Mexican National Sentenced to Prison for Drugging and Smuggling Unaccompanied Alien Children into the United States

 

A Mexican national was sentenced to five years in prison for smuggling children into the United States from Mexico.  

According to court documents, Manuel Valenzuela, 35, and other members of an alien smuggling organization brought unaccompanied alien children between the ages of five and 13 illegally into the United States from Juarez, Mexico, sometimes using candy laced with THC to sedate them during smuggling events. The drivers and their co-conspirators would then present U.S. documents to inspecting officers falsely claiming the documents belonged to the children, and that they were the parents of the children. Once inside the United States, the children were then transported to El Paso. During one smuggling event, one of the children was taken to a local hospital and diagnosed with THC poisoning.

A photo of THC gummies recovered by agents during secondary inspection at the port of entry.

A photo of Manuel Valenzuela entering the United States shortly before the attempted smuggling of several alien children.

“Needing to sedate children with THC under the guise of giving them candy, shows just how heinous crimes like this are,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Smuggling unaccompanied children into the country, pretending to be their parents, and then lying to U.S. immigration officials shows the lengths to which criminals like this will go to smuggle children across our borders. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will put an end to this conduct.  Protecting children and keeping our borders safe go hand-in-hand.”

“We fight every day in the Western District of Texas to ensure that the people and organizations responsible for heinous crimes like this are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “Criminal organizations like this one would be well advised to think twice before engaging in this type of crime. Our message to them is this: we will find you, we will secure a conviction, and we will ensure you are removed from society for as long as possible.”

“Drug traffickers who exploit children as part of their criminal schemes show total disregard for human life and safety,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan G. McRae of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. “Using THC-infused candy to facilitate the smuggling of children across the border into the United States is reprehensible and cruel and puts vulnerable minors at serious risk. HSI will relentlessly pursue transnational criminal organizations responsible for these heinous tactics and bring them to justice.”

Valenzuela pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens, three counts of bringing aliens without authorization for financial gain, and one count of aiding and abetting on Nov. 10, 2025. 

HSI El Paso and U.S. Border Patrol led investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. 

Trial Attorney Bethany Allen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Hines for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including HSI and Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 464 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 414 U.S. convictions; and more than 360 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.

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 (TCOs), 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 (PSN).

BROOKLYN WOMAN CHARGED WITH USING FALSE INFORMATION TO RECEIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

 

Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest of a Brooklyn woman on charges relating to her use of false documents to obtain New York State-funded affordable housing. DOI’s investigation was prompted by another investigation, which led to an arrest last year of another individual on charges of selling forgeries used in affordable housing applications. This arrest is being prosecuted by the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

ADINA HODGES, 37, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was charged today with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Perjury in the Second Degree, which are class E felonies. Upon conviction, a class E felony is punishable by up to four years in prison. HODGES was arraigned today and released on her own recognizance. Her next court date is scheduled for October 8, 2026. 

DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, “According to the charges, this defendant allegedly used false information to apply for and receive affordable housing. Affordable housing is a scarce resource that is compromised when it is exploited by fraud. I am committed to protecting the integrity of affordable housing and ensuring that this resource is available to those who qualify for it. I thank District Attorney Gonzalez for his partnership in this important work.”  

According to the criminal complaint, HODGES allegedly provided false information relating to her income and employment in documents submitted to an affordable housing management company in Brooklyn, which is an agent for the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. Specifically, she submitted a “Reaffirmation of Income” form on July 2, 2021, attesting, under the penalty of perjury, that a “Tenant Income Certification” form she submitted on June 24, 2021, was true and accurate. The investigation determined that statement was materially false as the various support documents the defendant provided, including bank records, pay stubs and an employment verification letter, were fraudulent. Pursuant to a search warrant, the investigation found that the defendant was in contact via email with Rodney Billings, who was a defendant in an earlier affordable housing investigation. HODGES communicated with Billings regarding the procurement of fraudulent bank records, pay stubs and an employment verification letter and paid Billings to receive those falsified documents.

Commissioner Shihata thanked Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez for his and his staff’s partnership on this investigation. Assistant District Attorney Peter Choi in the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau is handling the prosecution. Commissioner Shihata also thanked HDC President Eric Enderlin and his staff for their cooperation in this investigation.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

Attorney General James Wins Case Against Notorious Deed Thief Joseph Makhani

 

After Seven-Week Trial, Jury Finds Makhani Guilty of Stealing Harlem Brownstones Worth $4.7 Million

New York Attorney General Letitia James won her case against Joseph Makhani, 63, of Kings Point, Long Island, for criminally possessing two brownstones located at 107 West 118th Street and 135 West 131st Street in Harlem with a combined value of approximately $4.7 million. Makhani’s actions forced one building’s elderly homeowner to remain in a homeless shelter despite being the true owner of a property valued at approximately $2.9 million. Makhani also unlawfully attempted to evict the tenants of the other stolen property. T he jury found Makhani guilty of two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. Makhani was remanded into custody and will return to court for sentencing on July 28, 2026 in front of New York State Supreme Court Judge Michele Rodney. Makhani faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison on the top count.

“Joseph Makhani maliciously targeted an elderly homeowner and shamelessly attempted to evict long-time tenants in a heartless scheme to steal two homes that never belonged to him in the first place,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s conviction should serve as a warning to all deed thieves: my office will hold you accountable to the full extent of the law. I will continue to do everything in my power to combat deed theft and keep New Yorkers in their homes.”

107 West 118th Street

The evidence at trial showed that beginning in 2012, Makhani used fraudulent deeds, other false documents, and shell companies to steal the brownstone located at 107 West 118th Street from an elderly and vulnerable homeowner.

• In a 2012 filing used to further his scheme, a Makhani-controlled corporation claimed to have paid only $10 for the brownstone.
• In a mortgage application filed by Makhani, he falsely claimed that he paid $975,000 for the brownstone and in order to obtain a $650,000 construction loan for renovations.
• Makhani then refinanced and received a $1.2 million long-term mortgage loan on the property.
• Makhani also submitted a forged application to the New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in order to convert the building into market-rate apartment rentals. 
• From 2016 to 2023, Makhani rented out each unit for as much as $3,400 per month, allowing him to collect a monthly rent income of more than $12,000.
• Makhani was able to amass this wealth while the elderly owner of the brownstone never received any money from him.
• The true owner of the brownstone was forced to live in a homeless shelter for years. The value of the stolen home in 2023 was approximately $2.9 million.

135 West 131st Street

The evidence at trial showed that beginning in 2012, Makhani used fraudulent deeds and other false documents to criminally possess another brownstone located at 135 West 131st Street.

• Prior to Makhani's takeover, the last true deed recorded on this property was dated in 1975 in the name of an elderly homeowner who died soon after.
• Around 2012, Makhani approached one of the building’s tenants and told them that he had purchased the brownstone. Makhani secured the tenant’s signature by pretending to offer him a job.
• Makhani then filed a fraudulent deed, misrepresenting the tenant as the owner of the building to unlawfully transfer the property to a company he controlled.
• In 2013, Makhani attempted to evict the tenants of the brownstone and filed a lawsuit against the tenants on behalf of his company. During eviction proceedings, Makhani’s ownership of the brownstone and the deed were questioned.
• Makhani then filed a new fraudulent deed that claimed the heirs of the last recorded owner transferred the property to his company.
• The stolen home was valued at approximately $1.8 million in 2018. 

The evidence at trial showed that Makhani orchestrated fraudulent civil lawsuits as a part of his scheme to obtain the two stolen properties.  

Attorney General James thanks the New York State Police, New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York City Department of Finance, New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the New York State Department of State for their assistance in this matter.

New Yorkers who believe they are a victim of deed theft are encouraged to contact OAG by calling 1 (800) 771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or filing a confidential complaint online.

Governor Hochul Announces Work Zone Speed Camera Program Now in Effect on MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Automated Work Zone Safety Enforcement Program Designed to Protect Workers and Motorists by Enforcing Speed Limits in Construction Zones

Signed Into Law in 2021 by Governor Kathy Hochul for State Highways; Expanded as Part of 2026 State Budget to Include MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the activation of speed cameras at active construction zones on MTA vehicular bridges and tunnels. To reduce traffic crashes and road worker fatalities, vehicle owners whose vehicles are recorded driving more than 10 miles per hour above the posted speed in the work zones will be subject to warnings and fines. More information on the program is available on the MTA webpage.

“Our road crews perform essential work and they must be able to perform their duties safely,” Governor Hochul said. “Speeding in work zones is reckless and it is dangerous – we owe it to highway workers to keep them safe on the job. As Governor, I have been proud to advance the largest expansion of work zone enforcement in our state’s history, including this expansion to MTA Bridges and Tunnels.”

The cameras are part of the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program, which was signed into law in 2021 by Governor Kathy Hochul and initially covered work zones on state highways. It was expanded in 2025 to include MTA Bridges and Tunnels, which operates and maintains nine facilities in the five boroughs:

• Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
• Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge
• Henry Hudson Bridge
• Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
• Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
• Queens Midtown Tunnel
• Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
• Throgs Neck Bridge
• Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “We owe it to our bridge and tunnel construction crews to do whatever is necessary to get them home safely. Work zone speed cameras are a common-sense solution to make sure they do.”

MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan said, “Automated Work Zone Safety Enforcement has been proven to save lives, reduce traffic accidents and make roads safer for both drivers and highway workers. I thank Governor Hochul for expanding this initiative to include MTA Bridges and Tunnels and for her unwavering commitment to protecting crews who work tirelessly to maintain our crossings.”

In the first phase, warning notices will be issued. In the second phase, which will start later this year, fines will be issued. Violations start at $50 for the first offense and $75 for the second offense, if within 18 months of the first violation. Drivers with three or more violations will be fined $100 for each subsequent offense, if within 18 months of the first violation. These fines are subject to additional late fees. All violations will be validated by a certified technician before they are issued. Because these are considered non-moving infractions, they will not appear on driving records nor be reported to insurance providers. Fines can be paid online, via mobile app, by mail, or in person at the NYC Department of Finance Business Centers.

An unmarked vehicle equipped with radar and camera equipment will be stationed in active work zones and operate during work hours. There will be signs alerting drivers to the presence of cameras posted ahead of these active construction sites.

Almost 900 fatalities and 40,000 injuries occurred in U.S. work zones in 2023. The program has proven successful on New York State Department of Transportation roads and the New York State Thruway, with a majority of road workers reporting they feel safer working in zones where the program is enforced. 

New York State Parks Announces Completion of Watkins Glen State Park’s Sentry Bridge

 

Fourth of July Visitors will be Among the First to Cross the New Span 

Restores Visitor Capacity and Access to the Popular Gorge Trail 

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the completion and opening of the new Sentry Bridge at Watkins Glen State Park, restoring full access to the renowned Gorge and Southern Rim Trails. Opening just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, the bridge reconnects visitors to the park’s iconic waterfalls, overlooks and trail network while providing a durable, long-term investment in one of New York’s most visited parks. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to the full Watkins Glen State Park experience with the opening of the new Sentry Bridge ahead of Independence Day weekend. This project restores access to one of the most breathtaking gorge trails in the country while ensuring this critical infrastructure will serve park visitors for generations to come. This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our staff and design and construction teams who worked tirelessly to complete the project ahead of one the busiest weekends of the year.” 

A significant upgrade, the new Sentry Bridge, designed by a team led by the New York-based studios of schlaich bergermann partner (sbp) and Snøhetta, is less vulnerable to erosion than the previous bridge, provides improved sightlines for visitors, and features a modern deck surface designed to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian flow. With construction now complete, visitors can once again experience all 19 waterfalls and the park’s treasured features, including the spray of Cavern Cascade and the historic 120-step Couch’s Staircase which connects to trails leading to the South Pavilion and swimming pool. 

Utilizing $7.5 million in New York State Parks capital funding, the new Sentry Bridge is constructed of lightweight and durable stainless steel designed to with withstand the challenging gorge environment for more than a century. Weighing approximately 100 tons less than the previous structure, the new bridge removes significant pressure from the surrounding rock formations. Additionally, the new span features a unique half-arch design, allowing the primary foundation point to be anchored on the much stronger northern wall of the Watkins Glen Gorge. This design calls back to the historic 1908 stone arch and utilizes recovered stone from the original structure for portions of the kneewalls on the approach to the new bridge. 

Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce President Nigar Hale said, “It is a thrill to celebrate the opening of the Sentry Bridge during the week of America 250 in Watkins Glen. The Sentry Bridge connects visitors to the world-renowned Gorge Trail, the signature experience that has made Watkins Glen State Park one of New York's most beloved destinations. We applaud the dedication and vision of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in completing this important project. It strengthens the visitor experience, enhances public safety, and preserves access to the breathtaking beauty of Watkins Glen State Park for generations to come.” 

Finger Lakes Regional Commission Chair Sharon Miller said, “Watkins Glen State Park is a place where cherished memories are made – not only by those who have visited for generations, but by families and friends creating new traditions every day. The completion of this remarkable new bridge ensures that future generations will continue to experience the beauty, adventure, and accessibility of this extraordinary park. Visitors travel from across New York, the United States, and around the world to experience what truly feels like America’s backyard here in the Finger Lakes. This investment preserves both the park’s rich legacy and its promise to inspire unforgettable memories for decades to come.” 

The restored trail access supports Governor Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ initiative which encourages New Yorkers to take explore state parks, trails, campgrounds, pools and historic sites while promoting a healthy lifestyle for individuals and families. 

Opening just days before July 4th, visitors to Watkins Glen State Park will be among the first to experience the new Sentry Bridge as New York commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. New York is leading the nation’s semiquincentennial commemoration through a series of events, educational programs, and historic sites experiences. Information on commemorative events statewide can be found on the I Love New York “Path Through History” website, found here. The New York State Park system includes many parks and historic sites associated with the Revolution. More information can be found here. 

Governor Hochul’s FY27 Executive Budget includes significant investments in New York’s park system and outdoor recreation infrastructure. The enacted budget provides $340 million in capital funding for Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), including $200 million through NY Works to improve and expand parks and recreation facilities statewide. The budget also includes a record $450 million Environmental Protection Fund, which supports conservation, stewardship, and environmental enhancement throughout New York. These investments will help preserve public lands, improve visitor experiences and expand recreational opportunities.  

Watkins Glen State Park is the most visited park in the Finger Lakes Region, welcoming approximately 1.3 million annual visitors. Over the course of two miles, Glen Creek descends nearly 400 feet through a dramatic gorge featuring 19 waterfalls, stone staircases, bridges and scenic overlooks. The park also offers campgrounds and cabins, playgrounds, picnic facilities and a guarded swimming pool.  

About New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

Mamdani Administration Announces Financial Closing for Sol on Park, Creating 229 Affordable Senior Homes on NYCHA’s Morris Houses Campus

 

NYCHA, HPD and HDC collaborate on $214 million project, the City’s largest use of the “Transfer of Assistance” program to date  

  

Eighty homes reserved for NYCHA residents and 68 for formerly homeless older New Yorkers  

Rendering of Sol on Park. Credit: Magnusson Architecture and Planning, P.C.  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the financial closing for Sol on Park, a new affordable housing development that will create 229 affordable homes for older New Yorkers on the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Morris Houses campus in the Bronx.   

  

Developed through a partnership among NYCHA, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the $214 million project demonstrates how public land, public investment and innovative financing can work together to deliver desperately needed affordable housing.   

  

The project is the City’s largest use to date of the Transfer of Assistance program, an innovative financing tool that the Mamdani administration plans to expand through its Block by Block housing plan.  

  

Sol on Park will include 80 apartments reserved for current NYCHA residents living at Morris I and II, 68 supportive homes for formerly homeless seniors and 80 homes available through the Housing Connect lottery for low- and middle-income seniors. The project will also feature community facility space, a new pedestrian plaza and will be built to LEED Platinum and Passive House standards. Construction by the NRP Group, Selfhelp Realty Group and Foxy Management will begin following the closing, with residents to move in during early 2029.  

  

“New Yorkers need housing relief, and we’re using every tool at our disposal to deliver it. Sol on Park project will create more than 200 permanently affordable homes for older New Yorkers while strengthening the Morris Houses community. This project shows what is possible when City agencies work together to put public land and public investment to work for the people of this city. We are building affordable homes, creating opportunities for NYCHA residents and proving that government can act with the urgency this housing crisis demands,” said Mayor Mamdani.  

  

“Sol on Park is a win for all New Yorkers, providing brand-new affordable senior housing for both NYCHA residents and new neighbors. Projects like these show how we can use innovative financing models and public land to build the housing that New Yorkers need. This is a success story for the Transfer of Assistance tool and proof of concept for similar projects across the five boroughs,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “Congratulations to the NYCHA, HPD, HDC, and development teams, and the current and future Morris Houses and Sol on Park residents on this milestone!”  

  

“We are thrilled to reach this important milestone and close on the financing for Sol on Park,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “With this achievement, we are one step closer to delivering a truly remarkable and dignified living experience to hundreds of low- to moderate-income seniors in the Bronx. Through NYCHA's largest Transfer of Assistance transaction to date, we will provide new homes for 80 existing residents from Morris I and II while helping to create much-needed affordable housing for seniors, including those who had previously experienced homelessness. We are deeply grateful to our partners at City Hall, HPD, and HDC for their collaboration and unwavering commitment to expanding meaningful affordable housing opportunities in New York City.”  

  

“Sol on Park responds to the growing housing needs of New York City’s aging population while simultaneously strengthening the community of NYCHA’s Morris Houses in the Bronx,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “HDC looks forward to working with all of our public and private partners to bring more than 220 deeply affordable senior homes to the Morrisania community.”  

  

“As we strive to ensure safe, affordable housing for all New Yorkers, we must also make sure that our most vulnerable residents are cared for,” said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy. “The Sol on Park project will not only create more than 200 homes for low- to middle-income seniors, it will also provide social services to its residents, as well a health and wellness center and career training opportunities for the local community. Sol on Park represents our commitment to building housing that contributes positively to local neighborhoods, while providing seniors with stable, dignified homes.”  

  

NYCHA began engaging Morris Houses residents on the project in 2019, conducting years of community outreach that helped shape the development’s design. That engagement led to the introduction of the Transfer of Assistance model, allowing current Morris Houses residents the opportunity to move into Sol on Park while creating a brand-new, approximately 1,400 square-foot, fully accessible home for the Morris Houses Resident Association.  

  

When complete, Sol on Park will feature a health-focused design and robust on-site services, including partnerships with the Union Community Health Center and Green Bronx Machine’s National Health & Wellness Center. Residents will also have access to bicycle storage, laundry facilities, exercise rooms and computer labs.  

  

Expanding the use of Transfer of Assistance is one part of the Mamdani administration’s broader commitment to public housing. Through Block by Block, the administration is making the largest capital investment in NYCHA in recent history while restoring NYCHA’s role as a public developer. Those investments include comprehensive building repairs, bringing vacant apartments back online, repairing elevators, remediating mold and expanding opportunities for resident leadership through stronger Resident Associations, “NYCHA in Your Neighborhood” events and deeper tenant participation following Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) conversions.  

  

Block by Block, the Mamdani administration’s comprehensive housing strategy, outlines a path to build 200,000 affordable homes and preserve another 200,000 over the next decade. The plan also strengthens tenant protections — including an overhaul of how the City responds to building code complaints — expands pathways to homeownership, supports the workers who build housing and streamlines the production of new affordable homes.   

  

“Sol on Park marks an exciting new chapter at NYCHA of leveraging every tool in our toolbox to create new housing opportunities for both our existing residents and low-income New Yorkers citywide,” said NYCHA Interim Chief Real Estate Officer Heather Beck. “With this project, in partnership with our sister agencies and development partners, we are building 100 percent permanently affordable senior housing on NYCHA land, with homes for Morris Houses residents through Transfer of Assistance, and a brand-new space for the Morris Houses Resident Association. I want to thank and congratulate the Morris Houses community for participating in this planning process with us over many years where your ideas and input helped to shape this great project in your community.”  

MINNESOTA MADNESS: Governor Tim Walz Pardons Criminal Illegal Alien Convicted of Sexually Assaulting a 10-Year-Old Girl

 

Governor Walz’s pardon removes this child rapist’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the United States

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement condemning Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his fellow sanctuary politicians after they granted a pardon for an illegal alien who had been convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.

Tou Lue Vang

On June 10, 2026, the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission voted to grant a pardon for Tou Lue Vang, a criminal illegal alien from Laos. Vang had been convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Vang was set to be removed from the country imminently after the pardon was announced. Now, the pardon could thwart his removal from the United States.

The letter from the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission announcing Vang’s pardon. 

According to court filings, Vang repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl between 2002 and 2004. On one occasion, he tried to offer his victim $10 to keep quiet about the sexual assaults. While being interviewed by police, he tried to justify his actions by saying that for him “it is a cultural thing...to marry and have sex with girls as young as 12.” He also claimed that the victim was just as guilty as him and should also be arrested.

Following his conviction, a Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration Judge issued Vang a final order of removal on October 31, 2006.

“Governor Tim Walz's decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting. Tou Lue Vang lost his legal status following his conviction for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. Following the conviction, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge. This pardon will take away this child rapist’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the United States.”

Vang entered the United States in California in 1994 and was granted legal status by the Clinton Administration. That status was revoked upon his conviction and final order of removal in 2006.

This is not the first instance of the Clemency Review Commission granting a pardon to an illegal alien with a dangerous criminal history. In May, Minnesota pardoned Jai Vang, a criminal illegal alien from Laos, whose criminal record includes convictions for robbery, robbery of a business with a gun, and driving under the influence of liquor.

DEA to Temporarily Schedule 7-OH and Related Substances to Protect Public Safety

 

Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration filed its intent to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitagynine (7-OH) and three related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).  Prior to DEA issuing this notice, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed synthetic 7-OH, and the three related substances have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. 

Two Notices of Intent (NOI) were sent to the Federal Register on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, One NOI addresses 7-OH above a specified threshold. The second NOI addresses moving 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) into Schedule 1 of the CSA.

Once the temporary scheduling orders take effect, the manufacture, distribution, sale, and possession of covered 7-OH substances will become subject to criminal, civil, and administrative provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. 

“Today’s action targets highly concentrated, synthetic 7-OH products, which pose a growing threat to public safety and health. Temporarily scheduling these substances underscores the emphasis this Administration has put on the safety, health and well-being of the American people,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole.  “This action gives law enforcement and public health partners the tools needed to address this emerging threat. We appreciate the FDA's scientific expertise and our continued partnership with HHS to address emerging threats, and we will continue to act aggressively when dangerous substances threaten Americans.”

“I commend the DEA for taking decisive action to address these addictive and harmful substances,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “7-OH, MP, MGM-15, and MGM-16 are dangerous opioids that fuel addiction and put American lives at risk. HHS reviewed the science and recommended this action. The Trump Administration will continue using every available authority to stop these deceptive products, hold bad actors accountable, and protect American families.”

7-OH is a psychoactive substance with opioid-like effects and similar risks. In its botanical form, 7-OH is found in trace amounts in the Mitragyna speciosa plant, a tropical evergreen tree indigenous to Southeast Asia that is commonly used in religious or communal ceremonies.

This temporary scheduling action does not apply to botanical kratom products that contain naturally occurring 7-OH below the specified threshold.  Instead, it targets synthesized products and those containing elevated concentrations of 7-OH as outlined in the temporary scheduling order. DEA believes these substances pose an imminent threat to public safety given their effects are highly unpredictable.

The United States has seen a proliferation of commercial products containing semi-synthetic 7-OH.  These products are widely marketed online and sold in gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops in a variety of forms, including powders, tablets, capsules, gummies, and dissolvable strips.  DEA laboratory findings indicate commercial products often contain higher amounts of 7-OH than what is found in natural-occurring, botanical kratom. 

Today's action is part of a broader effort to combat the opioid epidemic and protect American families from dangerous synthetic drugs.