Illegal Aliens Paroled to ICE Custody under Operation: Prairie Thunder


Article Body

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2025

Contact: Josie Harms 

 

Illegal Aliens Paroled to ICE Custody under Operation: Prairie Thunder

 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles (Parole Board) approved parole transfer to federal custody for deportation for 10 illegal alien criminals as part of Operation: Prairie Thunder.

 

“South Dakota taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for illegal alien criminals,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This cooperation between DOC and ICE is uncharted and takes a bit of extra coordination, so I appreciate the Parole Board’s swift action to get illegal alien criminals out of our custody and out of our country. I trust President Trump, Secretary Noem, and the hard-working law enforcement agents of Border Patrol and ICE to keep these individuals from returning to our communities.”

 

The inmates were identified by the Department of Corrections (DOC) based on their immigration status, low-risk classification, and proximity to sentence completion. Each case was reviewed by the Parole Board in accordance with SDCL 24-15A-41.1. The inmates will be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation proceedings, ensuring they are not released back into South Dakota communities.

 

The inmates that were paroled for deportation include:

  1. Jose Sanchez #78283, Mexico, multiple counts of Possession Controlled Substance (Schedule I & II);
  1. Yahia Hassan #77076, Sudan, multiple counts of Possession Controlled Substance (Schedule I & II), 3rd Degree Burglary,  and Receiving/Transferring Stolen Vehicle;
  2. Patrick Morris #78412, Liberia, Grand Theft < $2,500 and 1st Degree Burglary;
  3. Dustin Buffalo #73336, Canada, Reckless Burning and Aggravated Assault;
  4. Mohammed Kromah #69826, Liberia, Aggravated Assault;
  5. Victor Pacheco #72401, Mexico, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Weapon in Jail;
  6. Deng Ayom #69779, Sudan, Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Structure;
  7. Mustafe Hamud #57019, Somalia, Distribution of Controlled Substance (Schedule I & II);
  8. Miguel Caveda Perez #77916, Cuba, 4th Degree Rape; and
  9. Bereket Mekonnen #77412,  Ethiopia, 2nd Degree Burglary, Possession Controlled Substance (Schedule I & II), and Receiving/Transferring Stolen Vehicle.

 

Governor Rhoden previously signed a letter of intent to establish a 287(g) agreement between DOC and ICE under the Jail Enforcement Model. That letter set the stage for this collaborative effort.

 

Operation: Prairie Thunder is a comprehensive, targeted public safety initiative to protect South Dakotans. Operation: Prairie Thunder includes two main initiatives:

  • A targeted anti-crime initiative in the Sioux Falls metro to interdict drugs, investigate gang activity, hold parole absconders accountable, and deter lawlessness; and
  • A comprehensive effort to support the work of ICE secure our borders and deport illegal alien criminals. 

 

Learn more about the Board of Pardons and Paroles here.

 

###