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    Federal agents were searching Tri-Valley University and a home in Ruby Hill today in connection with a federal customs and immigration criminal investigation, according to officials.

    As of 3 p.m., at least three federal agents were present at the school, taking video footage and photographs on 405 Boulder Court, an industrial building and commercial office complex off Bernal Avenue. The doors to the school were locked.

    The private school's website describes itself as a "Christian Higher Education Institution aiming to offer rigorous and excellent quality academic programs in the context of Christian faith and world view."

    A sign posted at the front of the school states there is an ongoing investigation by federal agents against five properties. The school's addresses are included, as well as a home in Livermore, one on Victoria Ridge Court and 1371 Germano Way, the home where agents conducted a raid earlier today.

    The sign lists Susan Xiao-Ping Su as owner of the properties. Su is the founder and president of Tri-Valley University.

    A man at the school who identified himself as a professor but declined to give his name said two federal agents came to his home this morning asking about Tri-Valley University. He said he was informed the school has been shut down.

    He said the school has about 25 to 30 professors and that he teaches three online classes on the topic of semiconductors. The teacher said he was "really surprised" by the probe.

    Jeffery Snowden, supervisory special agent for the San Francisco office of Homeland Security, confirmed that government authorities began the investigation at the 6,400-square-foot Germano Way home in the gated Ruby Hill community at about 6 a.m. today. He did not disclose any further details, referring questions to the department's public affairs office.

    The search is tied to a federal criminal probe, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    "They are executing a search warrant related to an ongoing criminal investigation," said Lori Haley from ICE offices in Laguna Niguel. Haley would provide no further comment or details.

    The two-story, five-bedroom house at 1371 Germano Way was sold for $1.8 million on Dec. 10, according to online property records.

    The house had been in foreclosure several weeks ago, say local real estate agents. The sale in December was an "REO" — a bank-transacted, "real-estate owned" post-foreclosure sale.

    When the five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home was constructed in 2005, it sold for nearly $2.7 million, according to public records.

    Several Homeland Security agents, some with clip boards and others talking on cell phones, were seen this morning working inside and outside of the property. A red Mercedes-Benz appeared to be driven from the driveway by government officials.

    ICE Homeland Security Investigations targets domestic and international activities, including the illegal movement of people and goods into, within and out of the United States. The unit investigates immigration crime, human rights violations, human smuggling, smuggling of narcotics, weapons, contraband, financial crimes, cybercrime and export enforcement issues.

    According to public records, the property on Germano Way is owned by PennyMac Loan Services LLC. Susan Su and Hong S. Yang are listed as associated names on the deed.

    Are you a Tri-Valley University student or professor that has been impacted by the closure of the school? Let us know how you're being affected by e-mailing me at [email protected].

    David Mills contributed to this story. Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.


    [url=http://pleasanton.patch.com/articles...uby-hill-house]http://pleasanton.patch.com/articles...uby-hill-house[/url]