New task force launched in Virginia to eliminate transnational criminal organizations
On March 14, U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert of the Eastern District of Virginia along with federal and state partners announced the recently established Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (VHSTF), an interagency group founded to combat transnational organized crime and coordinate ongoing immigration enforcement efforts across Virginia. In the two weeks since it's creation on March 3, VHSTF members have arrested 223 individuals.
The VHSTF is part of Operation Take Back America, which streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that utilizes resources from the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Hundreds of personnel, both federal and state, are supporting the task force.
The VHSTF is the first of these task forces. Task force members are building on existing partnerships and initiatives to enforce immigration laws and policies to dismantle TCOs. Task force members target TCO infrastructures utilizing the State Department's new foreign terrorist designations of various gangs. The leaders of these TCOs and cartels may be prosecuted for crimes such as terrorism, racketeering, continuing criminal enterprise offenses, violations of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
To date, the VHSTF has arrested four gang affiliates, including 18 Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) affiliates, six Tren de Aragua (TdA) affiliates and 12 individuals affiliated with other TCOs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
a day ago
- The Hill
Former member of Texas National Guard convicted of conspiring to smuggle migrants
A former member of the National Guard has been convicted of conspiring to smuggle migrants into the country by a U.S. District Court in Texas. According to a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mario Sandoval began smuggling people into the country in July 2024 after a deployment with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lone Star. During the one-day trial July 21, agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) presented text messages from Sandoval's phone in which he expressed needing drivers for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of immigration checkpoints. Footage was also presented during the trial that showed him at an immigration checkpoint while sending texts about 'law enforcement and K-9 presence.' Investigators allege that Sandoval's actions were motivated by money. 'His actions directly undermined the very mission he was deployed to support and put his fellow guard members in danger,' Chad Plantz, a special agent with HSI Houston, said. Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. The 27-year-old's defense argued that there was no conspiracy and that his text messages were taken out of context. His sentencing is scheduled for October 22, and he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. During a press conference July 2, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said there were 4,200 National Guardsmen on state active duty in support of Operation Lone Star in Texas. According to the Department of Justice, Sandoval's case is part of Operation Take Back America. The nationwide initiative is geared towards achieving the 'total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations.'
American Press
16-07-2025
- American Press
UPDATE: Oakdale police chief, marshal accused of exploiting immigration system for personal profit
Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment against several current and former law enforcement officers, including Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle and Oakdale City Marshal Michael 'Freck' Slaney. These two are among five individuals accused in a year-long investigation into exploiting the U.S. immigration system for personal profit, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook. The investigation is part of 'Operation Take Back America. Also indicted are Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, former Glenmora police chief Tebo Onishea, and Oakdale businessman and Subway restaurant owner Chandrakant Patel. Patel was booked into a Rapides Parish correctional facility, while all others were released. During a press conference Wednesday, Van Hook emphasized that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The 21-page indictment includes 62 counts against the five individuals, with allegations of immigration fraud, visa fraud, mail fraud, bribery and. money laundering. According to the U.S. Attorney General's Office, the individuals allegedly used profits from this scheme to purchase vehicles, real estate and other luxury items. Those assets are subject to seizure, Van Hook said. The U.S. Attorney General's Office, Homeland Security Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigations and Internal Revenue Service began investigating the alleged conspiracy to fraudulently obtain hundreds of U-Visas last July, after receiving a tip from another law enforcement officer. The investigation concluded on Tuesday with several arrests and search warrants being executed by multiple law enforcement agencies in Allen and Rapides parishes.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia Beach Fire Marshals seeks public help for illegal fireworks display at Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Beach Fire Marshal's Office is asking for the public's help in locating those responsible for an illegal fireworks display at the Oceanfront. According to officials, on July 4 around 9 p.m., Fire Marshals were dispatched to 45th Street in the North End section of the city for reports of a significant illegal fireworks display. Upon arrival to the scene, the show was still ongoing. Fire Marshal's said several of the fireworks malfunctioned, causing large-diameter mortars to discharge nearby spectators. Marshal's also noted a safety perimeter was not set up during the display. Following the display, investigators were able to collect the following from the scene: 96 two-inch mortar tubes 18 freestanding mortar tubes (two-inch diameter) Eight boxes of flaming balls (36 shots each) A remote-controlled firing system (app-operated) Additional assorted fireworks Marshal's were also called to investigate several other illegal displays, including at 48th, 52nd, 54th and 62nd Streets, as well as at Croatan Beach. Officials said that active fires and unexploded fireworks were found at these locations, posing a potential danger for unsuspecting bystanders. Anyone with any information on any of these illegal firework displays are asked to contact the Virginia Beach Fire Prevention Bureau by phone at 757-385-4228 or by email at VBFMO@ Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
