Trump’s ICE busts 11 illegal Iranian nationals: Terror suspect, ex-sniper, and another with Hezbollah ties



Following the United States' weekend strike on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, the Trump administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrest of nearly a dozen Iranian nationals who are illegally in the country.

The former Biden administration's open-border policies have sparked concerns that potential terrorists and other threat actors have flooded into the U.S. undetected, raising the risk of the formation of sleeper cells.

'We don't wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump's mandate to secure the homeland.'

ICE's arrests, which took place over the weekend, included a suspected terrorist, an individual with admitted ties to Hezbollah, and an alleged former Iranian Army sniper, according to a Tuesday press release from ICE.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that the arrests reflect the agency's "commitment to keeping known and suspected terrorists out of American communities."

Immigration agents in Mississippi apprehended Yousef Mehridehno. The U.S. government terminated his residency in 2017 after it determined that he made false statements on his original visa application and potentially committed marriage fraud. The federal government in February listed Mehridehno as "a known or suspected terrorist," the press release said.

RELATED: 'They don't know what the f**k they're doing': Trump cusses out Israel, Iran for nearly blowing up his ceasefire

Yousef Mehridehno. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Mehran Makari Saheli, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps with admitted connections to Hezbollah, was arrested in Minnesota. He was previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a judge ordered his removal in 2022.

Mehran Makari Saheli. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Atlanta arrested Ribvar Karimi, who was reportedly carrying his Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card, which noted that he was previously an Iranian Army sniper from 2018 to 2021. ICE determined that he was eligible for removal after he entered the U.S. on a marriage visa in 2024 and allegedly broke federal law by failing to adjust his immigration status.

Ribvar Karimi. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, who was reportedly carrying a loaded firearm when ICE Houston arrested him, entered the country on a student visa in 2016 and was arrested the following year in Texas for allegedly assaulting his wife, impeding her breathing. His wife obtained a restraining order, claiming that he had threatened her and her family in Iran. An immigration judge ordered his removal in October 2019 after his status was terminated due to academic suspension.

Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Houston also arrested Hamid Reza Bayat, who was convicted of drug crimes and driving on a suspended license. An immigration judge previously ordered his removal nearly two decades ago.

Hamid Reza Bayat. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

In Phoenix, Arizona, federal immigration agents apprehended Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an illegal alien who received removal orders after he was convicted for threatening a law enforcement office and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Agents also arrested Linet Vartaniann, an American citizen, for allegedly harboring Eidivand and threatening to open fire on officers. The agency claimed that Vartaniann stated she would "shoot ICE officers in the head" if they entered her home.

Linet Vartaniann. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE officials in Colorado Springs nabbed Mahmoud Shafiei and Mehrdad Mehdipour, two illegal aliens living together. Shafiei was convicted of drug crimes and previously arrested for alleged assault and child abuse. A judge ordered Shafiei's removal in 1987.

Mahmoud Shafiei. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Mehrdad Mehdipour. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Federal immigration agents in San Francisco apprehended Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, who has a criminal history, including a conviction for theft and possession of a controlled substance for sale.

RELATED: Trump announces ceasefire between Iran and Israel: 'GOD BLESS THE WORLD!'

Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Mohammad Rafikian, who has a lengthy rap sheet, was arrested on Monday by ICE Buffalo. He was previously convicted of grand larceny, schemes to defraud, criminal impersonation, and practicing as an attorney.

Also on Monday, federal agents in San Diego grabbed Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, an illegal alien convicted of forging an official seal.

'Very commonly, such groups are engaging in criminal acts to raise money, promote propaganda, recruit assets, or source technology and equipment.'

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden's fraudulent parole programs or otherwise."

"We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out — and we are. We don't wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump's mandate to secure the homeland," she added.

When Blaze News contacted ICE for comment, it directed us to its press release. The agency would not respond to specific questions about the arrested illegal aliens' potential terrorist cell involvement, whether they had previously been under surveillance, or had known or suspected contact with Iranian officials.

Kyle Shideler, the director and senior analyst for homeland security and counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy, told Blaze News, "While the term 'sleeper cell' captures the imagination, it's better to think of such cells as 'terrorist infrastructure.'"

"Very commonly, such groups are engaging in criminal acts to raise money, promote propaganda, recruit assets, or source technology and equipment," Shideler continued. "That doesn't mean they may not possess military or terrorist training and the ability to conduct attacks. But it does allow a proactive law enforcement approach, which seeks to find and remove such threats before it becomes truly dangerous. Aggressive immigration enforcement is good counterterrorism."

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Arizona Ballots Marred In Mailbox Fire, Authorities Say

The flames were put out by firefighters responding to the scene

Voters — And One Alleged Signature Gatherer — Say Their Names Were Forged For Arizona Candidate

At least four voters say their signatures were forged, and now a man listed as one of the signature gatherers claims his name was also forged.

Arizona Democratic Gov. Hobbs appoints nation's first 'chief heat officer' after state's 'hottest summer' on record



Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs announced last week the nation's first "chief heat officer" as part of her administration's new "Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan."

The governor explained that she released the new plan in response to last year's temperatures, noting that Arizona experienced the "hottest summer... ever recorded." Hobbs claimed that the state's "temperatures have been rising steadily from decade to decade, and each year brings an increase in heat-caused and heat-related deaths and illnesses from the year before."

Hobbs' executive order created the "nation's first Chief Heat Officer position to coordinate the implementation of this Plan," including "heat-specific efforts between agencies on shelter, energy, health, and disaster response." The new position, which "will be instrumental in the Plans' implementation," will work alongside the Governor's Office of Resiliency.

The OOR's director, Maren Mahoney, said, "It's critical that Arizona build a sustainable and resilient state."

"I'm proud to lead this effort across state agencies and in partnership with various sectors, including health and human service providers, the business community, and scientific experts to protect everyday Arizonans and ensure we have the tools we need. Together, I know we can tackle the challenges that lay ahead of us and build a thriving state," Mahoney remarked.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Dr. Eugene Livar, who has been with the department since 2012, will fill the new chief heat officer position.

"As the state's Chief Heat Officer, Dr. Livar will oversee the implementation of the plan and work to coordinate partnerships between the state, county health departments, local municipalities, communities, the private sector, and community-based organizations. ADHS has also hired a heat relief coordinator that will serve as the statewide point-of-contact for county coordinators and will develop training for community navigators focused on improving access to human service providers," the department reported.

The ADHS praised Livar for his "forward-thinking approach and commitment to public health preparedness."

"I'm excited to take on this role and this important work to make sure Arizona is prepared as possible for this upcoming heat season and beyond," Livar stated.

The governor's plan also includes creating "six new, solar-powered, cooling centers constructed with shipping containers." The cooling centers will be mobile, so they may be relocated to different areas of Arizona as needed.

Hobbs stated, "What I heard time and again from everyday Arizonans was that our state's old approach was not enough."

"As a social worker who has dedicated my life to protecting everyday people, I knew we had to take action. Arizona is no stranger to the heat, yet we have always risen to the challenge, protected our neighbors, and built a sustainable and thriving state. This time will be no different," she noted.

Republican and former state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita called the governor's announcement "an all-time level of absurdity — a 'chief heat officer.' It has to be a joke…we live in the DESERT."

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'We're gonna educate the world, baby!' Mike Tyson opens school focused on financial literacy and community engagement
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'We're gonna educate the world, baby!' Mike Tyson opens school focused on financial literacy and community engagement



Mike Tyson will lend his likeness to the name of a new "micro-school" aimed at providing a more comprehensive education for middle school and high school students that focuses on innovation, financial literacy, and more.

The Tyson Transformational Technologies Academy is a new institution set up in Arizona to serve grades 6 to 12. All tuition costs will be covered through Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, along with internal school scholarships, the new school said in a press release.

Arizona first established ESAs in 2011 to allow students with disabilities to attend different educational institutions outside of public or charter schools. A qualified student's parents receive state tax funds in exchange for agreeing that they will be used on approved expenses for education while not enrolling the student in a school district or charter school and not accepting any other tuition or scholarships.

Tyson's new academy said that it hopes to "redefine learning" by teaching kids about innovation, financial literacy, mentorship, and community engagement.

To open the school, Tyson teamed up with Daniel Puder, a former professional athlete. Puder won the WWE's "Tough Enough" competition in 2004-2005; a million-dollar contest the wrestling organization conducted to find the next big wrestling star. Puder also had a short, but successful, six-year run in mixed martial arts, finishing in 2009 with a 6-0 record.

Puder told TMZ that he and Tyson found each other through mutual friends to come together on the project through the Foundation Academies School System, which Puder is the president of.

"You put me on TMZ and in the first eight weeks we had over 10,000 emails from 12 countries of kids that were being bullied. Now we have investors, we have family offices, we have over 1,300 kids, we've graduated over a thousand, we have 11 campuses... but I need the biggest brands in the world," Puder told TMZ's Harvey Levin.

Puder added that Tyson is "the biggest brand there is."

"I've been called worse," Tyson jokingly interjected.

"Who doesn't want to go to Mike Tyson's Academy? When you see that on a resume going to college people are gonna be like, 'Say what?'"

"As a society, we get to build our youths for the next generation. We are so blessed to have Mike Tyson part of our school system. He inspires our students," Puder also said in a statement.

The former heavyweight champion added that it was important to him to be able to share his life experience with the next generation.

"This new educational institution will build core values that I am honored and grateful to be part of [in] the Arizona community. I was thrilled to be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony and meeting some of the students," Tyson stated.

Tyson provided his name and likeness to the school without compensation.

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GOP District Attorney Refuses To Extradite Murder Suspect To NYC

'I think it’s safer to keep him here'

Pro-police attorney has law license suspended after accusing BLM protestors of being in gang she and cops likely made up



A former prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in Arizona has had her law license suspended after a panel with the state bar determined that she showed "a disturbing pattern of excessive charging" in the cases of some protestors, at least one of whom was an "innocent man."

On Tuesday, the State Bar of Arizona issued the decision to suspend the license of April Sponsel for two years after a thorough investigation into some of Sponsel's work in 2020 uncovered seemingly zealous attempts to overcharge defendants deemed to be anti-police.

Most of the accusations against Sponsel related to a BLM protest that occurred in Phoenix on October 17, 2020. Like many BLM protests that year, people showed up in black, attempted to conceal their identities with umbrellas, and tried to disrupt traffic. They also chanted well-known phrases such as "black lives matter," "no justice, no peace," and "no KKK, no fascist USA."

Among this group, 15 people were arrested, including Ryder Collins, a nurse from out of town who happened upon the group by chance while taking photographs in the area. The decision signed by presiding Judge Margaret Downie repeatedly referred to Collins as "innocent," citing both statements from witnesses and body-cam evidence.

Even with the exculpatory evidence, Sponsel tried to strong-arm Collins, a political conservative who considers himself "very pro-police," into copping to rioting and assisting a criminal street gang, both felonies. "Ms. Sponsel may not have intended to indict an innocent man. But the evidence establishes that she did so," Downie wrote.

When challenged with overwhelming evidence that had erroneously charged Collins, Sponsel still refused to admit wrongdoing — and offered a ludicrous defense for her actions. "People can be out there taking pictures of the sunset and then go home and murder their spouse," she said at a disciplinary hearing two months ago. "Does that necessarily mean that they’re innocent of murdering their spouse because they said they were taking pictures of the sunset earlier in the day? No."

What's more, Sponsel decided to charge all 15 defendants arrested in connection with the protest, including Collins, with belonging to a gang called ACAB — a gang Sponsel and several members of area law enforcement seem to have made up.

The defendants did chant the phrase "all cops are bastards," or ACAB for short, but there is no indication that they referred to themselves as members of a group called ACAB or that they had participated in gang activity. There's even little evidence that they knew one another prior to the protest.

Ryan Green, a prosecutor with experience handling gang cases, noted many holes in Sponsel's prosecutorial approach and brought them to her attention within weeks of the protest.

"During their 'march' in October, did any of them have signs? Shout slogans? What are the devices thrown at police? Smoke bombs vs. explosives? Any of them have prior felony convictions? If so, what for? What are the tattoos that they have gotten? Do we have photos of their tattoos?" Green asked among other questions.

A few months later, Green asked more questions, expressing concern that felony gang charges may have been inappropriate in this case. The following are a handful of questions Green posed to Sponsel:

  • "Is there a witness who can identify at least 2 or more of these specific defendants having previously associated with one another prior to October 17th? If so, which defendants?"
  • "What is the evidence and which witnesses can testify that the charged defendants previously planned events with their fellow co-defendants?"
  • "Do we have any captured electronic communications between these specific arrestees prior to October 17th?"
An outside investigation later found "no credible evidence to support the assertion that ACAB is a criminal street gang," the decision said.

Despite the fact that there was little evidence to support the existence of an ACAB gang, Sponsel moved forward with the gang charges, lumping the defendants together as a gang for the sake of "efficiency," the bar's decision indicated. She even suggested to a grand jury that this so-called ACAB gang was akin to notorious gangs like the Bloods, Crips, and Hells Angels.

Sponsel, who is married to an officer with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, was described in the bar's decision as "very pro-law enforcement," and County Attorney Rachel Mitchell indicated that Sponsel's "ardent" support for police may have clouded her judgment in this case.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office ultimately decided to drop all the charges against the 15 defendants in connection with the protest and placed Sponsel on administrative leave in March 2021. She was officially terminated by MCAO in June 2022 after refusing multiple settlement offers.

While Sponsel's law license will be suspended for two years effective next February, she will not necessarily get it back once the two years have expired. She will have to reapply and "prove she's been rehabilitated," ABC 15 Arizona reported.

It is unclear whether Sponsel intends to appeal the bar's decision. Her attorney told ABC15 Arizona, "The process is ongoing so it’s premature to comment."

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Christian leader in critical condition after being shot in head preaching: 'People are following darkness instead of light'



A beloved religious leader was shot in the head Wednesday night while preaching the gospel in Glendale, Arizona.

Hans Schmidt, a young father and outreach director for the nondenominational Victory Chapel First Phoenix, was standing at the northwest corner of 51st and Peoria avenues with his megaphone, quoting scripture and preaching to passersby ahead of an evening service. Around 6 p.m., someone evidently pulled a gun on him, reported AZFamily.

It's unclear whether the shooter attempted the apparent assassination on foot or from a car.

KNXV-TV indicated police initially were dispatched to a hospital following reports that someone had been assaulted, but they soon discovered the victim had been shot.

The Victory Chapel revealed in a statement Thursday, "Hans was taken to the ER where they discovered he had been shot after conducting a CT scan. He began seizing and was intubated. There has been some movement; however, physicians are uncertain how much is voluntary and began draining fluid from his brain. He remains in critical condition, please continue praying."

Zulya Schmidt, the victim's wife, noted in a Meta post, "Believing God has the final say. I love you so much babe."

Henry Branch, a nearby resident, said, "Who knows why someone would want to take it out on a preacher like that because he's speaking the gospel and good news to everybody. He's out to help the community."

KSAZ-TV indicated that following the shooting, police told nearby business owners to clear out, including the titular owner of Jesse James Comics.

"It's something where they preach so much on this corner, and it's such a congested area," said James. "I always thought they might get hit by a car. I didn't know they would be shot."

Paul Sanchez works nearby and recalled occasionally seeing people drive by, cursing and screaming at Schmidt as he preached. However, Sanchez said the preacher never responded with hostility.

"There was a slurry of everything, really. I mean, hateful comments, people yelling at him, 'Just get off the street.' All sorts of mean things," Sanchez told AZFamily.

Larry Dettman, a congregant who learned during a church service Wednesday night from Pastor Gary Marsh what had befallen Schmidt, said, "Out of nowhere, how does this happen? You know, there's some evil people in this world that have got a bunch of human junk in their life and they take it out on somebody else."

"People are following darkness instead of light," continued Dettman.

As of Thursday, police were still investigating and had not yet arrested a suspect.

Street preacher shot at Glendale intersectionyoutu.be

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Suspect tries to flee Phoenix police by leaping rooftop to rooftop. When that fails, he tries to outrun a K-9 unit.



A suspect took a police chase to the rooftops of Phoenix Tuesday evening. Despite some bold moves, he was ultimately brought down by gravity and a particularly eager K-9 unit.

Police indicated in a statement obtained by KSAZ-TV that Jamie Chavira's downfall Tuesday began when he allegedly failed to stop his vehicle for police in the area of 38th Avenue and Mobile Lane.

"The vehicle failed to yield to a traffic stop and felony flight was established," said the statement. "Officers did not initiate a pursuit of the vehicle. Rather, it was tracked to the area of 35th Avenue and Roeser Street."

Chavira, 19, was reportedly seen in the area jumping into the back yard of several homes as well as climbing onto a number of rooftops.

Christelle Kouam Chuene was at home with her three sleeping children when she heard the commotion.

Chuene told KSAZ, "When I looked out my window, I saw somebody jumping house to house. ... I saw him jumping from one house to the other one. It was so crazy. It was really cray and scary."

"I just saw the guy jumping like a monkey," she added. "He seems like he knew what he was doing."

Evidently, Chavira didn't know how to do it successfully.

The final moments of the chase were captured by Chuene's Ring doorbell camera.

The footage shows the shirtless suspect illuminated by a helicopter's search light atop the roof of a West Phoenix home near 35th Avenue and Roeser Road. Several officers can be seen closing in below with nonlethal weapons at the ready.

Undaunted by what appears to be a gap at least 10 feet wide, Chavira leaps toward the neighboring roof. Lacking the luck and grace necessary to traverse the divide, he lands between the houses.

Though grounded, Chavira is not yet willing to surrender. Instead, he pushes aside the blue bin that helped break his fall and makes a mad dash past police, through a hail of nonlethal rounds, and across the driveway of the neighboring house. Again, he is thwarted by his own ineptitude.

This time, he loses his footing, stumbles, then finds himself fighting the jaws of the law.

A K-9 unit got its teeth into what appears to be his hand. It thrashes its fleshy ransom until police officers are able to make the arrest.

K9 TAKEDOWN:\nPhoenix Police deployed a K9 on a suspect attempting to flee on foot after falling off a roof while jumping between houses last night.\n\n#News #Phoenix #Police #PoliceK9 #CaughtOnCamera
— Jack | OnSceneTV Phoenix (@Jack | OnSceneTV Phoenix) 1697595203

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Chavira was charged with two counts of transportation violations and at least one count of criminal trespass and burglary. KSAZ indicated he has also been charged with resisting arrest.

Following his arrest, he was taken to a hospital to be treated for a dog bite, according to police.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

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DNA evidence helps police arrest suspect accused of stabbing Lauren Heike to death on Arizona hiking trail



A suspect accused of murdering 29-year-old Lauren Heike on an Arizona hiking trail was arrested on Thursday night.

The body of Heike was discovered on a desert trail in the north Phoenix area on April 29. Investigators said Heike was attacked from behind and killed the day before her body was found. Police only revealed that Heike suffered "trauma to her body" from a "vicious attack."

Earlier this week, the Phoenix Police Department released a grainy video of a person of interest wearing dark clothes.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Heike's family made emotional pleas to the public for assistance in bringing Lauren's killer to justice.

Around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, police arrested 22-year-old Zion William Teasley in connection with the murder of Lauren Heike. Teasley was arrested at his apartment, which is less than a mile from the hiking trail where Heike's body was discovered.

Neighbor Amber Winter said she saw "about three SWAT trucks" enter the apartment complex before Teasley's arrest.

"They literally blew the door down, went in, screaming 'Get on the ground! Get on the ground!' They detained the supposed suspect, and brought him out," Winter told KSAZ-TV. "He sat there for a while, while they went inside and were searching and were interviewing people."

\u201c#Exclusive moment when Phoenix Police take in custody the suspect connected to the homicide of Lauren Heike. @TelemundoAZ will have more info and images at 10PM. @agarcilazonews will be at a press conference PD will be providing later tonight.\u201d
— Christian Villegas (@Christian Villegas) 1683252944

Sources told Arizona’s Family that police linked the murder to the suspect through DNA and that Heike had been stabbed "multiple times."

Police did not reveal if the suspect and victim had any connection or if it was a random attack.

Phoenix police Sgt. Melissa Soliz confirmed that Teasley is the same person as seen in the ominous video that was released by police this week.

Soliz said of Teasley, "Right now, he is the person that we believe to be responsible or in connection to the murder of Lauren Heike."

"Our detectives are going to ensure that every piece of evidence is looked at carefully, every angle and give their full effort on this case," Soliz added. "We’re hoping that the community can rest a little easier knowing this person is off the streets."

Teasley was booked into the Maricopa County jail on a first-degree murder charge.

KSAZ-TV reported that Teasley has a prior criminal record.

According to the outlet, "'The 22-year-old served time in prison from July 2021 to November 2022 for a disorderly conduct conviction, and was accused of robbery, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon back in 2020, court records show."

Lauren Heike's mother, Lana, described her daughter as "beautiful inside and out."

"She had such a kind heart, everybody who met her loved her," Lana Heike said during a news conference on Wednesday.

"Everybody who met her loved her," Lana Heike said of her slain daughter. "She was super funny. She was just a sweet child."

The mother, who lives in Washington, said she spoke to her daughter every day, and every call or text conversation ended with: "I love you, mom."

Lana said, "We just want the world to know what a sweet person she was, and what she meant to us and to our family. And what a void it is for us."

LIVE COVERAGE: Police arrest suspect in Lauren Heike's murder www.youtube.com

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