TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Monday announced that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained 10 illegal aliens with serious criminal histories during targeted enforcement operations conducted in October and November, according to a media release from the Attorney General's office.
The individuals were identified and taken into federal custody pursuant to the KBI’s authority under the 287(g) program, an agreement that allows designated KBI personnel to perform immigration enforcement under ICE supervision.
“Had my office not obtained 287(g) authority and investigated these cases, these dangerous illegal aliens would have continued to live in Kansas communities hiding in plain sight,” Kobach said.
The individuals detained are illegal aliens convicted of serious offenses, including:
- Second-degree murder
- Indecent liberties with a child (ages 14-16)
- Annoying/molesting children under 18 (California Statute)
- Aggravated battery
- Distribution of narcotics (opiates, heroin, and other controlled substances)
- Aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm
- Cultivation and distribution of controlled substances
They are citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
“Each of these offenders had been tried and convicted of a sex offense, a drug offense, or a violent offense. Anyone without citizenship who commits serious crimes against Kansans should not be allowed to stay in our communities,” KBI Director Tony Mattivi said.
The detentions occurred between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14 with KBI agents working in Hutchinson, Newton, Garden City, and Dodge City.
KBI agents detained:
- Jose Luis Gomez Sr. (Mexico) – Distribution of opiates/narcotics
- Alonzo Mendez (Mexico) – Indecent liberties with a child 14–16
- Gilberto Taracena Monte (Guatemala) – Annoy/molest child under 18
- Diego Nevarez (Mexico) – Distribution/possession with intent to distribute heroin (multiple cases)
- Jose Rivera-Avila (Mexico) – Aggravated assault, criminal discharge of firearm
- Bashir Omar (Somalia) – Second-degree intentional murder
- Nigisti Geberemedehni Beyene (Ethiopia) – Aggravated battery
- Yuliesky Hernandez-Padron (Cuba) – Aggravated robbery
- Jose Eduardo Garcia-Peralta (Mexico) – Distribution of opiates/narcotics
- Ramiro Erik Flores-Hernandez (Mexico) – Cultivation/distribution of controlled substances
KBI transferred the detainees to ICE custody where they face federal immigration proceedings, including removal from the United States.
The KBI entered a 287(g) agreement – which refers to Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act – with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in February. Under the terms of the agreement, a limited number of KBI agents received ICE training authorizing the agents to serve and execute warrants for some immigration violations and to issue immigration detainers.