Press Releases
We respond to media requests and queries through our Office of Public Affairs (OPA).
We respond to media requests and queries through our Office of Public Affairs (OPA). Reporters and journalists can contact us about HSI activities, operations, or policies at (202) 732-4646 or email HSImedia@hsi.dhs.gov.
Florida Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Videos
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A Southwest Florida Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking (INTERCEPT) Task Force investigation led to a Florida man being sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison for distributing videos depicting the sexual abuse of a child.
Honduran National Arrested for Allegedly Retaliating Against Federal Witness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Honduran national was arrested March 1 in Antioch for allegedly conspiring to retaliate and allegedly retaliating against a federal witness following an investigation by HSI Nashville; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Nashville; and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 53 Months for Unemployment Insurance Fraud Conspiracy Resulting in More Than $1.6 Million in Losses Following HSI Baltimore Investigation
BALTIMORE — An investigation landed a Maryland man in federal prison for 53 months followed by three years of supervised release for his role in an unemployment insurance fraud conspiracy that cost his victims more than $1.6 million.
Florida Man Indicted for Smuggling 25 Migrants from the Bahamas Aboard Boat
ORLANDO, Fla. — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Space Coast investigation has led to the indictment of a Florida man charged with 25 counts of human smuggling.
2 Monkeys Intercepted at Texas Port of Entry
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists intercepted two howler monkeys at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge and turned them over to federal authorities.
California Man Charged With Maritime Smuggling Crimes in Attempt That Killed 3
SAN DIEGO — Charges unsealed Feb. 22 against Faustino Romero De La Cruz, 40, of Santa Barbara, allege that he organized the attempted smuggling of multiple unauthorized immigrants by boat on April 10, 2022, which resulted in the tragic drowning deaths of three passengers.
Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Fatal Tractor-Trailer Smuggling Case
SAN ANTONIO — The fourth defendant in a deadly tractor-trailer smuggling case pleaded guilty to a charge related to his involvement in the organization responsible for smuggling at least 66 migrants in June 2022 that resulted in the deaths of 47 adults and six children.
HSI Nogales Case Results in Firearms Trafficking Indictment for Nogales Man
NOGALES, Ariz. — On Feb. 21, a federal grand jury indicted Jose Rene Murrieta, 30, of Nogales, on one count of smuggling goods from the United States, felony receipt of a firearm, and conspiracy to smuggle firearms out of the United States to promote a felony.
Retired Police Sergeant Sentenced to 10 Years for Distributing Child Pornography
GALVESTON, Texas — A retired Paterson, New Jersey, police sergeant has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material following an investigation by HSI Houston and partners.
Florida Man Sentenced to 27 Years for Distributing, Receiving, Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material
TAMPA, Fla. — An HSI Tampa investigation led to a 27-year prison sentence for distributing, receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.