HSI seizes nearly $900,000 in counterfeit merchandise at El Paso flea market

EL PASO, Texas — Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Sunday seized nearly 20,000 counterfeit items with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) worth of nearly $900,000 at the local Fox Plaza flea market.

The enforcement operation was part of the continuing efforts of HSI's Commercial Fraud Group, and the Southwest Border Financial Operations and Currency United Strike Force (FOCUS) to track down individuals who sell counterfeit and pirated products.

It took HSI special agents a few days to count the following seized items and identify the MSRP:

•           8,911 DVDs with an MSRP of: $122,210.72

•           10,669 CDs with an MSRP of: $128,454.76

•           1,728 items, including handbags, NFL merchandise and NIKE-brand sneakers with an MSRP of: $648,409.15

A total of 21,308 items were seized with an MSRP of $899,074.63.

The following Border Enforcement Task Force (BEST) members also participated in the operation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, and the El Paso Sheriff's Department. Trademark representatives were on site to authenticate merchandise. Representatives of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) also assisted.

"Counterfeiting is a significant problem that affects our economy, impacts American jobs, and puts the public's health and safety at risk," said Dennis A. Ulrich, special agent in charge for HSI El Paso. "Consumers who buy pirated products may also be funding criminal organizations with their purchases."

As the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, HSI plays a leading role in targeting criminal organizations responsible for producing, smuggling and distributing counterfeit products. HSI focuses not only on keeping counterfeit products off our streets, but also on dismantling the criminal organizations behind such illicit activity.

Operations such as the one conducted at the Fox Plaza Flea Market are coordinated through the HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) in Washington. The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. As a task force, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 20 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters.

To report IP theft or to learn more about the HSI-led IPR Center, visit IPRCenter.gov.

CBP Officers Capture Man Sought on Child Sexual Assault Charges

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the El Paso port of entry arrested a 21-year-old El Paso man who was being sought by the El Paso Police Department on two counts of sexual assault of a child. The arrest was made Sunday.

 “CBP officers working at area ports of entry this weekend identified and took custody of six people being sought by law enforcement agencies,” said Hector Mancha, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Port Director. “The vigilance exhibited by CBP officers on a daily basis is leading to these apprehensions.”

The arrest was made shortly before noon at the Ysleta international crossing when Carlos Eduardo Rios entered the port as a pedestrian and presented his passport to the CBP officer working at the primary inspection booth. The CBP officer queried the document and received notification that Rios was being sought by local law enforcement. CBP officers took the subject into custody and confirmed the warrant. Rios was turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff’s office and booked into the El Paso County Jail where he is currently detained.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws

Robbery of First National Bank Branch in El Paso

At approximately 10:00 a.m., a woman walked into the First National Bank located at 9343 Alameda, El Paso, Texas, approached a teller with a note, and demanded money. Shortly after, the woman exited the bank and fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic female, approximately 30 years old, 5’3” - 5’4” tall, heavy build, with light complexion, dark brown shoulder length hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing red lipstick, dark sunglasses, a grey in color oversized T-shirt, grey sweat pants, white tennis shoes, carrying a grey in color cloth type shoulder bag/purse.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please contact the FBI at (915) 832-5000.

Compass Bank Robbery

At approximately 9:40 a.m., 47-year-old HUGO GUZMAN walked into the Compass Bank located at 7744 North Loop, El Paso, Texas, handed the teller a note, and demanded money. GUZMAN stated he had a handgun, however did not display a weapon. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money. GUZMAN fled the bank on foot and was arrested shortly thereafter at a nearby residence by the El Paso Police Department. GUZMAN is being held at the El Paso County Detention Facility and is being charged with one count of Bank Robbery.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department.

Wells Fargo Bank Robbed

At approximately 4:30 p.m., a man walked into the Wells Fargo Bank located at 4600 Woodrow Bean in Northeast El Paso, Texas, approached a teller with a note, and stated, “This is a robbery.” The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect did not display a weapon and fled the bank on foot and was seen headed towards the Patriot Apartments, 4600 Fairbanks, across the street from the Wells Fargo Bank.

The suspect is described as a White Male, approximately 25-30 years old, 5’6” tall, medium build, wearing blue jeans, a black button-down shirt, a black hat with flaps, and dark sunglasses. The suspect was also wearing white latex gloves and had what appeared to be white makeup on his face.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please contact the FBI at 915-832-5000.

United Bank Robbery Solved

The FBI, working closely with the United States Marshals Service, completed its investigation and arrested MICHAEL JESSE FRANKLIN in connection with the January 20, 2011 robbery of the United Bank located at

125 Mesa Hills Drive, El Paso, Texas

. FRANKLIN, 39 years old and unemployed, was being held in the El Paso County Detention Facility on unrelated federal charges. He was charged with one count of bank robbery.

This case was worked by the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department.

Compass Bank Robbery

At approximately 9:30 a.m., a man walked into the Compass Bank located at 7744 North Loop, El Paso, Texas, approached a teller with a note, and demanded money. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect did not display a weapon and fled the bank on foot headed west on North Loop. The money did contain a dye pack which agents believe exploded and therefore will leave red stain(s) on the suspect.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic Male, approximately 45-50 years old, slim build, unshaven gray beard, wearing a dark work coat, dark pants, a red baseball cap and large clear glasses.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please contact the FBI at 915-832-5000.

Compass Bank Robbery in El Paso

At approximately 1:00 this afternoon, a man walked into the Compass Bank located at 6044 Gateway East, El Paso, Texas, approached a teller, displayed a weapon and a note, and demanded money. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money. It is unknown which direction the suspect fled.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 35 years old, 5’5” tall, medium build, wearing a black baggy zip-up hooded jacket, light jeans, black baseball cap, dark sunglasses, white shoes, medium/dark complexion, with a thin mustache.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please call the FBI at 915-832-5000.

First Constable’s Office Added

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books listed the first police officer from an American Constable’s Office. The Harris County Constables Office (Texas) becomes the 116th state or local police agency to have a police author listed. Additionally, two other police writers were added to the growing list of police officers turned writers.

Ron Hickman began his law enforcement career with the Houston Police Department in June of 1971. He served in a variety of assignments and obtained a broad range of law enforcement experience. He joined the Harris County Constable's Office in 1983. In 2001, Ron Hickman was elected chief constable. He holds a Master Peace Officer certification and is a 1995 graduate of and instructor for the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute. In his fictional novel, “To Dance with Death,” A female serial killer is on the loose in Hudson County, and preying on officers from the Precinct 9 Constable's Office.”

Steve Gaenzle has over 25 years of distinguished service as a peace officer. He has been decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal as well as Meritorious Services to his community. Steve began his career with the El Paso County Sheriff ’s Office in El Paso, Texas, his hometown.

The demand of knowing the Spanish language was paramount in this border town. He instructed in the West-Texas Regional Training Academy in El Paso, Texas and then continued his career in Colorado. He has been a field supervisor, Field Training Officer, undercover detective assigned to the FBI Federal Fugitive Task Force, and a lead homicide detective in a major crimes unit. In addition to being a Spanish language instructor, Steve has instructed Interview and Interrogation, Crime Scene Search and Protection and Colorado Law. Steve has been instrumental in creating new Spanish training programs for dispatchers, Patrol, Jail personnel and created Spanish training programs Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Steve is recognized as an expert in the field of the Spanish language. Steve is the lead Spanish instructor for the Rocky Mountain High Intesity Drug Trafficking Area.

Steve, who has a degree in sociology/criminology from the University of Southern Colorado, co-authored a book with Jorge Charry on “Spanish Language Concepts for Law Enforcement.”

Bill Hamner, served as a Texas law enforcement official for 32 years. He was a criminal investigator and supervisor for several police agencies, including the Dallas Police Department (1967 to 1974), Gilmer Police Department, and the sheriff’s departments of Kaufman, Johnson, and Bowie Counties.

His first novel, “Night Eyes,” is introduces the character Jack Stone, of the Dallas Police Department and his chase of a serial killer. In the follow-up novel, “Last Musketeer,” Stone returns and “uncovers a high-level conspiracy within his own department to wrestle control from two major crime families that control illegal activities in Dallas. He becomes the target of assassination by those who will stop at nothing to silence him forever. Jack Stone finds himself in a deadly game, fighting for his very existence, pitted against a powerful man chosen to be the next Dallas police chief.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 283 police officers (representing 116 police departments) and their 696 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.