For Release: Feb. 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
U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Ernestine Fobbs
Phone: 202-514-2648
Email: Ernestine.Fobbs@dhs.gov
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:
“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 Battery |
Ethiopia |
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 13-15 |
Argentina |
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, VA |
Sexual 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, VA |
Communicate 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 Indecent |
Guatemala |
Woodbridge, VA |
Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian |
Philippines |
Woodbridge, VA |
Sexual Abuse |
Egypt |
Woodbridge, VA |
Aggravated Sexual Battery |
