Page 5 - ARUBA TODAY

A5
U.S. NEWS Thursday 22 February 2018

Much-touted MS-13 sweep keeps even most basic details secret

By TOM HAYS The lack of transparency
COLLEEN LONG comes amid accusations
Associated Press by immigration rights groups
NEW YORK (AP) — It was a that the government is us-
tally so impressive that Pres- ing unsubstantiated rumors
ident Donald Trump touted of gang affiliations to de-
it at his State of the Union tain innocent people. Fed-
address: Since May, agents eral immigration judges
cracking down on the vio- have already ordered the
lent gangs terrorizing the release of some detainees
working-class suburbs of arrested on suspicion of be-
Long Island had swept up ing MS-13 members when
428 gang suspects, includ- the government couldn't
ing 220 members of the no- produce any evidence of
torious MS-13. gang activity.
But the sweep, Operation Some parents and activists
Matador, also has been say some of those included
shrouded in secrecy. Fed- in the tally are innocent
eral and state authorities teenagers who came to
have declined repeated the U.S. as unaccompa-
requests from The Associ- nied minors, spending
ated Press for even basic weeks locked in maximum-
information made public in security detention centers Suspected members of the MS-13 gang are escorted to their arraignment in Mineola, N.Y. A
most law enforcement op- based on flimsy and false sweep of alleged MS-13 gang members on Long Island has racked up impressive arrest totals but
erations, such as the names allegations of gang activ- also left unanswered questions. Since May, federal authorities say they've arrested more than 220
of those arrested and the ity. Civil liberties lawyers say members of the notorious street gang. But authorities have largely declined multiple requests by
crimes they are accused of that in some cases their al- for even the most basic information about the arrests. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
committing. leged "activity" was wear-
They won't divulge their ing a black T-shirt or making with gangs." "I can't defend myself," she gang. Officials said he was
ages, immigration statuses a hand gesture. The teenager said she was said. "I can't explain what associating with "known
or current whereabouts. "They said we have a war- not a member of MS-13. She happened because I don't gang members."
And while they say 44 of rant for your arrest and we said she knew of people in even know who is accusing "But the gang member he
those arrested have been don't have to explain any- MS-13, as do most people me." was associating with sat
deported, they refuse to thing to you now. We will at Brentwood High School, Immigration attorney Dawn next to him in math class,"
say what happened to the tell you when you come a large school 45 miles east Guidone said she repre- Guidone said. "If that's as-
rest, including whether they with us," one teenager, who of New York City. Maybe sented about seven teen- sociating, then I don't know
are even still in custody. asked not to be named be- she's talked with some of agers detained on gang how to even deal with
They say releasing more cause she is afraid of being them in the hallway. allegations and at least that."
details could endanger the deported, told the AP in Although she was released two were deported. One The judge ordered the gov-
suspects and jeopardize Spanish. "Later, they told after two months in deten- student said all he did was ernment to disclose how
ongoing investigations. me I had been associated tion, she remains worried. wear blue, the color of the many were being held.q

Vegas man arrested in attacks on homeless men that killed 2

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authori- charge and faces state McGrath said, adding that had purchased a revolver Castellon after the inter-
ties have arrested a suspect charges of murder and at- Castellon was not home- in January, according to a view. Court documents do
in shootings around the Las tempted murder. less, but slept in his vehicle federal complaint. not list an attorney who
Vegas area that killed two Lt. Dan McGrath said Tues- at times. McGrath said a A day later, officers could comment on Castel-
homeless men, wounded a day that forensic analy- patrol officer approached stopped Castellon, and lon's behalf. The first victim
third and left another man sis connected the same Castellon on Feb. 8 when he agreed to a formal in- was shot outside a conve-
working outside a conve- revolver to all four shoot- he was sleeping in his SUV, terview. He told detectives nience store in Logandale,
nience store with a gun- ings — three of which took which matched the de- that he had purchased a about 60 miles (96 kilome-
shot wound — attacks that place in an eight-hour pe- scription of the one seen at revolver to sell it to a "friend ters) north of Las Vegas. He
stirred fears in the homeless riod on Jan. 29. The last the crime scenes. The offi- of a friend," according to was by himself when the
community. shooting happened Feb. 2. cer interviewed Castellon. the complaint. gunman approached in a
Police said Las Vegas resi- "I wouldn't be able to ex- Detectives on Feb. 15 McGrath said agents with vehicle and fired several
dent Joshua Castellon, 26, plain a motive or why contacted Castellon's es- the federal Bureau of Al- rounds, hitting him once.
was taken into custody Fri- somebody does this, but he tranged wife, who said cohol, Tobacco, Firearms His wound was not life-
day on a federal weapons did not explain a motive," she believed her husband and Explosives arrested threatening.q