U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other partners, conducted search warrants on May 3 targeting illegal immigration, cockfighting, and additional criminal activities in Southern Mississippi.
The investigation was led by the ICE Homeland Security Task Force alongside the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. The focus included potential state and federal charges related to animal fighting and gambling, as well as investigations into illegal immigration, narcotics, and weapons offenses. Key partners in this operation were ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Harrison County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the FBI.
ICE Gulfport agents are currently working to identify all individuals encountered during the operation while verifying their immigration records.
Appropriate state or federal criminal or administrative charges will be pursued by ICE Gulfport. Federal prosecutions will be managed by the Southern District of Mississippi United States Attorney’s Office.
Eric DeLaune, ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge stated: “In addition to the acts of animal cruelty perpetrated by the operators and encouraged by the participants, underground gambling operations such as these often have ties to other significant crimes including narcotics violations, money laundering, and acts of violence.” He added that these crimes undermine community safety.
Dax Roberson from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General commented: “The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities."
Acting Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon remarked: “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate our nation’s immigration, narcotics, and animal cruelty laws are held accountable.”
This investigation forms part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aiming to address illegal immigration issues comprehensively by dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
It should be noted that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
