COLLIER COUNTY, FL -- A 29-year-old Haitian national was among seven other nationals from the Caribbean country nabbed by federal and local authorities in Collier County recently as part of Operation Community Shield.
Charles Joseph was arrested by U.S. immigration and law enforcement agents during the operation, which aims to dismantle violent street gangs with foreign-born members. Officials say Joseph is a documented gang member with multiple drug convictions and a conviction for carrying a concealed weapon.
Eight Mexicans along with a Bolivian and an El Salvadorian were also arrested.
"There are several active gangs here in Collier County," said Brendan Quigley of the Collier County Gang Unit. "Just like any other gangs, these are violent street gangs. These just happen to be made up of mainly illegal aliens."
"The law enforcement community in Ft. Myers and Naples will continue working tirelessly to target those who pose a threat to our community and who have no legal right to remain in the country. We have zero tolerance for those who seek to hurt the innocent, especially our vulnerable children," said Robert W. Weber, ICE special agent in charge in Tampa.
Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter, added, "We continue to have outstanding success and cooperation working with ICE in identifying gangs and gang-involved illegal foreign nationals. This is another in a series of partnerships with ICE with a significant outcome. It is still my belief that foreign nationals contribute to significant, serious criminal activity in Collier County."
All of those arrested will remain in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody while they await the outcome of their cases. Operation Community Shied was launched in February 2005.
