Homeland Security Investigations

A report published by government investigators found that fentanyl seizures decreased by 39% during the first year of the second Trump administration. The decline was linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shifting resources toward immigration enforcement, resulting in a significant reduction in staffing hours for fentanyl investigations. These resource shifts were noted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) after ICE began an “all hands-on deck” focus on immigration enforcement.

Organizers in Minneapolis learned via a court filing that they were subject to extensive government surveillance, including undercover ICE agents attending meetings and protests while the Sunrise Movement pursued nonviolent protest. The federal investigation used aggressive tactics, which included subpoenas of financial records and an apparent attempt to entice an organizer into more confrontational action. These revelations came out through reports detailing ICE investigations like Operation Puppet Master.

The federal government scrambled to find criminal cases supporting President Donald Trump’s claims of illegal voting by noncitizens, leading agents from Homeland Security Investigations to work across the country. Joe Teirab reported that after subpoenaing records on about 130 people in Minnesota, only one had been referred for prosecution, noting that the HSI task force was disorganized and the entire process was dysfunctional. ProPublica reviewed internal emails showing Department of Homeland Security’s personnel were tasked with leading this election agenda despite meager results.

Cornell University is threatening two graduate students, Momodou Taal and Amandla Thomas-Johnson, with losing their funding if they do not return to the U.S. for teaching this fall. This move comes after the university previously pledged support allowing them to complete their degrees abroad following targeting by the Trump administration related to pro-Palestine protest participation. The students fear that returning would result in detention by immigration authorities, and losing Cornell's sole funding source threatens their housing and ability to finish their Ph.D.

Erik Santana-Garcia was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole for interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity and possession of child pornography. Federal officials noted that he also illegally reentered the US following prior deportations. ICE stated that after completing his sentence, Santana-Garcia will be deported back to Mexico.

A Tennessee woman was sentenced to over 28 years in federal prison for producing and selling child sexual abuse material involving two children under 14. She was convicted of conspiracy, child sex trafficking, and distributing child pornography, with the investigation initiated after law enforcement received tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Eight people are facing federal charges in connection with an alleged sex trafficking operation centered at the Paris Adult Book Store in Northwest Dallas. Homeland Security Investigations describes it as one of the longest-running commercial sex operations in North Texas.

A Plantation man was arrested and faces federal charges for possessing child sexual abuse videos showing over 100 victims after customs officers found illicit content on his phone during a cruise inspection. Authorities allege he downloaded the videos while the ship was docked in the Bahamas and paid for them using cryptocurrency.

Michigan Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate urged the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to terminate an agreement allowing federal agencies to install surveillance technology like Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers on state property, citing concerns over First and Fourth Amendment rights. MDOT acknowledged reviewing the letter and stated that ALPRs are subject to strict regulations, while the lawmakers requested future agreements be denied and the existing memorandum be dissolved.

A Roseville woman, Deborah Louise Coatney, was arrested for allegedly sharing AI-generated nude images of a 14-year-old girl on the Kik app during an undercover investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Federal agents reported she admitted, 'I know it’s wrong,' and was charged with Attempted Distribution of Child Pornography and related offenses.

Six federal assault-on-officer cases linked to HSI Special Agent Richard Berger were dismissed in Minnesota courts due to discrepancies between affidavits and video evidence. Judges raised concerns about false or unsupported claims in the affidavits, while one case tied to Berger remains active.

Michael Gary Petersen, a Melvindale man, is accused of posting public threats on Facebook, Threads, and TikTok to shoot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, referencing violent movie scenes and altered quotes. Federal agents allege these posts followed a prior warning and a January 2026 search warrant. Petersen's social media accounts, linked to his filmmaking business Dark Fortress Pictures LLC, included captions and replies advocating violence against ICE officers.

Former federal agent Timothy Gregg was sentenced to seven years in prison for producing and transporting child sexual abuse material. He used his government-issued email to book hotel rooms where he encountered an underage victim. Officials from Homeland Security Investigations and FBI confirmed his role in the crimes.

A man was killed by a tractor-trailer in St. Augustine, Florida, after fleeing ICE agents following an encounter with federal immigration officers at a Wawa gas station. Four individuals ran on foot from the parking lot during the incident.

A 28-year-old man was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while fleeing immigration and federal agents in St. Augustine, Florida, marking the third death in a week involving encounters with U.S. ICE agents. Four individuals had stopped at a gas station before fleeing on foot, and the driver of the semi attempted to assist the deceased. Previous similar incidents occurred in Texas, Maine, California, and Virginia.

A 28-year-old man fleeing immigration and federal agents in Florida was struck and killed by a tractor trailer. The incident occurred during an encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations agents in St. Augustine, marking the third death in a week involving ICE agents.

A 28-year-old man died after fleeing from federal immigration officials in Florida and being struck by a semi truck. The incident occurred during an encounter with Homeland Security Investigations agents in St Augustine, marking the third immigration enforcement-related death in a week.

A 28-year-old man was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while fleeing immigration and federal agents in St. Augustine, Florida. He and three others had stopped at a gas station before encountering U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations agents, prompting them to flee on foot. This incident is the third death in about a week involving encounters with ICE agents.

Jonah Neal, 25, was shot by a Homeland Security Investigations agent during a mental health crisis in May. This incident is among at least four deadly shootings linked to the Memphis task force.

A Houston man was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer during an enforcement operation, marking at least the eighth death during the Trump administration's immigration campaign. The incident sparked criticism from immigrant rights groups and calls for an independent investigation. Previous fatal encounters, including a 2025 traffic stop in Texas and a 2024 protest in Minneapolis, have raised questions about federal officers' accounts due to conflicting video evidence.

A Houston man was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer during an enforcement operation, marking at least the eighth death linked to the Trump administration's immigration sweeps. The incident sparked calls for an independent investigation, as previous shootings have raised questions about officers' accounts. Two other fatal encounters involved a U.S. citizen during a traffic stop and a nurse killed during a Minneapolis protest against immigration enforcement.

Denise Nataly Migliore, a lawful permanent resident from Australia, was arrested and charged with making false statements about her U.S. citizenship to register and vote in federal elections in Louisiana in 2022 and 2024. She faces federal charges for allegedly casting ballots while ineligible and could face up to five years in prison.

Denise Nataly Migliore, a lawful permanent resident from Australia, was arrested for allegedly falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register and vote in federal elections in Louisiana in 2022 and 2024. She faces charges of making false statements and illegal voting, with potential penalties including up to five years in prison and deportation.

Three individuals were arrested in Middle Tennessee following a drug investigation that resulted in the seizure of 68 kilograms of cocaine, 36 firearms, body armor, and cash. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, alongside federal and local agencies, conducted the operation, charging Perry White, Jesus Garza, and Antonio Diaz with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

More than 300 fugitives were arrested in Chicago as federal agencies including the FBI, ATF, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a joint crackdown.

The FBI announced 305 arrests and the recovery of 24 missing children in Chicago during Operation New Dawn, a 60-day cross-agency effort involving 11 federal agencies. The operation targeted crimes including robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and child exploitation, with agencies collaborating under the U.S. flag rather than individual agency banners.

A multi-agency investigation led to the seizure of 96,108 counterfeit items valued at $7.8M from a Stanley residence on June 25. Adela Ortiz-Portillo and Ever Roberto Martinez-Olivia were charged with criminal use of counterfeit trademark and felony conspiracy. The investigation involved Gaston County Police, Homeland Security Investigations, the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, and Blazer Investigations.

A French citizen admitted to illegally voting in the 2022 U.S. federal midterm elections, claiming he believed he was automatically registered to vote after obtaining a New Jersey driver’s license. He pleaded guilty to the charge and faces up to six months in prison and a $100,000 fine.

A French citizen admitted to illegally voting in the 2022 U.S. federal midterm elections, claiming he believed automatic voter registration applied to him after obtaining a New Jersey driver's license. He pleaded guilty to voting by an alien in a federal election and faces up to six months in prison and a $100,000 fine.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized over 10,000 pounds of marijuana at the Port of Baltimore, hidden in a shipping container destined for Liverpool, England. The drug, valued at $24 million in the U.S., was discovered after a narcotics detection dog alerted authorities, with officials citing transnational criminal organizations targeting European markets for higher profits.

The Justice Department charged 15 Minnesotans linked to antifa groups with conspiracy to impede federal immigration officers. Prosecutors allege the groups used physical and soft blockades during protests in the Twin Cities to disrupt law enforcement operations, including establishing obstacles at the Bishop Henry Whipple Building. Twelve defendants have been arrested, one is in custody for other charges, and two remain fugitives.

Federal prosecutors in Minnesota are charging individuals linked to two Minneapolis-based antifa groups over alleged conspiracy to impede federal officers and violent opposition to immigration law enforcement. The case follows an executive order by President Donald Trump designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota and Homeland Security Investigations are set to announce charges against members of Minneapolis-based Antifa groups for crimes related to ICE protests. The announcement is scheduled for Tuesday morning.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 133 pounds of cocaine from a Canada-bound commercial truck near the Blue Water Bridge. The drugs were concealed in cardboard boxes during a border inspection in Port Huron, leading to the seizure of the truck and trailer and the driver facing federal charges.

ICE investigators obtained voter files from Webb County, Texas, and Forsyth County, North Carolina, as part of efforts to address alleged noncitizen voting. President Trump has long advocated for cracking down on such voting, though documented cases are rare. Local election officials shared the files in response to requests from Homeland Security Investigations.

The Trump administration is planning to deport Iranian migrants, including two women previously granted legal protection in the US, to the Central African Republic under an arrangement allowing CAR to receive deportees from third countries. Details about the timing and legal basis for the deportations remain unclear, and US authorities have not publicly commented.

President Donald Trump signed legislation authored by Sen. Josh Hawley to fund 200 additional child exploitation investigators, part of a $70 billion reconciliation package allocating $38 billion to ICE and $26 billion to Border Patrol. The measure includes $108.5 million for child trafficking enforcement, driven by testimony from Tim Tebow highlighting the scale of online child exploitation.

Federal agents discovered evidence of international child sex tourism on Krisztian Kovacs' cellphones after he arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from the Dominican Republic. Authorities found illicit videos and messages indicating Kovacs engaged in sexual activities with minor females in Colombia and made payments to a minor. Travel records showed frequent trips to Colombia and the Dominican Republic in 2025.

Norvys Colmenares and Janckeily Guerra, both Venezuelan nationals, were arrested in North Miami Beach for financial crimes including credit card fraud and possession of skimming devices. Authorities found items used in counterfeit card operations, 143 encoded cards, marijuana, and a loaded firearm in their apartment. They also faced immigration violations for unlawful entry and firearm possession.

Seven individuals, including four undocumented reentrants, were indicted for a fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking network led by a state inmate linked to Mexican cartels. The case followed an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.