HSTF Investigation: Six Charged with Drug Trafficking in Oregon

 

Methamphetamine and cocaine seized during the investigation.

Six defendants were charged for their roles in a drug trafficking organization. The six defendants below were charged by a second superseding information on April 29, 2026, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine:

• Rafael Mora Contreras, 44, of Forest Grove, Oregon;
• Cristina Echeverria, 42, of Forest Grove, Oregon;
• Nathalie Claire Buchanan, 28, of Bend, Oregon;
• Charles Ottis Johnson, 37, of Bend;
• Mariano Perez-Sanchez, 42, of Forest Grove, Oregon; and
• Dagoberto Ayala-Lopez, 38, of Hillsboro, Oregon.

According to court documents, in July 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Portland District Office, Oregon State Police (OSP) and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a methamphetamine and cocaine supplier in Forest Grove operated and run by Perez-Sanchez. Perez-Sanchez worked as a drug dispatcher and took orders from retail level distributors. 

Johnson and Buchanan were drug trafficking partners who routinely purchased large amounts of methamphetamine in the Portland and Salem area to sell in the Bend area. On February 11, 2026, Echeverria, a courier for Perez-Sanchez, delivered a large quantity of methamphetamine to Buchanan at a hotel. Buchanan and Johnson were pulled over by police. Officers located over 4 pounds of methamphetamine in the car. Investigators reviewed text messages during the drug deal with Johnson and Buchanan showing further evidence of drug trafficking. 

On February 17, 2026, Echeverria and Mora Contreras, driving separate cars, were both pulled over by OSP troopers after an overnight trip to California to re-supply drugs. OSP troopers located 28 pounds of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine in Echeverria’s car. 

Ayala-Lopez worked as a drug courier for Perez-Sanchez. Ayala-Lopez’s vehicles and residence were searched pursuant to search warrant and investigators located over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine. 

DEA is investigating the case with assistance from OSP and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis Burkhart is prosecuting the case.

This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. 

Romanian National Sentenced for Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office and Other U.S. Victims

 

A Romanian national was sentenced yesterday to 56 months in prison in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office in 2021 and other cyber-attacks on U.S. victims.

According to court documents, Catalin Dragomir, 46, formerly of Constanta, Romania, sold access to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June of 2021. During the sale, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer. He also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the United States, causing losses of at least $250,000. 

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

In November 2024, Dragomir was arrested in Romania. He was extradited to the United States in January 2025.

On Feb. 19, Dragomir pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining information from a protected computer and one count of aggravated identity theft. 

The FBI Portland Field Office investigated the case. 

Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian Judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.

CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.

Attorney General James and Attorney General Davenport Subpoena FIFA Over World Cup Ticketing

AGs Launched Investigation Following Reports That Fans Did Not Receive Seats as Advertised and Faced Soaring Ticket Prices

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today subpoenaed FIFA as part of an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices for the upcoming World Cup tournament. Recent press reports indicate that fans may have been misled about the locations of the seats they were purchasing, and FIFA’s public statements and ticket releases may have contributed to soaring prices. With investigatory support from the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), the attorneys general today sent subpoenas to FIFA seeking information about its ticketing practices. The attorneys general are specifically requesting details about ticketing practices at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will host eight World Cup matches, including the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026.  

“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” said Attorney General James. “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive. I thank Attorney General Davenport for joining this effort to get answers from FIFA and protect our states’ consumers.”  

“Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated. But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices – all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans,” said Attorney General Davenport. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of FIFA’s conduct, and we are proud to stand together with Attorney General James in protecting our consumers. It’s an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.” 

"As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, New Yorkers and visitors from around the world deserve transparency and fairness when purchasing tickets," said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. "Reports of FIFA conduct in violation of the City’s Consumer Protection Law, including misleading fans about seat locations and artificially inflating prices, are deeply troubling. DCWP takes allegations of blatantly deceptive conduct very seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action. We are proud to work with Attorneys General James and Davenport in this investigation to help ensure FIFA’s ticketing practices at MetLife Stadium and beyond are transparent, and that soccer fans are not taken advantage of during one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.”

The investigation will probe a range of issues that have arisen with FIFA’s ticketing process. Fans have reported they were misled about where the tickets they were purchasing would be located. For its initial ticket sales, FIFA’s seat maps divided stadiums into four zones named Category 1 through Category 4, with Category 1 seats in the most desirable location. Yet after many fans had already bought tickets, FIFA created new zones, Front Categories 1 through 4, made up of the most desirable seats within each Category. Tickets in these Front Categories cost significantly more. Reports indicate that fans who bought tickets before these new zones were introduced were excluded from those seats and instead assigned less desirable seats, including seats far from the field or behind the goals.

In addition, some fans have reported that they did not receive the tickets in the Category they paid for. These fans have reported that although they selected and paid for Category 1 tickets, which were the closest areas to the field, they were assigned seats further back in Category 2 areas. 

The attorneys general will also investigate FIFA’s ticket prices for 2026 World Cup matches, which have far exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup tournament. FIFA has used “variable pricing” to adjust ticket prices based on demand. As FIFA released tickets in phases over the course of several months, prices for some matches skyrocketed. Press reports indicate that between October 2025 and April 2026, FIFA raised the price of tickets for more than 90 of the 104 World Cup matches, with prices for the three main ticket categories rising on average by 34%. The investigation will examine whether and how FIFA’s ticket release schedule, public statements, and other conduct may have impacted these prices.

New Yorkers who have not received the World Cup tickets they paid for are encouraged to report it to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) by submitting a complaint online or calling 1 (800) 771-7755. 

 

Governor Hochul Secures Reforms to Lower Auto Insurance Premiums for New Yorkers

Governor’s Initiative Will Battle Fraud, Limit Damages Paid Out to Bad Actors and Ensure Consumers, Not Insurance Companies, Are Prioritized

New Law Will Cap Excess Insurance Profits And Return Savings To Consumers

Reforms Build on Governor’s Ongoing Efforts To Make New York State More Affordable and Put Money Back Into Pockets of Hardworking New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced reforms to bring down costs of auto insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims across New York State as part of her FY27 Enacted Budget. The Governor secured common-sense steps to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized. These reforms build on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to make the state more affordable and put money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers.

“Outdated laws, special interest loopholes and jackpot insurance payouts to bad actors have long forced New Yorkers to pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation,” Governor Hochul said. “These hardfought reforms are a win for every New Yorker who depends on a car to go to work or drop their kids at school. But it’s bigger than that – I’ve heard from farmers who say these reforms will lower the cost of getting their goods to market and from construction supply companies who say this will lower the cost of building. This is how we are delivering on the promise to tackle the affordability crisis head on.”

New Yorkers’ insurance rates total an average of slightly more than $4,000 annually, nearly $1,500 above the national average. Car insurance rates are driven up by a combination of fraud, litigation, legal loopholes and enforcement gaps. Staged crashes and associated insurance fraud inflate premiums up to $300 a year, according to some estimates. New York’s broken insurance system is not just hurting those who rely on a car to get around, but local businesses that rely on trucking to make ends meet.

The FY27 Enacted Budget includes sweeping reforms designed to help drive down New York’s exorbitantly high auto insurance rates, addressing the root causes by targeting fraud and tackling runaway litigation. No other Governor in a generation has taken on tort reform and walked away with a deal that will result in significant savings for New York consumers and businesses. The Budget also includes provisions that enable prosecutors to seek criminal penalties against any individual responsible for organizing a staged accident, not just the particular individual behind the wheel.

The state of Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an analysis demonstrating how its 2023 tort reform package has resulted in a 5.6 percent decrease in the average auto insurance rates across the majority of its market. For example, in 2025, Florida’s largest carrier returned nearly $1 billion in excess profits to 2.7 million policyholders. Florida’s analysis of its declining rates offers a stark contrast with New York’s experience in the same timeframe. Following the implementation of tort reform, Florida reversed its double-digit growth of auto insurance rates in 2023 into a 7.4 percent reduction in the average rates by 2025, showcasing savings for consumers. 

Limiting Damages for Individuals Engaging in Unlawful Behavior at the Time of an Accident

Caps damages for drivers engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the incident, to ensure drivers flouting the law — including uninsured motorists, drunk drivers, and drivers in the act of committing a felony — don’t walk away with a jackpot payday at the expense of everyone else.

Tightening the Serious Injury Threshold

Improves statutory definitions to clarify what actually constitutes a ‘serious injury’ so that damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress are reserved for those able to objectively demonstrate that they have suffered a serious injury.

Limiting Damages for Individuals Who Are “Mostly” At Fault in Causing an Accident

Ensures that if a driver is found to be mostly at fault for causing an accident, they cannot sue their victims for outsized payments for damages. This change will put New York in line with most other states.

Applying stringent oversight on insurance companies rates, preventing excess profits, and returning savings to consumers

Puts consumers first by preventing insurance companies from exorbitantly raising rates by setting a legal threshold that prevents excess profits and returns savings to consumers. Additionally, the Budget creates new regulatory safeguards to prevent insurance companies from raising rates without seeking express approval from the Department of Financial Services.

Ensuring Fair Rates for Drivers

Protects consumers by prohibiting insurance companies from setting rates based on extraneous, personal factors like homeownership status, occupation, education level or zip code.

NYSOFA Celebrates Older New Yorkers’ Day 2026: Recognizing Over 100 Older Adults for Their Volunteerism and Civic Engagement

 

Honorees represent nearly 1 million older volunteers helping communities across New York, contributing 474 million hours of community service at an economic value of $13.2 billion

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) this week honored over 100 older adults for their extraordinary volunteerism as part of NYSOFA's annual Older New Yorkers' Day celebration. The event took place May 26 in Albany, during Older Americans Month.

New York's 59 county-based offices for the aging and their partners nominate outstanding older adults each year who enrich their communities, making them stronger, inclusive, and supportive through their extraordinary volunteerism and civic engagement.

In a proclamation for Older Americans Month, Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “New York State honors the older adults who give back in their communities through mentorship, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and service to our country, and expresses gratitude for their volunteerism that serves as the cornerstone for the vital operations of thousands of nonprofits, human services organizations, educational institutions, and community groups.”

NYSOFA’s theme for Older Americans Month 2026 is “Compassion in Action” to highlight older New Yorkers’ profound impact bettering communities across the state.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “Each year, NYSOFA is proud to honor older New Yorkers whose unwavering commitment to service enriches communities throughout our state. Their experience, economic contributions, and civic engagement make a lasting difference in every corner of New York. We are grateful for their impact and for the 59 county offices for the aging, along with the Association on Aging in New York, who work tirelessly to deliver essential services to older adults every day.”

He added: “Looking at the positive impact of NYSOFA's honorees, and the nearly 1 million other older volunteers helping communities across New York, it’s clear to see older adults are vital to strengthening communities and local, regional, state and national economies. In fact, older adult volunteers in New York contribute 474 million hours of community service at an economic value of $13.2 billion.”

The honorees this year are recognized for their support of charitable causes, their work with local health care and human services organizations, grassroots civic contributions, volunteer work with emergency management corps, local fundraising activities, and so much more. Awardees also include volunteers for two statewide NYSOFA-administered programs: The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) and the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). These volunteers assume specialized roles that demand many hours of training, intricate problem-solving, and coordination with local organizations to help older adults navigate Medicare and other insurance coverage questions (HIICAP) and quality-of-care issues in long term care facilities (LTCOP).

This year’s honorees have collectively volunteered for more than 2,700 years, raised 223 children, 308 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, and 16 are veterans.  

Please read the program book here to find awardees from your region and learn about them.

Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) Executive Director Rebecca Preve said, “Older New Yorkers’ Day is an opportunity to honor and recognize the outstanding contributions of older adult volunteers. Each and every day, older volunteers positively impact the lives of others, assist community-based organizations, and give of themselves without seeking acknowledgment. We are honored to participate in the New York State Office for the Aging’s ceremony highlighting the contributions of older adult volunteers from across New York State. We congratulate each honoree, and thank them for their service to others.”

Governor’s Exemplary Volunteer Service Award

During the ceremony on May 26, NYSOFA and state officials presented the 2026 Governor's Exemplary Volunteer Service Award to David and Shirley Drake. The awardee is chosen for special distinction from among all nominations by local offices for the aging and community partners.

David Drake, who passed away last year, left an enduring legacy of service in his community of Litchfield. He and his wife Shirley Drake together volunteered at their community theater, coached youth sports, supported the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, served at their Senior Club, and volunteered at the Federated Church Food Bank. In fact, David was still volunteering at the food bank just before his passing. At Older New Yorkers’ Day 2026, NYSOFA and the broader aging network community honored both Shirley and David Drake’s service and legacy.

State Support for Age-Friendly Communities

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State is providing unprecedented support for older adults, fostering age-friendly community development, programs, and policies, including the many community-based services and supports overseen by NYSOFA. Governor Hochul has also made it a priority for NYSOFA and partner agencies to work together across state government at the highest levels of coordination, through the Master Plan for Aging and other collaborative, cross-sector efforts that are bringing forth new areas of opportunity for older adults and their families.

Background About Older New Yorkers’ Day

Each year, since 1963, federal, state and local governments recognize Older Americans Month in May. New York State began its own tradition several years prior, in 1954, when Governor Thomas Dewey declared May as Senior Citizens Month, well before it was marked nationally. Ever the trend setter, New York established its state government unit on aging, NYSOFA, in 1961 – four years before the Older Americans Act was passed and signed into law. Today Older New Yorkers’ Day is an annual observance in which NYSOFA collects nominations of exceptional older adults from county-based offices for the aging and other community partners.  

About the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.8 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected—visit the NYSOFA Facebook page, follow @NYSAGING on X, or visit aging.ny.gov.

Ahead of Summer Break, Mayor Mamdani Launches Interactive Website Connecting Young New Yorkers to Free and Low-Cost Summer Programs

With dozens of activities available for children and teens, the website includes everything from free painting lessons to youth basketball leagues     

Initiative one of several efforts to keep young New Yorkers safe this summer and follows release of video with gun violence survivors 

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani launched “Summer in N.Y.C.”, a new interactive website designed to connect young New Yorkers with free and low-cost summer programming in their neighborhoods and across the city. New Yorkers can access the website at NYC.gov/Summer.  

  

The website allows users to search by age, ZIP code, interests and travel distance, helping families find activities ranging from painting classes to basketball leagues, soccer programs, and other extracurricular opportunities. It also includes information about free summer meals and free citywide FIFA World Cup watch parties and celebrations.   

  

The launch is part of the Mamdani administration’s broader, whole-of-government approach to keep young New Yorkers safe and engaged during the summer months.   

  

When school lets out and temperatures rise, access to structured activities and community spaces become even more important. Last week, Mayor Mamdani released a video conversation with three members of True 2 Life, a Staten Island-based organization within the City's Crisis Management System, which uses evidence-based intervention and peer mentorship to prevent violence and address its root causes. The conversation highlighted the stories of New Yorkers impacted by gun –violence who are now working to protect the next generation. The video can be found here.   

  

This summer, the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), in partnership with DYCD and community-based organizations across the city, is implementing a coordinated Summer Safety Plan focused on preventing youth violence and expanding opportunities for young people. Through the City’s Crisis Management System, credible messengers and outreach teams will increase engagement in neighborhoods most impacted by violence, with enhanced mediation efforts, extended evening programming, youth listening events, and rapid-response activations during high-risk periods and large gatherings. The plan also expands access to safe spaces, mentorship, recreation, and workforce opportunities to ensure young New Yorkers are connected to positive supports throughout the summer months.  

  

“Too often, we tell young people what not to do – but don’t tell them what they should do. This website is about connecting kids and teens to programs they’ll actually be excited about – whether that’s basketball, photography, music or art — and making it easy for families to find opportunities close to home. With summer fast approaching, we are using every tool available to keep young New Yorkers safe, listened to rather than lectured at, and surrounded by community,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.   

 

“Summer is a time for making the core memories that shape us. It’s a time for exploration, growth and fun for every young person in our City. Delivering that means providing safe, meaningful, and free opportunities in all corners of the five boroughs and making them accessible. We created Summer in NYC to put young people just a click away from favorite and new hobbies, experiences, and connections along with critical life skills such as conflict management and emotional regulation. More importantly, we’re going to be listening to young people themselves throughout the summer, centering them in the decisions we make about how to support them and their development,” said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Renita Francois.    

   

“Keeping our kids safe, healthy, and engaged is a priority for the Mamdani Administration this summer,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Today's launch presents youth and teens across New York City with an easy-to-use tool that will help identify youth-centered programs that promote fitness, spur creativity, and even offer spaces to explore self-care and prioritize their mental health. This innovative resource is just one of several steps we're taking to ensure the safety and well-being of New York's youngest—and making sure they have a fun summer in the process.”  

   

DHS Takes Additional Steps to Crack Down on Asylum Fraud

 

Immigration attorneys representing illegal aliens frequently coach their clients to conceal their past and even outright lie in their asylum claims

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a new directive instructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take additional steps to crack down on fraudulent asylum claims.

DHS instructed ICE to develop anti-fraud policies that will further enforce 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d), a law that establishes penalties for violations of document fraud. As a result of this directive, ICE attorneys have greater authority to enforce this law, including enforcement actions against immigration attorneys who file false asylum claims in an immigration court.

“For many years, millions of illegal aliens have committed fraud in our immigration system. No place is this more rampant than in immigration court,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival. “Protection claims like asylum are intended to cover unique and narrow circumstances, but it is standard practice for immigration attorneys representing illegal aliens to assert that virtually every illegal alien is going to be persecuted or tortured in his or her home country. Historically, ICE has depended on the discipline of immigration judges and the enforcement of criminal fraud laws to deter this conduct, but ICE has its own tools. Now, thanks to this directive, ICE attorneys have greater authority to enforce the law and stop the abuse of our asylum system by illegal aliens and attorneys.”

This action reaffirms President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to restoring integrity to our immigration system.

In March of 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum pointing out that “the immigration bar, and powerful Big Law pro bono practices, frequently coach clients to conceal their past or lie about their circumstances when asserting their asylum claims, all in an attempt to circumvent immigration policies enacted to protect our national security and deceive the immigration authorities and courts into granting them undeserved relief.”

Jefferson County Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking as Part of Homeland Security Task Force Investigation in the Eastern District of Texas

 

A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Leardo of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

James William Quinney, Jr., 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on May 21, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in October 2024, law enforcement began investigating Quinney for trafficking drugs in Beaumont and the surrounding area.  During the investigation, Quinney was identified as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to other distributors for redistribution.  Quinney was found to be purchasing 18 kilograms of methamphetamine at a time for redistribution.  In total, law enforcement seized nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine from Quinney and over $80,000.00 in U.S. currency.  

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; Orange Police Department; Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Lumberton Police Department; and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.