U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken Dan Adrian Agafitei, a 26-year-old Romanian national, into custody following his release from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on March 4. Agafitei was arrested for being illegally present in the United States.
William P. Joyce, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City, stated, "The arrest of Mr. Agafitei reinforces the agency’s commitment to identify, detain and remove violent criminals and immigration law violators who pose the greatest threat to national security and public safety." He further acknowledged the efforts of ICE personnel and their collaboration with federal agencies: "Thanks for the proactive approach of the men and women of ICE and due to the extraordinary partnerships between federal agencies, this alien is not free to pose any additional threat to the community."
Agafitei entered the U.S. without proper admission by an Immigration Official at an unspecified date and location. On February 21, 2024, he was indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on 17 counts related to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Following his indictment, he was arrested by the FBI on a criminal warrant.
ICE had previously lodged an immigration detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service concerning Agafitei's release. He was convicted on February 27 for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and sentenced to just over a year in prison while also receiving an order for removal from the United States.
Currently held in ICE custody, Agafitei awaits deportation back to Romania.
The public is encouraged to report crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-347-2423 or using ICE’s online tip form.
For more information about ICE’s public safety efforts in New York City, follow them on X at @ERONewYork.
