Deported criminals who return targeted

The Riverside County district attorney and Sheriff’s Department will join forces with the U.S. attorney’s office to crack down on convicted gang members who return to the country after being deported, authorities announced Tuesday.

Until now, county officials had to wait until a deportee who had returned committed a crime that fell under county jurisdiction to arrest and prosecute him.

As part of the agreement, a Riverside County deputy district attorney will be appointed special assistant U.S. attorney, which will allow the attorney to exercise federal immigration authority. Dist. Atty. Rod Pacheco said that by cracking down on the felons who return to the county would be able to prevent many gang-related crimes from occurring.