DEPORTED: DHS Deports Illegal Alien Gang Members, Including Attempted Murderers, Drunk Drivers, and Burglars

 

America is no longer a safe haven for illegal aliens

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported more illegal alien gang members from the United States, including those convicted of attempted murder, driving under the influence, and burglary.

“Last week, ICE deported more vicious illegal alien gang members from our country, including those convicted for attempted murder, driving under the influence, and burglary,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “The brave men and women of ICE work tirelessly every single day to arrest and remove illegal aliens from our communities so that we can make America safe again. America is no longer a safe haven for illegal aliens. If you are here illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and deport you.”

Among the illegal alien gang members deported are:

Eddy Ely Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and Surenos gang member, deported on August 12. His criminal history includes convictions for attempted murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, criminal street gang activity, and possession of drugs in prison.

Marco Obdulio Sarmiento Crispin, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala and MS-13 gang member, deported on August 12. His criminal history includes arrests for homicide, drug possession, and vehicle theft.

Candelario Gomez-Vasquez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and Paisas gang member, deported on August 16. His criminal history includes convictions for driving under the influence of liquor, robbery, resisting an officer, and illegal re-entry, and arrests for cocaine possession and burglary.

Julian Patino Espinoza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and Crips gang member, deported on August 10. His criminal history includes convictions for burglary, larceny, and illegal re-entry, and arrests for driving under the influence of liquor, drug possession, and possession of burglary tools.

Cristian Adonay Melgar-Cermeno, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemela and Latin Kings gang member, deported on August 13. His criminal history includes convictions for driving under the influence of liquor, burglary, and obstructing police.

Veterans Affairs Nurse Indicted for Stealing Opioids

 

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Steve Michael Kelley, 58, a former nurse who worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, was indicted by grand jury for one count of obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge. His initial appearance was before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elsa M. Bullard on August 21, 2026.

According to the indictment, Kelley is alleged to have wrongfully obtained hydromorphone, a controlled substance, from in or about January 2025 through on or about January 28, 2026.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, the Veterans Affairs Police Department, the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Federal Court Protects National Energy Security and Rejects Dangerous State Efforts to Obstruct Sable Offshore Corporation’s Operation of the Santa Ynez Pipeline

 

In a significant victory for President Trump’s efforts to unleash American energy, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California affirmed the federal government’s authority to protect national energy security under the Defense Production Act. The ruling ensures that domestically produced oil can reliably reach California refineries and safeguards the continued operation of critical pipeline infrastructure on the California coast.

“Energy security is national security,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “And the Department of Justice will continue unleashing American energy to support an affordable and reliable supply of energy necessary for our national and economic security.”  

“This ruling upholds decisive federal action to protect national security by restarting the flow of 50,000 barrels of oil per day when the stability of America’s energy supply is threatened,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division. “The Department of Justice, together with our parters at the Energy, Interior, and Transportation Departments will not allow California or environmental groups to undercut American energy.”

In a comprehensive decision, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected the State of California’s radical attempt to shut down the Santa Ynez Pipeline and dismissed efforts by California and environmental groups to impose state‑level barriers designed to obstruct federally mandated operations during a declared national energy emergency. The court’s decision ensures that sound federal energy policy — not California’s disruptive anti-energy measures — governs operation of this critical infrastructure.

This ruling comes at a time when state and local energy policies on the West Coast continue to destabilize regional supply and threaten broader national energy resilience. The Santa Ynez Pipeline transports more than one million barrels of domestically produced crude oil per month from offshore wells into California — providing a reliable domestic supply to offset foreign imports and reinforcing the Nation’s energy independence. Its continued operation is also essential to maintaining stable fuel supplies for more than 32 U.S. military installations across the West Coast, supporting operational readiness and ensuring these facilities can meet critical national defense requirements.

The court confirmed that a Defense Production Act order — issued by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright under delegated authority from the President — lawfully preempts state actions aimed at blocking or delaying Sable Offshore Corporation (Sable)’s operations of the Santa Ynez Pipeline. The court held that the only agency that should oversee the safety of two segments of the pipeline subject to a federal consent decree is the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and California’s efforts to shut down the pipeline amounted to an attempt to override federal authority and undercut essential national energy priorities.

Key components of the court’s rulings include:

• Denial of California’s motion for a preliminary injunction seeking to suspend the Energy Secretary Wright’s Defense Production Act order requiring operation of the pipeline. The court held that California failed to demonstrate any likelihood of success on the merits of its challenge because the Order is lawful and constitutional.
• Recognition of the Defense Production Act order’s preemptive force, declaring that federal law bars California’s Department of Parks and Recreation from pursuing legal actions — such as trespass claims — that would impede pipeline operations mandated by federal authority.
• Clarification that state courts may not enforce injunctions that conflict with federal directives, as the court addressed efforts by environmental groups to sustain a state‑court injunction.
• Modification of the existing federal consent decree to consolidate oversight of pipeline safety and compliance under the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, replacing California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal to prevent further state‑level interference with federally directed operations.

The decision makes clear that attempts by California and environmental groups to impose new obstacles to critical energy infrastructure — despite clear federal findings of urgent national security needs — cannot override federal law.

The Department of Justice remains committed to enforcing federal law, defending national energy security, and ensuring that vital infrastructure remains free of unlawful state‑imposed barriers. This case was litigated by the Energy and Natural Resources Division.

Permits Filed for 585 East 164th Street in Morrisania, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 585 East 164th Street in Morrisania, The Bronx. Located between Boston Road and Hilton White Way, the lot is closest to the Prospect Avenue subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Shimon Neuman of Madison Tower LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 52-foot-tall development will yield 8,569 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 18 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 476 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 37-foot-long rear yard.

Mohammad Ahead, PE is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Permits Filed for 1456 East Gun Hill Road in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 1456 East Gun Hill Road in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx. Located between Fenton Avenue and Oneill Place, the lot is near Gun Hill Road subway station, served by the 5 train. Janise Ruiz of Shobro Management is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 13,197 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 22 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 599 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Lester Katz of XPdite Group LLC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Justice Department Secures $400M Settlement with TikTok and ByteDance to Resolve Children’s Privacy Litigation

 

The Department of Justice announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok, ByteDance, and affiliated entities (TikTok) resolving litigation concerning compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations (COPPA). Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly. The settlement represents one of the largest recoveries ever obtained in a COPPA case.

“This settlement is a major victory for American children and parents,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “The Department's priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations. This resolution secures a substantial recovery while reinforcing the protections that families expect and deserve.”

“Companies that collect children’s personal information must comply with the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This resolution secures a significant monetary recovery and reflects the Department’s commitment to ensuring children receive the full protections that Congress mandated.”

Since the Justice Department filed its complaint in 2024, TikTok has undergone significant changes to its ownership, management, compliance functions, and privacy practices. The company has implemented extensive measures designed to strengthen safeguards for younger users, improve age-related controls, and enhance parental oversight. Those developments have materially advanced the public interests underlying the Department’s litigation and have strengthened protections for millions of American families.

The resolution reflects the department's commitment to achieving practical results that protect the public. By securing a significant recovery while recognizing the substantial compliance improvements already implemented, the settlement ensures that American families continue to benefit from stronger protections without the delay and uncertainty of protracted litigation.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The matter was handled by the Civil Division’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch on referral from the Federal Trade Commission.

The claims resolved by the United States in the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Fentanyl Packaging Mill Dismantled in the Bronx, New York: Packages Branded “Game of Death”

Approximately Eight Pounds of Fentanyl Seized

Seven individuals were arrested as law enforcement officers disrupted an active fentanyl packaging mill operating in a sixth-floor apartment on Bronx Boulevard in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx on Tuesday night. Approximately four kilograms (eight pounds) of fentanyl mixtures carrying a street value of over $1 million were recovered. Tens of thousands of individual dose glassine envelopes were present, including some stamped with the brand name “Game of Death.” 

Yesterday in Manhattan Criminal Court all seven defendants were arraigned on charges contained in two criminal complaints filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP). Charges include Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.

DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts, Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrests following arraignments. 

“The words ‘Game of Death’ stamped on fentanyl packages speak to the deadly reality of the poison drug traffickers are pushing into our communities,” said DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “As we recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, this investigation serves as a chilling reminder of the deadly threat fentanyl poses to our communities. Whenever fentanyl is removed from our streets, lives are saved. The DEA New York Task Force Division remains committed to protecting residents all across New York City, especially in the Bronx, as we work toward a Fentanyl Free New York.”]

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “I commend the detectives, agents and investigators who upended the ‘Game of Death’ fentanyl packaging operation in a sixth-floor apartment building near the Bronx River Drive on Tuesday evening. Shutting down an operation with mill workers fully equipped to fill tens of thousands of small glassine bags with fentanyl for street sales undoubtedly saved precious lives.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “It is alarming that these defendants were allegedly operating a fentanyl packaging mill using labels that read ‘Game of Death’ across the street from a park where children are known to play. Investigators found Narcan taped to the walls of the apartment where drugs valued at over $1 million were discovered, suggesting that those involved were protecting themselves while working to poison the public. I would like to commend the federal, state and local law enforcement officers whose work to dismantle this operation has undoubtedly made the Bronx safer as a result."

“As alleged, these defendants demonstrated such a disregard for human life that they turned a Bronx apartment into a full-scale fentanyl packaging mill, marketing their poison as the ‘Game of Death,’” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Because of this investigation, four kilograms of fentanyl — valued at over $1 million — have been removed from our streets. I thank our investigators, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their work to take this operation down and make clear that trafficking drugs is no game.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “These arrests highlight the hard work of law enforcement in pursuit of criminals who perpetuate the distribution of dangerous narcotics and enable criminal activity in our society. Because of the critical partnerships forged, the destructive actions of seven individuals have been halted. I commend our State Police members, partners with the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement colleagues for their hard work in uncovering this operation.”

The investigation was conducted by the DEA New York Drug Task Force Division (DEA-NYTFD), Group T-22, with assistance from SNP’s Investigators Unit. DEA-NYTFD Group T-22 is comprised of agents and investigators with DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York State Police, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

At approximately 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, members of DEA-NYTFD Group T-22 were conducting surveillance outside 3940 Bronx Boulevard as part of a long-term investigation into fentanyl trafficking when they observed defendants Exander RODRIGUEZ-SANTOS and Juan BURGOS leave the location. RODRIGUEZ-SANTOS, the suspected packaging mill operator, was allegedly carrying a brown paper bag, which he placed inside a Honda CRV. The pair then entered the vehicle. 

Agents and investigators approached the Honda CRV and recovered the bag, which appeared to contain narcotics in a clear plastic bag. Agents and officers took the two men into custody, and allegedly recovered a key to 3940 Bronx Boulevard, Apt. 6I from RODRIGUEZ-SANTOS. 

Members of DEA-NYTFD Group 22 entered the apartment and found four men and one woman, all alleged mill workers, present inside an active fentanyl packaging mill. Agents and officers froze the location while they obtained a court authorized search warrant. 

Shortly after 8 p.m., agents and officers searched the apartment and recovered tens of thousands of glassines containing a white powdery substance believe to be fentanyl. Four glass tables, one in the living room and three in the bedroom, were allegedly set up with all the equipment necessary for packaging fentanyl, including grinders, strainers, scales, bottled cutting agent, paper masks, and air purifiers. Bottles of the overdose reversal drug Narcan were taped to a wall. 

A safe on the floor in the bedroom allegedly contained multiple clear plastic bags with suspected fentanyl inside. Inside the living room were boxes of empty glassines, and a glass table with stamps, ink pads, and other drug packaging materials. A stamp observed in the apartment matched at least one stamped glassine seized from the Honda CRV. A warm toaster in the bedroom was allegedly being used to prepare glassine envelopes for filling. Paper shredders were also present, for the alleged purpose of disposing of discarded glassines and other paper waste. 

Narcotics seized from the apartment tested positive for fentanyl in field tests. The results of DEA laboratory analysis are pending.

During arraignments, bail was set for all seven defendants in amounts ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 cash or $100,000 to $400,000 bond.

Bridget G. Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and commended her office’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit, the DEA New York Task Force Division, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their work on the investigation.

Criminal Complaint	Charges
Exander Rodriguez-Santos  Bronx, NY  Age: 29	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Juan Burgos  Bronx, NY  Age: 37	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Luis Urena-Rodriguez  Bronx, NY  Age: 41	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Nelson Hiciano  Bronx, NY  Age: 35	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Cesar Castellano  Bronx, NY  Age: 41	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Jenny Antonio  Bronx, NY  Age: 46	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Juan Almanzar  Bronx, NY  Age: 27	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts

The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.