DHS arrests 10 Los Angeles gang members for sex trafficking crimes
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ICE arrested Giovana Mercedes Moreno Ochompy, a former Illinois high school teacher and illegal immigrant, in connection with a triple homicide involving the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. Chicago police initially released him without notifying ICE due to sanctuary city policies. Former ICE acting director Tom Homan criticizes these policies, arguing that they obstruct federal law enforcement and endanger public safety.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday that it has issued 20 federal arrest warrants and made 10 arrests in connection with sex trafficking operations in Los Angeles by the Hoover Criminal Gang (HCG), known for human exploitation.
Authorities identified 51 victims in connection with the arrests, some as young as 14.
“[Homeland Security Investigations] “We remain steadfast in our mission to protect victims and bring justice against human traffickers,” Special Agent Eddy Wang said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
DOJ SAYS 11 IMMIGRANTS CHARGED IN MULTI-STATE SEX TRAFFICKING, DRUG AND FIREARMS CASES
10 suspects were arrested within the scope of Operation Broken Knife on July 1 (Department of Homeland Security)
The arrests are part of Operation Broken Knife, which targets trafficking in Los Angeles’ Figueroa Corridor, a strip of neighborhoods in the south of the city, according to the agency. They also underscore that although illegal border crossings decreased during the second Trump administration, the threats facing law enforcement continue.
Border crossings have fallen sharply since the end of 2024; More than 144,000 encounters in December 2024 dropped to just 13,500 in May; This means a 90% reduction.
Even so, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other federal agencies continue to crack down on more organized smuggling operations that threaten to bring drugs, guns, and people into the country illegally.
In April, for example, CBP announced that it had blocked a car carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks, 20 pistol grips, and other gun parts from crossing the border.
As part of these ongoing efforts, DHS has made disrupting sex trafficking rings a priority, said DHS Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Lauren Bis.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS is cracking down on human and sex trafficking rings,” Bis told Fox News Digital.
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Suspect Caleed Mouton arrives at the Federal Building after being arrested. (Department of Homeland Security)
Bis noted that the suspects arrested last week will also face charges that go far beyond humanitarian abuse.
“This operation in Los Angeles resulted in the arrest of ten gang members who are now facing federal racketeering charges, including sex trafficking, money laundering, firearms offenses, and narcotics offenses,” Bis said.
The agency described most of the suspects as “career criminals” with histories of robbery, kidnapping and theft.
Wednesday’s operation is the second round of arrests made under Broken Blade, an initiative first launched in August 2025 by Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles in collaboration with CBP, the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol.
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Suspect Nakahli Miller is prepared for transport after being arrested by a Homeland Security Investigations agent. (Department of Homeland Security)
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The 10 suspects are expected to stand trial in March 2027, according to DHS.
“The actions taken by HSI today are another decisive blow against those who exploit the vulnerable people of our community, and they will now face the consequences of these actions,” Wang said.
