DEC ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS

 

New Deputy Commissioner for Climate, Air, and Energy, Sustainable Development Lead, and Director and Deputy Director of State Legislative Affairs

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced four key appointments to leadership positions. 

“I am pleased to announce three key promotions and an exceptional addition to DEC’s leadership team that will ensure our continued success protecting the environment and serving New Yorkers with compassion and integrity,” Commissioner Lefton said. “DEC is proud to welcome Sanjay Seth and to elevate Patrick Foster, Logan Hardy, and Emily Lenney to build on their valuable contributions at a time when our team is working harder than ever to safeguard New York’s air, land, and water.” 

Sanjay Seth was appointed as DEC’s Deputy Commissioner for Climate, Air, and Energy. Seth most recently served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for Climate and Equity for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1, where he advanced policies and programs that supported climate action and environmental justice in New England. Over his career, Seth also worked on municipal climate resilience projects for the cities of Boston and New York and lectured on climate, urban planning, and public policy at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. While at Harvard, he founded the Climate Leaders Program, a year-long interdisciplinary program for students with a professional interest in climate action. Seth was also co-founder and co-president of Harvard Alumni for Climate and the Environment, a 3,000-member not-for-profit organization affiliated with the Harvard Alumni Association. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, Seth holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, politics, and public policy from Goldsmiths College, University of London, a master's degree in urban planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and a master's degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. 

Patrick Foster will continue to serve DEC as our new Deputy Commissioner for Sustainable Development. In this role he will now oversee DEC’s Division of Environmental Permits and Regional Affairs in addition to his work overseeing the Divisions of Materials Management, Environmental Remediation, and Mineral Resources, and the Office of Sustainability. Foster will also serve as executive lead for Special Projects within the Sustainable Development portfolio. He started with DEC in 2013 as an Assistant Regional Attorney in Region 9 (Western New York), before becoming an attorney in DEC’s Central Office where he helped establish the multidisciplinary Natural Resource Damages Section in the Office of General Counsel. Foster also served as DEC Region 2 (New York City) Regional Director and Regional Attorney and recently served as DEC’s Acting General Counsel. He has taught environmental policy at St. John’s University and administrative law at the City University of New York School of Law where he continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor teaching environmental law. Foster is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, and received his graduate and law degrees from the City University of New York. 

Logan Hardy was appointed as Director of DEC’s Office of State Legislative Affairs. Hardy joined DEC in 2022 as a Legislative Analyst and has served as Deputy Director of State Legislative Affairs since 2023. He will oversee managing DEC’s State legislative agenda and advocating for environmental priorities, as well as communicating on behalf of the agency with the New York State Legislature. Over the past year, Hardy was responsible for coordinating DEC’s budget proposals, including the reauthorization of the $1.25 billion State Superfund cleanup program. Prior to joining DEC, Hardy served as a Legislative Director and Analyst to the Chair and Committee Clerk for the State Assembly Judiciary Committee. He has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the College of Saint Rose and served as an Information Systems Technician 2^nd Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard from 2004 to 2008. 

Emily Lenney was appointed Deputy Director of the Office of State Legislative Affairs. Lenney joined DEC as a Legislative Analyst in 2023. She coordinates with DEC staff to develop draft legislative and administrative positions and communicate with the Legislature on constituent inquiries and updates. Prior to joining DEC, Lenney served as a legislative budget analyst for the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Lenney has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and outdoor recreation education from Western State Colorado University and received a master’s degree in environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School in 2019.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON MAYOR ADAMS' FUTURE

 

"More than 90% of New Yorkers are ready for the Adams administration to be over, and I’m one of them.  

 

"The fact that Eric Adams is guided by his ego and what’s best for his personal future — not New York City — shouldn't surprise anyone. Neither should the reports that he’s still trying to figure out how best to serve Donald Trump’s agenda, and to evade accountability while he does it." 

Alleged Leader of Sinaloa Cartel Faction Indicted in Chicago on Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, and Firearm Charges

 

A federal grand jury has indicted an alleged leader of a violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico on terrorism, drug, and firearm charges, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.

According to the superseding indictment returned in the Northern District of Illinois, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, 50, of Sinaloa, Mexico, also known as El Musico, directed the importation of large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs — at times in shipments of hundreds or thousands of kilograms — into the United States on behalf of the Beltran Leyva faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

“As alleged, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe led a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that flooded the United States with fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin and used murder and intimidation to protect its profits,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Sinaloa Cartel has been designated a foreign terrorist organization because of the kinds of crimes announced today. This indictment further demonstrates that the Criminal Division will use every tool at its disposal to target cartel leaders, including by holding them accountable for acts of terrorism against our country.”

“This narcoterrorism indictment of El Musico sends a powerful message that this Administration is going to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations and hold their highest-ranking members and associates accountable for poisoning the American public with illegal and harmful drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. “The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office has a proud history going back many decades of prosecuting some of the nation’s biggest and most significant narcotrafficking cartel cases. Building on that tradition, under my leadership, our office will continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of violent drug cartels, several of which, including the Sinaloa Cartel, have very deservedly been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Working closely with other prosecutors and law enforcement partners across the United States, our goal remains unchanged: to disrupt and dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel’s drug empire and bring its leaders to justice.”

“From narcocorridos to narcoterrorist. El Musico famously writes his own lyrics, but his next one will be written from the Bureau of Prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “As El Musico once boasted, ‘La vida es curiosa, hoy soy poderoso,’ but soon his ‘Rancho Querido’ will be nothing but a distant memory.”

“This indictment sends a clear and uncompromising message: cartel leaders who flood our streets with fentanyl and arm their networks with machine guns and grenades are not just drug traffickers — they are terrorists,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe and his faction turned cartel violence into a campaign of terror, targeting police, military, and civilians alike. DEA remains relentless in our pursuit of these narco-terrorists, and we will not stop until the Sinaloa Cartel — and every organization like it — is dismantled, its leaders brought to justice, and American families protected.”

“The indictment of El Musico and the dismantlement of the leadership structure of these foreign terrorist organizations are direct results of the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our law enforcement partners to protect the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations San Diego. “We remain resolute in our mission to bring all members of these criminal cartels to justice, regardless of where they attempt to evade accountability.”

“As a leader of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, Gastelum Iribe allegedly directed the importation of cocaine, heroine, fentanyl, and other lethal drugs into the United States and oversaw atrocious acts of violence, including kidnappings and murders, in Mexico,” said Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “The superseding indictment against him is the result of years of collaboration among multiple federal agencies and judicial districts. The FBI and our partners will continue to work toward dismantling the Sinaloa Cartel and bringing its violent leaders — including El Musico — to justice.”

After the arrest or death of the faction’s original leaders, Gastelum Iribe assumed a leadership role and conspired with associates to distribute drugs nationwide. including in the Chicago area, using cars, trucks, rail cars, and other interstate carriers. To protect the cartel’s operations, Gastelum Iribe allegedly ordered and carried out violent attacks against rivals, military personnel, and law enforcement, including ordering the murder of a Mexican police officer and two others. Under Gastelum Iribe’s leadership, the faction armed its members with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, explosives, and other weapons, while also engaging in kidnappings, assaults, and bribery of corrupt public officials.

Gastelum Iribe is charged with terrorism, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. The terrorism charges, which accuse Gastelum Iribe of engaging in narcoterrorism and providing material support and resources to the Sinaloa Cartel, is a result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 designating the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the State Department’s subsequent designation of the same in February of this year.

If convicted, Gastelum Iribe faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison. He is not in custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The indictment is the result of a collaboration between prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of California, as well as law enforcement partners from Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, and DEA.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARCEL D. CLARK ANNOUNCES HIRING OF 95 ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the appointment of 95 new Assistant District Attorneys to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. 

District Attorney Clark said, “I am proud to welcome this group of enthusiastic law school graduates to the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. These 95 new Assistant District Attorneys will work with our dedicated team as they undergo months of training to take part in our mission of Pursuing Justice with Integrity. I thank my Legal Recruitment and Litigation Training staff for their efforts to find and instruct prosecutors who possess the compassion and zeal to serve the people of the Bronx.”

The 2025 class is diverse and comes from top law schools in the New York area as well as from law schools across the nation. 

Thirty-nine of the incoming ADAs served as summer interns in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

This marks the beginning of an eight week intensive training program consisting of lectures on criminal court practice and professional responsibility, observation of court proceedings, workshops and more. 

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul

“Just months after slashing funding for the World Trade Center Health Program that cares for survivors and first responders, President Trump now wants to take over the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

“The 9/11 Memorial belongs to New Yorkers — the families, survivors, and first responders who have carried this legacy for more than two decades and ensured we never forget. Before he meddles with this sacred site, the President should start by honoring survivors and supporting the families of victims.”

NYCHCC - Member Event - Berkeley College Fall Career Fair

Berkeley College are pleased to invite you to join us for the Berkeley College Fall Career Fair at our New York City campus. This event provides an excellent opportunity to meet, interview, and hire talented Berkeley College students and graduates.

 Tuesday, October 14, 2025

 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Set-up begins at 10:30 AM)

 Berkeley College – 3 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017

The Career Fair is free for employers to attend and includes complimentary lunch and Wi-Fi. A member of our Career Services Team will follow up to confirm your participation.

Our graduates represent a wide range of degree programs, including:

• Business, Management & International Business
• Fashion Merchandising
• Marketing & Media Communications
• Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
• Healthcare Services Management & Medical Billing/Coding
• Information Technology Management
• Accounting & Finance
• Interior Design
• MBA Programs

Don’t miss the chance to connect with emerging professionals ready to contribute to your organization’s success.

Register Today

Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for $1.4 Million Cannabis and Restaurant Investment Fraud Scheme

 

In federal court in Central Islip, Elias Ghanem II, who previously resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 84 months’ imprisonment for engaging in a fraudulent scheme to solicit investments in purported cannabis and restaurant entities and defrauding investors of approximately $1.4 million.  The Court also ordered Ghanem to pay approximately $1.4 million in restitution to the victims of his crimes.  Ghanem pleaded guilty to wire fraud in February 2025.

The sentence was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI).

“The defendant received just punishment for defrauding more than a dozen investors, including a retired law enforcement officer whose arm was amputated due to gunshot wounds,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue justice for victims of financial crime who fall prey to individuals like Ghanem who advance their greedy desires at the expense of others.”

“Elias Ghanem shamelessly stole more than one million dollars from investors of his companies to fund personal purchases,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “Ghanem prioritized selfish greed and preyed on the wallets of his victims.  The FBI will never tolerate any individual who utilizes lies and deceit to enrich themselves.”

According to court filings and the defendant’s admissions, between approximately September 2018 through October 2019, Ghanem solicited approximately $1 million from investors in Viva Capital Ventures, LLC (Viva), a purported cannabis distribution and manufacturing company that Ghanem claimed to operate.  One of Ghanem’s Viva investors was a retired police officer who invested around $280,000 he received after he was shot multiple times during an armored car robbery, which led to his arm being amputated.  Although Ghanem told the Viva investors that he would use their monies for business-related expenses such as those related to applications for cannabis distribution licenses in various states,  Ghanem never applied for such licenses and instead diverted nearly  $1 million to fund a lavish lifestyle, including the purchase of a luxury waterfront home in Babylon, New York, and for personal expenses, including the partial repayment of a personal loan, and payments of restitution obligations that were imposed to resolve prior criminal charges against him in Nevada.   

In a second scheme, Ghanem solicited approximately $400,000 from investors in the Friends and Family Hospitality Group (FFHG), a purported restaurant entity that Ghanem claimed he operated.  Although Ghanem told the investors that he would use their funds to finance the establishment of a New York City restaurant, he instead used approximately $200,000 to purchase jewelry and lease a Florida condominium.  In response to demands for repayment, Ghanem issued one of the FFHG investors a series of checks that bounced for insufficient funds. 

New Era Dawns for USCIS as Special Agents Now Meet the Authority to Support Immigration Enforcement

 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announce the expansion of USCIS law enforcement authorities and newly minted USCIS 1811 classified officers (commonly known as special agents) are now empowered to investigate, arrest, and present for prosecution those who violate America’s immigration laws under a final rule published today.

The final rule allows USCIS to implement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s delegation of certain law enforcement authorities to the agency and thoroughly fulfill its national security, fraud detection, and public safety missions related to immigration adjudications. This includes making arrests, carrying firearms, executing search and arrest warrants, and other powers standard for federal law enforcement.

“USCIS has always played a vital role in defending the homeland. These new investigative authorities are a direct investment in our national security as part of President Donald J. Trump’s promise to the American people to make America safe again,” said a DHS Spokesperson. “When USCIS agents and officers are empowered to enforce the law, and keep our country safe, this results in increased accountability, collaboration, and stronger protection for our nation.” 

Through this delegation, the USCIS director has the authority to order expedited removal and investigate civil and criminal violations of the immigration laws within the jurisdiction of USCIS.

USCIS will have greater capacity to support DHS efforts by handling investigations from start to finish, instead of referring certain cases to ICE. USCIS will be able to more efficiently clear its backlogs of aliens who seek to exploit our immigration system through fraud, by prosecuting them, and removing them from the country.

USCIS plans to recruit and train special agents who will exercise the additional law enforcement authorities. For more details, see the final rule in the Federal Register. The rule is effective 30 days from publication.

Two Minnesota Men Arrested for Funding and Directing Kidnappings, Bombings, and Killings Overseas

 

A federal grand jury in Minnesota has returned an eight-count indictment charging naturalized U.S. citizens Benedict Nwana Kuah, 51, and Pascal Kikishy Wongbi, 52, with organizing, financing, and directing kidnappings, bombings, and killings in their native country, the Republic of Cameroon. Kuah and Wongbi were arrested in the District of Minnesota and made their initial appearances. Kuah and Wongbi are being held pending detention hearings scheduled for Sept 10 and 11, respectively.

According to the indictment, the defendants held leadership roles in the self-styled Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), a separatist militia seeking to create an independent country in Cameroon. Together, they allegedly used their positions to raise money and finance the purchase of weapons, and directed their co-conspirators in Cameroon to kidnap, bomb, and kill civilians, government officials, and members of the security forces in order to intimidate the civilian population and coerce the Cameroonian Government into recognizing their legitimacy.

“The defendants are charged with using the United States as a base of operations to finance and direct kidnappings, bombings, and killings in Cameroon,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their alleged conduct caused death, terror, and suffering among innocent civilians. The Criminal Division is committed to holding accountable those who seek refuge in the United States while spreading violence abroad.”

“Minnesota is not a launchpad for overseas violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “Operating from the comfort of their living rooms in Minnesota, these defendants caused violence and suffering half a world away. They ordered kidnappings, bombings, and murders. Their crimes are an affront to both American law and basic human decency. Cameroon is a safer place because of this prosecution.” 

“The defendants were allegedly involved in planning, financing and directing violent attacks that harmed numerous civilians and government officials in the Republic of Cameroon, with targets including a market, an annual footrace, and a Youth Day celebration,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “Although these violent acts occurred outside of U.S. borders, these charges should underscore that criminal actors cannot hide in the United States. The FBI does not condone violence and will work with our partners to ensure those who engage in, or direct criminal acts are held accountable for their actions.”

According to the indictment, beginning in 2017, the defendants sent thousands of dollars to co-conspirators in Cameroon for weapons and explosives and directed attacks that left civilians dead, injured, or taken hostage. In 2022, the fighters kidnapped a government official and broadcast propaganda videos about the abduction. In 2023, Kuah helped plan an improvised explosive device attack targeting a regional governor and later financed a bombing at the Mount Cameroon Race for Hope that injured 19 people. That same year, a commander appointed by Kuah murdered two unarmed civilians in a market square, while Wongbi appeared in a propaganda video threatening others with the same fate. In 2024, Kuah allegedly approved the funding and operational plan for a bombing at a Youth Day celebration that killed a 15-year-old girl and injured dozens of other children.

The indictment further alleges that Kuah and Wongbi raised money online to support their operations, including campaigns branded as “The Takeover Fund” and “Operation 200AKs,” which solicited donations for AK-47 rifles and explosives. Kuah appeared in multiple videos urging supporters to fund the purchase of weapons and ammunition for the fighters.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim, and injure persons abroad, conspiracy to provide material support or resources, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Kuah is also charged with three counts of providing material support or resources, conspiracy to commit hostage taking and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction outside the United States. If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations.

Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Roso for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe and Matthew Hracho of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attorney General James Calls for Review of Hewlett Packard Merger Settlement

 

AG James Calls for Further Investigation into Reported Backroom Dealing that Led to Approval of HP Merger with Juniper 

Merger Likely to Raise Costs for Consumers and Hurt Competition

New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition of 17 other attorneys general in sending a letter opposing a recent settlement secured by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) that would allow Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to merge with a top competitor, Juniper Networks (Juniper), while doing nothing to address the higher costs and decreased competition likely to result. In a letter to DOJ, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that recent reporting and statements from former DOJ senior staff indicate that DOJ’s approval of the merger is the result of corrupt backroom dealing between HPE and top DOJ officials. While staff and senior leaders in DOJ’s Antitrust Division opposed the merger, they were overruled by top DOJ officials who had personal relationships with consultants and lobbyists hired by HPE. As Attorney General James and the coalition argue in the letter, this conduct likely violates federal laws meant to ensure that merger settlements are not the product of undue influence. The coalition is asking the judge in the Northern District of California to hold hearings to investigate any corrupt practices that led to the settlement and block the settlement if the allegations of corruption are proven true.

“Big corporations cannot use their money and power to make backroom deals that let them evade the law,” said Attorney General James. “HPE allegedly used its connections to Trump administration officials to get permission to buy a top competitor. This is not only illegal, but it will also hurt consumers by leaving them with higher prices and fewer alternatives. The court should investigate this corruption and take action to block the settlement.”

As Attorney General James and the coalition assert in their letter, recent press reports and statements from former DOJ employees reveal a highly irregular process that resulted in a harmful merger settlement between HPE and DOJ. As alleged in the reports, DOJ Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle and Acting Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward were lobbied by individuals hired by HPE who had close ties to the Trump administration. One article details how HPE’s consultants and lawyers engaged in “boozy backroom meetings” with DOJ officials at a Washington, DC club. Mizelle and Woodward also allegedly made secret side agreements with HPE that are not in the final merger settlement. Mizelle then overruled senior leadership in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division who opposed the HPE merger and approved a settlement that failed to address the harms that DOJ had previously identified in the lawsuit it filed to block HPE’s merger.

Two senior Antitrust Division attorneys appointed by President Trump’s own administration were fired for opposing the settlement. One of the fired attorneys, former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Roger Alford, has spoken out publicly against the settlement and called it a “scandal” that represented the “Rule of Lobbyists” over the “Rule of Law.” The resulting merger settlement does nothing to address the antitrust concerns DOJ initially raised with its lawsuit, including DOJ’s finding that a merger between HPE and Juniper would increase costs for consumers by up to 14 percent.

Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their letter that if the allegations of lobbying pressure and secret side arrangements are true, then high-level political appointees at DOJ breached the public trust and the settlement violates the Tunney Act.

The Tunney Act is a post-Watergate law enacted by Congress in 1974 to ensure that antitrust settlements reached by the Justice Department are based on the merits rather than undue influence by powerful corporations and their well-connected lobbyists. Under the law, the Justice Department must seek approval of all antitrust settlements from the courts, and the courts must make independent judgments that a settlement is in the public interest.

Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to hold hearings to examine whether the allegations of corruption are true, and if so, refuse to approve the settlement. Joining Attorney General James in this action are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

John Zaccaro - Tomorrow's Movie Under The Stars POSTPONED

Hi Friends,

Looks like the weather isn’t going to cooperate tomorrow for our Movie Under the Stars at Loreto Park.

Out of caution, we’ll be postponing Movie Night — but don’t worry, we’ll share the new date soon!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our office.

See you soon,

John Zaccaro, Jr. 

Twelve People Charged for Their Roles in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering Conspiracies

 

Twelve people have been charged in a superseding indictment for their roles in an international conspiracy involving alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering schemes that brought thousands of aliens illegally into the United States for profit.

According to court documents, the defendants operated a prolific alien smuggling operation (ASO) that facilitated the unlawful entry of Cuban nationals into the United States by preparing visa applications, laundering millions of dollars in payment, and exploiting the immigration process. 

“This DOJ is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.”

“This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle these schemes, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and safeguard the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.”

“The defendants in this case conspired with others to deliberately violate our nation’s immigration laws while personally seeking to enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the interagency coordination and diligence of our dedicated law enforcement agencies, their crimes have been thwarted. We will continue working with our partners to protect our national borders.”

“This superseding indictment exposes the depth of a multi-year conspiracy of alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering that preyed on vulnerable individuals and weakened public trust in the immigration system,” said Acting Director Todd M. Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “This highlights the critical role ICE has in dismantling these criminal networks, combating immigration fraud, and ensuring criminals who abuse our systems are held accountable. We are absolute in our resolve to protect the integrity of our immigration system and safeguard our national security.

“It is because of the unfettered Department of Justice support we charge criminals with every available statute to provide consequences to those that erode the moral fabric of our society,” said Chief Jeffrey J. Dinise of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Miami Sector. “The message is clear, the United States is closed to illegal immigration and terrorist organizations, and those that make an attempt, will be met with fierce consequences. We are committed to protecting our Florida communities and safeguarding our nation.”

“Through diligent investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and our partners exposed a multi-national, multi-year, multi-million dollar criminal conspiracy operated by aliens that attempted to undermine our immigration system and flood our country with illegal aliens — none of whom had any intention of following our laws,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country. To criminals who seek to exploit our immigration system: we will find you, shut down your schemes, and you will face justice.”

The superseding indictment charges:

• Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 27, of Hialeah, FL (unlawfully residing in the United States);
• Yuniel Lima-Santos, 30, of Tampa, FL;
• Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Lebanon, TN;
• Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres, 25, residing in Cuba, (formerly Hialeah, FL);
• Frandy Aragon-Diaz, 33, of Cuba, (formerly unlawfully residing in Tampa, FL);
• Erik Ventura-Castro, 23, residing in Hialeah, FL;
• Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, 30, of Tampa, FL;
• Walbis Pozo-Dutel, 30, residing in Katy, TX ;
• Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez, 28, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL;
• Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, 31, of Tampa, FL;
• Layra Libertad Treto Santos, 31, of Tampa, FL; and
• Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra, 40, of Tampa, FL.

According to the superseding indictment:

• All defendants except Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra are charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain.
• Yuniel Lima-Santos and Frandy Aragon-Diaz are also charged with alien smuggling for financial gain.
• Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Layra Libertad Treto Santos, and Gisleivy Peralta Consuerga are charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud.
• Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Erik Ventura-Castro, Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, and Layra Libertad Treto Santos are charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

From January 2021 through June 2025, the defendants promoted bogus visa services online, claiming Cuban nationals could secure U.S. entry through false claims of European citizenship. They filed hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, using fake addresses and fabricated documents.

The ASO promoted its services on social media accounts and encrypted messaging platforms, including a WhatsApp group titled, “TRÁMITE DE ESTA Y VISA DE TURISMO A USA PARA CIUDADANOS ESPAÑOLES” (Processing of ESTA and tourist Visas to the USA for Spanish citizens). One promotional video advertised the scheme by showing stacks of passports, airline tickets, and visa approvals. 

What began as a small operation grew into a commercial enterprise. The defendants charged clients between $1,500 and $40,000, sometimes even chartering private planes to move groups of aliens. Records show they spent over $2.5 million on flights alone and funneled more than $7 million through payment apps such as Zelle. Based on a financial analysis conducted of 27 known accounts associated with the defendants and their co-conspirators, the alien smuggling organization took in over $18 million during the course of the conspiracy.

The ASO also smuggled unaccompanied minors. In one case, a teenage girl was told to pose as the lifelong friend of an unrelated adult man when crossing the border.

The defendants operated a sham immigration business, ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC, which promised asylum filings, work permits, and residency applications. In reality, the company churned out boilerplate asylum claims without clients’ knowledge or consent and even blocked them from accessing their own USCIS online accounts.

ASESORIA marketed itself on Instagram with flashy ads for immigration services while simultaneously posting videos of aliens being smuggled into the country. 

The investigation and superseding indictment were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along southern and northern borders. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

HSI Tampa, U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector, and USCIS’s’ Fraud Detection and National Security led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. Authorities in the Cayman Islands provided valuable assistance.

Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Note: You can read the Indictment here