Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

April 29, 2024

By David Olen Cross

The “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report” in the last week of April 2024 has for radio show listeners and webpage followers a report on three Honduran nationals who have been charged in a U.S. District Court in Oregon for allegedly trafficking illicit drugs that killed an adult female resident of the city of Portland.

Some background information, on Friday, June 9, 2023 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon (USAODO) issued a news release titled “Three Men Face Federal Charges After Portland Overdose Death” who the subjects of interest were Manuel Velasquez-Estrejo (U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Court Case Number: 3:23-CR-00205), Jorge Rivera-Nunez (Case Number: 3:23-CR-00205) and Dennis Palma-Hurbina (Case Number: 3:23-CR-00205).

Here is an extended excerpt from USAODO’s June 9, 2023 news release on Manuel Velasquez-Estrejo, Jorge Rivera-Nunez and Dennis Palma-Hurbina:

“PORTLAND, Ore.—Three Honduran nationals are facing federal drug trafficking charges today after their supply of illicit fentanyl was linked to a fatal overdose in Portland.

Manuel Velasquez-Estrejo, 38, Jorge Rivera-Nunez, 27, and Dennis Palma-Hurbina, 23, have been charged by federal criminal complaint with conspiring to possess and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, on the morning of June 7, 2023, a sheriff deputy from the Washington Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN) responded to the scene of a fatal overdose on West Burnside Street in Portland where a deceased victim had been found by her adult son. The victim’s son told investigators that he and his mother had recently purchased around 100 fentanyl pills for $200 from a person later determined to be Velasquez-Estrejo. Later the same day, law enforcement arrested Velasquez-Estrejo in possession of approximately 1,000 multicolored fentanyl pills and two ounces of powdered fentanyl. They also located a motel room key on Velasquez-Estrejo’s person.

Further investigation revealed that Velasquez-Estrejo was staying at a motel on Northeast 82^nd Avenue in Portland with two associates identified as Rivera-Nunez and Palma-Hurbina. Investigators surveilled the motel property and arrested Rivera-Nunez and Palma-Hurbina as they were leaving their room. A search of the room returned more than six pounds of powdered fentanyl, 11,295 multicolored counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, and half a pound of methamphetamine.

All three defendants made their first appearances in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. They were detained pending further court proceedings.

This case was jointly investigated by WIN, the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Task Force (HIT), Portland Police Bureau, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).” – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

After being arrested in June of 2023, Manuel Velasquez-Estrejo, Jorge Rivera-Nunez and Dennis Palma-Hurbina were all initially incarcerated with U.S. Marshalls Service (USM) Holds placed on them at the Multnomah County Jail (MCJ) in Portland, Oregon.

An important fact to understand, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), undertakes a significant role in the federal government’s law enforcement anti-drug trafficking mission.

Seeking detailed information on the historical immigration status of Manuel Velasquez-Estrejo, Jorge Rivera-Nunez and Dennis Palma-Hurbina on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” contacted via e-mail U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Public Affairs for the Northwest Region which encompasses the states of, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 an ICE Public Affairs Officer (PAO) responded via e-mail with the following statement on Dennis Palma-Hurbina:

“ICE officers make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a professional and responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement officials and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland.

ON BACKGROUND:

Dennis Eduardo Palma-Hurbina, 23, is a citizen of Honduras unlawfully present in the U.S. Palma-Hurbina was previously convicted in 2021of assault in Salt Lake City, Utah, receiving a sentence of 304 days jail with 264 days suspended before officers assigned to ERO Seattle encountered him following his arrest on charges related to drug trafficking June 7, 2023. Palma-Hurbina is currently held in Oregon awaiting criminal trial.” – ICE Public Affairs Spokesperson.

Followers of the “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report” interested in learning more about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), important role in “managing all aspects immigration enforcement process” of this country should visit the ERO webpage titled “Enforcement and Removal Operations.”

A thank you goes out to the ICE Public Affairs team who contributed information to help make the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” possible.

If Dennis Palma-Hurbina, Manuel Velasquez-Estrejo and Jorge Rivera-Nunez are convicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon for their roles in the trafficking of illicit drugs that killed the woman in Portland, Oregon they will likely join more than 24-thousand criminal aliens incarcerated in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) prison system.

Lars, the last week of April 2024 and another “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” for Lars Larson Show KXL FM 101.1 Pacific Northwest radio listeners and website followers.

David Olen Cross (docfnc) is a reporter on foreign national crime. He is a more than decade long contributor to the “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report.” His past crime reporting can be found at https://docfnc.wordpress.com/.

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

April 24, 2024

By David Olen Cross

The “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report” in the fourth week of April 2024 has for your radio listeners and webpage followers a report on a Mexican drug trafficker who has been sentenced to federal prison in a U.S. District Court in the state of Oregon.

Some background information, on Thursday, September 30, 2021 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon (USAODO), issued a news release titled “Leader of Klamath Falls Drug Trafficking Ring Indicted in Federal Court” who the main subject of interest was 57-year-old Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil (U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Court Case Number: 1:21-CR-00036).

Here are excerpts from USAODO’s September 30, 2021 news release on Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil:

“MEDFORD, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Medford has returned an indictment charging the leader and multiple associates of a Klamath Falls, Oregon area drug trafficking ring with conspiring with one another to transport large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from California to Oregon for distribution and sale in and around Klamath Falls.

Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil, 57, a Mexican National residing in Reno, Nevada, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and attempted distribution of methamphetamine. . . . The DEA also received assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the Central Point Police Department, the Torrance Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.” – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

More background information, while initially awaiting trial on the federal drug crime charges Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil was incarcerated on September 29, 2021 at the Multnomah County Jail (MCJ) in Portland, Oregon.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon (USAODO), issued a follow-up news release titled “DEA Investigations Result in Three Southern Oregon Drug Traffickers Pleading Guilty n Federal Court ” giving details in part on the federal criminal prosecution of Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil.

Here is an excerpt from USAODO’s November 1, 2023 news release that includes Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil:

“Defendants include the head of a Klamath Falls drug trafficking organization

MEDFORD, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that three southern Oregon drug traffickers, including the head of a Klamath Falls, Oregon, drug trafficking organization, have pleaded guilty in federal court following investigations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Medford resident office.

Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil, 59, a former resident of Reno, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.” – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil (Register Number: 63190-509) on November 13, 2023 was incarcerated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at Sheridan FCI located in Sheridan, Oregon.

On Friday, March 15, 2024 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon (USAODO), issued another follow-up news release “Three Sentenced to Federal Prison for Klamath Basin Drug Trafficking” giving details in part on the federal criminal prosecution of Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil.

Here is an excerpt from USAODO’s March 15, 2024 news release that includes Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil:

“MEDFORD, Ore.—In separate criminal cases, three southern Oregon drug traffickers, including the leader of a Klamath Falls, Oregon, drug trafficking organization, were sentenced to federal prison Thursday following investigations by the Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET), announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil, 59, a former resident of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release; . . .

U.S. v. Martinez-Gil

According to court documents, between August 1, 2019, and September 2, 2021, Martinez-Gil and various associates conspired with one another to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, in the form of counterfeit Oxycodone pills, purchased in Southern California to Southern Oregon. Martinez-Gil and others sold these drugs to distributors in Klamath and Lake counties for further distribution and sale.

On September 2, 2021, Martinez-Gil and several associates were arrested as part of a coordinated law enforcement operation and federal search warrants were executed on five locations and two vehicles connected to the group. Law enforcement located and seized more than seventeen pounds of methamphetamine and several hundred counterfeit Oxycodone pills.

On September 30, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Martinez-Gil and his associates with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and attempted distribution of methamphetamine.

On November 1, 2023, Martinez-Gil pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.” – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

An important fact to understand, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), undertakes a significant role in the federal government’s law enforcement anti-drug trafficking mission.

Seeking detailed information on the historical immigration status of Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil on Friday, March 15, 2024 the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” contacted via e-mail U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Public Affairs for the Northwest Region which encompasses the states of, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

As of Tuesday, April 23, 2024 ICE Public Affairs for the Northwest Region has not responded specifically to the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” request for an investigation and statement on Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil.

The consequences of Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil’s sentencing in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon means he will join more than 12-thousand Mexican nationals incarcerated in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) prison system.

Lars, the fourth week of April 2024 and another “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” for Lars Larson Show KXL FM 101.1 Pacific Northwest radio listeners and website followers.

David Olen Cross (docfnc) is a reporter on foreign national crime. He is a more than decade long contributor to the “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report.” His past crime reporting can be found at https://docfnc.wordpress.com/.

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

April 17, 2024

By David Olen Cross

The “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report” in the third week of April 2024 has for your radio listeners and webpage followers a report on two Mexican transnational drug traffickers who have been sentenced to federal prison in a U.S. District Court in the state of Washington.

Some background information, on Friday, March 15, 2024the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington (USAOWDW), issued a news release titled “Two Bellingham, Washington transnational drug dealers sentenced to prison” who the subjects of interest were identified as 21-year-old Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington Case Number: 2:22-CR-00191) and 24-year-old Guillermo Vieyra Sala (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington Case Number: 2:22-CR-00191):

Here is an extended excerpt from USAOWDW’s March 15th news release on Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra Salas:

“Arranged to sell undercover agents thousands of fentanyl pills

Seattle – Two members of a transnational drug trafficking organization were sentenced to federal prison today for arranging the sale of more than 75,000 fentanyl pills, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez, 21, and a citizen of Mexico, sold 2,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover agent near Bellingham. Then, Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra Salas, 24, also a citizen of Mexico, arranged a second deal involving 75,000 pills. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez sentenced Lugo Enriquez to 38 months and Vieyra Salas to 48 months in prison. Judge Martinez found troubling the large amount of fentanyl at issue here, particularly because fentanyl has become “a leading cause of death over the last couple of years.”

“Federal law enforcement is keenly focused on getting as much fentanyl as possible off our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Seizing more than 75,000 pills will save lives.”

According to records filed in the case, the case began with a tip that a Seattle-based member of the drug trafficking organization, later identified as Lugo Enriquez, was bringing bulk quantities of fentanyl pills into Western Washington from Mexico. Defendant Vieyra Salas was already on law enforcement radar, charged with a drive-by shooting where he fired 27 rounds from a car he was driving while carrying cocaine. He also has a pending cocaine trafficking charge in Skagit County.

Homeland Security Investigations undercover agents quickly set up drug deals – first for 2,000 pills with Lugo Enriquez and then for a large order of 75,000 pills with Lugo Enriquez, Vieyra Salas, and a third defendant. As Lugo Enriquez and Vieyra Salas waited for the third defendant to deliver the drugs, Vieyra Salas offered to sell the undercover agents more pills.

The third defendant arrived at a separate meeting place to deliver the pills and was arrested. Lugo Enriquez and Vieyra Salas were arrested over the following days.

The defendant who delivered the pills, Jaime Alonso Hernandez-Hernandez, 41, is scheduled for sentencing on June 7, 2024.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).” – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

An important fact to understand, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), undertakes a significant role in the federal government’s law enforcement anti-drug trafficking mission.

Seeking detailed information on the historical immigration status of Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra Salas on Monday, March 18, 2024 the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” contacted via e-mail U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Public Affairs for the Northwest Region which encompasses the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

As of Tuesday, April 16, 2024 ICE Public Affairs for the Northwest Region has not responded specifically to the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” request for investigations and statements on Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra Salas.

Most Recently, on Tuesday, April 17, 2024 Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez (BOP Register Number: 27906-510; Release Date: 06/29/2025) and Guillermo Vieyra Salas (BOP Register Number: 27685-510; Release Date: 03/17/2026) were incarcerated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at SeaTac FDC located in Seattle, Washington.

Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra Salas sentencing in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington means they have joined more than 12-thousand Mexican nationals incarcerated in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) prison system.

Lars, the third week of April 2024 and another “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” for Lars Larson Show KXL FM 101.1 Pacific Northwest radio listeners and website followers.

David Olen Cross (docfnc) is a reporter on foreign national crime. He is a more than decade long contributor to the “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report.” His past crime reporting can be found at https://docfnc.wordpress.com/.

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report

April 11, 2024

By David Olen Cross

The “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report” in the second week of April 2024 has for your radio listeners and webpage followers a report on a Mexican national federally charged with drug trafficking awaiting sentencing in a U.S. District Court in the state of Washington..

Some background information, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington (USAOWDW), issued a news release titled “Drug trafficker who created fortified compound at Bellingham homeless encampment pleads guilty” who the main subject of interest was Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington Case Number: 24-CR-43-KKE).

Here is an extended excerpt from USAOWDW’s March 13, 2024 news release on Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez:

“Arrested retuning from drug run with more than 65,000 fentanyl pills – searches turn up guns and more drugs

Seattle – A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico pleaded guilty today to drug trafficking and firearms charges related to his distribution of narcotics at a Bellingham homeless encampment, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinezhas been in federal custody since he was arrested on August 29, 2023, following a traffic stop near Brownsville, Oregon. Vasquez-Martinez will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Evanson on June 11, 2024.

 According to the plea agreement, Vasquez-Martinez lived in a fortified encampment within an area known as the “Walmart encampment” in Bellingham. Vasquez-Martinez admits having armed guards acting as security around the main structure where he stayed. The encampment is called the Walmart encampment because it stretches a half-mile east of Walmart.

Law enforcement has responded to a wide range of incidents at the encampment and received information that Vasquez-Martinez was a significant drug supplier to the area. While Vasquez-Martinez was under investigation, he was stopped in Oregon apparently returning from California where he had picked up a supply of drugs. When Vasquez-Martinez’ car was searched, law enforcement found more than seven kilos of fentanyl pills – more than 65,000 pills in all. Vasquez-Martinez admits he was on his way back to Western Washington to distribute the fentanyl. They also seized $3,000 in cash and multiple cell phones. On that same day, law enforcement searched a storage locker in Lynnwood registered to Vasquez-Martinez’ wife. In it they found three kilos of fentanyl powder, 300 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 1.9 kilograms of heroin, and a 9mm handgun and $46,000 in cash. Vasquez-Martinez admits that 9mm handgun was used in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

Finally, on August 31, 2023, law enforcement searched the compound where Vasquez-Martinez had been living. They seized more than $4,000 in cash and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. They also seized a sawed-off shotgun.

Due to the drug amounts and the possession of the firearms, Vasquez-Martinez faces a mandatory minimum ten years in prison. Both possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute are punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed.” – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.”

Seeking detailed information on the historical immigration status of Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez on Friday, March 15, 2024 the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” contacted via e-mail U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Public Affairs for the Northwest Region which encompasses the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

As of Wednesday, April 10, 2024 ICE Public Affairs for the Northwest Region has not responded specifically to the “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” request for investigation and statement on Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez.

Currently, on April 11, 2024 Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez (BOP Register Number: 44898-086) is incarcerated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at SeaTac FDC located in Seattle, Washington.

Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez after being sentenced in the near future in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington will very likely join of more than 12-thousand Mexican nationals incarcerated in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) prison system.

Lars, the second week of April 2024 and another “Criminal Alien of the Week Report” for Lars Larson Show KXL FM 101.1 Pacific Northwest radio listeners and website followers.

David Olen Cross (docfnc) is a reporter on foreign national crime. He is a more than decade long contributor to the “Lars Larson Show: Criminal Alien of the Week Report.” His past crime reporting can be found at https://docfnc.wordpress.com/.

U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons: Criminal Alien Report March 2024

U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons: Criminal Alien Report March 2024

April 1, 2024

By David Olen Cross

The United States having a significant foreign national population residing within the nation’s boundaries, be they legally or illegally present in the country, unfortunately includes those who commit crimes.

The extent and impact of foreign national crime on the U.S. citizens and residents of this country is clearly revealed by a simple search on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmates statistics website under the heading of inmate citizenship.

Here are the countries of origin, moreover, the number and percentage of those countries citizens recently incarcerated in the U.S. BOP prison system (Note: The most recent BOP crime numbers available were from March 23, 2024.).

Inmate Citizenship:

– Mexico 12,429 inmates, 8.0 percent;
– Dominican Republic 1,566 inmates, 1.0 percent;
– Colombia 1,446 inmates, 0.9 percent;
– Cuba 679 inmates, 0.4 percent;
– Other / unknown countries 7,728 inmates, 5.0percent;
– United States 131,409 inmates, 84.6 percent;

Total: 155,257 inmates.

To explain the meaning of these preceding criminal alien inmate numbers and percentages, I will translate them into words:

Combining March 23rd BOP criminal alien inmate numbers, there were 23,848 criminal aliens in the BOP prison system. Alien inmates were 15.4 percent of the federal prison population.

With 12,429 Mexican nationals being incarcerated in the BOP prison system, at 52.1 percent, they represent a significant majority of criminal aliens in federal prisons.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons breaks down the federal prison population into 13 types of offenses. One of the top five offenses, the reason inmates are serving time in federal prisons is for immigration crimes. There were 6,799 inmates in the BOP prison system incarcerated for immigration crimes; they were 4.7 percent of the federal prison population.

David Olen Cross of Salem, Oregon is crime researcher who writes on immigration issues and foreign national crime. The preceding report is a service to federal, state, county and city elected and non elected governmental officials to help them assess the impact of foreign national crime in the United States of America. He can be reached at docfnc@yahoo.com. His past crime reports can be found at https://docfnc.wordpress.com/.