Eastern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Shelby County felon sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun violationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Timpson man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Austin Yarbrough, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 7, 2024.
According to information presented in court, from 2021 through 2023, law enforcement conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating throughout East Texas. Yarbrough was identified as a member of that organization and a distributor of methamphetamine, as well as a firearms trafficker. As a member of the organization, Yarbrough would receive methamphetamine transported by his co-conspirators and then distribute the methamphetamine in the Timpson area. On multiple occasions, law enforcement conducted operations leading to the purchase of methamphetamine and firearms from Yarbrough, including a modified .45 caliber rifle with a shortened barrel and an adjustable stock.
Further investigation revealed Yarbrough has previous felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance, burglary of a building, and bail jumping. As a convicted felon, Yarbrough is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Angelina County Sheriff's Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; and FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.
Harrison County man charged with federal firearms violationsRead the Press Release
MARSHALL, Texas – A Marshall man has been arrested and charged in connection with federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Cameron Deshun Payton, 22 was named in a three-count indictment in the Eastern District of Texas in June 2024, charging him with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. Payton appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Payne in late July 2024, and was ordered to be detained until trial.
“In June, I announced Operation Texas Kill Switch, a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as switches,” stated U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “As promised, my office and our law enforcement partners will find these devices and take them off of the streets.”
“Mr. Payton is now about to face the music as it relates to the illegal possession of machine gun conversion devices. Several months ago, ATF and our four Texas United States Attorney partners announced Operation Texas Kill Switch to combat the scary proliferation of these dangerous devices. These are not toys and will not by treated as such by law enforcement. I’d like to thank all of our partners, especially those in this case, for their diligence in the fight against violent firearms crime. Mr. Payton now knows these partnerships are real and are here to stay,” stated ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.
“Mr. Payton’s arrest marks a significant step in addressing the rampant violent crimes within our community. His involvement in multiple car chases, deadly conduct with firearms, and the pending charge of sexual assault of a child highlights the urgency and importance of our collaborative efforts. I commend the relentless dedication of the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime & Narcotics Task Force, our officers in Marshall, the ATF, and the FBI. Together, we are demonstrating our unwavering commitment to justice and the safety of our citizens,” stated Marshall Police Department Chief Cliff Carruth.
According to information presented in court, on April 16, 2024, law enforcement arrived at Payton’s Marshall residence to serve outstanding felony warrants for sexual assault of a child and evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement found photographs of Payton with a pistol with an alleged machinegun conversion device, also referred to as a switch, installed. The weapon was located in Payton’s residence at the time of his arrest.
At only about an inch long, switches may be made of metal or plastic and can be manufactured using a 3D printer. They generally slot into the butt of a gun and allow the shooter to fire in “full auto.” Switches have been used in numerous fatal shootings, and law enforcement are finding them at a dramatically increasing rate in recent months.
If convicted, Payton faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive strategies to address them. Among these strategies is ‘Operation Texas Kill Switch.’ Operation Texas Kill Switch is aimed at raising awareness of illegal machine gun conversion devices, which pose a serious threat to East Texas communities and law enforcement.
From now until Aug. 31, local Crime Stoppers programs will offer cash rewards for information leading to the apprehension or prosecution of those who possess switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to their local Crime Stoppers program. Tipsters may also use **TIPS to be connected to a Crime Stoppers program in their area. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, and anonymity is guaranteed by law. Information may also be submitted directly to ATF at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
This case is being investigated by the Marshall Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Texas Department of Public Safety and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Argyle Fire Chief sentenced to prison for federal violations, ordered to pay over half-million in restitutionRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The former Argyle Fire Chief has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Troy Mac Hohenberger, 65, pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges related to misuse and theft of funds from the Argyle Fire District, Inc. operating account, along with making false statements to the Department of Labor and was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III on August 1, 2024. He was also ordered to pay $509,807.50 in restitution to the Argyle Fire District, Inc., and to forfeit $28,048.34.
According to information presented in court, Hohenberger stole money from the operating account of the Argyle Fire District, Inc., (which received federal funds in the form of Medicare reimbursements) and used over $490,000 of those funds to pay personal credit card bills. Those personal credit card expenses included cash advances at casinos, payments related to a family member’s business in Hawaii, and other personal uses. The evidence also showed that Hohenberger failed to fund firefighter retirement accounts in the time required by federal regulations, embezzled or stole the funds, and made false statements related to the ERISA-qualified firefighter retirement plan on a form submitted to the Department of Labor. Hohenberger was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.
“Today’s sentence sends a message that my office takes seriously crimes related to the misuse, theft, and embezzlement of retirement- and pension-plan assets, particularly when such offenses are committed by fiduciaries, like the defendant, who are charged with protecting the assets of employee benefit plans,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Because the defendant chose personal gain over his fiduciary responsibilities, he will now spend significant time in prison. We appreciate the diligence and partnership of the FBI and the Department of Labor in investigating these offenses and bringing the evidence of these crimes to light.”
“Financial fraud is not a victimless crime. The defendant didn't just embezzle federal funds. He took money that was meant to fund the retirement accounts of his colleagues and selfishly spent it on himself,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. “Thank you to our partners at the Department of Labor and the U.S. Attorney's Office for helping us hold this individual accountable for his crimes.”
Deborah Perry, Dallas Regional Director of the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration said, " I hope this sends a clear message to all who sponsor or transact business with employee benefit plans that the federal government will aggressively pursue those who commit crimes against employees and retirees of private-sector pension and health plans."
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Labor – EBSA.
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Justice Department finds that conditions at five Texas juvenile justice facilities, including Gainesville State School in the Eastern District of Texas, violate the ConstitutionRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Children are committed to TJJD facilities to receive treatment and rehabilitation so that they may return to their communities as law-abiding, productive citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation showed that, far from achieving those objectives, TJJD engaged in a pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability-related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation. State officials have an obligation to keep these children safe, to teach them, to provide them necessary health services and to treat them fairly, without discrimination. The Justice Department is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable children in juvenile facilities. We look forward to working with state officials to remedy these violations, institute needed reform and improve outcomes for Texas children.”
The department’s report details findings from a comprehensive investigation of five TJJD youth facilities, including the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, Gainesville State School, Giddings State School, McClennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, and Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex. The report concludes that:
- TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by:
- Exposing them to excessive force and prolonged isolation;
- Failing to protect children from sexual abuse; and
- Failing to provide adequate mental health services.
- TJJD violates the IDEA by failing to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities.
- TJJD discriminates against children with disabilities in violation of the ADA by:
- Not providing reasonable modifications necessary to permit their participation in programming required for release and
- Denying them an equal opportunity to benefit from education.
These violations of the Constitution and federal law place children at substantial risk of serious physical and psychological harm and impede successful outcomes for children.
“States that receive federal funds to help educate children with disabilities are required to use those funds appropriately for the benefit of these children,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Systematically failing to evaluate children suspected of having disabilities inevitably deprives these children of the special education these funds were meant to provide. Texas received funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but failed to meet their obligation to ensure that children with disabilities would receive adequate education according to their special needs, among other things. Without appropriate services, children with disabilities in Texas juvenile corrections facilities cannot access the general education curriculum, preventing meaningful rehabilitation and progress. We look forward to working with Texas to rectify the issues we identified in our investigation so that these children, through meeting their educational needs, may have a better chance to succeed when they return to our communities.”
The Justice Department launched its investigation of TJJD’s juvenile justice facilities in October 2021, under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which authorize the department to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional and federal rights of children confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities.
The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Texas investigated the case.
For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations to the section by completing the complaint form available at https://civilrights.justice.gov.
To provide information related to the department’s investigation of TJJD’s facilities, please call 1-866-432-0438 or by email at [email protected].
Spanish translation forthcoming. (La traducción al español estará disponible próximamente.)
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- TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by:
Justice Department Finds Unconstitutional Conditions at Five Texas Juvenile Justice FacilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Children are committed to TJJD facilities to receive treatment and rehabilitation so that they may return to their communities as law-abiding, productive citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation showed that, far from achieving those objectives, TJJD engaged in a pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability-related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation. State officials have an obligation to keep these children safe, to teach them, to provide them necessary health services and to treat them fairly, without discrimination. The Justice Department is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable children in juvenile facilities. We look forward to working with state officials to remedy these violations, institute needed reform and improve outcomes for Texas children.”
The department’s report details findings from a comprehensive investigation of five TJJD youth facilities, including the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, Gainesville State School, Giddings State School, McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, and Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex. The report concludes that:
- TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by:
- Exposing them to excessive force and prolonged isolation;
- Failing to protect children from sexual abuse; and
- Failing to provide adequate mental health services.
- TJJD violates the IDEA by failing to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities.
- TJJD discriminates against children with disabilities in violation of the ADA by:
- Not providing reasonable modifications necessary to permit their participation in programming required for release and
- Denying them an equal opportunity to benefit from education.
These violations of the Constitution and federal law place children at substantial risk of serious physical and psychological harm and impede successful outcomes for children.
“My office was proud to partner with the Civil Rights Division and with other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in our state on this thorough investigation of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The children in these facilities are uniquely vulnerable to harm and abuse, which hinders their prospects for rehabilitation. They deserve to be protected from harm, to receive adequate mental health care and to receive special education services and reasonable modifications that will give them a chance at productive lives in the community, outside of the walls of these institutions.”
“According to our report, TJJD falls short of creating an environment that fosters rehabilitation,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas. “Instead, some of its personnel engage in the use of excessive force and subject children to prolonged isolation, both of which are damaging. Texans know that this is not how we rehabilitate our children. We look forward to working with the State and TJJD to eliminate these issues going forward. Together, I am confident that we can implement practices that result in a better rehabilitative environment at the TJJD and ensure a pathway for children in their care to grow, heal and reach their full potential.”
“The conditions in the facilities are unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Our investigation found that children in these facilities face sexual abuse by staff and other children. Tragically, this is not the first investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at TJJD facilities. Since the early 2000s, other investigations by Texas state agencies and the Texas Rangers substantiated sexual abuse allegations of the children at TJJD facilities, yet this horrifying problem persists. Working with Texas’s other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Rights Division and the State of Texas, my office hopes to provide protections to the vulnerable and help right wrongs that have existed for far too long.”
“States that receive federal funds to help educate children with disabilities are required to use those funds appropriately for the benefit of these children,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Systematically failing to evaluate children suspected of having disabilities inevitably deprives these children of the special education these funds were meant to provide. Texas received funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but failed to meet their obligation to ensure that children with disabilities would receive adequate education according to their special needs, among other things. Without appropriate services, children with disabilities in Texas juvenile corrections facilities cannot access the general education curriculum, preventing meaningful rehabilitation and progress. We look forward to working with Texas to rectify the issues we identified in our investigation so that these children, through meeting their educational needs, may have a better chance to succeed when they return to our communities.”
The Justice Department launched its investigation of TJJD’s juvenile justice facilities in October 2021, under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which authorize the department to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional and federal rights of children confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities.
The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Texas investigated the case.
For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations to the section by completing the complaint form available at civilrights.justice.gov.
To provide information related to the department’s investigation of TJJD’s facilities please call 1-866-432-0438 or email at [email protected].
Spanish translation forthcoming. (La traducción al español estará disponible próximamente.)
- TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by:
El Departamento de Justicia descubre condiciones que violan normas constitucionales en cinco centros de justicia de menores de TexasRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy sus conclusiones de que el Departamento de Justicia de Menores de Texas (TJJD, por sus siglas en inglés) está violando la Constitución de los Estados Unidos, así como la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades (IDEA, por sus siglas en inglés) y la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA, por sus siglas en inglés).
“Los menores son internados en centros del TJJD para recibir tratamiento y rehabilitación, a fin de que puedan regresar a sus comunidades como ciudadanos respetuosos de la ley y productivos”, declaró Kristen Clarke, la fiscal general adjunta de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Nuestra investigación demostró que, lejos de lograr esos objetivos, el TJJD incurrió en un patrón de abuso, privación de servicios esenciales y discriminación relacionada con la discapacidad que perjudica gravemente a los niños y socava su rehabilitación. Los funcionarios del estado tienen la obligación de mantener a estos niños a salvo, de enseñarles, de proporcionarles los servicios sanitarios necesarios y de tratarlos con equidad y sin discriminación. El Departamento de Justicia se ha comprometido a proteger los derechos de los niños vulnerables internados en centros de menores. Esperamos trabajar con los funcionarios del estado para remediar estas violaciones, instituir las reformas necesarias y mejorar los resultados para los niños de Texas”.
El informe del departamento detalla los hallazgos de una investigación exhaustiva de cinco centros de menores del TJJD, incluidos el Centro Regional de Menores de Evins, la Escuela Estatal de Gainesville, la Escuela Estatal de Giddings, el Correccional Juvenil Estatal del Condado de McLennan y el Complejo Correccional Juvenil Estatal Ron Jackson. El informe concluye que:
- El TJJD sistemáticamente viola los derechos constitucionales de los niños en las cinco instalaciones al:
- Exponerlos a fuerza excesiva y aislamiento prolongado;
- No proteger a los niños de actos de abuso sexual; y
- No proporcionar servicios de salud mental adecuados.
- El TJJD viola la ley IDEA al no proporcionar educación especial y servicios relacionados a los niños con discapacidades.
- El TJJD discrimina a los niños con discapacidades en violación de la ADA al:
- No proporcionar las modificaciones razonables necesarias para permitir su participación en los programas requeridos de liberación y
- Negarles la igualdad de oportunidades para beneficiarse de la educación.
Estas violaciones de la Constitución y de la ley federal exponen a los niños a un riesgo considerable de sufrir daños físicos y psicológicos graves e impiden que los niños salgan adelante.
“Mi oficina se sintió orgullosa de colaborar con la División de Derechos Civiles y con otras Fiscalías de los EE. UU. de nuestro estado en esta investigación exhaustiva del Departamento de Justicia de Menores de Texas”, dijo Jaime Esparza, el fiscal federal para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. “Los niños en estas instalaciones son especialmente vulnerables a sufrir lesiones y abusos, lo que limita sus posibilidades de rehabilitación. Merecen ser protegidos contra cualquier lesión, recibir una atención de salud mental adecuada y recibir servicios de educación especial y modificaciones razonables que les den la oportunidad de llevar una vida productiva en la comunidad, fuera de los muros de estas instituciones”.
“Según nuestro informe, el TJJD no consigue crear un entorno que fomente la rehabilitación”, declaró Leigha Simonton, la fiscal federal para el Distrito Norte de Texas. “Por el contrario, parte de su personal emplea fuerza excesiva y somete a los menores a un aislamiento prolongado, lo que resulta perjudicial. Los tejanos sabemos que no es así como rehabilitamos a nuestros niños. Estamos deseosos de trabajar con el estado y el TJJD para eliminar estos problemas en el futuro. Juntos, estoy segura de que podemos implementar prácticas que resulten en un mejor ambiente de rehabilitación en el TJJD y aseguren un camino para que los niños bajo su cuidado crezcan, sanen y alcancen su máximo potencial”.
“Las condiciones de estos centros son inaceptables”, declaró Alamdar S. Hamdani, el fiscal federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas. “Nuestra investigación encontró que los niños en estas instalaciones se enfrentan a abusos sexuales por parte del personal así como de otros niños. Trágicamente, esta no es la primera investigación sobre alegatos de abuso sexual en los centros del TJJD. Desde principios de los años 2000, otras investigaciones realizadas por agencias del estado de Texas y los Rangers de Texas corroboraron alegatos de abuso sexual de los niños en los centros del TJJD; sin embargo, este horrible problema persiste. En colaboración con las demás fiscalías de los EE. UU. en Texas, la División de Derechos Civiles y el estado de Texas, mi oficina espera proteger a las personas vulnerables y ayudar a corregir errores que han existido durante demasiado tiempo”.
“Los estados que reciben fondos federales para ayudar a educar a los niños con discapacidades están obligados a utilizar esos fondos adecuadamente en beneficio de estos niños”, dijo Damien M. Diggs, el fiscal federal para el Distrito Este de Texas. “No evaluar sistemáticamente a los niños de los que se sospecha que tienen discapacidades, priva inevitablemente a estos niños de la educación especial que estos fondos estaban destinados a proporcionar. Texas recibió fondos al amparo de la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades, pero no cumplió con su obligación de garantizar que los niños con discapacidades recibieran una educación adecuada de acuerdo con sus necesidades especiales, entre otros aspectos. Sin los servicios adecuados, los niños con discapacidades internados en centros correccionales de menores de Texas no pueden acceder al plan de estudios de educación general, lo que impide una rehabilitación y un progreso significativos. Esperamos colaborar con Texas para rectificar los problemas que hemos detectado en nuestra investigación, a fin de que estos niños, mediante la satisfacción de sus necesidades educativas, tengan más posibilidades de triunfar cuando vuelvan a nuestras comunidades”.
El Departamento de Justicia inició su investigación de los centros de justicia de menores del TJJD en octubre de 2021, al amparo de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de las Personas Internadas en Instituciones y la Ley de Represión de Delitos Violentos y de Orden Público de 1994, que autorizan al departamento a investigar una pauta o práctica de privación de los derechos constitucionales y federales de los menores internados en centros correccionales gestionados por el gobierno estatal o local.
La Sección Especial de Litigios de la División de Derechos Civiles y las Fiscalías de los EE. UU. en Texas investigaron el caso.
Si desea obtener más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles y la Sección Especial de Litigios, visite www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. También puede denunciar violaciones de los derechos civiles a la sección completando el formulario de denuncia disponible en https://civilrights.justice.gov.
Si desea proporcionar información relacionada con la investigación del departamento sobre los centros del TJJD, llame al 1-866-432-0438 o envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected].
- El TJJD sistemáticamente viola los derechos constitucionales de los niños en las cinco instalaciones al:
Texarkana High School band instructor sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for child exploitation violationRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana man has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Brandon Neil Sams, 48, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor while serving as a band instructor at Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas and was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III, on July 16, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Sams communicated with several of his minor students through social media and messaging applications to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce them to participate in sexual activity. Sams provided his victims with gifts, such as cell phones, clothes, and prepaid credit cards to encourage them to do what he asked of them. After the Texas High police department uncovered Sams’s criminal activity, several victims came forward to explain that they had been victimized by Sams in the past but had been too afraid to come forward about it for fear of backlash.
“We expect teachers to protect and keep their students safe from harm, not to abuse their positions of trust to take advantage of them,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Mr. Sams used his access to teenagers to groom them to participate with him in illegal sexual activity. The sentence he received today should serve as a warning to all child predators: we will find you, and you will face justice.”
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Texarkana, Texas Independent School District. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.
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Jefferson County man sentenced for federal firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur man was sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Johnathon Andre Granger, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 2, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on August 4, 2023, local law enforcement executed a search warrant at Granger’s Port Arthur residence. During the search, Granger was found asleep in a bedroom with a firearm nearby. In all, three firearms, 19 grams of cocaine, and nearly $3,000 cash were found in the home.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.
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Jefferson County man guilty of federal violation related to gas station robberyRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Nederland man has pleaded guilty to a federal violation in relation to an armed robbery of a gas station in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Tarrell Donald Nowlin, 53, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on July 2, 2024.
According to court documents, on January 16, 2024, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the Speedway Gas Station located at 2795 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont for a reported robbery. According to the store clerk, a dark-colored Dodge Caravan pulled into the parking lot of the business and parked near one of the gas pumps. The driver, described as a white male, entered the business wearing a black mask, blue latex gloves, and a gray hat. The driver pointed a silver revolver at the clerk and demanded cash. The clerk opened the cash register and the driver took approximately $550 cash and left the store. The investigation identified Nowlin as the subject.
Nowlin faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Beaumont Police Department, and Nederland Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Quinn.
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Final defendant pleads guilty in racketeering scheme that resulted in the nationwide lockdown of the federal prison systemRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – The final defendant in a racketeering conspiracy that resulted in the nationwide lockdown of the federal prison system has pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Juan Carlos Rivas-Moreiera, a/k/a “Juan Carlos Moriera,” a/k/a “Stocky” pleaded guilty on July 2, 2024, for his role in a racketeering conspiracy in furtherance of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13.
In April 2022, seven defendants, including Rivas-Moreiera, were indicted and charged with the planning and execution of a violent attack orchestrated by members of MS-13 against Mexican Mafia and Sureños associates that resulted in two deaths, two attempted murders, and a nationwide lockdown of all inmates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for almost a week. Rivas-Moreiera admitted to his role in the deadly prison attack and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Rivas-Moreiera was the last remaining defendant to plead guilty.
According to information presented in court, MS-13 is a transnational criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, but also includes members from other countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The Mexican Mafia controls large portions of the Hispanic prison population in California and Texas and the federal prison system. Although MS-13 has had a symbiotic relationship with both the Mexican Mafia and the Sureños, which is a close association of Hispanic gangs that pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia, that relationship has begun to deteriorate resulting in violent clashes between the groups.
On January 31, 2022, seven MS-13 members imprisoned at the U.S. Penitentiary in Beaumont attacked multiple Sureños members and one Mexican Mafia associate. Defendant Rivas-Moreiera began the prison attack when he approached Guillermo Riojas and stabbed Riojas twice in the chest. Riojas fell immediately, and other MS-13 defendants stabbed and kicked Riojas while he lay motionless on the prison floor. The MS-13 defendants then chased, cornered, beat, and repeatedly stabbed Andrew Pineda, and other Sureños members. The prison attack lasted approximately three minutes. Riojas and Pineda died as a result of the attack.
Defendants Rivas-Moreiera, Alfaro-Granado, and Landaverde-Giron are all serving sentences of life imprisonment for their participation in MS-13 and committing murder in aid of racketeering in furtherance of MS-13. Defendant Ramires is also serving a sentence of 27 years in federal prison following his conviction for participating in MS-13 and committing a murder on behalf of the gang.
This case is a result of coordination between the Eastern District of Texas and Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created in August 2019 as a whole-of-government approach to dismantle transnational criminal organizations, such as MS-13. Since its creation, JTFV has successfully increased coordination and collaboration with foreign law enforcement partners, including El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala; designating priority MS-13 programs, cliques and leaders, who have the most impact on the United States, for targeted prosecutions; and coordinating significant MS-13 indictments in U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the first use of national security charges against MS-13 leaders, such as the Ranfla Nacional, in El Salvador. JTFV has been comprised of members from U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including EDTX; the Eastern District of New York; the Southern District of New York; the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the Eastern District of Virginia; the District of Massachusetts; the District of Alaska; the Southern District of Florida; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. In addition, all Department of Justice law enforcement agencies are involved in the effort, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Prisons. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations also plays a critical role in JTFV.
This case is being prosecuted by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte; Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Eason from the Eastern District of Texas and JTFV; Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart M. Young from JTFV and the District of Utah; and Trial Attorney Jacob Warren from the National Security Division. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons.
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Arkansas man guilty of possessing machinegun conversion deviceRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Little Rock, Arkansas, man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Jajuan Lee Bonds, 23, pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on July 2, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on July 21, 2022, an officer with the Corrigan Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Bonds. The officer observed what appeared to be marijuana in a clear plastic baggie in the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, the officer located a firearm outfitted with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch”. The modified handgun had been previously reported stolen. Federal law defines a machinegun as a weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.
Bonds’ plea comes less than a month after Diggs and U.S. Attorneys for the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas announced, “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices. At a June 10, 2024, press conference, U.S. Attorney Diggs stated that, “machinegun conversion devices are incredibly dangerous and pose an unacceptable risk to the public and law enforcement.” Diggs went on to say, “they’re also illegal and simply possessing a machinegun conversion device—let alone firing one—comes along with a hefty prison sentence. As U.S. Attorney, I am committed to keeping them off the streets of the Eastern District of Texas.” Operation Texas Kill Switch relies on partnerships with state and local law enforcement as well as rewards offered by Crime Stoppers.
Bonds faces up to ten years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Corrigan Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.
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New Orleans man sentenced to federal prison for Vidor carjackingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A New Orleans, LA, man has been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for a 2022 violent carjacking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Aubrey Young, 37, pleaded guilty to carjacking and was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 1, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on October 26, 2022, Young approached two people in Vidor asking if they had any work for him. When they said they did not, Young pulled a firearm from his backpack and demanded the keys from the victims. Young then fled in their vehicle. The car was spotted near Anahuac and a high-speed chase ensued. Young was arrested and a firearm was located in the stolen vehicle.
On April 18, 2024, U.S. Attorney Diggs announced the newly formed Carjacking Task Force in the Eastern District of Texas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), will work alongside state and local law enforcement partners to more effectively address the threat of carjackings in Southeast Texas.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Vidor Police Department, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
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Jefferson County man sentenced for COVID-Relief fraudRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced for federal violations related to a COVID-relief fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Acheon King Aleidron, formerly known as Cameron Alexander, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 1, 2024. Aleidron was also ordered to pay $415,900.00 in restitution.
According to court documents, Aleidron used a Beaumont address for a business named The Fishing Factor, LLC to fraudulently obtain $415,000 under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for COVID-19 pandemic relief. Aleidron filed numerous fraudulent loan applications and received the funds which were intended to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Aleidron opened five bank accounts with four different banks in in order to receive funds from the scheme. The government was able to seize $186,413.78 from Aleidron’s various bank accounts, which will be forfeited to pay back a portion of the loss.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional funding.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”) was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the SBA that provided loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. EIDL loans were intended to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. EIDL loans are processed outside the State of Texas. According to the SBA website (www.sba.gov), the stated purpose of an EIDL loan is “[t]o meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred.” EIDL loans are low interest loans and are not forgivable.
To obtain an EIDL loan, a qualifying business had to submit an EIDL loan application, which was signed by an authorized representative of the business. The EIDL loan application required the business (through its authorized representative) to acknowledge the program rules and make certain affirmative certifications to be eligible to obtain the EIDL loan, including that the business was in operation and needed the funds for working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020, and continuing thereafter. For a business to be eligible for an EIDL loan, the business must have been in operation before February 1, 2020.
EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA and processed by the agency with support from a government contractor, Rapid Finance. EIDL loan applications were received by SBA servers located in Virginia, Iowa, or Washington. Once approved, the individual or business received the EIDL loan proceeds via an electronic funds transfer to a financial account under the control of the business.
The amount of the loan, if the application were approved, was determined based on the information provided by the applicant about employment, revenue, and cost of goods, as described above. Any funds issued under an EIDL advance were issued directly by the SBA. EIDL funds could be used for payroll expenses, sick leave, production costs, and business obligations, such as debts, rent, and mortgage payments.
This case was investigated by the SBA Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin.
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Fort Bend County convicted felon sentenced to federal prison for firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Richmond man was sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Aaron Martinez, 33, pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on June 27, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on August 3, 2021, Martinez was stopped for a traffic violation in Vidor. During the stop, it was discovered that Martinez had an outstanding felony warrant. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm and ammunition. Further investigation showed Martinez to be a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Vidor Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
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Angelina County felon sentenced for federal drug trafficking and firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin man was sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Johnathan Edward Brandt, 38, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on June 27, 2024.
According to information presented in court, in early 2023, law enforcement agents made multiple undercover purchases of methamphetamine from Brandt. Agents were also able to purchase a firearm from Brandt during one of the undercover purchases.
In March of 2023, Brandt was arrested after law enforcement responded to a report of individuals wearing ski masks and carrying flashlights at a Lufkin business. Brandt was found in possession of a stolen firearm and had an outstanding warrant. Further investigation revealed Brandt drove to the location in a stolen vehicle which also happened to contain another 13 firearms, a large amount of ecstasy pills, methamphetamine, alprazolam, a large amount of cash, and ammunition and magazines. Brandt admitted to trading narcotics for the firearms. A search of Brandt’s residence resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, digital scales, ecstasy, marijuana, firearms, and a stolen vehicle. Brandt has prior felony convictions for multiple felony thefts, multiple burglary of a habitation offenses, possession of a prohibited weapon, and multiple felony possession of a controlled substance offenses. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Angelina County Sheriff’s Office; and the Lufkin Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.
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Florida promoter sentenced to 20 years for duping investors in fraudulent Southfork Ranch concert schemeRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – An Orlando, Florida man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
James Walker Watson, Jr., 68, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in May 2023 and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, on June 20, 2024. Judge Mazzant announced restitution to victims would be determined at a separate hearing.
According to information presented in court, from 2016 to 2020, Walker devised and carried out a scheme to commit fraud against multiple individuals in the North Texas area by representing to them that he was a successful concert promoter and was looking for investors to give him money to put on concert events, including two purported concerts at the Southfork Ranch in Plano, Texas. Walker took the victims’ money but failed to return the investments as he had promised. He would often tell investors that, without further investment and involvement with his ventures, they would not receive any of their money back. The fraudulent activity resulted in a loss to victims of approximately $3 million.
“The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to bring charges against and prosecute those who commit fraud and steal money from victims in our district,” said U. S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “These crimes often take advantage of individuals who trust the defendants with their hard-earned savings and investments, only to lose them forever. We appreciate the work of the FBI in investigating and partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring this defendant to justice.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Combs.
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Justice Department Secures Agreements with Texas Counties to Ensure Election Website Accessibility for People with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas secured settlement agreements with Runnels County, Colorado County, Smith County and Upton County to resolve the department’s findings that the counties violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining election websites that discriminate against individuals with vision or manual disabilities.
“Voting in the 21st century requires that officials make their websites accessible to people with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Discriminatory barriers on election websites can prevent people with disabilities from exercising their right to vote. These agreements should send a message to state and local officials across the country about the importance of ensuring that their election websites are accessible for voters with disabilities so that they can participate equally in our democratic process.”
The election websites for these four Texas counties provide essential information about how to vote, such as registration requirements, identification requirements and voting information for people with disabilities. The websites also link to other critical information, including details about early voting and voting on election day.
Under the settlement agreements, the counties agreed to make all future and existing online election content accessible to people with disabilities. The counties also agreed to hire an independent auditor to evaluate the accessibility of their election websites’ content, adopt new policies and training for relevant personnel, provide notice to visitors and users of the websites to solicit comments and requests about any accessibility barriers and designate an employee to coordinate its efforts.
These four investigations are part of the department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which safeguards the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. To read more about the ADA and how it applies to voting, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/voting/. These settlement agreements also are part of the Civil Rights Division’s Tech Equity Initiative to combat disability discrimination that occurs through technology such as websites and mobile apps.
Justice Department Secures Agreements with Texas Counties to Ensure Election Website Accessibility for People with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas secured settlement agreements with Colorado County, Runnels County, Smith County and Upton County to resolve the department’s findings that the counties violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining election websites that discriminate against individuals with vision or manual disabilities.
“Voting in the 21st century requires that officials make their websites accessible to people with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Discriminatory barriers on election websites can prevent people with disabilities from exercising their right to vote. These agreements should send a message to state and local officials across the country about the importance of ensuring that their election websites are accessible for voters with disabilities so that they can participate equally in our democratic process.”
The election websites for these four Texas counties provide essential information about how to vote, such as registration requirements, identification requirements and voting information for people with disabilities. The websites also link to other critical information, including details about early voting and voting on election day.
Under the settlement agreements, the counties agreed to make all future and existing online election content accessible to people with disabilities. The counties also agreed to hire an independent auditor to evaluate the accessibility of their election websites’ content, adopt new policies and training for relevant personnel, provide notice to visitors and users of the websites to solicit comments and requests about any accessibility barriers and designate an employee to coordinate its efforts.
These four investigations are part of the department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which safeguards the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. To read more about the ADA and how it applies to voting, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/voting/. These settlement agreements also are part of the Civil Rights Division’s Tech Equity Initiative to combat disability discrimination that occurs through technology such as websites and mobile apps.
Justice Department Secures Agreements with Smith County to Ensure Election Website Accessibility for People with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – Smith County has entered into a settlement agreement which resolves findings it violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining an election website that discriminates against individuals with vision or manual disabilities, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
“The Eastern District of Texas is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters, including those with disabilities, can access critical election information,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “By entering into this settlement agreement, Smith County has taken a significant step towards removing barriers and promoting inclusivity on their election websites. This ensures that voters in the Eastern District of Texas with impairments are not disenfranchised and can fully participate in the democratic process."
The county’s election website provides essential information about how to vote, such as registration requirements, identification requirements and voting information for people with disabilities. The website also links to other critical information, including details about early voting and voting on election day.
Under the settlement agreement, Smith County agreed to make all future and existing online election content accessible to people with disabilities. The county also agreed to hire an independent auditor to evaluate the accessibility of their election website’s content, provide notice to visitors and users of the website to solicit comments and requests about any accessibility barriers, designate an employee to coordinate its efforts, revise its procedures and train relevant personnel.
This investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s ADA Voting Initiative, which safeguards the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. To read more about the ADA and how it applies to voting, please visit Voting and Polling Places. This settlement agreement is also part of the Department of Justice’s Tech Equity Initiative to combat disability discrimination that occurs through technology such as websites and mobile apps.
The Eastern District of Texas is committed to vigorously enforcing the ADA. Additional information is available at Civil Rights Division for the Eastern District of Texas.
This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aimee Cooper.
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El Departamento de Justicia llega a acuerdos con condados tejanos para asegurar la accesibilidad de los sitios web electorales para las personas con discapacidadesRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que la División de Derechos Civiles y las Fiscalías Federales de los distritos del Este, Norte, Sur, y Oeste de Texas han llegado a acuerdos conciliatorios con los Condados de Colorado, Runnels, Smith y Upton para resolver los hallazgos del departamento que los condados infringieron al Título II de la Ley para Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990 (ADA, por sus siglas en inglés), al mantener sitios web electorales que discriminan contra individuos con discapacidades manuales o visuales.
“La votación en el siglo XXI requiere que los oficiales hagan sus sitios web accesibles para las personas con discapacidades,” comentó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Las barreras discriminatorias en los sitios web electorales pueden prevenir que las personas con discapacidades ejerzan su derecho al voto. Estos acuerdos conciliatorios deben enviar un mensaje a los oficiales estatales y locales de todo el país sobre la importancia de asegurar que sus sitios web electorales son accesibles para los votantes con discapacidades para que puedan participar de manera igualitaria en nuestro proceso democrático.”
Los sitios web electorales de estos cuatro condados tejanos brindan información importante sobre cómo votar, por ejemplo, cuáles son los requisitos para el registro y la identificación del votante, así como, cuál es la información que necesitan las personas con discapacidades para votar. Los sitios web también contienen enlaces a información crítica, incluidos detalles sobre votación temprana y la votación el día de las elecciones.
Bajo los acuerdos conciliatorios, los condados accedieron hacer accesible a las personas con discapacidades todo contenido de web existente y futuro. Los condados también accedieron contratar a un auditor independiente para evaluar la accesibilidad del contenido electoral de los sitios web, adoptar nuevas políticas y entrenamiento para los empleados relevantes, advertir noticia a los visitantes y usuarios de los sitios web para solicitar comentarios y solicitudes sobre cualquier barrera de accesibilidad, y designar a un empleado para coordinar sus esfuerzos.
Estas cuatro investigaciones son parte de la Iniciativa de Votación ADA, la cual se enfoca en proteger los derechos de voto de los individuos con discapacidades. Para conocer más sobre el ADA y cómo esta se aplica a la votación usted puede visitar el sitio web a www.ada.gov/topics/voting/. Estos acuerdos conciliatorios también son parte de la Iniciativa de Equidad Tecnología de la División de Derechos Civiles para combatir discriminación de discapacidad que ocurre a través de la tecnología, tal como los sitios de web y aplicaciones móviles.
Jefferson County man charged with federal violations in connection with postal carjackingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been charged with federal violations related to a carjacking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Jody Lee Bass, 34, was named in a complaint on June 10, 2024, charging him with carjacking and assault on a federal officer. Bass appeared in federal court on June 12, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on June 8, 2024, Bass approached a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service on Avenue F in Beaumont. Bass is alleged to have used a knife to rob the mail carrier of the USPS mail delivery truck while the victim was delivering mail on his route. Bass grabbed the mail carrier and attempted to stab him. The mail carrier escaped, and Bass drove off with the mail truck.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Eastern District of Texas’ Carjacking Task Force.
If convicted of both charges, Bass faces up to 35 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
A complaint or indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Texas U.S. Attorney’s announce “Operation Texas Kill Switch” aimed at machinegun conversion devicesRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – Today, U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas announced “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches.”
At simultaneous press conferences throughout the state, U.S. Attorneys Damien M. Diggs, Leigha Simonton, Alamdar Hamdani, and Jaime Esparza, joined by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agents in Charge Jeffrey Boshek and Michael Weddel, lambasted switches, which transform commercially available firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing faster than military-grade M4s.
“Machinegun conversion devices are incredibly dangerous and pose an unacceptable risk to the public and law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “They’re also illegal and simply possessing a machinegun conversion device—let alone firing one—comes along with a hefty prison sentence. As U.S. Attorney, I am committed to keeping them off the streets of the Eastern District of Texas.”
“Today’s important initiative is aimed at raising awareness of illegal machinegun conversation devices also known as ‘switches,’ said ATF Houston SAC Michael Weddel. “Today’s threat comes from machinegun conversion devices that easily convert a firearm into a machinegun. These ‘switches’ as they are often called on the streets, not only pose a serious threat to those living in our communities but a unique and deadly threat to law enforcement. Simply possessing one of these devices is a federal crime and we will work endlessly in conjunction with our United States Attorney’s Office in addition to our local, state, and federal partners to identify and prosecute these crimes.”
About an inch long, switches may be made of metal or plastic and can be printed on commercially available 3D printers. They generally slot into the butt of a gun and allow the shooter to fire “full auto,” unloading dozens of rounds with a single pull of the trigger. (In contrast, regular semi-automatic firearms require a separate trigger pull for each round fired.) To date, switches have been used in numerous fatal shootings, including at least one juvenile mass shooting and multiple police killings.
Except in very limited circumstances, possession of a switch is illegal, as the National Firearms Act classifies the switch itself as a machinegun.
Yet the number of switches recovered by law enforcement has risen dramatically in the past few years. Between 2017 and 2023, Texas-based ATF agents seized 991 switches; 490 of those, 50 percent, were seized just last year. They are often sold over social media, marketed to adults and juveniles alike.
At Monday’s press conferences, the U.S. Attorneys announced that as part of Operation Texas Kill Switch, they are partnering with Crime Stopper programs statewide to combat the proliferation of these illegal devices.
From now until Aug. 31, local Crime Stopper programs will offer cash rewards for information leading to the apprehension or prosecution of those who possess switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to their local Crime Stoppers program. Tipsters may also use **TIPS to be connected to a Crime Stoppers program in their area. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, and anonymity is guaranteed by law. Information may also be submitted directly to ATF at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
U.S. Attorneys Diggs, Simonton, Hamdani, and Esparza also urged local law enforcement to partner with federal authorities on switch cases, which carry maximum sentences of up to 10 years in the federal system. They laid out their case in a joint op-ed published Monday in the Austin American Statesman, which you can read here.
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Evadale Little League coach sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for child exploitation violationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lumberton man has been sentenced to federal prison on child exploitation charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Adam Dale Isaacks, 40, pleaded guilty to four counts of transporting a minor for purposes of sexual activity and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on June 3, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on Dec. 13, 2021, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office responded to an Evadale home in reference to a report of several sexual assaults. As the investigation progressed, Isaacks was identified as the assailant. Isaacks, a youth baseball coach and president of the Evadale Little League Baseball organization and a trusted member of the community, was reported to have sexually assaulted eight minor members of his baseball team. The boys were between 9 and 11 years old the time of the offenses. The investigation revealed instances where several minor victims were transported by Isaacks from the Eastern District of Texas outside the state. While outside the state of Texas, Isaacks engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the minor victims. The trips were verified with records from airlines, credit card information, photos, and witnesses.
“We expect our little league coaches to protect the children entrusted to their care; this defendant did not do that and will now serve a lengthy sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Coaches like the defendant, Mr. Isaacks, who have sex with minors should take note of today’s sentence, which reflects the consequences of abusing one’s position of trust by taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of minors and repeatedly engaging them in unlawful sexual activities. This case shows how local and federal agencies can work together to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation—a crime that our office will aggressively prosecute.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
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911 S5 Botnet Dismantled and Its Administrator Arrested in Coordinated International OperationRead the Press Release
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A court-authorized international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department disrupted a botnet used to commit cyber attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations.As part of this operation, YunHe Wang, 35, a People’s Republic of China national and St. Kitts and Nevis citizen-by-investment, was arrested on May 24 on criminal charges arising from his deployment of malware and the creation and operation of a residential proxy service known as “911 S5.”
According to an indictment unsealed on May 24, from 2014 through July 2022, Wang and others are alleged to have created and disseminated malware to compromise and amass a network of millions of residential Windows computers worldwide. These devices were associated with more than 19 million unique IP addresses, including 613,841 IP addresses located in the United States. Wang then generated millions of dollars by offering cybercriminals access to these infected IP addresses for a fee.
“This Justice Department-led operation brought together law enforcement partners from around the globe to disrupt 911 S5, a botnet that facilitated cyber-attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As a result of this operation, YunHe Wang was arrested on charges that he created and operated the botnet and deployed malware. This case makes clear that the long arm of the law stretches across borders and into the deepest shadows of the dark web, and the Justice Department will never stop fighting to hold cybercriminals to account.”
“Working with our international partners, the FBI conducted a joint, sequenced cyber operation to dismantle the 911 S5 Botnet—likely the world’s largest botnet ever,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We arrested its administrator, Yunhe Wang, seized infrastructure and assets, and levied sanctions against Wang and his co-conspirators. The 911 S5 Botnet infected computers in nearly 200 countries and facilitated a whole host of computer-enabled crimes, including financial frauds, identity theft, and child exploitation. This operation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to protect American businesses and the American people, and we will work tirelessly to unmask and arrest the cybercriminals who profit from this illegal activity.”
According to court documents, Wang allegedly propagated his malware through Virtual Private Network (VPN) programs, such as MaskVPN and DewVPN (torrent distribution models that he operated) and pay-per-install services that bundled his malware with other program files, including pirated versions of licensed software or copyrighted materials. Wang then managed and controlled approximately 150 dedicated servers worldwide, approximately 76 of which he leased from U.S. based online service providers. Using the dedicated servers, Wang deployed and managed applications, commanded and controlled the infected devices, operated his 911 S5 service, and provided paying customers with access to proxied IP addresses associated with the infected devices.
“As alleged in the indictment, Wang created malware that compromised millions of residential computers around the world and then sold access to the infected computers to cybercriminals,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These criminals used the hijacked computers to conceal their identities and commit a host of crimes, from fraud to cyberstalking. Cybercriminals should take note. Today’s announcement sends a clear message that the Criminal Division and its law enforcement partners are firm in their resolve to disrupt the most technologically sophisticated criminal tools and hold wrongdoers to account.”
“YunHe Wang created and administered a residential proxy service—a botnet known as 911 S5—that affected millions of computers all over the world,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “He will now be held accountable. Proxy services like 911 S5 are pervasive threats that shield criminals behind the compromised IP addresses of residential computers worldwide. Successfully tackling a problem of this scale is only possible with strong collaboration and exceptional investigative work between our law enforcement partners at home and abroad, and we stand ready to hold accountable anyone—no matter where they are located—who exploits our telecommunications infrastructure for their own criminal purpose.”
Cybercriminals then used proxied IP addresses purchased from 911 S5 to conceal their true originating IP addresses and locations, and anonymously commit a wide array of offenses. These offenses including financial crimes, stalking, transmitting bomb threats and threats of harm, illegal exportation of goods, and receiving and sending child exploitation materials. Since 2014, 911 S5 allegedly enabled cybercriminals to bypass financial fraud detection systems and steal billions of dollars from financial institutions, credit card issuers, and federal lending programs.
911 S5 customers allegedly targeted certain pandemic relief programs. For example, the United States estimates that 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims originated from compromised IP addresses, resulting in a confirmed fraudulent loss exceeding $5.9 billion. Additionally, in evaluating suspected fraud loss to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, the United States estimates that more than 47,000 EIDL applications originated from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5. Millions of dollars more were similarly identified by financial institutions in the United States as loss originating from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5.
The 911 S5 client interface software, which was hosted on U.S.-based servers, enabled cybercriminals located outside of the United States to purchase goods with stolen credit cards or criminally derived proceeds, and illegally export them outside of the United States contrary to U.S. export laws, such as the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The 911 S5 client interface may also contain encryption or other features which subject it to export controls detailed in the EAR. Accordingly, downloads of the 911 S5 client interface software by certain foreign nationals without a license may constitute violations of the EAR.
“The disruption, seizure, and arrest of the perpetrator(s) responsible for the 911 S5 cybercriminal enterprise demonstrates the forward leaning posture of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Cyber Field Office,” said DCIS Director Kelly P. Mayo. “This investigation showcases the critical import of identifying and pursuing emerging threats and technologies targeting our warfighters, and the industrial base that supports them. Today’s announcement illustrates the magnitude of cooperation within federal law enforcement and our foreign partners pursuing criminals in the rapidly evolving cybercrime arena.”
The indictment further alleges that from 2018 until July 2022, Wang received approximately $99 million from his sales of the hijacked proxied IP addresses through his 911 S5 operation, either in cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Wang used the illicitly gained proceeds to purchase real property in the United States, St. Kitts and Nevis, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The indictment identifies dozens of assets and properties subject to forfeiture, including a 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider S-A, a BMW i8, a BMW X7 M50d, a Rolls Royce, more than a dozen domestic and international bank accounts, over two dozen cryptocurrency wallets, several luxury wristwatches, 21 residential or investment properties (across Thailand, Singapore, the U.A.E., St. Kitts and Nevis, and the United States), and 20 domains.
Law enforcement initially focused on 911 S5 during an investigation of a money laundering and smuggling scheme, where criminal actors in Ghana and the United States used hijacked IP addresses purchased from 911 S5 to place fraudulent orders using stolen credit cards on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) online e-commerce platform known as ShopMyExchange. Although approximately 2,525 fraudulent orders valued at $5.5 million were submitted, credit card fraud detection systems and federal investigators were able to thwart the bulk of the attempted purchases, reducing the actual loss to approximately $254,000.
“The conduct alleged here reads like it’s ripped from a screenplay: A scheme to sell access to millions of malware-infected computers worldwide, enabling criminals over the world to steal billions of dollars, transmit bomb threats, and exchange child exploitation materials—then using the scheme’s nearly $100 million in profits to buy luxury cars, watches, and real estate,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “What they don’t show in the movies though is the painstaking work it takes by domestic and international law enforcement, working closely with industry partners, to take down such a brazen scheme and make an arrest like this happen.”
Wang is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, substantive computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, Wang faces a maximum penalty of 65 years in prison.
This operation was a coordinated multiagency effort led by law enforcement in the United States, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. Agents and officers searched residences, seized assets valued at approximately $30 million, and identified additional forfeitable property valued at approximately $30 million. The operation also seized 23 domains and over 70 servers constituting the backbone of Wang’s prior residential proxy service and the recent incarnation of the service. By seizing multiple domains tied to the historical 911 S5, as well as several new domains and services directly linked to an effort to reconstitute the service, the government has successfully terminated Wang’s efforts to further victimize individuals through his newly formed service Clourouter.io and closed the existing malicious backdoors.
On May 28, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued financial sanctions against Wang, Jingping Liu, and Yanni Zheng, for their activities associated with 911 S5, and three entities for being owned or controlled by Wang.
The FBI Dallas and Denver Field Offices, DCIS Cyber Field Office, and BIS Office of Export Enforcement’s Dallas field office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Candy Heath and Lydia Lichlyter of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camelia Lopez and William Tatum for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The Department appreciates the significant assistance provided by the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Singapore, Singapore Police Force (SPF), Royal Thai Police, and the Office of the Attorney General and the Anti-Money Laundering Office of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section provided crucial support to this operation. The Treasury Department’s OFAC also provided support to this operation. Additionally, the Department offers its thanks to Chainalysis, the Shadowserver Foundation, and Microsoft for the assistance provided by each during the investigation and the operation.
For more information or to determine if you are a victim of 911 S5 malware, please visit www.fbi.gov/911S5.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Indictment Domain Seizure WarrantsPort Arthur man sentenced for firearms violationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Christopher Bryan Jones, 44, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on May 24, 2024. Bernard Colbert, 40, of Baldwin, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to the same offense and was sentenced earlier this year to 40 months in federal prison by Judge Crone.
According to information presented in court, on May 8, 2022, Port Arthur police encountered Jones and Colbert in a vehicle parked at a convenience store on Gulfway Drive. The officers were investigating a shooting and questioned Jones and Colbert. During the questioning, the officers observed a pistol-grip shotgun on the back seat behind the men. Further investigation revealed Jones had prior felony convictions from Jefferson County including robbery and burglary of a habitation, and Colbert had felony convictions from Louisiana, including possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. A federal grand jury indicted the men together on Nov. 2, 2022. Under federal law, felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
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Convicted felon sentenced to federal prison for possessing firearms, including one with a Glock switchRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Fort Worth man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Malando Bates, 24, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 9, 2023. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant’s sentence of 120 months was an upward departure from the recommended guideline range. In his ruling, Judge Mazzant noted that Bates had a history of firearm related offenses, that he possessed a Glock with a Glock switch attached, and that, by Bates’ own admission, he had possessed multiple fully automatic pistols. Judge Mazzant further stated that a sentence of 120 months would serve to protect society.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 24, 2021, law enforcement encountered Bates after hearing gunshots. Initially, Bates falsely identified himself as his brother and claimed he was a U.S. Marine. Bates subsequently admitted to law enforcement that he lied about his identity because he was a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Bates was found to be in possession of several firearms including a Glock pistol with a Glock switch, also known as a machine gun conversion device (MCD) converting the firearm to a fully automatic weapon, a fully loaded 30 round magazine, and two AR style rifles with loaded magazines. Glock switches are devices that are attached to the slide of a Glock handgun that convert the semi-automatic pistol into a pistol capable of fully automatic fire.
“Possession of firearms by convicted felons is inherently dangerous for society,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “But that danger increases exponentially when prohibited individuals possess firearms containing switches that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, which, within a matter of a few seconds, can fire multiple rounds with a single squeeze of the trigger. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that anyone who manufactures, sells, or possesses a machine gun conversion device will be prosecuted federally and face serious consequences.”
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Highland Village Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey M. Batson.
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Mid-County felon sentenced to federal prison for having firearm at Central MallRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Groves convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Moses Benjamin Castillo, 38, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on May 23, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on Sep. 28, 2022, Port Arthur Police received information that Castillo was in possession of methamphetamine and a gun in the Central Mall parking lot in Port Arthur. Police encountered Castillo as he was leaving the parking lot and initiated a traffic stop after observing him commit a traffic violation. Castillo consented to a search of the vehicle where officers located a firearm, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Further investigation revealed Castillo to be a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Port Arthur Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
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Gregg County man sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Kilgore man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Rodney Dewayne Fagans, 39, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on May 22, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Fagans and his co-conspirators admitted to selling large quantities of methamphetamine on numerous occasions in Gregg County. Fagans was identified as the supplier for three separate illegal drug transactions totaling 598.72 grams of methamphetamine. Fifteen others involved in the drug distribution scheme have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Gregg County Sheriff's Office, and Longview Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.
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Chinese national charged in “pig butchering” schemeRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Chinese national has been charged with participating in a scheme to launder the proceeds of cryptocurrency investment scams and other fraudulent schemes involving millions of dollars in victim funds in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Fei Liao, 29, of San Gabriel, California, was brought into federal custody on May 3, 2024. On May 20, 2024, Liao waived arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The indictment charges Liao with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Liao and others allegedly conspired to open shell companies and bank accounts to launder victim proceeds of cryptocurrency investment scams – also known as “pig butchering” – and other fraudulent schemes. Then, they allegedly transferred the funds involved in the fraud schemes to domestic and international financial institutions. Each of the charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering carry a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
According to court documents, pig butchering fraud schemes (a term derived from a foreign-language phrase used to describe these crimes) consist of scammers encountering victims on dating services or social media, or through unsolicited messages or calls, often masquerading as a wrong number. Scammers initiate relationships with victims and slowly gain their trust, eventually introducing the idea of making a business investment using cryptocurrency. Victims are then directed to other members of the scheme operating fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms and applications, where victims are persuaded to make financial investments. Once funds are sent to scammer-controlled accounts, the investment platform often falsely shows significant gains on the purported investment, and the victims are thus induced to make additional investments. Ultimately, the victims are unable to withdraw or recover their money, often resulting in significant losses for the victims.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Tyler Resident Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.
If you or someone you know is a victim, report it to the www.IC3.gov. In the report, please reference “Pig Butchering PSA” and include as much information as possible in the complaint including names of investment platforms, cryptocurrency addresses and transaction hashes, bank account information, and names and contact information of suspected scammers. Maintain copies of all communications with scammers and records of financial transactions.
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Guatemalan extradited to the Eastern District of Texas to face international drug trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
SHERMAN – A Guatemalan man has been extradited to the United States to face international drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
According to information presented in court, the Los Pochos drug trafficking organization (DTO), based in Guatemala and Mexico, supplies multi-ton quantities of cocaine to multiple high-level Guatemala- and Mexico-based heads of cocaine trafficking cells. The Los Pochos DTO supplies vast quantities of cocaine to Sinaloa Cartel leaders who have an existing transportation infrastructure to receive, consolidate, and transport the cocaine to markets in the United States.
Juan Jose Morales Cifuentes, 33, also known as Pancho, a leader of the Los Pochos DTO since 2019, is a Guatemala-based cocaine distributor and transportation coordinator associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and the son-in-law of deceased significant foreign narcotics trafficker Erik Salvador Suñiga Rodriguez. Morales Cifuentes is notorious for using violence to resolve conflicts and has engaged in executions of former associates in furtherance of the Los Pochos DTO’s narcotics trafficking activities. Mexican traffickers pay taxes to Morales Cifuentes to store their narcotics in the Guatemalan border towns of Tecun Uman and San Marcos. The organization purchases approximately 4,000 kilograms of cocaine monthly, totaling approximately 48,000 kilograms yearly, and is responsible for supplying multiple high-level Guatemalan and Mexican drug traffickers, including Mexico-based cartel leaders. Morales Cifuentes was extradited from Guatemala to the United States on May 16, 2024.
On June 15, 2023, a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas charged Morales Cifuentes with multiple crimes, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, intending, knowing, and having reasonable cause to believe it would be unlawfully imported to the United States.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is being investigated by the North Texas Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) Strike Force Group Two; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division; the DEA’s Guatemala City Country Office and the DEA’s San Jose (Costa Rica) Country Office; the FBI’s Dallas Field Office; the Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas and Guatemala Field Offices; the U.S. Marshals Service’s Dallas Field Office; and Customs and Border Patrol’s San Diego Field Office.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition to the United States. This individual is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.
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Guatemalan citizens extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
SHERMAN – Four Guatemalan citizens have been extradited to the United States to face international drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Jorge Luis Rodriguez, 63; Pedro Pablo Yaser Barrios-Cruz, 49; Melvin Hilario Estrada-Flores, 35; and Magner Lopez-Mejia, 45, were extradited from Guatemala to the United States on May 16, 2024.
According to the information presented in court, the defendants are alleged to have been involved in a Guatemalan-based drug trafficking organization that uses U.S. planes to transport cocaine from Venezuela to Guatemala and then to Mexico for ultimate distribution in the United States. The defendants’ network distributed multi-ton quantities of cocaine monthly. On Nov. 9, 2020, the defendants crashed a plane with more than 1000 kilograms of cocaine in Guatemala resulting in a shoot-out with Guatemalan police after the crash.
On June 10, 2021, a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas charged the defendants with multiple crimes, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, intending, knowing, and having reasonable cause to believe it would be unlawfully imported to the United States and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute by person on board an aircraft.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas, HSI Laredo, and HSI Guatemala Field Offices; Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security; Federal Aviation Administration; and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition to the United States. These individuals are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Rapp.
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Violent criminals sentenced to federal prison for 2020 crime spreeRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – Three men were sentenced yesterday by Judge Jeremy Kernodle to federal prison for violent crimes committed in Grayson and Tarrant Counties, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 3, 2020, Brian Deboris Black, 33, Jason Von Brown, 44, and Kenneth Holt, 44, robbed a Dollar General store in Tom Bean, Texas. During the robbery, Black brandished a firearm and threatened to kill the three employees in the store if they did not comply with his demands. As Black exited the store, he pointed the firearm at individuals standing outside the door of the convenience store, threatening to shoot them as well.
On Oct. 13, 2020, Black and Brown committed a home invasion robbery in Mansfield, Texas. They entered the home at gunpoint, kidnapped three family members and restrained them with zip ties, and demanded money while threatening to kill them if they did not comply. Black shot the homeowners’ son in the stomach and his right arm after he was able to free himself from the zip ties. The victim, who testified at trial, survived the shooting but sustained permanent injuries. During the investigation, it was determined that Brandol Abram, 42, orchestrated the entire home invasion based on his belief that the family was in possession of $10 million at their residence.
Black proceeded to trial on May 16, 2023. Co-defendant testimony, DNA, home security video, and cell phone analysis were instrumental in securing Black’s conviction for robbery, carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and kidnapping. Black was sentenced to 489 months.
Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and aiding and abetting and was sentenced to 180 months.
Abram pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and aiding and abetting and was sentenced to 200 months.
Holt pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to rob the Dollar General and was sentenced to 96 months on October 25, 2022.
Restitution was ordered to be paid to the victims of the offenses.
“The commission of violent crimes such as these—threatening, shooting, and injuring innocent people will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Diggs. “The sentences that these defendants received demonstrates that justice for the victims was served and our communities will be safer as a result. Black, who was the most violent member of the crew, effectively received a life sentence and ensures that he will no longer be a threat to society.”
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Sherman Resident Agency, Tom Bean Police Department, Whitewright Police Department, Sherman Police Department, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey M. Batson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ernest Gonzalez.
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Former Wise County man sentenced for income tax-related fraudRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A former Decatur man, now living in California, has been sentenced to federal prison for tax fraud in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Kenneth Edward Jackson, 47, pleaded guilty to false statements on income tax return and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III on May 1, 2024. Jackson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $484,187.57 to the IRS and several of his small-business clients.
According to information presented in court, Jackson was the president and owner of Employer Tools and Solutions (ETS), a payroll service provider that operated in Denton County, Texas. ETS filed Forms 940 and 941 on its clients’ behalf and made payroll and payroll tax payments using funds provided by its clients. Part of ETS’s function in processing its clients’ payroll was holding and remitting employment tax to the Internal Revenue Service for its clients. Employment tax consists of trust fund taxes, which are items withheld from employees’ paychecks, and the employer portion of taxes.
From 2017 to 2019, Jackson embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from his small-business clients. He took funds provided by various clients for employment taxes and failed to pay the money over to the IRS. Instead, he kept this money and used it to pay bills—including payments on his home—and to fund his lifestyle—including a European vacation. Jackson also failed to report the client funds he embezzled as income on his U.S. Individual Income Tax return.
“As a payroll service provider, Jackson’s clients trusted him to honestly handle their finances,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “But Jackson allowed his greed to overtake his fiduciary duties. In addition to defrauding the United States, he also preyed upon his own clients to support his opulent lifestyle. We are grateful for our partners at the IRS, who not only protect our nation’s treasury, but also victims of financial fraud.”
“The failure to pay employment tax has a pernicious effect on the American public. It results in the loss of tax revenue to the United States government and the loss of future social security or Medicare benefits for the employees,” said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s Dallas Field Office. “Instead of paying over the employment taxes received from his clients as part of his payroll business, Mr. Jackson embezzled those funds. He has been held accountable for his actions and sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay $484,187.57 in restitution.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Frisco Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J. Taylor.
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Florida man heads to prison for using fake debit cards to scam Houston banksRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old resident of Miami, Florida, has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Claude Casimir pleaded guilty Sept. 7, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge has now ordered Casimir to serve 30 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 3 years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional arguments about the scheme and the defendant’s criminal history.
From April to May 2019, Casimir and others conspired in a scheme targeting the Houston area. The investigation began in early 2019 after a local bank discovered numerous fraudulent transactions. They found that individuals had used the personal identification numbers of actual bank customers and withdrew money via counterfeit cards.
At the time of the plea, Casimir admitted he rented a vehicle to access several ATMs in the Houston area and withdrew cash using counterfeit debit cards. He also drove another individual around the Houston area using the rented vehicle to do the same.
Additionally, Casimir admitted that on May 8, 2019, he used a debit card of another individual without that person’s knowledge or consent. In this single transaction, Casmir attempted to take $2,000.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez prosecuted the case.
Former Guatemalan congressman guilty of international drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A former Guatemalan congressman has pleaded guilty to his role in an international drug trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs of the Eastern District of Texas.
Jose Armando Ubico Aguilar, 45, a former senior Republic of Guatemala official, pleaded guilty to an international drug trafficking conspiracy violation before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Priest Johnson on May 1, 2024. Ubico Aguilar arrived in the United States from Central America earlier this week and was arrested.
According to information presented in court, Ubico Aguilar served as an elected member of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala from 2016 to 2024. He also served as an elected Deputy and was the President of the National Defense Committee of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala from 2018 to 2023.
“As a senior leader in the Republic of Guatemala, Ubico Aguilar was entrusted to further the fight against drug traffickers pushing illegal narcotics north to the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Even more so, as the President of the National Defense Committee of the Congress of Republic of Guatemala, Ubico Aguilar was responsible, in part, for his own country’s national security. Instead, Ubico Aguilar betrayed his country when he chose to partner with known drug traffickers and other corrupt officials. We are grateful to our foreign law enforcement partners for ensuring Ubico Aguilar, and those like him, will not be allowed to hide behind their positions of power.”
“The arrest of this corrupt official who allegedly brokered and facilitated cocaine shipments into the United States shows the swift justice criminals will meet through DEA Dallas’ efforts to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations across the world,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez. “We are proud to collaborate with our DEA offices around the world as well as our international counterparts who collectively share the same goal – enforce the rule of law and ensure consequences come to those who profit from illicit drug distribution in our communities.”
On March 3, 2021, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas indicted Ubico Aguilar charging him with federal drug trafficking violations. During his plea hearing, Ubico Aguilar admitted his role in the conspiracy, including relaying drug-related information and U.S. currency to another Guatemalan official on behalf of an international drug trafficker. These actions resulted in the safe passage of at least 450 kilograms of cocaine through Guatemala for distribution in the United States.
Ubico Aguilar faces from 10 years to life in federal prison at sentencing. The statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is being investigated by the North Texas Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) Strike Force Group Two; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division; the DEA’s Guatemala City Country Office and the DEA’s San Jose (Costa Rica) Country Office; the FBI’s Dallas Field Office; the Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas and Guatemala Field Offices; the U.S. Marshals Service’s Dallas Field Office; and Customs and Border Patrol’s San Diego Field Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division also provided assistance in furthering the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Eason.
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Dallas man sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that killed Frisco manRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A Dallas man who sold fentanyl-laced pills has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Benjamin Linder, also known as Benzo, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison on April 30, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III.
According to information presented in court, on Dec. 24, 2021, law enforcement responded to a Frisco residence regarding an unresponsive person. Upon arrival officers were informed by the father of the victim that he had found his 20-year-old son unresponsive on the living room floor. Paramedics arrived but were unable to revive the victim and he was pronounced deceased at the residence.
Investigators were able to access the victim’s cellular phone and discovered the phone contained a contact labeled as “Benzo,” later identified as the defendant, Benjamin Linder. Investigators learned that on Dec. 23, 2021, the victim sent a message to Linder requesting to purchase pills and “lean,” which is a promethazine-codeine syrup. A series of text messages between the victim and Linder revealed they arranged to meet in a parking lot on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas, where the victim purchased fentanyl-laced pills and “lean” from Linder. Investigators were able to determine that the victim had been communicating with Linder since at least November 10, 2021. Investigators were able to access Linder’s text messages as well, which showed Linder sent an unidentified person messages stating, “So that kid that died” and “I jus found out I sold him the drugs.”
Toxicology reports identified the victim’s cause of death as toxic effects of fentanyl, flubromazepam, trazodone, hydroxyzine, and promethazine. Linder was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 12, 2023, and charged with federal drug trafficking violations.
This case was investigated by the Frisco Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
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Orange County felon sentenced for federal firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – An Orange, Texas convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Michael Octavius Hampton, 51, pleaded guilty on Oct. 4, 2023, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on April 23, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on June 26, 2023, Hampton visited a pawn shop in Orange where he was known by the employees as he frequently pawned various items such as tools. Hampton requested to purchase a pistol, provided his state-issued identification and completed the required ATF Form 4473. On the form, Hampton indicated he had never been convicted of a felony, a requirement to purchase a firearm. Hampton then signed the form acknowledging the information he provided was true and correct. The pawn shop submitted the form through the National Criminal Background Check System, also known as NICS, and received a message indicating the transaction was neither approved nor denied and pending further background checks. As required by law, the pawn shop did not transfer the firearm to Hampton due to the delayed status and Hampton left the store. On July 3, 2023, Hampton came back to the pawn shop to pick up the firearm that he had purchased. The NICS check was still in delayed status, however since the pawn shop had waited the required three days without a denial, the firearm was transferred to Hampton. Hampton again re-certified that his answers on the ATF 4473 Form were correct – including that he had not been previously convicted of a felony – by signing the form a second time. Hampton then took possession of the firearm, which was captured on video by the pawn shop.
Further investigation revealed Hampton was a convicted felon having been previously convicted of murder in Jefferson County in 1995 and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Hampton was arrested by federal agents at his home on July 26, 2023, and the firearm was recovered.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.
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Department of Justice announces Carjacking Task Force targeting violent crime in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Justice Department established the formation of carjacking task forces in 11 targeted districts across the United States, including the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
“The Justice Department has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe. We do so by targeting the most significant drivers of violent crime and by acting as a force multiplier for our state and local law enforcement partners. We’re seeing results — with violent crime declining broadly nationwide,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today, we are launching seven new carjacking task forces across the country to build on the success of task forces in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Tampa, where available data shows that carjacking rates are now falling. When prosecutors, officers, agents, and analysts come together to crunch data, share intelligence, and apply best practices, we can make real progress in the fight against all forms of violent crime, including carjacking.”
In keeping with the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, the task forces represent a strategic enforcement priority for the Department, focusing federal resources on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime.
Building on the initial efforts of and best practices learned from carjacking task forces in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the following seven districts are announcing the creation of carjacking task forces in their communities:
- District of Oregon
- Eastern District of Texas
- Northern District of Alabama
- Northern District of California
- Eastern District of Louisiana
- Southern District of Mississippi
- Western District of Washington
Carjacking and other violent crime task forces have proven to be an effective part of successful violent crime reduction strategies by focusing on significant crime drivers and taking violent offenders off the streets of our communities. For example, carjackings in Philadelphia declined by 31% from 2022 to 2023, and armed carjackings are down 28% in the District of Columbia this year compared to the same period in 2023. In Chicago, carjackings decreased 29% from a high in 2021 through the end of 2023.
U.S. Attorney Diggs announced the newly formed task force in the Eastern District of Texas, led by Deputy Chief of Violent Crime John B. Ross, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), alongside state and local law enforcement partners, including the Beaumont and Port Arthur police departments. These task force members will come together to institute expedited sharing and prompt action procedures related to car thefts, carjackings, and the recovery of stolen or suspect vehicles — as well as effective evidence gathering and technology exploitation strategies. The task forces will also collaborate on how to use federal sentencing enhancements for cases where adults use juveniles to commit carjackings, as well as work with state and local authorities to ensure the appropriate handling of juvenile suspects. The task forces will also assist state and local officials who wish to seek Justice Department grant funding for juvenile intervention and diversion resources.
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Port Arthur man sentenced for federal firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
DeShawn Ranard Willis, 42, pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on April 15, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on Dec. 29, 2021, Willis was arrested after a Port Arthur Police Department officer stopped the vehicle he was driving for a defective headlight on Gulfway Drive. Willis admitted to possessing a firearm underneath the driver’s seat. Officers recovered the pistol, which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. Further investigation revealed Willis was a six-time convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Willis was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 8, 2022 and charged with firearms violations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte.
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Liberty woman sentenced for preparing false tax returnRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Liberty woman has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally preparing a tax return in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Teletshia Elice Randolph, 48, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 15, 2024.
According to information presented in court, in 2019, special agents with the Internal Revenue Service began noticing a pattern of questionable tax forms filed in previous years associated with an IP address which was registered to Randolph. In order to receive payment for preparing or assisting in the preparation of a federal tax return, a person is legally required to have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), and paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return. Not signing a return, commonly known as “ghost preparation,” is often a red flag that a preparer is attempting to avoid detection by the IRS. Randolph did not have a registered PTIN and was suspected of being a “ghost preparer.” Further investigation revealed Randolph was operating an illegal tax preparation business from her residence. Randolph would meet and communicate with clients and obtain the necessary information from them to file their taxes. Randolph would then create fraudulent tax documents indicating the tax filer owned farm equipment and animals and were entitled to deductions they were not. Randolph would then file the tax documents in a way that appeared they were prepared by the actual tax filer. Randolph would keep approximately fifteen percent of each fraudulent tax return. IRS records revealed Randolph filed a total of 542 tax returns on behalf of 282 tax-payer clients for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018. The IRS estimates the total tax loss for these returns had approached six million dollars.
“Today, many Americans are fulfilling their duties as citizens of our great country and filing their taxes, said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Sadly though, many individuals use the tax filing system to their advantage and unjustly enrich themselves. Teletshia Randolph did just that, by defrauding the government for many years and fraudulently filed taxes for taxpayers for her own benefit. My office is committed to protecting the integrity of the tax filing process and bringing to justice those that manipulate it to their advantage.”
“Randolph is a ghost preparer, someone who is willing to take your money and let you go to prison for filing a fraudulent tax return. She doesn’t sign the tax return because she is not a legitimate tax preparer and she knows the information she used was fraudulent,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “Our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office work closely with us to identify and prosecute tax and other financial crimes. April 15 might be the last day of this tax season, but it’s not the last time financial criminals like her will be sentenced for their crimes.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.
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Houston man and woman sentenced for federal firearm and drug violationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Houston man and woman have been sentenced for federal firearm and drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Christopher Jay Johnson, Jr., 35, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2023 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Lissette Elvira Guevara, 37, also of Houston, pleaded guilty the same day to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced by Judge Crone last month to serve 113 months in prison.
According to information presented in court, on March 6, 2022, Bridge City police officers investigated a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at a business on Texas Avenue and found Johnson in the passenger seat with a fully loaded pistol on his lap. The strong odor of marijuana led to a search of the vehicle resulting in the discovery of 40 grams of methamphetamine in Guevara’s belongings. Further investigation revealed Johnson was previously convicted of aggravated robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and controlled substance offenses in Montgomery County, and prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. A federal grand jury indicted Johnson and Guevara on April 5, 2023.
“Guns and drugs are a bad combination,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “We will always support our local law enforcement partners in the investigation and prosecution of cases like this one that involve guns and dangerous repeat offenders. This is also a good reminder to the citizens in our district that if you ‘see something, say something.’ Here, a concerned citizen’s call pointed law enforcement to a threat they might have otherwise missed.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bridge City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
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Florida woman convicted in cryptocurrency money laundering schemeRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Jacksonville, Florida woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Sharena Seay, 39, pleaded guilty to money laundering before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love on April 11, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Seay laundered the proceeds of her drug trafficking operations through cryptocurrency. The defendant supplied alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), which is often called “flakka,” and similar synthetic cathinones, such as Eutylone or alpha-PiHP. Seay distributed alpha-PVP and other controlled substances to various customers across the United States. Customers who purchased controlled substances from Seay paid for their purchases with cash. Seay laundered the cash proceeds through cryptocurrency in order to purchase more controlled substances on the dark web and to conceal her criminal activity.
Seay faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The cases were investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld and D. Ryan Locker.
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Beaumont man sentenced for federal firearms violation arising from domestic disturbanceRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Jorge Luis Castelan, Jr., 32, pleaded guilty on April 13, 2023, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on April 4, 2024.
According to information presented in court, during the early morning hours of May 15, 2022, Beaumont police responded to a domestic disturbance on Dogwood Lane in Beaumont. The 9-1-1 dispatcher advised the officers to look for a man who was armed and driving a silver pickup truck. Moments later when the officers arrived they found Castelan next to a silver pickup in possession of an assault-style rifle equipped with a fully-loaded, large-capacity magazine. After Castelan was taken into custody it was determined that he was previously convicted of aggravated robbery in Jefferson County. A federal grand jury indicted Castelan on Oct. 5, 2022. Under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
“This case is emblematic of our commitment to utilize our violent crime prosecutors and our partner agents at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate and prosecute criminals who illegally possess guns in connection with domestic abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “The long-lasting effects of domestic violence, dating violence and intimate partner violence are obviously amplified when firearms are involved. In this case, the quick response of the Beaumont Police Department defused a potentially deadly situation.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
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Collin County man sentenced for bankruptcy-related fraudRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A McKinney man has been sentenced for bankruptcy-related fraud in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Jacobie Travinski Johnson, 53, was convicted of concealing assets in a pending bankruptcy proceeding and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant on March 19, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Johnson filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Texas. In order to take advantage of the relief offered through the bankruptcy process, Johnson was required to truthfully disclose his assets, including his accounts at any financial institution, to the bankruptcy court, the trustee, and his creditors. Instead, Johnson concealed multiple accounts that he owned or controlled. Johnson also concealed hundreds of thousands of dollars, which were proceeds from fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans, that he deposited into the concealed accounts.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J. Taylor.
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Texarkana high school band instructor guilty of federal child exploitation violationRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana man has pleaded guilty to a child exploitation violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Brandon Neil Sams, 48, pleaded guilty on March 19, 2024, to coercion and enticement of a minor before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Boone Baxter.
According to court documents, while serving as a band instructor at Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, Sams engaged in repeated attempts to coerce and entice several of his students to engage in sexual activity. Sams admitted to engaging in sexual conduct with several minor victims, all of whom were his students at Texas High. Sams would communicate with the students on social media and messaging applications to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce them to participate in sexual activity.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Sams with federal child exploitation violations in September 2023. He faces up to life in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Texarkana Independent School District. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.
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Newton County man sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Bon Wier man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for trafficking drugs in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Charles Edward Isaac, 44, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on March 4, 2024.
According to information presented in court, in March 2021, federal, state, and local law enforcement began an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in Newton County, Texas. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from Isaac and executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search, law enforcement recovered a firearm and additional narcotics. Isaac is responsible for distributing more than 100 grams of methamphetamine throughout East Texas.
This case was investigated by the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Lab; Texas Department of Public Safety; Newton County Sheriff’s Office; and Orange County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lee.
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Liberty County woman sentenced for passport-related federal violationsRead the Press Release
Beaumont, Texas – A Mexican national illegally living in Dayton has been sentenced to prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Margarita Torres Barajas, 50, pleaded guilty to making a false statement on a passport application and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on March 4, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on October 11, 2021, Barajas entered the U.S. Post Office in Beaumont to apply for a U.S. passport. Barajas claimed to be a citizen of the United States while in fact, she was a citizen of Mexico. Barajas used a social security card and Puerto Rican birth certificate she found in New York City to apply for the passport. The social security card and birth certificate belonged to a U.S. citizen. Barajas also used these items to apply for a state identification card from another state.
This case was investigated by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Diplomatic Security Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin.
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Beaumont postal employee sentenced for stealing mailRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont woman has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing mail in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Pamela Jo Rosas, 65, pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on March 4, 2024.
According to information presented in court, in April 2020, postal inspectors began receiving complaints that a series of parcels containing valuable coins were missing after being placed in the post office for delivery. Federal agents conducted surveillance and identified a postal employee, Pamela Jo Rosas, as a subject involved in the theft after viewing her handling packages in a suspicious manner. Rosas was also found in possession of several pieces of stolen mail packages after leaving work. Rosas admitted to stealing many items from the post office during the previous three to four years. Agents were able to recover hundreds of valuable coins from her apartment, along with other items Rosas had stolen from the mail during the course of her employment.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service-OIG and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.
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Harrison County man sentenced for federal income tax violationRead the Press Release
MARSHALL, Texas – A Marshall man has been sentenced for a federal income tax violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Boyd Lynn Butcher, 51, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on Feb. 27, 2024. Butcher was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $317,252.00.
According to information presented in court, between 2015 and 2017, Butcher operated a tax preparer service under the name Boyd’s Tax Service. During that time, he prepared more than 450 federal tax returns for third parties in exchange for a fee even though he was not authorized by the IRS to prepare tax returns for others. When preparing many of those returns, Butcher created false or fraudulent information to generate unwarranted tax refunds. In total, IRS determined that Butcher caused a tax harm to the IRS of more than $317,252.00. For example, Butcher prepared a 2015 tax return using tax software designed for taxpayers who self-prepare returns. The return did not reflect the fact that Butcher had prepared and filed it on behalf of another individual. The return falsely and fraudulently stated that the taxpayer was entitled under the provisions of federal laws to claim car and truck expenses from a farming business. Butcher admitted that he knew that the statement in the return was false and fraudulent because the taxpayer did not have a farming business. Butcher admitted that he knew the return was false and that he had a duty to prepare returns in a lawful manner.
“Mr. Butcher’s fraudulent actions, which included fabricating deductions that were false and misleading, not only abused the trust of sixteen people who relied on Mr. Butcher’s services, but also undermined the very foundations of our tax and government systems,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Butcher effectively stole $300,000 from the American people. We appreciate the hard work of the Internal Revenue Service as we continue to work with our partners to uphold the values of justice and fairness.”
“Boyd Butcher took advantage of those who trusted him to prepare their tax by filing incorrect, misleading, and false information to inflate their returns,” said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s Dallas Field Office. “Mr. Butcher’s actions amount to stealing from the Federal Government and his sentencing holds him accountable for his actions. In addition to the three years he will spend in prison, he must pay restitution of more than $300,000 for the tax harm done to his 16 victims.”
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.
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Celina physician indicted for illegally distributing controlled substancesRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Celina physician and eight others have been indicted for federal drug distribution violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Kevin Shelton, 53, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in February 2024, charging him with possession with conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The following individuals were also charged in the indictment:
Stephanie Shelton, 48, of Celina;
Jai Ellis, 41, of Celina;
Clay York, 50, of Rowlett;
Stephanie York, 49, of Rowlett;
Jeffrey Cornwell, 47, of McKinney;
Raman Bhaumik, 45, of Plano;
Prasenjit Bhaumik, 48, of Plano; and
David Pokorny, 62, of Sherman.
The defendants made initial appearances on Feb. 29, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan.
According to the indictment and information presented in court, the defendants are alleged to have conspired to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, including Hydrocodone; Oxandrolone; Nandrolone; Phentermine; Alprazolam; Diazepam; Testosterone; Tramadol; Adderall; and Dextroamphetamine. The defendants also conspired to commit the offense of money laundering.
If convicted, the defendants each face up to 20 years in federal prison. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys in Plano and Sherman.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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