Feds seeking to deport sickle cell patient over theft


This interview aired June 23, 2025 on WKBW 7 News Voices with Michael Wooten. Migrant’s doctor fears for his health if he’s transferred from the hospital to a detention center. Government seeking to deport him over shoplifting charge involving $90 in underwear.

https://www.investigativepost.org/2025/06/20/feds-seeking-to-deport-sickle-cell-patient-over-theft/

We are Investigative Post.

Current events underscore the importance of a vibrant press to a healthy democracy. Investigative Post is playing an outsized role in providing Buffalo and Western New York with in-depth, public interest journalism that makes for an informed citizenry.

Investigative Post is one of more than 400 nonprofit news organizations that have launched over the past decade across the nation in the face of the decline of local news outlets.

We’re unique in a couple of ways. For starters, Investigative Post is the only news organization in WNY dedicated exclusively to watchdog journalism. We produce fact-based, nonpartisan investigative stories and analyses on issues that matter to the citizens and taxpayers of Buffalo and WNY.

We’re also the only news outlet in WNY whose work appears on all the major publishing platforms: print, television, radio and the web. That puts us in the forefront as media outlets adapt to changing technology and audience habits.

Visit us at https://www.investigativepost.org/

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.investigativepost.org/sub…

Donate to Investigative Post: https://www.investigativepost.org/don…

Follow us on Facebook at / investigativepost

Follow us on X/Twitter at / ipostnews

#buffalo #newyork #investigativejournalism #reporting #news

Related articles

‘Watched her die a painful death’: Veteran caught in Santos dog scam furious about release



Veteran Rich Osthoff was defrauded by ex-Rep. George Santos who, he claimed, set up a GoFundMe for his dying dog — and then pocketed the cash. Watching President Donald Trump free the disgraced congressman Friday has left him furious.

Speaking to MSNBC on Monday, Osthoff said he was "sick to my stomach" after hearing about Santos' commutation. "For the president of the United States to stick me in the gut with a knife, and every other veteran and every other military member gets a knife to the gut."

Osthoff had hoped that Santos would serve at least half of the sentence before he was released or pardoned.

"His sentence would serve as a warning to federal officials that if you do this, you'll end up in prison. That's what the DOJ wanted the message to be. What message does him walking out of prison after three months send him?" Osthoff asked.

"Walking out of prison after three months is a complete travesty. Same with the the Jan. 6th people. This is the president, a rogue president now just using his pardon power like a cudgel against everything that's decent, good and holy. It's shameful and a disgrace. And I'm almost ashamed that I served my country. Now, this is not the country I raised my hand three times to re-enlist for."

Osthoff's service dog had cancer and he sought help from individuals who could contribute to fund the treatment he couldn't afford. Santos offered to start a GoFundMe for the dog, but, in the end, Osthoff never saw a dime of the money.

After the scam was revealed, individuals stepped up to help him get another service dog, but it meant his dog Sapphire suffered.

"Sapphire still died and I watched her die a painful death," he said.

"And that guy is the one who did that to me. Every time I see him on TV now ... it brings a wound right back into the forefront again," Osthoff lamented.

Santos told CNN over the weekend that he hopes to be a more honest person and express contrition for those he wronged. But Osthoff isn't buying it.

"He's been so rude to me. He's lied about me. He's defamed me on TV dozens of times. He has no remorse," the Navy veteran said.

Santos spent 84 days in prison out of the 87 months in prison.



White House holds DISASTER PRESSER and LOSES ALL CONTROL

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on the...

If Washington Republicans are serious about keeping America safe, they need to prove it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A_7wkHbtQ8 If Washington Republicans are serious about keeping...

Mumford & Sons at Keybank Center – October 17, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MtbxhIEsz2g