ICE sweep nets five
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By Nate Delesline III
Published: September 23, 2008
Five people were arrested Tuesday morning in a countywide sweep for illegal immigrants, officials announced in an afternoon press conference.
About 35 town officers, sheriff’s deputies, state agents, members of the regional Blue Ridge Narcotics Task Force and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials met at the Culpeper Police Department around 3:30 a.m., where they organized into four teams which were dispatched in search of 19 individuals. Representatives of all the agencies called the effort a success.
According to a statement from the town, all five people arrested face federal charges. They were held briefly in the Culpeper County Jail before federal agents assumed custody of them late Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Jim Branch said.
“Given the nature of who we were going after, it was pretty good,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary Close, whose office also assisted in the raids.
Tuesday’s sweeps were targeted toward actual or suspected gang members, people who had returned to the U.S. after being deported, and those Culpeper Police Chief Scott Barlow described as “frequent flyers” — people who have minor, but recurring problems with the law.
After a briefing at the police department, the teams mustered on Cameron Street around 5 a.m. before proceeding to their target locations. Some of the team members donned military-style combat uniforms with masks, while others in plain clothes got into unmarked SUVs and sedans. Local officers in marked patrol vehicles accompanied the teams.
Officials reported that one man was captured after a short foot chase, while another suspect was found hiding under a bed.
Barlow said one person picked up today was wanted in New York on a weapons charge.
None of the people arrested Tuesday morning were identified by name.
Background and next steps
The raids were part of a collaborative effort begun a year ago with the creation of a Culpeper County Gang Task Force.
Officials said Tuesday’s raids weren’t the first and won’t be the last, adding that it was impossible to know how long the fallout from this latest effort would resonate through the community. Everyone also agreed that they sensed the number and presence of illegal immigrants in Culpeper has decreased recently.
The local officials acknowledged that while ICE is unable to address every immigration issue that may arise in Culpeper, the efforts and resources of the federal agents are pointed in the right direction. Based in Harrisonburg, two ICE agents are assigned to cover 22 counties. Gesturing to a stack of papers on the table, Close said 1,842 names have been faxed to federal officials since June 2006.
“Our policy at the P.D. — and I’m pretty sure the sheriff’s office is very similar — is when it comes to illegals,” said Barlow, “we are also targeting the known criminals and the gang members because that’s what ICE is willing to come get.” Branch agreed.
While gang activity may exist in Culpeper County, the officials also agreed that it hasn’t reached a crisis point, thanks to the work of the gang task force.
“If you look at the threat to the community, certainly I think ICE is on the right track with their limited manpower and resources,” Barlow said. “They are going after the worst of the worst and looking at those individuals that would harm our community”
And while some may not see illegal immigrants and their criminal activity as a serious issue, the officials insisted that most people would probably disagree with that sentiment.
“I think the vast majority of people in the community want us to step up to the plate and target known criminals,” said Barlow. “If we came across one target we thought was worthwhile, we’d get on the phone, call ICE, and they’d come down and take care of it for us.”
Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .
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Posted by ( senseit53 ) on October 04, 2008 at 11:41 am
rjma, several reports I’ve read in the past few years indicate that gangs, including MS-13 are present in Culpeper. Positive identification of gang members?? Unless they have “gang” markings, which has also been reported here, you’re not going to get many positive id’s. They’re going to try to conceal their identity, just like millions of illegal aliens so they can continue to get away with their illegal activity.
Brian, I disagree with your leaky pipe analogy. Our country is not confined by copper tubing. Yes immigration is a mess and Pres. and congress are best place to start. The American people spoke loudly in defeating amnesty bill. We need to put constant pressure on congress to secure our borders, apply current laws fairly while we reform immigration laws. Since it is evident that the problem has reached rural Culpeper, indicates both how widespread it is and that congress doesn’t get it.(kinda like the bailout) Community’s have the right to protect themselves when the Fed fails to. Ordinances to discourage illegal activity or behavior are a means to protecting rural America from this massive illegal invasion.
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Posted by ( copper ) on October 02, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Brian, you’re so lost I can’t help you. We have a gang Prosecutor and Gang Task Force for the same reason other localities have formed them, we have gangs present in Culpeper. Why do think at the Fireman’s Parade and the Fourth of July Parades in Town that we have 8-10 Northern VA. Gang Task Force Officers posted up and down mainstreet. I’ll give you a hint, they ain’t here for the parade. So continue in your denial, Prince William, Richmond, Fairfax and other counties and cities denied it also until they couldn’t hide the problem anymore. The Council other than Steve Jenkins, is afraid of being called racists for speaking out against illegal aliens. As far as Lawman is concerned, I’m sure he is a good officer but he obviously does not work in Culpeper County, because the many friends I have that ARE officers here in CULPEPER state we DO HAVE GANGS and ILLEGALS are a CONSTANT PROBLEM, so I believe them since they work HERE IN CULPEPER, not one single officer that may or maynot work here. Do you work in Patrol in Culpeper County Lawman?
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Posted by ( rjma ) on September 28, 2008 at 9:00 pm
senseit wrote:
you wouldn’t have a “gang” task forces or prosecutors without the presence of gang activity. That would be a HUGE waste of resources.
Well, I hate to break this to you but it probably is a huge waste of resources. I have never read one report (including this one) that positively id’s anyone from Culpeper being a gang member. If you could provide such a citation that that would be different. But the reason they have this task force and prosecutor is for political reasons.
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Posted by ( senseit53 ) on September 27, 2008 at 8:03 am
Brian, you wouldn’t have a “gang” task forces or prosecutors without the presence of gang activity. That would be a HUGE waste of resources. Also, raising concerns at ALL levels of government are some of the things regular citizens can do to help protect and possibly reclaim the millions of jobs stolen by illegal aliens. The more pressure put on Fed govt by citizens and the over-burdened localities where these illegal invaders gravitate, the sooner we can force congress to finally take action. Aggressively enforcing current immigration laws to help protect American jobs is increasingly important during these economic hardships felt mostly by the American middle class and poor. It’s not racist to want to protect American education systems, health care, jobs or even American values.
When I recently moved to Maryland, I was forced to not only register in my new state, but notify VA of my move withing 30 days. This type of “documentation” is important to our government for numerous reasons, yet illegals are held to a different standard. When we discover them here in violation of Fed immigration laws, they’re released. Yet, if I’m living in Maryland w/ a Virginia license, I’m fined. ??
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Posted by ( Brian ) on September 26, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I disagree with you copper. You don’t show respect for a police officer who states laws that are written on the books that must be followed. Instead you try to make an argument out of every issue. I find that you have a rather difficult time handling the truth. Have you had a chance to look up the Virginia Code that will explain it to you?
As to having a gang task force and special prosecutor the answer is simple. These folks can spend more time with gang related crimes and issues. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a gang problem in any specific county. These gang task force members work in multi-jurisdictional modes. They can concentrate on gang related crimes. You are making assumptions that just because ICE nets 5 that illegal aliens are breaking the laws in such high numbers in Culpeper but yet that is not the case. ICE raids surely won’t rid any community of illegal aliens just as the constant drug raids across this country haven’t made this country drug free. We are plagued with drugs in our nation. Don’t get a false sense of security. We have been defending drug cases for many years and long before illegal immigration was even on the table.
I don’t see LawMan bashing anyone. He is a voter and wants to hold elected officials accountable for their actions as every constituent should. It’s our job and they must answer to all of us. I myself don’t want anyone representing me as an elected official that himself can’t be responsible. Yes Mr. Jenkins said he did not feel illegal aliens should have rights. Those rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. Mr. Jenkins wanted the town to erect no loitering signs and begin enforcing it even though the law was unconstitutional. He went to the press and stated he wanted laws like Hazleton. Have you not read where it got them? Stopped dead right in their tracks. He stands up for rights when it comes to guns. We cannot pick and choose what part of the constitution we want to follow. This hopefully makes sense to you. Mr. Jenkins has hidden a hidden agenda. Many are not fooled and can read between the lines. Some just simply refuse to and choose to give him the status as hometown hero. I just can’t give him such status.
Safety is the concern of the police in the community. Identifying and arresting criminals is a top priority. Enforcement of illegal immigration is not under their authority. Police must come in contact with an individual under law as I mentioned. Police have much more serious issues to deal with when it comes to public safety. If they arrest an illegal they report the arrest to ICE. If ICE refuses to detain then those individuals can post bond. The judge must allow it without the detainer. ICE also issues a summons to many illegal aliens to appear in court and releases them. Do you think most show up? No they don’t.
The bottom line is this copper. Illegal immigration policies in this country are a mess. There has been no overhaul of the current policies. Who do we blame? Congress and the President would be the place to start. Many want to dump it on local governments and their police. This is not the answer at all. If you don’t fix the problem at its source it won’t go away. Just like a leaky pipe if you get what I mean.
Is Culpeper overwhelmed with illegal aliens who are criminals? I don’t see that from the information that I am privileged to. Do we have some that are criminals? Yes. But I would be careful at how illegal immigration is handled. The results of the actions of the police or town could be devastating when it comes to lawsuits. Yes, Mr. Jenkins is and was willing to put the town government in that position all because he gets too emotional instead of looking at all of the issues in more than one perspective. The rest of Town Council has done the opposite and does a great job representing the people.
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Posted by ( copper ) on September 26, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Don’t need to re-evaluate anything, its very simple ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL regardless of race. ICE came to Town and did their job and I really don’t need to know what they did to be deported, just that they won’t be walking our streets committing crimes is what I care about. I respect Lawman for the job he does, but don’t agree with his constant bashing of Steve Jenkins because he tries to rid our Community of illegals as other Communities are doing also. Is there something wrong with not wanting illegal aliens in our community commiting crimes and forming gangs. No gangs you say, then why do we have a gang task force and a gang prosecutor at the Commonwealth Attys Office? Safety of our Community is the issue.
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Posted by ( Brian ) on September 26, 2008 at 8:13 am
I see nothing foul or that LawMan is in support of illegal aliens. His post on September 25, 2008 shows his support for law enforcement and that they are not racist.
Look copper. You are so out there. Local law enforcement does not have the power to detain or arrest anyone in the country just being here present illegally. Law enforcement does get the request from ICE when the conduct local raids. They have limited personnel and like the presence of local police for manpower situations. ICE conducts the raids with assistance. This is common practice throughout the country. You always make absolutely no point. Want to tell me that I don’t know the law? I am only an attorney well educated on civil and criminal laws to include federal immigration statutes. LawMan is correct but you simply refuse to accept what the truth is.
I have read and saved most of the posts both online and in the hard copy of the paper. I haven’t read one thing to make anyone believe that LawMan is an illegal alien supporter. As a matter of fact I see a law enforcement officer that takes the law seriously. We need our officers out there on the street to have his mentality, not one like yours.
The only thing foul here is your statements. You tend to tell people what you want them to hear and believe. It doesn’t work that way. LawMan stated many times he works closely with ICE and reports illegal aliens when he has them in custody. He obviously is doing what the citizens pay him to do. You apparently want more than what he and local police officers can do. Sorry but that’s not how it works.
ICE is looking for the worst criminals who are threats to the community. You do not understand that statement. That means gang members, drug dealers, murders, rapists and so on. Not all illegal aliens are serious threats to the community just because they are present. That is a point that I agree with LawMan 100%. It’s a point that is easy to understand. The serious offenders are arrested, detained and hopefully deported after their hearing. The majority of the minor offenders are released. Just take a good look at Prince William County. The jail releases most of them. Chief Charlie Deane also stated that they are a small fraction of the arrests in the county. You need to re-evaluate your position in this debate. You are losing serious ground.
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Posted by ( senseit53 ) on September 26, 2008 at 7:31 am
Illegal is illegal. I know it sounds redundant but it is the core of the matter. lacoqueta224, if you “know for a fact that 2 of the owners of the Chinese restaraunts in town traffic their waiters” maybe you should report it. It indicates a serious criminal element “trafficking” people all the way from China. The fact that you “know” that food cooked at “Ruby Tuesday, Chilis, or IHOP” was cooked by an illegal alien would suggest you have a close association with the illegal alien problem. It also points to how wide spread the problem is. In today’s economic times it is increasingly crucial that American jobs go to Americans. That U.S. money stays in this country. With unemployment on the rise and the economic future in serious peril, we have to start looking out for our own…for a change.
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Posted by ( copper ) on September 26, 2008 at 6:35 am
Poor Lawman, can you not read and comprehend a simple statement such as “illegal defenders claim it is NOT local Law enforcements job to enforce immigration laws, but when ICE comes to Town and rounds up illegals THEY cry foul”. Since you can understand this simple statement let me break it down. It means defenders cry local police should not touch immigration, but when the FEDS come and round them up and arrest them, which is their job, the defenders, like you, still cry foul. Hope you got it the second time around. Come back anytime ICE!!!!!
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Posted by ( rjma ) on September 25, 2008 at 6:12 pm
thanks lawman, I appreciate hearing from someone in the trenches who knows what they are talking about.
Copper- You are going to be sadly disappointed if you think that ICE is going to “Clean up” this town. Anyone who isn’t thrilled with 5 illegal immigrants being deported is labeled “pro-illegals”. What many of us would like to know is simply what did these people do that got them detained. They were not “arrested” by the way. They were detained and turned over to ICE. But what is truly amazing is that nothing has been released about what they were alleged to have done. Aren’t you at least a little curious? The one report in the CSE about one of the 5 having a pending weapons charge in NY appears to be not true. One may also like to know how much did it cost to remove these folks. Yes, you can say “it doesn’t matter, they broke the law”, but it is fair to wonder if our scarce public safety resources could have been used for efficiently somewhere else.
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