Press Room

    

"The pace at which these agents are making cases is nothing short of phenomenal," says Shurtleff. "The impact of violent and major financial crime committed by undocumented aliens is even more serious and profound than originally believed."

The Utah Legislature appropriated funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to set up the strike force. The Utah Attorney General's Office has a prosecutor, six investigators and one paralegal working with investigators with the Utah Department of Public Safety, and with support from the U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and local law enforcement agencies to stop identity theft, human trafficking, illegal drugs and violent crimes.

"The SECURE Strike Force is doing what it set out to do and now we are seeing the dividends," said Representative Brad Dee. "I appreciate the work of the Attorney General's Office and all of the law enforcement agencies who are working together to get this problem solved." Rep. Dee and Senator Scott Jenkins sponsored the legislation that funded the strike force.

Some notable cases being handled by the strike force:

• One suspect is facing felony forgery counts after agents found and seized more than 1,000 completed and partial ID cards at his home in West Valley City. Agents found computers, high resolution scanners, professional grade lamination machines, firearms and more than $4,000 in cash. The high quality ID cards were sold to illegal aliens in parking lots throughout the Salt Lake valley.
• The owners of North Star Auto are charged with communications fraud and forgery for allegedly created car loans using fake Social Security numbers, drivers licences and employment and tax information. The owners allegedly sold cars to people who could not legally buy or drive them. If payments were not made, the owners allegedly repossessed the vehicle and then sold it to another undocumented alien. Some vehicles were transferred dozens of times and numerous financial institutions lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in bad loans.
• One suspect is charged with ten third-degree felony counts of practicing dentistry without a license. Agents found dental tools, equipment and pulled teeth at his American Fork home.
• An undocumented alien living in West Jordan is facing drug and firearm charges. The suspect had been previously arrested under five different identities and had warrants and outstanding charges from several law enforcement agencies.
• Two undocumented aliens are facing federal charges for possessing a firearm.
• Two suspects are charged with felonies for possessing methamphetamine, stolen property and firearms.

The strike force participated in two "Gang Surge Operations" that resulted in the arrests of 76 gang members and gang associates. State and federal prosecutors are now bringing felony charges against 36 people ranging from murder to drug possession and deporting the remaining 40 people arrested in "Operation Community Shield."

"Continuing to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods is a priority for all of us," says U.S. Attorney Brett L. Tolman. "Experience shows that we achieve the most success when we use our resources in a coordinated, strategic way. Utah law enforcement officers and prosecutors have a strong history of working together to target those who disrupt the peace and safety of our communities. Operation Community Shield, the initiative targeting transnational gang members for prosecution and deportation, is an excellent example of this. We are committed to using every tool we have as we work with our local, state, and federal partners in these proactive partnerships."

Agents have also been meeting with Utah citizens and undocumented residents to let them know the strike force is focusing only on major crimes.

"We are targeting violent and big-time criminals who are committing felonies," says Ken Wallentine, Director of Law Enforcement for the Attorney General's Office. "We are getting great cooperation from the undocumented alien community because no one wants these criminals here."

"This task force shows the impressive results we can achieve when we combine our resources and expertise to combat crime and protect our communities," said Jonathan Lines, assistant special agent in charge of the ICE office that oversees the agency's investigative activities in Utah. "ICE looks forward to continuing to work with state and local law enforcement agencies in Utah to identify and seek justice for those foreign nationals engaged in criminal activity that puts Utah residents, including members of the immigrant community, at risk."

Today's press conference can be viewed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/utah-attorney-general.

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