McDonnell, I.C.E. Announce Arrests of Criminal Alien Sex Offenders in Virginia

McDonnell, I.C.E. Announce Arrests of Criminal Alien Sex Offenders in Virginia

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Puts 171 Sex Offenders into Removal Proceedings

Attorney General Requested Review of Sex Offender Registry; Offers it as National Model

RICHMOND - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, joined by leaders of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Virginia State Police, today announced a major law enforcement action to remove 171 convicted criminal alien sex offenders from Virginia. The joint action will serve as a model for other states. ICE called this "Operation Cold Play," and said it was a component of "Operation Predator," which is a multi-year effort targeted at sex offenders nationwide. Today's announcement concludes Phase I of this ongoing operation.

In 2006, Attorney General Bob McDonnell worked with the Virginia General Assembly on numerous improvements to Virginia's Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. In addition, the Attorney General assisted in securing 45 new state trooper positions to ensure compliance with Registry regulations and investigative violations. In July of 2007, with the additional investigative resources dedicated to the Sex Offender Registry, the Attorney General requested that the Virginia State Police check the birthplace of each individual on the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry, and share this information with ICE. The Virginia State Police compiled the list and turned it over to ICE in July of 2007. The original list consisted of 527 names.

ICE agents ran the list against two different federal databases. The process led to the following findings and action:

84 Convicted criminal alien sex offenders on the list had already left the country or been deported

135 Convicted criminal alien sex offenders were incarcerated in the Commonwealth of Virginia (state and local facilities) and are now being processed for removal from the U.S. upon completion of their incarceration

36 Convicted criminal alien sex offenders have been recently taken into federal custody through a joint action involving ICE and Virginia State Police and have been put into removal proceedings.

"This is a milestone in our effort to remove criminal illegal aliens from the Commonwealth," McDonnell said. "Using the data from our improved Sex Offender Registry, and the additional manpower of the troopers assigned to the new State Police Sex Offender Investigative Unit, we were able to get specific information to ICE and remove dangerous criminal alien sex offenders from Virginia. We have the resources in place to make significant progress in removing criminal aliens from our Commonwealth. Public safety demands that we utilize these resources."

McDonnell continued, "I trust all Virginians agree that there is no place in Virginia for criminal alien sex offenders. We must take every possible step to remove these dangerous criminals from our Commonwealth and nation. Criminal aliens threaten our citizens and our communities, and they undermine the rule of law. I thank the dedicated officers at ICE and the Virginia State Police for their important, and continuing, work on this public safety initiative. Virginia will be safer because of what we have accomplished today."

"Since the establishment of the Sex Offender Investigative Unit in 2007 and with the assistance of Virginia Probation and Parole, the Virginia State Police have made significant progress in the maintenance and enforcement of Virginia's Sex Offender Registry," said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "Working with ICE is one more partnership the state police utilizes to enhance the safety of our communities throughout Virginia."

"Operation Cold Play is a joint effort between the Commonwealth of Virginia and ICE. This kind of team work among law enforcement agencies ensures a successful outcome," said Vincent Archibeque, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Detention and Removal. "Aliens who commit crimes like this in our communities will not get another chance to victimize our citizens. We will continue to work towards our shared goal of removing these predators from our communities.

"ICE will continue its efforts in Phase II of this initiative to include a review of the remaining convicted criminal alien sex offenders on the initial list and a review of any recent additions to the list.

Nationalities, Localities and Offenses of Recently Detained Criminal Aliens*Due to Federal Privacy Act Provisions, Names Cannot be Provided

Nationality Locality Criminal Offense

Bolivia Alexandria, VA Sexual BatteryEthiopia Alexandria, VA Rape; Failure to Register

India Alexandria, VA Use of Communications System to Contact a Minor

Peru Alexandria, VA Attempted Aggravated Sexual Battery

El Salvador Alexandria, VA Indecent Exposure; Indecent Exposure; Indecent Exposure

Honduras Alexandria, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

El Salvador Alexandria, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13-15Argentina Arlington, VA Rape

Laos Beaverdam, VA Rape; Assault

Mexico Blacksburg, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

El Salvador Burke, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery

Iran Burke, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

Cuba Chester, VA Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian

Honduras Clifton Forge, VASexual Battery

Honduras Culpeper, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13-15; Failure to Register

Mexico Dumfries, VA Lewd/Lascivious Acts with Child under 14

Peru Fairfax, VA Lewd/Lascivious Acts with Child; Failure to Register

Mexico Front Royal, VACommunicate with Minor for Immoral Purposes

Thailand Harrisonburg, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

Scotland Lorton, VA Sexual Battery

Germany Manassas, VA Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian; Aggravated Sexual Battery

El Salvador Manassas, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery

Guatemala Manassas, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13 to 15 years old

El Salvador Manassas, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13 to 15 years old

India Norfolk, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

Mexico Purceville, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

El Salvador Richmond, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery

Cambodia Richmond, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery; Aggravated Sexual Battery, Failure to Register

Jamaica Spotsylvania, VA Sexual Battery

Haiti Stafford, VA Use of Communications to Contact a Minor

El Salvador Sterling, VA Sexual Battery

Honduras Waynesboro, VA Rape

Turkey Williamsburg, VA Use of Communication System to Contact a Minor; Attempted IndecentLiberties with Children

Guatemala Woodbridge, VA Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian

Philippines Woodbridge, VA Sexual Abuse

Egypt Woodbridge, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery


The following was released this morning from the Office of the Attorney General:

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell
900 East Main Street,
Richmond 23219
For Release: February 20, 2008
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Website: www.vaag.com

U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Ernestine Fobbs
Phone: 202-514-2648
Email: Ernestine.Fobbs@dhs.gov