Milwaukee Drug Smuggler Gilberto Hernández-Orduñez Wanted By U.S. Marshal Service

Undocumented Milwaukee drug smuggling 34-year-old suspect who was out on a signature bond and no monitoring failed to show up in federal court.

 By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 5, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. mocked U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin and liberals for not keeping Gilberto Hernández-Orduñez, an undocumented drug smuggler in custody and who has fled to Mexico to avoid federal prosecution. Sheriff Clarke tweeted, "Oh you're kidding. Boy I never thought THAT would happen. lol He was a low level offender and no risk Libs tell us."

A federal warrant was issued for the arrest of Gilberto Hernández-Orduñez, 34, after failing to show up in a federal court on January 29 on charges for smuggling 20 to 60 kilograms of cocaine hidden in sealed metal elevator shafts and possession of 15 kilograms of cocaine in a vehicle. Hernández-Orduñez along with Alfredo Romo, 47, aka, "David Mondragon" both alleged undocumented drug smugglers were busted in November and indicted in December for drug smuggling and drug distribution charges. If convicted, each of the suspects is facing a minimum of 10 years to life in a federal prison.

Romo remains in custody and is expected to enter a guilty plea, but Hernández-Orduñez who was released on a signature bond and no monitoring failed to show up in court. He is believed to have fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Federal prosecutors in November had requested U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin to keep Hernández-Orduñez in custody because he was a flight risk, but Judge Duffin released Hernández-Orduñez on a signature bond and no monitoring because the suspect was living in Milwaukee for about 13 years, had a long work history as a painter, no criminal history and had strong family ties in Milwaukee. 

Several years ago, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had arrested Hernández-Orduñez as an undocumented immigrant and was released on condition that he would report to ICE regularly while his immigration hearing and possible deportation process continued.

Milwaukee Southside Kleptorobber Identified By Victims As Jonathan Aponte Santiago

More than 30 victims have come forward and identified the Milwaukee Southside kleptorobber who terrorized local businesses for several weeks.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 4, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, at least 30 victims had come forward and identified the kleptorobber as Jonathan Aponte Santiago, 22, who for several weeks terrorized local businesses by robbing them including patrons, in several occasions discharged his weapon inside bars, was wanted for a carjacking and shooting a 22-year-old Denny's waiter. His last armed robbery happened at Chivas Bar, 644 S. 9th Street around 2:20 a.m. on January 31. The suspect drank several beers, robbed the bar including the patrons, then fired at least three gunshots at a camera surveillance monitor missing a bartender by one inch and then fled. No one was injured.

Police told the Chivas Bar owner that his bar's surveillance footage of the armed robbery was clear and very instrumental in arresting the suspect.

Aponte Santiago was taken into custody in the northside of Milwaukee near the intersection of W. Burleigh and N. 4th Street, according to police. Bail was set at $50,000 for Aponte Santiago, but a hold has been placed meaning that he couldn't be bailed out immediately.

The suspect is facing multiple felony charges and could get up to life in prison, if convicted on all counts. Police will turn the case over to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office for review and pending charges.

Aponte Santiago allegedly robbed the Backdraught Bar at the 3600 block of S. Clement Ave., the Last Drop Restaurant at the 1900 block of S. 15th Street and Reynas Bar at the 600 block of W. Harrison in the Southside. About 14 patrons were inside Reynas Bar at the time of the robbery.

Aponte Santiago not only robbed the cash register at businesses, but customers too, according to business patrons. 

On January 28, Aponte Santiago walked into a Denny's Restaurant at the 4900 block of S. Howell Ave. around 3:15 a.m. and stole an undetermined amount of money from the cash register. Aponte Santiago also shot a 22-year-old victim who works at Denny's as a waiter and was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening gunshot wound, according to police.

At least ten people were inside the restaurant at the time of the robbery. Aponte Santiago shot the 22-year-old waiter in the arm and then left. The victim will be out of work for at least two weeks while recovering from the gun shot wound. He worked for tips and Aponte Santiago took $150.00 from him, according to the victim's mother. Aponte Santiago held a gun on the victim's head and the victim struggled with Aponte Santiago when he was shot.

Aponte Santiago was also involved in several other robberies and a carjacking as well, he robbed a business at the 2500 block of S. 6th Street at 1:20 a.m., then went to a second business at the 2000 block of S. 8th Street at 1:35 a.m. and demanded money. After receiving money, he fled on foot.

At about 2:00 a.m., Aponte Santiago pulled a gun at a 28-year-old man and stole his 2002 Isuzu Axiom. Aponte Santiago then fled in the vehicle and later robbed the Denny's Restaurant on S. Howell Ave.

Jonathan Aponte Santiago caught on surveillence video at Chivas Bar, robbing the bar, patrons and shot at a camera monitor multiple times https://youtu.be/ys74n75r5qM

Jose Gonzalez Ramirez Charged For The Ilona Gonzalez's Aluminum Bat Beating Homicide

Gonzalez Ramirez beat Ilona with an aluminum bat and then shot her, according to police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 4, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Jose A. Gonzalez Ramirez, 35, was charged with 1st-degree reckless homicide for the February 1 murder of Ilona Gonzalez, 30. On Monday, Gonzalez Ramirez was taken into custody at the 1400 block of E. Pryor Ave. shortly after Gonzalez's body was discovered. The Milwaukee Police Department reported that officers found Gonzalez's body inside a home at the 900 block of W. Morgan Ave.

Gonzalez's body showed fatal injuries to the head. Gonzalez Ramirez confessed to police that his relationship with Ilona was failing and that he took an aluminum bat and beat her in the head when she slept. He also claimed that he had shot her with a handgun.

Gonzalez Ramirez told police that he wanted to commit suicide by cops and had attempted to kill himself by trying to ignite a gas stove at Ilona's residence.

Both Gonzalez Ramirez and Ilona have a child who was at the home when he killed Ilona. The child wasn't hurt, according to police. 

Gonzalez Ramirez bail was set at $100,000 cash bail, if convicted, he is facing up to 60 years in prison.

Crystal City Hall In Texas Closed After Gaming Sting Operation Busted Corrupt City Officials

Four Crystal City officials including Mayor Lopez arrested by FBI in connection for taking bribes in illegal gaming payoffs.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 4, 2016 

Crystal City, Texas - On Thursday, the FBI raided City Hall in Crystal City resulting with the arrest of four City officials including Mayor Richard Lopez, 40, Mayor Pro-Tem Rogelio Mata, 43, City Councilman Roel Mata, 44, and Interim City Manager and Attorney William James Jonas III, 54, also taken into custody were former City Councilman Gilbert Urrabazo, 45, and businessman Ngoc Tri Nguyen, 38, aka, "Mr. T" in connection with taking bribes to help Nguyen, a contractor to establish 8-liner gaming rooms around Crystal City and providing city tax waivers, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of Texas. The 8-liner gaming operation paid players in cash and the gambling operation is illegal in Texas.
Rogelio, Lopez and Roel were taken into custody in Crystal City, Jonas and Urrabazo were arrested in San Antonio and Nguyen was arrested in Keller, Texas.

Each of the defendants were charged with one felony count for conspiracy to commit bribery involving an entity receiving over $10,000 in federal funds, in addition, Jonas was charged with three counts for bribery, Rogelio, Roel, Urrabazo, Lopez and Ngugen were charged with one felony count each for bribery. If convicted, each defendant is facing up to 10 years in a federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines for each count.
City Hall remained closed on Thursday in Crystal City, but is expected to open on Friday.

The FBI raided the San Antonio office of attorney Jonas to search for evidence connected to the bribing and gaming operation. Jonas allegedly took money from Nguyen in exchange to help facilitate the gaming operation in Crystal City.

Some of the defendants are expected to appear before a federal judge later today to face charges.

The FBI, San Antonio Police, the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection took part in the joint gaming operation bust.

According to the unsealed indictment against the defendants named in the case, the defendants began to conspire to commit favorable action to award city service contracts valued at more than $12,000 to Nguyen beginning in April 2015. Nguyen in return paid Jonas up to $7,791, Urrabazo $2,000, Roel Mata $$2,000, Mayor Lopez received $6,000 to purchase a vehicle and Rogelio Mata up to $500.

The city officials indicted conspired and acted to "waived certain tax payments" for Nguyen and directed Crystal City employees "to close competing businesses and to conduct City inspections to benefit Nguyen," according to the federal indictment.

Federal indictment of William James Jonas III at following link: http://bit.ly/1PVE8MB

Alfonso Morales Awarded The 1st Community Safety Partner Of The Year Award

The Southside Organizing Committee awarded the 1st Community Safety Partner of the Year Award to Milwaukee Police Captain Alfonso Morales.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 3, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Milwaukee Police Captain Alfonso Morales, 44, received the Southside Organizing Committee (SOC) 1st Community Safety Partner of the Year Award for his collaborative efforts to work with the community in safety and community outreach. Tammy Rivera, the Executive Director at SOC made the award presentation and Alderman José G. Pérez gave Captain Morales a Milwaukee Common Council citation for his service to the community while working with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and as former captain in charge of the 2nd Milwaukee Police District Station in Milwaukee's Southside.

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn on November appointed Captain Morales to head a special project with the MPD's Intelligence Fusion Center. Captain Morales is the second Hispanic to command at district 2. Former Captain Eduardo Negron became the first Hispanic to lead district 2.

Captain Morales has an impressive and honorable service record in the department. He was an officer from 1993 to 1999, then was promoted to detective from 1999 to 2003 where he served in the homicide division, then became a Lieutenant in 2003, where served  in several assignments that included the homicide division, internal affairs, training academy and the narcotics bureau.

Toni Rivera-Joachin, the President and CEO of the Spanish Center and Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm made presentations to honor Captain Morales as well. The SOC award event took place at the Spanish Center.

Video: MPD Captain Alfonso Morales speech at SOC award presentation https://youtu.be/-OLAR-_yOn4

César E. Chávez Lifesize Bronze Statue To Be Unveiled On His Birthday In Milwaukee

The lifesize bronze statue depicting the late Farm Workers Union leader César E. Chávez will be unveiled on his birthday at the Milwaukee Southside Chavez Drive business district.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 3, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, both Ian B. Bautista, the Executive Director of Clarke Square and Julio Maldonado, the Executive Director for the César E. Chávez Drive Business Improvement District #38 (BID #38) confirmed that the lifesize bronze statue of the late Farm Workers Union leader César E. Chávez will be unveiled on March 31st, his birthday.

The projected cost for the Chávez bronze statue was $40,000, the statue has been finished and is ready for placement on its final resting place this upcoming March.

The Chávez bronze statue will be placed at the 900 block of S. César E. Chávez Drive in the El Rey Super Market outdoor market place. The Chávez statue project is part of a three year FARM Project to promote small business economic growth in the 12th Aldermanic District that will include a rich cultural environment for tourists, a consumer retail, food and art base attraction to the heart of the Latino community.

Milwaukee will become the 8th location in the U.S. to unveil a Chávez life size bronze statue in the country.

Several Thieves Broke Into The National Liquor Mart On Chaves Drive

Several suspects stole an undetermined amout of items from the National Liquor Mart on Chaves Drive.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 3, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, several thieves broke into the National Liquor Mart at the 700 block of S. Cesar E. Chaves Drive and stole merchandise just after 3:00 a.m., according to police. Video surveillance footage caught the images of the two thieves taking items from inside the liquor store. 

The video was posted on Facebook (FB) by the business manager who is asking FB users, if they can help identify the suspects.