U.S. Marshals Arrest Puerto Rico Most Wanted Fugitive After 14 Years

San Juan, PR – A major fugitive wanted on Puerto Rico state charges for his alleged participation in a 1998 murder of a man in Ponce, Puerto Rico was captured in Huntingdon Valley, PA, by the United States Marshals Service.

Carlos Rodriguez-Alcala was being sought on a State warrant issued in the District of Puerto Rico. He had been a fugitive from justice since 1998, when the Puerto Rico Police Department Homicide Division began investigating him for the brutal murder of a Ponce man as well as for several violations of Puerto Rico weapons laws.

Recently, the United States Marshals Service led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force became involved in the fugitive investigation and developed information that Carlos Rodriguez Alcala may be hiding in Pennsylvania working in the automotive sales industry. This information was passed on to the U.S. Marshals led Eastern District of Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force who was then able to arrest the fugitive at his work place in Huntingdon Valley, PA without incident. It was a swift arrest for this long sought after fugitive.

Carlos Morales Alcala is now awaiting extradition back to Puerto Rico to face his charges in Puerto Rico state court.

"The U.S. Marshals Service throughout the nation combines local and federal law enforcement resources to ensure that fugitives are captured no matter how long it takes. We will continue to hunt fugitives, find them, and make sure that they face their charges in court," said Orlando Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico.

Annually, investigations carried out by the U.S. Marshals result in the apprehension of approximately 34,000 federal fugitives. More federal fugitives are arrested by U.S. Marshals than all other federal agencies combined.

U.S. Marshals Service led task forces are composed of a combination of local and federal law enforcement officers to combine their expertise and resources. The objective of these task forces is to seek out and arrest the worst violent offenders in each community. Last year, U.S. Marshals led task forces arrested more than 27,000 state and local fugitives on felony charges.

The U.S. Marshals Service led Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force is composed of law enforcement officers from the San Juan Municipal Police Department, the Puerto Rico State Police, the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections, the Puerto Rico State Treasury Department, the Puerto Rico Bureau of Investigation, the Puerto Rico National Guard and the United States Marshals Service.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Peñitas Man Handed Sentence for Trafficking Firearms, Ammunition and Military Vests

McALLEN, Texas — Juan Ricardo Puente–Paez, a legal permanent resident alien residing in Peñitas, Texas, has been sentenced to 95 months in federal prison for the trafficking of firearms, ammunition and military vests as a result of an investigation that began in May 2010, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Puente–Paez, 34, pleaded guilty Feb. 29, 2012, to the attempted exportation of military spec body armor vests before United States District Judge Micaela Alvarez.

Today, Judge Alvarez handed him the sentence and further ordered he serve three years of post–prison supervised release.

On May 11, 2010, federal agents conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle heading into Mexico at the Hidalgo, Texas, Port of Entry (POE). The driver of the vehicle was identified Carlos Javier Paez–Renteria and his passenger as Juan Ricardo Puente–Paez. During a search of the vehicle, agents found four military spec interceptor body armor vests. Neither men were arrested at that time.

On Jan. 16, 2011, San Juan, Texas police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle as it left a residence on the 2700 block of Fern Street in San Juan. The driver was again identified as Paez–Renteria. During a search of the vehicle, agents found 39 Max–Pro Police and Armor Level ballistic helmets and 24 pairs of original SWAT tactical boots. Police officers then obtained consent to search the Fern Street residence, at which time agents discovered 29 more Max–Pro Police and Armor Level ballistic helmets, 36 more pairs of original SWAT tactical boots, one .22 caliber Mossberg International automatic rifle, 26 high capacity AK type rifle magazines, 103 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition, 450 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition and 166 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition. The subsequent investigation revealed these items were going to be smuggled into Mexico.

On April 15, 2011, a pick–up truck driven by Alfonso Torres was stopped as it attempted to leave the United States at the Hidalgo POE. During an inspection of the pick–up truck, agents found 11 semi–automatic rifles and 11 high capacity rifle magazines.

On June 6, 2011, San Juan police officers conducted another traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Miguel Avendano–Reyna. During a search of the vehicle, agents found 1,700 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition. The investigation again revealed the ammunition was going to be smuggled into Mexico.

Last month, Avendano–Reyna, 36, and Alfonso Torres, 42, were sentenced to 30 and 24 months in prison, respectively. Paez–Renteria, 22, is scheduled for sentencing on June 12, 2012, before Chief United States District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents investigated the case which has been prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anibal J. Alaniz.

Thirty-Two Individuals Indicted in Puerto Rico Under Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

SAN JUAN—A federal grand jury has indicted 32 individuals as a result of an investigation by the FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD), with the collaboration of the San Juan Puerto Rico, Municipal Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez announced today. The 36-count indictment, unsealed today, was brought on March 20, 2012. The defendants are charged with, among other things, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR), use of firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of firearms by prohibited persons.

The defendants were members and associates of a criminal organization that engaged in narcotics distribution and committed acts of violence, including murder, in San Juan. Since 2004, the defendants conducted the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity involving narcotics trafficking, murder, and attempted murder.

The indictment alleges that in or around 2004, the leaders of nearly all the drug gangs operating in the San Juan area formed an alliance. This alliance would help them resolve conflicts between the previously rival drug gangs in a way that would not bring about the attention of local and federal authorities, thus ensuring increased profits from drug sales for all and reducing the risk of federal charges. The leaders agreed that if conflicts arose between members of the alliance, the leaders from the different housing projects would discuss the issues with each other in order to resolve the same without violence. The leaders named the alliance “La ONU,” which stands for La Organización de Narcotraficantes Unidos (United Drug Traffickers Organization).

It is further alleged that the alliance initially worked but weakened over time. Several housing project gangs became disgruntled with La ONU and sought to break away from the organization. After several conflicts, La ONU broke into two separate rival factions, La ONU and La Rompe ONU. The housing project gangs were essentially split evenly between those belonging to La ONU and La Rompe.

From the time of the split, the goal of La ONU was to maintain control through the use of force over the drug points in their members’ housing projects and to kill La Rompe members and leaders in order to expand. Members of La ONU who committed murders and other violent acts were given benefits, including weapons, money, and the ability to advance within the criminal enterprise. Though unwritten, the general rules followed by members of La ONU included, but were not limited to: no associating with La Rompe members; kill La Rompe members on sight; no killing of other members of La ONU without leadership authorization; no overtaking housing projects/drug points owned by other members of La ONU; and no cooperating with law enforcement. Any violation of these rules was punishable by death of the violator and/or his/her family members.

The indictment details eight murders, three attempted murders, and one shooting directed toward Puerto Rico police officers, all committed by members of La ONU. These acts are as follows:

■On or about November 12, 2007, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro, aka “Jincho,” “Jeanji,” “Jan,” or “Casper”; Ramón Lanza-Vázquez, aka “Ramoncito”; and Antonio Pérez-Medina, aka “Choco,” shot and killed Orlando Medina-Serrano.

■On or about February 19, 2009, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro; Luis D. Rivera-Carrasquillo, aka “Danny KX” or “Danny Vorki”; and José Abel Ramos-Cruz, aka “Paleta” or “Tito Paleta,” killed Ángel González-Villanueva, aka “Chaple.”

■On or about January 5, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro; Luis D. Rivera-Carrasquillo; Wesley Figueroa-Cancel, aka “Hueso”; José Abel Ramos-Cruz; Luis Joel Rosario-Santiago, aka “Triple-H” or “Luis Jo”; Carlos H. O’neill-Santiago, aka “Ken-Y”; Christian Figueroa-Viera, aka “Coqueto”; and others killed Luis Antonio De-Jesús-Pérez.

■On or about April 2, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro, Wesley Figueroa-Cancel, and others shot at and fled from Puerto Rico police officers.

■On or about April 8, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro; Jorge E. Asencio-Viera, aka “Macar”; Victor Santana-González, aka “Run Run” or “Pequeño”; Pedro Juan Ramírez-Medina, aka “Peter John” or “Johnson”; Carlos Meléndez-Serrano; and others shot and killed Victor Vega-Ortega, aka “Victor El Nazi.”

■On or about May 4, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendant Edwin Bernard Astacio-Espino, aka “Bernard,” shot into a patrolling police helicopter and killed Jesús Quiñones-Santiago and attempted to kill José Rivera-Quinoñes, Eduardo Alvelo-Meléndez and Shakira Vázquez-Nieves.

■On or about July 7, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro; Edwin Bernard Astacio-Espino; Wesley Figueroa-Cancel; Pedro Juan Ramírez-Medina, aka “Peter John” or “Johnson”; Luis Joel Rosario-Santiago; Carlos H. O’Neill-Santiago; Ángel L. García-Velásquez, aka “Wiwo”; and Mike Graciany-Febu, aka “Mikey”; and others shot and killed Puerto Rico Police Officer Blanca De Los Santos-Barbosa and Manuel Medina-Rivera.

■On or about August 8, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro; Edwin Bernard Astacio-Espino; Luis D. Rivera-Carrasquillo; Victor Santana-González; Ismael E. Cruz-Ramos, aka “Chapu”; Pedro L. Ramirez-Rivera, aka “Peter Pai”; José Laureano-Salgado, aka “Geo”; Emanuel Rodríguez Isaac, aka “Manuelito”; and others killed Christian Toledo-Sánchez, aka “Pekeke.” During the course of the murder, Luis Gallardo-Rivera, aka “El Tuerto,” was shot and killed by the rival drug gang.

The remainder of the defendants who are part of the organization and participated in its criminal acts include: FNU LNU, aka “Rosco” or “Diablo”; Luis Cordero-Cruz, aka “Chapi”; Roberto L. Aponte-Cordero, aka “Pichu”; Andrés Guerra-Santana, aka “El Negro” or “Pingy”; Teddy León-Ayala; Ángel D. Ramos-Cruz, aka “Api”; Luis Llanos-Skerett, aka “Jomo”; Miguel Feliciano-Boria, aka “Chupito”; Carlos Andino Matienzo, aka “Hoffman”; José Ismael Costoso-Ramos, aka “Magnolia”; FNU LNU, aka “Luigi”; and FNU LNU, aka “José Armero,” “José Niple,” or “El Mecánico.”

“Violent drug organizations whose members hold our community hostage through violence, intimidation, and fear should think twice about the consequences of their criminal activities,” said U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez. “The investigation which led to today’s arrests is the first ever RICO Act prosecution of its nature in the District of Puerto Rico. We will use all the tools at our disposal to take dangerous criminals off the streets of Puerto Rico until we break their grip on our communities and bring them to justice.”

“The FBI is committed to dismantling street gangs and criminal organizations, such as La ONU, who terrorize and put at risk the good people of our community with indiscriminate acts of violence. These combined and proactive law enforcement efforts are intended to aggressively target these threats and take back our streets,” said Joseph Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Kidd and Sean Torriente from the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section. This unit operates under the Narcotics Unit and will exclusively handle drive-by shootings and other significant RICO and organized crime prosecutions. This unit will be initially staffed with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Torriente, Brian Kidd, and Justin Martin and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alberto López Rocafort, from the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, and will be supervised by the Chief of the Narcotics Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood. This unit is yet another component of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico’s initiative against violent crime and illegal firearms.

Twenty of the defendants are charged with capital eligible offenses. The other 12 defendants face up to life in prison. The defendants are facing a forfeiture allegation of $10,000,000. Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Former San Juan, Puerto Rico, Police Department Officer Convicted for Role in Providing Security for Drug Transactions

WASHINGTON – A former officer with the San Juan, Puerto Rico, Municipal Police Department was convicted by a federal jury yesterday for his role in providing security for drug transactions, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodriguez-Velez of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in Charge Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.

 Arcadio Hernandez-Soto, 35, was convicted in San Juan of three counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, four counts of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and four counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.   Hernandez-Soto was charged in an indictment unsealed on Oct. 6, 2010, along with 89 law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico and 44 other individuals, as part of the FBI undercover operation known as Guard Shack.

 According to the evidence presented in court, Hernandez-Soto provided security for what he believed were illegal cocaine deals on May 8, 2009; June 4, 2009; July 23, 2009; and July 13, 2010, but which in fact were part of the undercover FBI operation.   According to information presented at trial, Hernandez-Soto was employed as a member of the San Juan Police Department but acted as a security guard for what he believed were cocaine deals by frisking the buyer, providing protection for the deal and escorting the buyer in and out of the transaction.   Information presented at trial also showed that Hernandez-Soto recruited other police officers to participate in the second, third and fourth deals.

 In return for the security he provided, Hernandez-Soto received a cash payment of between $2,000 and $3,000 for each transaction.

 U.S. District Judge Carmen C. Cerezo did not schedule a sentencing date.  At sentencing, Diaz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

 The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys John P. Pearson and Richard B. Evans of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.   The case was investigated by the FBI.   The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico also participated in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

ICE arrests 13 in Puerto Rico on money laundering charges

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Thirteen individuals charged by a federal grand jury with money laundering were arrested this morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents working jointly with officers of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Puerto Rico Police Department, San Juan Municipal Police, Puerto Rico Bureau of Special Investigations, Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda), and Puerto Rico Ports Authority.

On Oct. 14 and Nov. 17, under separate indictments, a federal grand jury charged the defendants with conducting financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce by delivering moneys which involved the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity, that is drug trafficking in violation of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, knowing that the transaction was designed in whole and in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, the source, the ownership, and the control of the proceeds of such specified unlawful activity, and the laundering of monetary instruments. If convicted, the defendants face a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison.

According to the ICE HSI investigation, the defendants allegedly attempted to launder approximately $8 million of which $4 million were seized by ICE HSI special agents. The investigation also revealed that the defendants utilized a money laundering scheme called the Black Market Peso Exchange to launder the illegal proceeds of drug trafficking organizations through electronic transfers to China, Hong Kong, Colombia, Sweden, Panama, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United States.

"In recent years ICE has encountered an increasing number of major financial crimes, frequently resulting from the needs of drug trafficking organizations to launder large sums of criminal proceeds through legitimate financial institutions and investment vehicles," said Roberto Escobar-Vargas, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Homeland Security Investigations in San Juan. "We are committed to continue working with our law enforcement partners in our efforts to detect and close down weaknesses within our financial, trade and transportation sectors that can be exploited by criminal networks."