Northeast

Lawsuit accuses New York National Guard soldiers of sexually exploiting migrants at hotel

Published

2 years ago

February 18, 2024

Lawsuit accuses New York National Guard soldiers of sexually exploiting migrants at hotel

Five New York National Guardsman and a contract worker are accused in a federal lawsuit of sexually exploiting asylum seekers staying at one of the hotels in the state hosting migrants.

Seven migrants detail several instances of sexual exploitation at a Quality Inn in Cheektowaga, New York, by at least six National Guard soldiers working at the hotel to help with the influx of migrants that have been bussed to the state, according to a report from Military.com.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Feb. 8, accuses the soldiers of taking migrants, sometimes including teens, away from the hotel and asking for sexual favors or attempting to enter into romantic relationships with them.

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A Quality Inn in Cheektowaga, New York, where migrants are being housed. (Google Street View)

“The guests were (and remain) particularly vulnerable, given their uncertain immigration status, lack of mobility, need of basic supplies, and other needs,” the lawsuit reads. “Even a trip to a Walmart was considered a great gift.”

Sgt. Deven Colon, a religious affairs specialist with 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, is the only soldier named in the lawsuit. According to the report, Colon was the high-ranking Guardsman on duty at the hotel and is alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with a migrant that included buying her gifts, making sexual comments, and taking her to his home and other locations. Colon also allegedly told the asylum seeker that he had the authority to help her, the lawsuit claims, promising to get her and her children a house and to support them.

The trips away from the hotel were referred to as “dates” by Colon, the lawsuit claims, noting that on one occasion the soldier arranged with six other Guardsmen to transport the woman and her children to a rental property about two hours from the hotel. The soldier then allegedly “demanded” sexual favors from the woman, which the suit claims she “reluctantly agreed” to.

According to the report, Colon then texted the woman the next day and apologized while telling her to keep their encounter a secret.

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“I am just so lost and I need to find myself again. I don’t recognize the man I have become in these last few months,” the text read, according to the lawsuit.

Colon is also accused of taking at least one other woman and her children from the hotel and giving the mother a massage while flirting with her teenage daughter, later texting the teen to tell her he thought she was attractive, the lawsuit claims.

The 27th Brigade Combat Team, which 2nd Squadron, 101st Calvary Regiment falls under, did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has tasked the state’s National Guard with helping with the migrant crisis, with about 175,000 asylum seekers being transported to the state as they process their cases. According to the report, 2,100 troops have been put on active duty to help manage the influx.

National Guard personnel arrive at a new migrant holding center on Randalls Island in New York. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Many of the migrants are housed at hotels like the one in Cheektowaga, which is located just outside of Buffalo.

Another teenager at that hotel claims that a National Guard soldier, identified only as “Thomas” in the lawsuit, groped her, causing her to run away. Other children were warned to stay away from Thomas, the lawsuit claims.

Migrants chat with a National Guard soldier after traveling on a bus from Del Rio, Texas, at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In a statement to Military.com, a spokesperson with the New York National Guard said the allegations against its personnel are being taken “very seriously.”

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“If allegations are substantiated following an investigation – can result in adverse administrative and/or disciplinary actions pursuant to regulation and New York State Military Law,” the spokesperson said. “Criminal activities are referred to law enforcement for appropriate action.”

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Boston, MA

!$+∇√$[+[!LIVESTREAMs!]+] Minnesota Wild vs Boston Bruins Live Free Streams On Tv Channel 2026-03-29

Published

4 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota Wild vs Boston Bruins

HERE’S (*WAY TO WATCH*) Minnesota Wild VS Boston Bruins Ｆｒｅｅ LIVE 2026-03-29 Rose Bowl Parade 2026 live: Rose Bowl Parade 2026 look to seize control of thrilling Rose Bowl Parade 2026. Every team in the Rose Bowl Parade 2026 has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Rose Bowl Parade 2026 will host Rose Bowl Parade 2026 at Live NHL mAtch Durban’s Kings Park Stadium with the Rose Bowl Parade 2026 a single point ahead of Rose Bowl Parade 2026 in the standings and just one behind leaders Rose Bowl Parade 2026.

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Pittsburg, PA

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

Published

5 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely one of the teams that will be heavily considering a wide receiver when it comes to their very valuable first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One of the top options, and considered by many analysts to be the best overall, is Ohio State Buckeye alum Carnell Tate. Tate is a three-year starter at Ohio State, and the top wide receiver selection is likely to be between him and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

While at Ohio State, Tate was a teammate of current Steelers backup quarterback Will Howard, and was asked about him during his workout at Ohio State’s Pro Day.

“Oh, Will isn’t giving me no tips. He’s probably going to root for me to come with him to Pittsburgh,” Tate said.

“I’m happy for him. I wish him nothing but the best. Love that guy to death,” Tate also said.

Howard would not be the first person to try to get their former teammate to join them from college to their professional team, with one big example being Derek Carr and Davante Adams a couple years prior.

If Tate were to join the Steelers, he would be the third member of the 2024 Ohio State National Championship-winning team to play for the Steelers simultaneously, with Howard and surging young linebacker Jack Sawyer having played on the Steelers in 2025.

Will Tate Go To Pittsburgh?

Tate is quite unlikely to end up with the Steelers, as he is expected to be among the first players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the Steelers having the No. 21 selection, they would need to make a significant trade forward to likely jump into the zone where Tate would be available.

“I think I’m a great football player,” Tate said about going into the NFL. “My speed … the combine is one time, but ultimately I’m a great football player. When you put the pads on, it’s another level.”

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws the ball to wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

They could probably do that, due to the fact that they have 12 selections across the seven rounds. At this point in time, it does not see they love any particular player enough to make that big of a trade up, but trades into the late end of the top ten are quite common. Yet, their move to land Michael Pittman Jr. would make it significantly less likely that they make such a move to get another wide receiver.

While at Ohio State, Tate was always in the top half of their wide receiver room, yet played among some of the most talented wide receivers in recent history in current NFL player Emeka Egbuka and young talent Jeremiah Smith. He finished his final collegiate season with All-Big Ten honors, as well as well as being a second team All-American.

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Connecticut

Two arrested after armed robbery in Wethersfield Saturday night

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Two arrested after armed robbery in Wethersfield Saturday night

Two people have been arrested according to Wethersfield Police in connection to an armed robbery at a Family Dollar on Silas Deane Highway Saturday night.

According to police a store clerk said one of the suspects was a male who displayed a handgun and stole merchandise from the store.

They say he was accompanied by a female when fleeing the scene in a red Hyundai Elantra before police arrived.

At 10:43 p.m. Hartford Police officers found the suspect’s vehicle and detained them where they were positively identified as 57-year-old Miguel Ramirez of New Britain and 48-year-old Susette Mendes of Hartford.

During the investigation, police say Ramirez admitted to selling the stolen merchandise in Hartford and was found in possession of a knife.

Ramirez was charged with first-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny.

Mendes was charged with first-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny, sixth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny and possession of a controlled substance.

They were each held on a $50,000 bond and scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Monday.

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