ICE Arrests Former “Dancing With the Stars” Contestant from Latvia with Violent Criminal History in California

 

This illegal alien was previously a contestant on the Latvian equivalent of “Dancing With the Stars”

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an illegal alien and former reality TV contestant from Latvia with a criminal history that includes sexual battery, aggravated assault, and drug possession.

On July 28, ICE law enforcement arrested Roberts Nemiro, a criminal illegal alien from Latvia, in San Francisco after a referral by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). His criminal history includes convictions for aggravated assault of non-family with a gun and disorderly conduct, and arrests for battery, sexual battery, possession of controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia.

Roberts Nemiro

Nemiro was previously a contestant on “Dejo ar zvaigzni!”, the Latvian version of the British TV series “Strictly Come Dancing,” also known as “Dancing With the Stars.”

“This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal with a rap sheet that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery, and drug possession,” said Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Despite California being a sanctuary state, ICE was able to arrest this criminal and get him off our streets, and he will soon be deported from our country. ICE is bringing the curtain down on his illegal stay and crime spree here in the U.S.”

Nemiro first came to the United States on a visa in October 2011. He then illegally overstayed his visa after it expired in August 2012. He is in removal proceedings.

Under Governor Gavin Newsom, California has become a hotbed of illegal alien crime. Some of the recent illegal alien crimes in the sanctuary state include:

• In July, ICE lodged a detainer for Gokhan Bagci, an illegal alien from Turkey, after his arrest for sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl at a daycare in Sacramento, California.
• In May, ICE lodged a detainer for Joaquin Escoto Vazquez, an illegal alien from Mexico, after his arrest for fatally stabbing two women and a baby in Modesto, California.
• In May, ICE lodged a detainer for Manvir Singh, an illegal alien from India, after he was arrested for causing a semi-truck crash that killed two people near Lodi, California.
• In May, ICE arrested Aman Kumar, an illegal alien from India, who had been released by sanctuary politicians in California after causing a hit-and-run accident that injured a 4-year-old boy in Fresno, California.
• In May, ICE lodged a detainer for Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, an illegal alien from Venezuela, after he had been arrested for fatally stabbing a social worker in a hospital in San Francisco, California.
• In April, ICE arrested David Antonio Aviles Perez, an illegal alien from El Salvador and MS-13 member, in San Diego, California, who has an international warrant for aggravated murder and had previously been arrested in California for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and petty theft.
• In February, Governor Newsom pardoned Somboon Phaymany, an illegal alien from Cambodia who had been convicted for attempted murder and assault with a firearm. 
• In January, ICE lodged a detainer for Enrique Bautista Vasquez, an illegal alien from Mexico, after he had been arrested for raping an autistic girl in Cathedral City, California.
• In December 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Brayan Alva-Rodriguez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, after he had been arrested for causing a drunk driving crash that killed an 8-year-old girl in San Diego, California.
• In December 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Hector Balderas-Aheelor, an illegal alien from Mexico who had been previously deported FOUR times, after he was arrested for causing a felony hit-and-run accident that killed an 11-year-old boy on Thanksgiving morning. 
• In November 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Humberto Munoz-Gatica, an illegal alien from Mexico, after he was arrested for driving under the influence and hit-and-run following a fatal crash that killed a 71-year-old man in Orange County, California. 
• In October 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Beto Cerillo-Bialva, an illegal alien from Mexico, after he was arrested for murder following a drunk-driving crash that killed six people in Napa County, California.
• In June 2025, ICE arrested Cuong Chanh Phan, an illegal alien from Vietnam, who had been convicted of second-degree murder for his involvement in a mass shooting in 1994 that killed two teenagers and injured seven others at a graduation party in San Marino, California. 
• In June 2024, Partap Singh, an illegal alien from India, caused a multi-car pileup while driving an 18-wheeler recklessly in San Bernardino, California, after he had been given a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) by Newsom’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The crash seriously injured 5-year-old Dalilah Coleman and several others.

In addition to the crimes committed by illegal aliens in California, Governor Newsom’s sanctuary policies have had disastrous consequences in other states as well. These include:

• In July, ICE lodged a detainer for Axel Eduardo Chavez-Marroquin, an illegal alien from El Salvador, after he was arrested for murdering a veteran in Utah. He had twice been arrested in California for domestic violence – in Santa Ana in 2024, and then in Laguna Niguel in 2025 – but despite ICE lodging detainers against him both times, California sanctuary politicians released him from jail and back into the community.
• In January, ICE lodged detainers for Gunpreet Singh and Jasveer Singh, criminal illegal aliens from India, after they had been arrested for smuggling more than 300 pounds of cocaine in a semi-truck in Putnam County, Indiana. Governor Newsom’s DMV had given both men CDLs.
• In December 2025, ICE arrested Gerson Emir Cuadra Soto, an illegal alien from Honduras and MS-13 member who is wanted in his home country for a quadruple homicide, in Grand Island, Nebraska. He had been given a driver’s license by Newsom’s DMV.
• In November 2025, Rajinder Kumar, an illegal alien from India who had been given a CDL by Newsom’s DMV, jackknifed his semi-truck and trailer on a highway in Deschutes County, Oregon, killing a newlywed couple. ICE arrested Kumar in April 2026.
• In August 2025, ICE arrested Harneet Singh, an illegal alien from India, after he killed three people on the Florida Turnpike by making an illegal U-turn in his semi-truck. Newsom’s DMV had given Singh his CDL.
• In August 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India, after he made an illegal U-turn in his semi-truck and killed three people in St. Lucie County, Florida. Singh had obtained his CDL in Newsom’s California.

Florida Woman Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Orchestrating Multimillion-Dollar Federal Student Aid Loan Forgiveness Fraud Scheme

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Regional Office (“DOE OIG”), Jamila Davis, and Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Ketty Larco-Ward, announced that NYDIRA ADAMS a/k/a “Nadira Adams,” a/k/a “Nadira Adams-McMillan,” was sentenced to two years in prison for carrying out a scheme in which she charged federal student loan borrowers to submit documents containing misrepresentations and false statements to the United States Department of Education to take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. ADAMS’s scheme sought to cause the Department of Education to forgive over $6 million in federal student loan debt based on lies, misrepresentations, and falsehoods.  The defendant pled guilty on April 30, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote, who imposed this sentence. 

“Nydira Adams defrauded the Department of Education out of millions of dollars and preyed upon individuals seeking relief from federal student loan debt,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald.  “Through lies, misrepresentations, and false documents, Adams abused the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program—a federal program intended to benefit individuals who dedicate at least 10 years of their careers to public service or non-profit work. And she did so to enrich herself. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: individuals who swindle the Government and taxpayer-funded programs will be held accountable.”   

“Nydira Adams thought she could game the system and would not get caught, but she was wrong,” said DOE OIG Special Agent in Charge Jamila Davis.  “The OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who abuse the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program or any Federal education program for their own selfish purposes.  America’s taxpayers and students deserve nothing less.”

“Through lying, cheating, and manipulation, Ms. Adams devised a scheme to defraud the Department of Education and her clients by depicting herself as someone who held proprietary information on DOE programs, cheating those who truly needed student loan forgiveness and other assistance from the Department of Education,” said USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.  “Her actions are unconscionable and this sentence sends a message, that no matter who you claim to be, when you lie and steal from the public, postal inspectors and their law enforcement partners will be there to bring you to justice for your criminal activity.”

According to court documents, statements made in court, and evidence presented during the sentencing:

From at least in or about March 2023 through at least in or about January 2025, Adams held herself out as the “Student Loan Default Guru” and operated a business under the same name.  In reality, AdAMS used misrepresentations, false statements, and false documents to deceive the Department of Education into forgiving federal student loans issued to borrowers who paid Adams thousands of dollars for her purported services. On multiple occasions, Adams knowingly and intentionally caused applications for Department of Education relief programs to be submitted which contained falsehoods pertaining to the borrowers’ eligibility for the relief programs. Among other falsehoods, ADAMS claimed that one California-based borrower worked full-time at a New-York-based religious institution and falsely represented that another borrower worked full-time for a public school district.  Adams’s scheme resulted in an intended loss of over $6 million to the Department of Education.       

In addition to the prison term, ADAMS, 38, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. 

Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOE OIG—Eastern Regional Office; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, New York; and the Special Agents assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. 

 This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. 

Attorney General James Reminds New York Consumers and Businesses of E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Requirements

After Recent Deadly Crashes, AG James Urges New Yorkers to Follow the Law and Prevent the Use of Illegal Motor Vehicles

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert reminding businesses, consumers, and families of New York’s important legal requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters. Bicycles with electric assistance, also known as e-bikes, and scooters with electric assistance, also known as e-scooters, are subject to strict safety requirements and speed limits in New York. After recent tragic deaths in New York City, Attorney General James is reminding New Yorkers that marketing and selling vehicles to New Yorkers as “e-bikes” or “e-scooters” that exceed state speed or power limits for those vehicles is a violation of New York law. Two-wheeled electric-powered vehicles that travel beyond those speed limits are not e-bikes or e-scooters under New York law. They may be e-motos, mopeds, or motorcycles that are subject to additional registration, licensing, and insurance requirements. New Yorkers are encouraged to file complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) about businesses putting New Yorkers in danger by illegally selling these vehicles by falsely labeling them as e-bikes and e-scooters.

“Our laws set limits on e-bikes and e-scooters to help keep New Yorkers safe, and the riders and companies who ignore them are putting everyone on our streets in danger,” said Attorney General James. “I urge businesses and consumers throughout our state to follow the law and keep unlicensed and unregistered motor vehicles off our streets. No one should have to fear for their lives when crossing the street, and I encourage New Yorkers to follow the law and report those selling illegal e-bikes and e-scooters to my office.”

The increased use of electric vehicles that exceed the legal limits set for e-bikes and e-scooters has led to a surge in injuries and fatal accidents in New York. The risks of these vehicles are higher when retailers misleadingly sell them as e-bikes or e-scooters, instead of as e-motos, motorcycles, or mopeds.

Under New York law, e-bikes must have an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and fall into one of three classes:

• Class 1, also known as low-speed pedal-assisted e-bikes, provide electric assistance only while being pedaled and only at speeds under 20 miles per hour.
• Class 2, also known as low-speed throttle-assisted e-bikes, provide electric assistance up to 20 miles per hour but have a throttle that allows the rider to use the motor without pedaling. 
• Class 3, also known as speed throttle-assisted electric bicycles, are similar to Class 2 e-bikes, but the electric motor assistance must stop when the bicycle reaches 25 miles per hour.

All e-bikes sold in New York must have a permanent label that identifies the bike’s classification number, top assisted speed, and the wattage of its motor. It is illegal in New York to ride a Class 1 or 2 e-bike with electric assist faster than 20 miles per hour.  It is also illegal to ride a Class 3 e-bike outside of New York City, or with electric assist in excess of 25 miles per hour. Riders must be at least 16 years old to legally operate any e-bike in New York state.

Under New York law, e-scooters are defined as having a maximum speed of no more than 20 miles per hour. It is illegal to ride an e-scooter in New York over 15 miles per hour. As with e-bikes, e-scooters sold in New York must have a permanent label that identifies the top assisted speed, the number of people for which it is designed and equipped, and the motor wattage. Riders must be at least 16 years old to legally operate or ride as a passenger on e-scooters in New York state. Cities, counties, and other local governments may have additional rules and ordinances regarding where and how e-bikes and e-scooters can be ridden.

Bicycles that go faster than 25 miles per hour with electric assistance in New York City, or faster than 20 miles per hour with electric assistance outside New York City, are not e-bikes under New York law, and are instead e-motos, mopeds, or motorcycles that may be subject to additional registration, licensing, and insurance requirements through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Businesses can only advertise or sell vehicles as e-bikes to New Yorkers if they fall within one of the three classes, and may only advertise or sell vehicles as e-scooters to New Yorkers if they meet the definition of one under New York law, including by having a top speed of 20 miles per hour or less. Businesses cannot advertise or sell vehicles that are intended to be modified to exceed legal limits of e-bikes or e-scooters. Misrepresenting the characteristics of an e-bike, e-scooter, or other vehicle, converting one for illegal use, or selling one without the required label is illegal under New York law.

Attorney General James encourages all parents to carefully ensure that any bicycle, or e-bike, or e-scooter that they are purchasing for their children is safe and legal for their children to ride. Children under 16 may not operate any e-bike and may not operate or ride as a passenger in any e-scooter. Riders aged 16 and 17 must wear helmets on e-scooters, and riders of any age must wear helmets on class 3 e-bikes. Cities, counties, and other local governments may have stricter requirements. Regardless of age or the type of bike or scooter, wearing a helmet is always strongly recommended for safety.

New Yorkers who believe a business is violating the law by selling e-bikes or e-scooters that exceed the legal safety limits should contact OAG by submitting a complaint online or by calling 1-(800) 771-7755.

Office of the New York State Comptroller Dinapoli - This Week: Audit Finds Administrative Delays with Housing Program for Veterans with Disabilities

Audit Finds Administrative Delays with Housing Program for Veterans with Disabilities

An audit released by Comptroller DiNapoli of the Access to Home for Heroes/Veterans Program found inadequate oversight and poor outreach delayed the distribution of funds for home and accessibility repairs for veterans with disabilities. Auditors determined that just 36% of the programs $3.3 million in recent contract funding was spent, with some counties with the largest populations of disabled veterans unaware of the program. Comptroller DiNapoli noted that the program is supposed to deliver critical home repairs for veterans and the audit's recommendations will help fix the program and better assist those who serve our country.

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Local Sales Tax Collections Up 6.8% Over Last Year

Local government sales tax collections totaled $12.7 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of 6.8% ($803 million) compared to the same period last year, according to a report released by Comptroller DiNapoli. This growth is due in part to higher prices for goods and services as a result of higher tariffs and global conflicts. Comptroller DiNapoli urged local officials to be cautious in estimating future revenue amid the current economic uncertainties and harmful federal policies.

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Comptroller DiNapoli Issues Statement on MTA's July Financial Plan

Comptroller DiNapoli released a statement on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) July Financial Plan, noting the latest plan shows that its finances have stabilized and the road ahead depends on the MTA successfully executing and communicating strategies to bring riders back and generate savings through greater efficiencies.

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Audit Finds State Must Improve Efforts to Meet Immigrant Legal Services Need

Comptroller DiNapoli released an audit that found that the NYS Department of State’s Office for New Americans must do a better job identifying unmet needs and wait times for legal services for immigrants. Without this information, it is harder to identify service gaps and determine where resources are needed most.

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Former Cape Vincent Ambulance Squad Chief Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Over $157,000

Comptroller DiNapoli, Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former chief of the Cape Vincent Ambulance Squad for allegedly stealing over $157,000 for unauthorized salaries, bonuses, and vacation time for himself and others.

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M U N I C I P A L   &   S C H O O L   A U D I T S

• Lake Mohegan Fire District – Procurement

• Town of Cato – Town Clerk/Tax Collector

• Auburn Enlarged City School District – Building Access

• Hannibal Fire Company – Kartway Fundraising Activities

• Town of Amherst – Employee Benefits

• Town of Amherst – Information Technology

• Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Department – Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Proceeds

• Village of Richburg – Transparency of Fiscal Activities

• Cuddebackville Fire District – Audit Follow-Up

S T A T E   A G E N C Y   A U D I T S

• Battery Park City Authority – Access Controls and Vulnerability Management Over Critical Systems

• Public Service Commission – Application Review and Site Permitting for Major Renewable Energy Projects (Follow-Up)

• New York State Health Insurance Program – UnitedHealthcare: Accuracy of Payments for Surgical Procedures Involving Multiple Providers

• Office of Children and Family Services – Child Care Stabilization Grants (Follow-Up)

• New York State Health Insurance Program – Anthem Blue Cross: Coordination of Benefits With Medicare (Follow-Up)

• State Education Department (Preschool Special Education Audit Initiative) – Shield of David: Compliance With the Reimbursable Cost Manual

• Department of Environmental Conservation – Monitoring of Air Quality (Facility Permits and Registrations) (Follow-Up)

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A L S O  I N  T H E  N E W S 

• The Capitol Connection - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

• N.Y. state comptroller discusses report examining state budget's health

• DiNapoli audit finds lack of oversight is hampering housing assistance for disabled veterans

• More taxpayers are leaving New York than moving in, new reports show

• Is New York adequately serving immigrants? It’s hard to say

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P O S T   O F   T H E   W E E K