone else was here, why this happened, and hopefully get more information from the suspect to see if and what charges will be filed in the case," said IMPD Sgt. Matt Mount.

Tinajero-Garcia, 32, was covered in blood when he was taken into custody by officers on a murder charge Tuesday morning. He appeared unfazed, winking at photographers as he was put into the back of a patrol car.

"The individual's been very cooperative. He's been answering questions, talking to police right now," said Sgt. Mount.

Police say the Mexican citizen lives at the apartment in Castleton. Neighbors say they heard arguing very early Tuesday morning around 1:00 am but did not see any fighting.

"They were definitely arguing over something. Something was seriously going on," said neighbor Gearline Wilson.

Detectives are talking with Tinajero-Garcia to try to determine the motive in the stabbing. They say language is a barrier in the investigation. An identification card identified Tinajero-Garcia as a Mexican citizen.

64. Indianapolis--May, 2010--Possession of Illegal Substance

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/crime/po ... al-dealers



Police: Meth bust nets several dealers
Updated: Saturday, 22 May 2010, 2:37 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 21 May 2010, 9:20 PM EDT

Reporter: Phil Sanchez
Editor: Andrew Bonner
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Several people are behind bars after they were arrested for dealing methamphetamine from a near west side house.

Police said Jose Martinez-Garcia, Genaro Gabriel-Huerta and Jose Reyes-Juarez were all placed under arrest.

"Mr. Martinez-Garcia was also wanted by immigration officials for some sort of violations with them, so he's under federal custody right now as well as the local charges," Metro Sgt. Linda Jackson said.

Police said Martinez- Garcia was arrested while driving his van to a drug deal set up by officers.

Officers found meth and cash in the van.

Gabriel-Huerta and Reyes-Juarez were arrested at the house where more meth was found.

Neighbor Qiana Jones didn’t mince words while discussing the arrests.

"I'm glad they're gone and my personal opinion is I hope they never come back,” said Jones.

"I see them all the time, they were in the backyard working on cars and mowing the lawn and stuff. But as far as the meth thing, I didn't know nothing about it. That's quite interesting." another neighbor added.

According to police, the Metro Drug Task Force seized 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine in 2009. But already in 2010, they've seized 8.5 pounds.

"It does seem like meth has been increasing in popularity lately. It does go through cycles and I'm sure that a lot of it has to do with the availability of what's out there at the moment," Sgt. Jackson said.

65. Columbus, April, 2010, Domestic battery, Battery resulting in injury, Invasion of privacy, Resisting law enforcement and Public intoxication

Columbus man facing 8th deporting
The Republic
June 23, 2010 at 5:03 pm,
Updated: June 23, 2010 at 5:31 pm

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Columbus resident is being charged with illegal re-entry into the United States after an April fight in Ninth Street Park.

The office of the U.S. Attorney's Southern Indiana District announced today that Moises Ortiz-Castenada, 28, faces up to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and deportation.

The indictment against Ortiz-Castenada alleges that he was deported as an illegal alien from Arizona back to Mexico seven times — on May 16, 2002, June 18, 2002, July 18, 2002, February 28, 2003, April 5, 2004, April 19, 2004, and April 1, 2005.

Ortiz-Castenada was arrested in Columbus on April 14 on charges of domestic battery, battery resulting in injury, invasion of privacy, resisting law enforcement and public intoxication after an argument with a woman over a set of keys escalated, police said..

The 27-year-old woman sustained minor injuries.

Police said Castaneda went to the home of the woman, who had a protective order against him, and they got into an argument over keys.

The two began to scuffle in Ninth Street Park. A witness called police.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_s ... 6_23_2010/

----------------------------------------------------------

(To be updated)

COLUMBUS - A Columbus resident, who according to federal officials has been deported to Mexico seven times, is being charged federally with illegal re-entry into the U.S. after an April fight in Ninth Street Park.

The office of the U.S. Attorney’s Southern Indiana District announced Wednesday that Moises Ortiz-Castenada, 28, faces up to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and deportation.

The indictment against Ortiz-Castenada alleges that he was deported as an illegal alien from Arizona back to Mexico on May 16, 2002; June 18, 2002; July 18, 2002; Feb. 28, 2003; April 5, 2004; April 19, 2004; and April 1, 2005.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_s ... 6_23_2010/

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http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_s ... 8_24_2010/

Judge rejects plea agreement in illegal immigrants' case
By Chris Schilling cschilling@therepublic.com
Senior reporter
First Posted: August 24, 2010 - 5:07 pm
Last Updated: August 24, 2010 - 5:07 pm

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A judge rejected a plea agreement Tuesday in the domestic battery cases against a man who is also charged federally with illegally re-entering the country.

Moises Ortiz-Castaneda, 28, of Columbus had pleaded guilty in two cases and was scheduled to be sentenced today.

The first case is from February 2010, in which he is charged with two counts of domestic battery, one Class D felony and a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly battering a woman.

The second case is from April 2010, in which he is charged with domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, invasion of privacy and public intoxication, for allegedly attacking the same woman during a fight at Ninth Street Park.

Ortiz-Castaneda pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic battery, the Class D felony and an A misdemeanor, and misdemeanor invasion of privacy, in exchange for prosecutors dropping the other charges.

His plea agreement called for a three-year prison sentence for the felony battery with 270 days behind bars and two years on probation.

The agreement also recommended one-year suspended jail sentences for the two misdemeanors.

Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge Chris Monroe said he did not accept the agreement because he had concerns about giving a probationary sentence to someone who had been deported and re-entered the country.

The judge also said he thought the recommended sentence for the felony battery charge was "not enough."

He cited a pre-sentence investigation report that said Ortiz-Castaneda had re-entered the country in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Ortiz-Castaneda has been charged by the federal government with illegal re-entry into the U.S.

The federal indictment alleges that he was deported as an illegal alien from Arizona back to Mexico on May 16, 2002; June 18, 2002; July 18, 2002; Feb. 28, 2003; April 5, 2004; April 19, 2004; and April 1, 2005.

He came to federal authorities’ attention again after the April fight in the park.

If convicted of the federal charge, he will face up to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and deportation.

Monroe gave Ortiz-Castaneda 30 days to consult with his attorney about the local charges.

He said Ortiz-Castaneda can withdraw his guilty pleas and take the case to trial, or allow the guilty pleas to stand and have the court order a sentence beyond the plea agreement’s recommendations.

66. Indianapolis--Aug. 2010--violent gang members with weapons

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1008/100811indianapolis.htm

ICE arrests 14 men in southern Indiana during operation targeting foreign-born gang members

INDIANAPOLIS - Agents with the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in close partnership with other federal, state and local law enforcement partners, arrested 14 foreign-born gang members and gang associates during a two-day operation ending Tuesday. This is the latest joint local action of an ongoing national ICE HSI effort to target foreign-born members of violent street gangs.

These arrests were made Aug. 9 and 10 in the Indiana communities of Jasper, Huntingburg and Evansville under an initiative by ICE's National Gang Unit dubbed "Operation Community Shield." As part of the initiative, ICE partners with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the country to target transnational street gangs and the significant public safety threat they pose. Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies are essential to the initiative's success, and they help further ensure officer safety during the operations.

All 14 men arrested are members or associates of the following violent street gangs: MS-13, Sur-13, and Zoe Pound. Nine are from El Salvador, three are from Mexico, one is from Honduras and one is from Haiti. Twelve are in ICE custody on administrative immigration charges and will be placed into deportation proceedings. Two are in the DuBois County Jail pending local charges. For privacy reasons, ICE does not release the names of those arrested on administrative immigration charges.

During the operation ICE agents seized two semi-automatic handguns, each with two magazines of ammunition. Also seized were two machetes and 300 rounds of ammunition. Many of those arrested have criminal histories in addition to their immigration violations. Some of their arrests and convictions include: battery, resisting arrest, drug dealing, sexual battery, felony intimidations, and aggravated assault with a weapon.

The following agencies assisted ICE with the operation: the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Indiana State Police; the police departments of Jasper, Huntingburg and Evansville; and the sheriff's departments of Gibson, Dubois and Vanderburg counties.

"Street gangs pose a growing public safety threat to Indiana's rural communities," said Daniel T. Dill, resident agent in charge of the ICE HSI office in Indianapolis. "With each gang member we arrest and remove from the United States, we make a positive impact in our communities. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their invaluable support."

ICE's National Gang Unit identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from criminal activities.

Through Operation Community Shield, the federal government uses its powerful immigration and customs law enforcement authorities in a coordinated, national campaign against criminal street gangs in the United States. Transnational street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-born members and are frequently involved in human and contraband smuggling, immigration violations and other crimes with a connection to the border.

Since ICE began Operation Community Shield in February 2005, more than 18,000 gang members and associates belonging to more than 900 different gangs have been arrested nationwide.

The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling the ICE toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423. This hotline is staffed around the clock.


-- ICE --