Border Patrol Agents Arrest Individual with Warrant

Las Cruces, N.M. –A suspected criminal alien from Guatemala was apprehended yesterday in a rural area near the CBP U.S. Border Patrol traffic checkpoint on I-25 outside of Las Cruces, N.M. by agents riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

The arrest was made on July 2, when ATV units from the Las Cruces Border Patrol Station encountered a male subject walking along the railroad tracks, who admitted to being in the U.S. illegally. After his arrest, his biometric information was submitted into the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), which revealed that 36-year-old Erwin Flores was a Guatemalan Citizen who had a positive, extraditable felony warrant for robbery out of Los Angeles, Calif. In addition, records showed that Flores was previously deported from the U.S.

Flores is currently being detained at the Dona Ana County, N.M. Detention Center pending extradition to California. He will also be prosecuted for his illegal re-entry and ultimately removed from the U.S.

Agents suspect that the Guatemalan National was attempting to circumvent checkpoint operations on I-25 and Highway 185 during the time of his apprehension and arrest.

This apprehension is the latest testament to the vigilance and hard work by the men and women of the El Paso Sector Border Patrol. The arrest also showcases the collaborate efforts with other law enforcement agencies in the area to sustain the quality of life in our communities by keeping known criminals off our streets.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Hogsett Announces More Success in Violent Crime Initiative

INDIANAPOLIS—Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today that Michael G. Adkins, 43, Indianapolis, was sentenced to 134 months in prison by U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence following his guilty plea to armed bank robbery. The sentence imposed was at the high end of the federal sentencing guidelines. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

On Saturday, September 5, 2009, at approximately 11:15 a.m., two males armed with handguns robbed the Huntington National Bank branch located at 6714 Rockville Road, Indianapolis. The robbers drove into the bank parking lot in a tan-colored four-door vehicle.

Bank security surveillance showed one robber, later confirmed to be Adkins, wearing a large black wig, a dark-colored hooded jacket, dark gray loose-fitting sweat pants, and white tennis shoes. The other robber wore markedly different clothing. Both entered the bank and Adkins brandished a firearm while ordering the bank tellers to cooperate. While the robbery was in progress, an adult female and her two children drove up to the bank and parked directly in front of the main doors. The woman and her children walked into the bank. The woman’s 11-year-old daughter entered the bank first. Adkins immediately pulled the child toward him, put his arm around her head, and held it in a headlock, with the handgun held to her head. He dragged her to the teller counter and ordered the bank tellers to hurry up. After the second robber grabbed the money from the bank’s vault area, he jumped back over the counter, and then Adkins released the child. Both men exited the bank.

During the bank robbery, a witness and a bank loan officer were both able to record the license plate number from the tan-colored vehicle, which had backed into a parking spot directly in front of the office window. A witness dialed 911 and relayed the information to a dispatcher from the Marion County Sheriff’s Department 911 Center. Police were able to locate the vehicle shortly after the bank robbery at an apartment complex not far from the bank. DNA testing of clothing found near the car proved it to be the same clothing Adkins was wearing as identified on bank surveillance tapes. Police were also able to identify Adkins’ through his cell phone activity going to and from the bank robbery. Beth Moench, the female who entered the bank with her children, is facing charges for aiding and abetting the bank robbery.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Lawrence also imposed full restitution in the amount of $42,259, and five years’ supervised release following Adkins’ release from prison.

4 additional Ohio counties to benefit from ICE program to enhance identification and removal of aliens convicted of a crime

DAYTON, Ohio- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today began using the Secure Communities program in Crawford, Miami, Shelby and Wayne counties to help federal immigration officials identify criminal aliens in state prisons and local jails by running their fingerprints against federal immigration databases when they are booked into the system.

"Secure Communities enhances public safety by enabling ICE to identify and remove criminal aliens more efficiently and effectively from the United States," said Secure Communities Acting Assistant Director Marc Rapp. "As we expand ICE's use of biometric information sharing nationwide, we are helping to keep communities safe and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system."

With the expansion of Secure Communities to these four counties, ICE is using this capability in 60 Ohio jurisdictions. Across the country, ICE is using this capability in 1,188 jurisdictions in 41 states. Since ICE began using this enhanced information sharing capability in October 2008, Secure Communities has resulted in the removal of more than 72,000 criminal aliens-more than 26,000 of whom were convicted of violent crimes, such as murder, rape, kidnapping and the sexual abuse of children. ICE continues to work with its law enforcement partners across the country to responsibly and effectively implement Secure Communities and plans to reach complete nationwide deployment by 2013.

Prior to the implementation of Secure Communities, fingerprints taken of individuals charged with a crime and booked into state or local custody were checked for criminal history information against the Department of Justice's (DOJ) criminal history records. Once Secure Communities is activated in a jurisdiction, the fingerprints that jurisdiction submits to DOJ's biometric system to check for criminal history records are also automatically sent to DHS' biometric system to check against its immigration law enforcement records. When a match is discovered, ICE evaluates the specific case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate enforcement action. ICE prioritizes the removal of criminal aliens convicted of serious crimes such as major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping, as well as other threats to public safety, such as those with known gang affiliations, drunk driving arrests, or who are fugitives or frequently try to game the immigration system.

The biometric systems are maintained by DHS's US-VISIT program and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

"US VISIT is proud to support ICE by providing comprehensive, reliable information to assist in the smart and effective enforcement of our immigration laws," said US-VISIT Director Robert Mocny. "By enhancing the interoperability of DHS's and the FBI's biometric systems, we are helping federal, state and local government better protect our communities and our nation."

"Under this federal information sharing initiative, ICE will be utilizing FBI system enhancements that allow improved information sharing at the state and local law enforcement level based on positive identification of incarcerated criminal aliens," said Daniel D. Roberts, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division. "Additionally, ICE and the FBI are working together to take advantage of the strong relationships already forged between the FBI and state and local law enforcement necessary to assist ICE in achieving its goals."

Hardin County, Iowa, next to benefit from ICE strategy to use biometrics to identify and remove aliens convicted of a crime

POSTVILLE, Iowa - On Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began using a federal information-sharing capability in Hardin County that helps federal immigration officials use biometrics to identify aliens, both lawfully and unlawfully present in the United States, who are booked into local law enforcement's custody for a crime. This capability is part of Secure Communities-ICE's comprehensive strategy to improve and modernize the identification and removal of aliens convicted of a crime from the United States.

This capability is part of Secure Communities - ICE's comprehensive strategy to improve and modernize the identification and removal of aliens convicted of a crime from the United States.

Prior to the activation of Secure Communities, fingerprint-based biometric records taken of individuals charged with a crime and booked into local custody were checked for criminal history information against the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Now, through enhanced information sharing between DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), biometrics submitted through the state to the FBI will be automatically checked against both the FBI criminal history records in IAFIS and the biometrics-based immigration records in DHS's Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).

If fingerprints match those of someone in DHS' biometric system, the new automated process notifies ICE. ICE evaluates each case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate enforcement action. This includes aliens who are in lawful status and those who are present without lawful authority. Once identified through fingerprint matching, ICE will respond with a priority placed on aliens convicted of the most serious crimes first-such as those with convictions for major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping.

"The Secure Communities strategy provides ICE with an effective tool to identify criminal aliens in local custody," said Secure Communities Assistant Director David Venturella. "Enhancing public safety is at the core of ICE's mission. Our goal is to use biometric information sharing to remove criminal aliens, preventing them from being released back into the community, with little or no additional burden on our law enforcement partners."

With the expansion of the biometric information sharing capability to Hardin County, ICE is using this capability in three Iowa jurisdictions, including Polk and Pottawattamie counties. Across the country, ICE is using this capability in 998 jurisdictions in 37 states. By 2013, ICE plans to be able to respond nationwide to all fingerprint matches generated through IDENT/IAFIS interoperability.

"We are extremely pleased to have been chosen to receive this enhanced technology and to continue working together with Federal Immigrations Officials to identify and remove criminal aliens from our communities," said Hardin County Sheriff, Tim Smith.

Since ICE began using this enhanced information sharing capability in October 2008, immigration officers have removed from the United States more than 59,300 aliens convicted of a crime. ICE does not regard aliens charged with, but not yet convicted of crimes, as "criminal aliens." Instead, a "criminal alien" is an alien convicted of a crime. In accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE continues to take action on aliens subject to removal as resources permit.

The IDENT system is maintained by DHS's US-VISIT program and IAFIS is maintained by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

"US VISIT is proud to support ICE, helping provide decision makers with comprehensive, reliable information when and where they need it," said US-VISIT Director Robert Mocny. "By enhancing the interoperability of DHS's and the FBI's biometric systems, we are able to give federal, state and local decision makers information that helps them better protect our communities and our nation."

"Under this plan, ICE will be utilizing FBI system enhancements that allow improved information sharing at the state and local law enforcement level based on positive identification of incarcerated criminal aliens," said Daniel D. Roberts, assistant director of the FBI's CJIS Division. "Additionally, ICE and the FBI are working together to take advantage of the strong relationships already forged between the FBI and state and local law enforcement necessary to assist ICE in achieving its goals."

For more information about how ICE is using biometrics to identify aliens convicted of a crime, visit www.ice.gov/secure_communities.

3 South Carolina counties to benefit from ICE strategy to use biometrics to identify and remove aliens convicted of a crime

RIDGELAND, S.C. - On Dec. 14, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began using a federal information sharing capability in Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties that helps federal immigration officials use biometrics to identify aliens, both lawfully and unlawfully present in the United States, who are booked into local law enforcement's custody for a crime. This capability is part of Secure Communities - ICE's comprehensive strategy to improve and modernize the identification and removal of aliens convicted of a crime from the United States.

Previously, biometrics - fingerprints - taken of individuals charged with a crime and booked into custody were checked for criminal history information against the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Now, through enhanced information sharing between DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), biometrics submitted through the state to the FBI will be automatically checked against both the FBI criminal history records in IAFIS and the biometrics-based immigration records in DHS's Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).

If fingerprints match those of someone in DHS' biometric system, the new automated process notifies ICE. ICE evaluates each case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate enforcement action. This includes aliens who are in lawful status and those who are present without lawful authority. Once identified through fingerprint matching, ICE will respond with a priority placed on aliens convicted of the most serious crimes first-such as those with convictions for major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping.

"The Secure Communities strategy provides ICE with an effective tool to identify criminal aliens in local custody," said Secure Communities Assistant Director David Venturella. "Enhancing public safety is at the core of ICE's mission. Our goal is to use biometric information sharing to remove criminal aliens, preventing them from being released back into the community, with little or no additional burden on our law enforcement partners."

With the expansion of the biometric information sharing capability to Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, ICE is using this capability in 13 South Carolina jurisdictions. Across the country, ICE is using this capability in 861 jurisdictions in 34 states. By 2013, ICE plans to be able to respond nationwide to all fingerprint matches generated through IDENT/IAFIS interoperability.

Since ICE began using this enhanced information sharing capability in October 2008, immigration officers have removed from the United States more than 50,600 aliens convicted of a crime. ICE does not regard aliens charged with, but not yet convicted of crimes, as "criminal aliens." Instead, a "criminal alien" is an alien convicted of a crime. In accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE continues to take action on aliens subject to removal as resources permit.

The IDENT system is maintained by DHS's US-VISIT program and IAFIS is maintained by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

"US-VISIT is proud to support ICE, helping provide decision makers with comprehensive, reliable information when and where they need it," said US-VISIT Director Robert Mocny. "By enhancing the interoperability of DHS's and the FBI's biometric systems, we are able to give federal, state and local decision makers information that helps them better protect our communities and our nation."

"Under this plan, ICE will be utilizing FBI system enhancements that allow improved information sharing at the state and local law enforcement level based on positive identification of incarcerated criminal aliens," said Daniel D. Roberts, assistant director of the FBI's CJIS Division. "Additionally, ICE and the FBI are working together to take advantage of the strong relationships already forged between the FBI and state and local law enforcement necessary to assist ICE in achieving its goals."

For more information about how ICE is using biometrics to identify aliens convicted of a crime, visit http://www.ice.gov/secure_communities.

2007 Biometric Consortium Conference and Biometrics Technology Expo

Dates: September 11-13, 2007

Location: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Conference Registration
Fees:
Government/Non-Profit - $495
Industry/Consultant/Other - $595
Student - $295
Exhibit Hall Only - Free

Conference Internet Web Site
www.nist.gov/bc2007/

Expo Internet Web Site
www.biometricstechexpo.com

Anticipated Attendees
We anticipate 800-1000 attendees at the Conference with 100 speakers, representatives from over 60 federal, State and Local agencies, and 25 universities. Attendees will include government executives and program managers, biometric technology vendors, system integrators, commercial technology users, researchers, and policy makers.

2007 Program
As the leading Biometric conference, BC2007 will address the important role that biometrics plays in the identification and verification of individuals for government and commercial applications worldwide.

Scheduled Keynote Speaker:
“Dr. John H. Marburger, III, Science Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy“
Scheduled Sessions:
Advanced Biometric Systems and Technologies
Biometric Standards
Biometric Technology in the Department of Justice
Biometrics in Financial Applications
Challenges and Opportunities to Implementing Biometrics in Transportation
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Executive Office of the President of the US, National Science & Technology Council, Subcommittee on Biometrics & Identity Management
International Biometric Industry Association
Introduction to Biometrics
Nanotechnology and Biometrics
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Research Symposium (CITeR/IEEE)
Security of Biometrics
Status of Biometrics and Other Special Topics

2007 Biometric Consortium Conference Sponsors:
National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)
National Security Agency (NSA)
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DoD Biometrics Task Force
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
General Services Administration - Office of Technology Strategy
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, U.S. Department of Transportation
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association