News Releases

ICE deports man wanted for indecency with a child in UK

HOUSTON – A British man, who was wanted for indecency with a child in his home country, was deported Tuesday and turned over to United Kingdom officials by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston.

After he was arrested July 16, 2010 on two counts of indecency with a child, Anthony Kenneth Hirst, 51, was encountered at Harris County Sheriff's Office by officers with ERO's Criminal Alien Program. Hirst was convicted for this offense and sentenced to 12 months in jail in Texas. He was released April 23 and was immediately transferred to ERO custody. Hirst is scheduled for arraignment on the U.K. charges July 11.

"ERO helps ensure that alien fugitives do not find safe haven from justice in the United States," said Steven P. Boll, acting field office director for ERO Houston. "ICE is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to ensure these fugitives are identified and returned to their home countries.

ERO is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets serious criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, such as those charged with or convicted of homicide, rape, robbery, kidnapping, major drug offenses and threats to national security. ERO also prioritizes the arrest and removal of those who game the immigration system, including immigration fugitives or criminal aliens who have been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed about 455 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. To identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country, ERO works with ICE's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol.