Eastern District of Texas

PLANO, Texas – Two Dallas men were found guilty of federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Corey Buchea Grant, 31, and Calvin Autae Thompson, 36, were found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on November 3, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Grant worked at a “trap house” in East Dallas, which was managed by Thompson, where multiple types of drugs were sold, to include heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin laced with fentanyl. Drugs supplied by the two were believed to be responsible for a fentanyl overdose death in Lewisville, Texas.

According to information presented by prosecutors, drug dealers went to the Dallas “trap houses” to purchase the drugs, which would then be distributed in the Eastern District of Texas. Evidence presented by the court included cell phone messages, social media messages, cell phone location data, financial records, and testimony of cooperating defendants.

At sentencing, Grant and Thompson face up to life in federal prison.  The statutory maximum 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 Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Dallas Police Department, U.S. Secret Service’s Dallas Digital Evidence Forensics Lab, Lewisville Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Rattan and Eric Erlandson.

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TYLER, Texas –A Jacksonville convicted felon has been charged with federal firearms violations in connection with the shooting of a police officer in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, was named in a complaint in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and while being convicted of a crime of domestic violence.

According to information presented in court, on November 2, 2025, Dennis opened fire on a Jacksonville police officer, striking her twice, with an AR-15-style rifle when the officer attempted to identify him pursuant to multiple outstanding warrants.  After firing numerous rounds at the officer, her K9, and her car, Dennis fled, leading to a multi-agency manhunt, during which Jacksonville-area schools canceled classes for two days. A search warrant executed at Dennis’ residence in Jacksonville discovered four additional firearms. Dennis was apprehended safely on the evening of November 5, 2025, during the execution of a search warrant at a bunker that Dennis had built near Cuney, Texas. An additional firearm was recovered from the bunker.

Dennis is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law as a three-time convicted felon, with previous convictions for aggravated robbery in Smith County and aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance in Pulaski County, Arkansas.

If convicted of the federal firearms charges, Dennis faces up to life in prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Jacksonville Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division; and the Texas Rangers. The case is being prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker and Lucas Machicek.

A complaint or grand jury indictment are 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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SHERMAN, Texas – A Lewisville man has been sentenced to federal prison for bank robbery in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kyung Heo, 31, pleaded guilty to bank robbery and was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on September 30, 2025.  

According to information presented in court, on November 18, 2022, Heo entered the Comerica Bank on State Highway 121 in Lewisville and approached the bank manager asking if the bank could process a cashier’s check.  When told the bank could only process cashier’s checks for clients, Heo produced a handgun and pointed it at the manager.  Heo pushed the manager out of the way, pointed the handgun at the tellers, and demanded they give him money.  After taking the money, Heo exited the bank and departed the area on foot.

On April 6, 2023, Heo entered the American National Bank on Cross Timbers Road in Flower Mound, approached a teller station, pulled out a handgun, jumped over the counter, and instructed the tellers to empty their cash drawers.  Heo then placed the money in a plastic bag before departing the area on foot.  Shortly after the robbery, officers searched the area and located a plastic bag containing $18,943 cash in a nearby drainage ditch.  American National Bank reported an additional loss of $10,208 for a total amount of loss is $29,151.  An analysis of surveillance videos from the two robberies was also used to link Heo to the June 6, 2023, robbery of the Citizen’s National Bank in Weatherford.  Heo was convicted in the Northern District of Texas for that robbery and sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.  His Eastern District of Texas sentence will run concurrently to the sentence for the Weatherford bank robbery.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Lewisville Police Department, and the Flower Mound Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Nacogdoches man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Adolfo Cruz, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 22, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on April 10, 2024, local law enforcement in Lufkin conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Cruz.  The officer noticed a gun case in the back seat of Cruz’s vehicle and asked Cruz what was inside of the case.  Cruz reached for the case and a firearm fell out.  The officer removed Cruz from the vehicle and conducted a pat-down search of Cruz.  During the pat-down search, the officer found a machinegun conversion device (MCD).  MCDs are small mechanisms that can be attached to the rear of the slide of a firearm, converting a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun.  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.

ATF agents later obtained a search warrant for Cruz’s cell phone. The cell phone contained messages to and from Cruz discussing the buying and selling of firearms, including MCDs.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Lufkin Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Port Arthur convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Rickey Shawn Thomas, 45, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 22, 2025.

According to information presented in court, four handguns were recovered from Thomas during the execution of a search warrant issued during a drug trafficking investigation.  Two of the firearms had been reported as stolen.  Law enforcement also discovered over five pounds of synthetic marijuana and over $40,000 cash. Further investigation revealed Thomas had seven felony convictions and as a convicted felon, is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Port Arthur Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Quinn and Chris Jackson.

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TYLER, Texas – A Montana man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Randall V. Rule, 73, formerly of Kalispell, Montana, was found guilty by a jury of money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, and a conspiracy to violate the Bank Secrecy Act, following a three-day trial in federal court.  On September 17, 2025, Rule was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.

“Special Agents from the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service did tremendous work in their response to the victimization of our citizens, some who lost their life savings.  Agents were relentless in their resolve to seek justice for victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “Let scammers and those who facilitate their crimes by laundering the criminal proceeds be on notice: You cannot hide your crimes by using crypto currency; we will find you and we will prosecute you.”

“Sophisticated money laundering networks, such as the one in this case, are the path for victims’ funds to be sent to transnational criminal organizations,” said U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Brad Schley.  “We must continue to dismantle these networks and assist victims with recovery of their losses and the administration of justice.  We are honored to work with the team of tremendous prosecutors at the US Attorney’s Office in the EDTX, and I commend them for their dedication and work in seeking a just result in this case.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will not tolerate attacks on the United States Mail. These defendants weaponized the mail system to carry out fraud and money laundering, and they have been held accountable,” said Kai Pickens, Inspector in Charge, Fort Worth Division.  “Postal Inspectors will relentlessly protect the American public and the integrity of the mail system. I commend our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service, for working decisively with us to stop the illicit flow of funds and secure justice for the victims.”

According to information presented in court, Rule and Gregory C. Nysewander, formerly of Irmo, South Carolina, conspired with others to launder the proceeds of wire fraud and mail fraud schemes through cryptocurrency.  The defendants converted funds from romance scams, business email compromises, real estate scams, and other fraudulent schemes into cryptocurrency and sent the cryptocurrency to accounts controlled by foreign and domestic co-conspirators.  The defendants and their co-conspirators made false representations and concealed material facts, to avoid discovery of the fraudulent nature of deposits, wires, and transfers, such as providing instructions to co-conspirators and victims to label wire transfers as “loan repayments” and “advertising.”  Nysewander created videos instructing other co-conspirators how to package money to be shipped without detection for the purpose of laundering the funds. The defendants also made false representations and concealed material facts when completing account opening documents and when communicating with financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges. During the conspiracy, Rule, Nysewander, and their co-conspirators laundered more than $2.4 million and willfully violated the money services business requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act. As a result of the scheme, many victims lost their life savings, and a multi-generational family business was bankrupted.   

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys D. Ryan Locker, Dustin Farahnak, and Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –An Ontario, Canada woman has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jahtaya O’Dayjah Hamilton, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 16, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on November 6, 2024, Hamilton traveled from Ontario, Canada to Houston, where she obtained 22 firearms, including four stolen firearms and a short-barrel rifle, from an unknown firearms trafficker. Hamilton then hired a rideshare driver to transport her from Houston to Little Rock, Arkansas.  Hamilton initially attempted to hire the driver to transport her to New York state.  The vehicle Hamilton hired was stopped in Angelina County for a traffic violation. During the stop, the deputy could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and a search was conducted. The search resulted in the discovery of the firearms and Hamilton was arrested.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for a carjacking offense in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jody Lee Bass, 35, pleaded guilty to carjacking and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 16, 2025.  

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 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 before abandoning it nearby.  Local law enforcement responded and found Bass hiding in the area.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Nacogdoches, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing a machinegun in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joel Bustamante Moreno, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession or transfer of a machinegun and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 10, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in December 2023, Moreno was identified during an investigation involving the distribution of machinegun conversion devices (MCDs) in the Nacogdoches area.  MCD’s are small mechanisms that can be attached to the rear of the slide of a firearm, converting a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun.  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.  On February 1, 2024, Moreno sold a pistol and an AR-style rifle that had been converted into fully automatic weapons.  In addition to the firearms, Moreno sold two 100-round drum magazines and one 30-round magazine for the AR-style rifle, as well as three pistol magazines and live ammunition. After the transaction, law enforcement attempted to arrest Moreno and he fled the scene at a high rate of speed, eventually overturing his vehicle and continuing to evade on foot. Moreno was eventually located hiding inside of a residence. SWAT members were dispatched, and Moreno was taken into custody.  Further investigation revealed Moreno was a Mexican national and did not have permission to be in the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Nacogdoches Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Homeland Security Investigations.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur woman has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay over $1.4 million in restitution in a wire fraud scam in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joanne Schiwart, 28, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 10, 2025.  Schiwart was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,464,761.47.

According to information presented in court, as part of the fraud scheme over the course of a year, Schiwart wired over $1.4 million from an elderly victim’s retirement accounts by contacting the investment company by phone and using personally identifying information to impersonate the victim and mislead the investment company into thinking they were speaking with the account holder. Among other things, Schiwart used the stolen money to purchase multiple vehicles for herself and as gifts for others.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Billy Ray Robinson, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 10, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in July 2024, law enforcement received information that Robinson was hiding methamphetamine on property near his residence in Jasper County.  That information led to the seizure of over 2,000 grams of methamphetamine hidden on the property.

At the time, Robinson was on federal supervised release after having served time in federal prison for a 2015 conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  As a result, Robinson’s supervised release term will be revoked, and he will be sentenced to serve an additional term of imprisonment to run consecutively to today’s sentence.

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety - Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.

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One-time laboratory CEO Christopher Grottenthaler, formerly of Frisco, Texas, has agreed to pay $4.25 million to resolve False Claims Act litigation with the United States alleging illegal payments to doctors for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Two physicians — Hong Davis, M.D., of Plano, Texas, and Elizabeth Seymour, M.D., of Denton, Texas — and seven marketers — Courtney Love, of Dallas, Texas, Stephen Kash, of Winnie, Texas, Laura Howard, of Lucas, Texas, Jeffrey Parnell, of Tyler, Texas, Stanley Jones, of San Antonio, Texas, Jordan Perkins, of Conroe, Texas, and Ruben Marioni, of Spring, Texas — have agreed to pay an additional $1,818,462 to settle the United States’ laboratory kickback allegations against them in the case. The settling parties have agreed to cooperate with the Department of Justice’s investigations of, and litigation against, other participants in the alleged schemes. With these settlements, the Department of Justice has secured over $59 million in civil False Claims Act settlements for kickbacks to healthcare providers disguised as managed service organization (MSO) investment distributions, including recoveries from 50 physicians.

“The Department of Justice will continue to pursue and prioritize healthcare fraud, including redressing illegal kickbacks,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Kickbacks to doctors can undermine medical decision-making, subject patients to wasteful medical treatments, and squander taxpayer money.”

“These settlements reflect the firm commitment of the Eastern District of Texas to punish those who use fraudulent means to profit at the expense of federal healthcare programs funded by the hard-working taxpayers of the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “We will continue to pursue those who steal from federal healthcare programs through these types of schemes to pay improper kickbacks to providers.”

“Laboratory testing is an essential part of patient care, not a vehicle for greed and exploitation,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to investigate kickback schemes and false claims made to federal healthcare programs.”

“The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting the integrity of TRICARE, the healthcare benefit program for military members, retirees, and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of DCIS’s Southwest Field Office. “Decisions that prioritize financial gain over patient health erodes taxpayer trust and negatively affects military readiness. DCIS, alongside our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue those who commit fraud and exploit this critical healthcare program.”

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded healthcare programs. It seeks to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.

Christopher Grottenthaler, the former Chief Executive Officer of True Health Diagnostics, LLC (True Health), a laboratory in Frisco, Texas, agreed to pay $4.25 million to resolve allegations that he caused false claims for laboratory testing to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE from January 2015 to May 2018. Grottenthaler allegedly agreed to a kickback scheme in which marketers, including True Health’s own employees, offered and paid doctors kickbacks disguised as MSO distributions to induce the doctors’ laboratory testing referrals. Grottenthaler allegedly facilitated True Health’s continued participation in the MSO kickback scheme after receiving warnings that the marketers “are a powder keg waiting to explode on us” and that “people are gonna go to prison.” The settlement also resolves allegations that Grottenthaler arranged for True Health to pay kickbacks disguised as consulting fees, processing and handling fees, and waivers of copayments and deductibles, to induce laboratory testing referrals.

The settlement with Grottenthaler resolves certain allegations in a lawsuit originally filed by STF LLC under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The False Claims Act permits the United States to intervene in and take over the action, as it did here with respect to Grottenthaler. STF LLC, whose members are Christopher Riedel and Felice Gersh, M.D., will receive a $148,750 share of the Grottenthaler settlement. The United States also added claims to the lawsuit against additional defendants and some of those are resolved in the settlements announced today. The lawsuit, which continues as to other defendants, is captioned United States, et al. ex rel. STF LLC v. True Health Diagnostics LLC et al., No. 4:16-cv-547 (E.D. Tex.).

The settlements announced today resolve the United States’ allegations in the lawsuit that two physicians took kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute from laboratory marketers’ purported MSOs in return for laboratory testing referrals. Dr. Hong Davis agreed to pay $124,627 to resolve allegations that from October 2015 to March 2017, she received thousands of dollars in payments from two purported MSOs, Ascend MSO of TX LLC (Ascend MSO) and Herculis MG LLC, in return for ordering laboratory tests from Little River Healthcare (Little River), a critical access hospital in Rockdale, Texas, and Boston Heart Diagnostics Corporation (Boston Heart), a clinical laboratory in Framingham, Massachusetts. Dr. Elizabeth Seymour agreed to pay $234,215 to resolve allegations that from April 2016 to January 2018, she received thousands of dollars in payments from two purported MSOs, Ascend MSO and Eridanus MG LLC, in return for ordering laboratory tests from Little River, True Health, and Boston Heart. The civil settlement amounts that Drs. Davis and Seymour agreed to pay are in addition to amounts they were ordered to pay in a criminal proceeding captioned United States v. Susan Hertzberg, et al., No. 6:22-cr-3-JDK (E.D. Tex.).

Lastly, the following seven marketers and their associated entities agreed to pay a total of $1,459,620 to resolve the United States’ allegations in the civil litigation that they paid kickbacks disguised as MSO payments to doctors to induce the doctors’ laboratory testing referrals: Former True Health Account Executive Courtney Love; former True Health Director of Strategic Accounts Stephen Kash; former Boston Heart Area Sales Manager Laura Howard; former Boston Heart sales representative Jeffrey Parnell; Stanley Jones, part-owner with Parnell of Texas marketing company LGRB Management Services LLC; and Jordan Perkins and Ruben Marioni, co-owners of Texas marketing company Next Level Healthcare Consultants LLC. The settlement amounts for Kash and Howard were based on their ability to pay. The civil settlement amounts for Kash, Howard, Parnell, and Perkins are in addition to amounts they were ordered to pay in criminal proceedings captioned United States v. Susan Hertzberg, et al., No. 6:22-cr-3-JDK (E.D. Tex.), and/or United States v. Christopher Grottenthaler, et al., No. 6:22-cr-135-JDK (E.D. Tex.).

The settlements announced today were the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, with assistance from HHS-OIG and DCIS. They were handled by Trial Attorneys Christopher Terranova and Gavin Thole in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Betty Young for the Eastern District of Texas.

The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of civil liability.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Sunset, Louisiana, man has been charged with federal violations related to a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Bracelon Armon Charles, 22, was named in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with two counts of carjacking, two counts of brandishing or using a firearm during a violent crime, and Hobbs Act robbery.

The indictment alleges that in October of 2023, Charles and a juvenile, engaged in a violent crime spree that included the attempted carjacking of a vehicle in Beaumont, the shooting of the vehicle’s owner, another carjacking in Port Arthur, and an attempted robbery of a convenience store in Beaumont.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Charles faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Beaumont Police Department; the Port Arthur Police Department; and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

A federal 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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BEAUMONT, Texas – An Orange, Texas, convicted felon has been charged with federal drug and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Mario Peeples, 35, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a controlled substance on a premises where children are present.

The indictment alleges that in February and July 2025, Peeples, a previously convicted felon, was found in possession of a total of three firearms and methamphetamine intended for distribution. As a convicted felon, Peeples is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Peeples faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Beaumont Police Department, and the Orange Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

A federal 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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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Honduran national serving a federal prison sentence in the Eastern District of Texas has been sentenced for possessing contraband, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Viljar Eduardo Rosales-Lara, 35, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited object in prison and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 2, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Rosales-Lara, while serving a federal prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Beaumont, was found to have 15 individually wrapped bundles of methamphetamine during a pat-down search inside his prison cell.  

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.

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PLANO, Texas – Two aliens from Honduras illegally present in the United States and one Dallas-area man have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a theft and fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Gustavo Adolfo Torres-Sadres, 38, of Honduras, and Julian Sanchez, 38, of Duncanville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and Paul Anthony Oliva Bejarano, 28, of Honduras, pleaded guilty to conspiracy. All three were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.  Torres-Sadres received 78 months in federal prison, Sanchez received 21 months in federal prison, and Bejarano received 18 months in federal prison. 

According to information presented in court, the three men participated in a VIN (vehicle identification number) flipping scheme in which they conspired to steal vehicles and replace the VINs on the stolen vehicle with the VIN from a salvaged vehicle.  Members of the conspiracy then sold the stolen vehicles as purportedly rebuilt vehicles. 

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

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PLANO, Texas – A Williston, North Dakota, man has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in a money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Daniel Boadu, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on August 29, 2025.   Boadu was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4.7 million.

According to information presented in court, from at least August 2015 through February 2021, Boadu conspired with others to defraud individuals in what is commonly known as a romance scam.  In a romance scam, culprits post fake profiles on various dating websites throughout the United States and the world.  The profiles are used to lure unsuspecting victims looking for romance or companionship.  After contacting the victim online, the culprit uses various forms of communication such as email, instant messaging, text messaging, smart phone applications and phone calls to build trust and form a relationship.  Once trust has been gained, the culprit will convince the victim to provide money for various reasons.  The victim then transfers funds or deposits money into bank accounts within the United States.  The bank account holder in the United States will then transfer the fraudulently obtained funds to the culprit facilitating the fraud, often keeping a portion of the funds for themselves.  In this scam, Boadu was one of the bank account holders in the United States.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anand Varadarajan.

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PLANO, Texas – A Murphy man has been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding investors of over $4 million in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Sameer Praveen Sethi, 42, was convicted of seven counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering by a jury following a lengthy trial before U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on December 10, 2024.  On August 28, 2025, Judge Jordan sentenced Sethi to 151 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, over several years, Sethi engaged in a fraud scheme targeting investors of oil and gas joint ventures.  Evidence presented at trial showed that Sethi would create a joint venture, prepare investment documents along with his staff, have his sales staff market the investments, and then spend the money raised from investors almost entirely on personal and business expenses.  Evidence showed the investment documents contained significant misrepresentations and false statements.  Although over $4 million was raised over the course of the joint ventures, investors received almost no returns. 

“The sentence handed down by Judge Jordan follows years of investigation by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and a lengthy trial, and shows the serious nature of Sameer Sethi’s crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with the IRS-Criminal Investigation office and the FBI to investigate and prosecute the kinds of investor fraud that occurred in this case and to seek justice for the public and for the innocent victims of these crimes.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Texas State Securities Board, and the FBI.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Guatemalan national, illegally living in Port Arthur, has been sentenced for unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Wilmer Armando Xitumul-Godinez, 24, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported alien and was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 28, 2025.  Godinez will be deported once he has served his sentence.

According to information presented in court, Godinez was deported by immigration officials in September of 2024.  However, federal agents again encountered Godinez reentering the United States in October of 2024.                                                

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Port Arthur Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Pleasant Grove couple has received lengthy federal prison sentences for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Holly Candice Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to life in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 27, 2025.

Ricardo Ruiz, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 376 months in federal prison by Judge Mazzant on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Ruiz and his wife, Lopez, were leaders in a drug trafficking organization in Pleasant Grove, distributing kilogram quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.  The couple used at least five stash houses in the area to store and distribute illegal narcotics that were imported into the United States from Mexico.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Dallas Police Department, Mesquite Police Department, McKinney Police Department, Rowlett Police Department, Lewisville Police Department, and Denton County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul B. Morris.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man has been sentenced to over 33 years in federal prison for firearms and drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Leotis Cornelius McMahon, 48, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on February 5, 2025.  McMahon was sentenced to 400 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in 2023, law enforcement was investigating McMahon for distributing narcotics within Southeast Texas.  On January 5, 2024, following a prolonged surveillance operation, a traffic stop was conducted on McMahon in Lumberton where he was found to be transporting nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine.  After the traffic stop, a search warrant for McMahon’s residence in Buna was obtained and executed.  Law enforcement discovered materials used in the distribution of narcotics as well as four separate firearms, one being an AR style pistol. One of the firearms seized from McMahon’s residence was stolen.

McMahon was operating what was described as a mobile illegal drug shop.  The amounts of controlled substances, along with the tools used in trafficking such as scales and bags used for distribution, seized from McMahon indicated that he was dealing significant quantities of drugs for profit.

Further investigation revealed McMahon is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations; Lumberton Police Department; Jasper County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Lee and John B. Ross.

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PLANO, Texas – A Carrollton woman has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jessica Marie Ruiz, 43, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in 2021, Ruiz and her husband, Wesley Ruiz, were operating a methamphetamine trafficking organization while Wesley Ruiz was incarcerated for the murder of a Dallas police officer.  Wesley Ruiz used a contraband cell phone to communicate with Jessica Ruiz and their Mexico-based methamphetamine source of supply to move 18-wheeler trucks hauling kilogram quantities of methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border.  Jessica Ruiz would then receive the drug shipments from truck drivers in North Texas and store the methamphetamine at her Carrollton residence before it was trafficked across the United States, including into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for re-distribution within the prison.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the North Texas Strike Force and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Nacogdoches felon has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jonathan McArthur Brewer, 55, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on June 30, 2024, local law enforcement responded to a “shots fired” call and observed Brewer fleeing the scene in a vehicle matching the description of the suspect.  A high-speed chase ensued, and Brewer was stopped.  A search of the vehicle revealed a firearm and a large amount of methamphetamine.  Further investigation revealed Brewer is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.  

Brewer was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2025, and faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum 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 Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Victor Guardado Zepeda, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery; conspiracy to carry a firearm during a crime of violence; two counts of Hobbs Act robbery; and two counts of brandishing firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to a total of 231 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Zepeda led a violent crime spree in which he and others robbed two convenience stores in Denton and Lewisville of over $100,000.  During the robberies, the assailants entered the stores, brandished firearms, and placed an employee on her knees at gunpoint, while the others went into the manager’s office and severely beat one of the employees.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the FBI, Denton Police Department and Lewisville Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Crockett felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Clifford Heniser, 35, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on March 15, 2025, Heniser entered the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and requested their “federal reports.” A dispatcher asked Heniser to wait for a deputy to arrive.  Heniser became angry and left the building before returning with a firearm.  He then exited the building again and began firing the firearm in the parking lot.  Multiple law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene and Heniser was disarmed.  Two firearms were seized from Heniser, and he was arrested.  Further investigation revealed Heniser is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.  

Heniser was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum 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 Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Houston County Sheriff’s Office; Crockett Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Carrollton man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Traylan Xavier Mosley, 21, pleaded guilty to advertising child pornography and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Mosley used photos he found online to pretend he was an attractive girl to entice teen and pre-teen boys to send him photos and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct. He then packaged the boys’ photos and videos in a compilation thumbnail image with the individual boy’s name written on top.  Customers on various social media platforms would then purchase those packages, either one at a time, or in the case of one customer – the entire collection for $950 – and receive a link to access the content.  Federal agents identified more than 45 children across the United States who were victimized by Mosley.  Other children were unable to be identified, and leads were sent to foreign law enforcement partners when the children were located outside the United States.

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 Frisco Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.

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TYLER, Texas – A Texarkana, Texas convicted felon has been charged with federal child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

John Matthew Emerson, 41, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that Emerson, while on supervised release for a previous possession of child pornography conviction, was found with a cellular phone that contained images of child pornography.   

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.

If convicted, Emerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, unlawfully living in Longview, has been charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Humberto Hernandez-Fornue, 43, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on August 14, 2025, Hernandez-Fornue was found illegally in the Eastern District of Texas and in possession of a firearm.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Hernandez-Fornue faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Tyler Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Jacksonville, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Omar Galvan-Rodriguez, 41, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on May 9, 2025, Galvan-Rodriguez was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Galvan-Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Hallsville, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jorge Martinez-Abundis, 38, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on February 14, 2025, Martinez-Abundis was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been deported on at least four previous occasions.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Martinez-Abundis faces up to 20 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas – A Jacksonville convicted felon has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Cody Nerren, 34, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2025, Nerren was found in possession of a firearm in Cherokee County. Further investigation revealed Nerren had been previously convicted of several felonies and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.     

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Nerren faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas – An Indian citizen living in McKinney has been charged with a federal tax violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Anil Surabhi, 43, an Indian citizen with permanent resident status in the United States, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with attempting to evade taxes.

The indictment alleges that Surabhi, while controlling an IT services company headquartered in Georgia, used funds from the company to fund his private personal investments, pay personal expenses, and make investments in real estate.  Surabhi did not report those funds as income on his individual income tax returns.

If convicted, Surabhi faces up to 5 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Canton, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jefferson Funes-Mejia, 32, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on April 16, 2025, Funes-Majia was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Funes-Mejia faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

A federal 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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TYLER, Texas –A Mexican national illegally living in Longview, has been sentenced for unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Refugio Jara-Palafox, 45, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry following removal and was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025.  Jara-Palafox will be deported once he has served his sentence.

According to information presented in court, on August 13, 2024, Jara-Palafox was arrested in Gregg County.  Following the arrest, it was determined that he had been deported on five prior occasions and has multiple convictions including two DWIs, indecent exposure, leaving the scene of an accident, and presenting false documentation at a port of entry.                                                 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

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TYLER, Texas –A Jacksonville convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Eric Pryor, 52, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on November 17, 2023, local law enforcement responded to a call regarding reckless driving. When they arrived at the location, they were shown doorbell security camera footage of an individual later identified as Pryor, stepping out of a car and firing four shots at a truck. The truck went through the front yard of the residence to avoid the shots.  The two vehicles were soon located on Highway 135 and Pryor admitted to firing the handgun at the truck.  Further investigation revealed Pryor had several prior felony convictions, including burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance, theft of a firearm, evading arrest with a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Pryor is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Preston Allen, 58, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 19, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on February 3, 2025, Allen was arrested at his Lufkin home after law enforcement officers arrived to execute a warrant. Upon arrival, deputies found Allen standing outside the home with an AR-15 style rifle.  Allen was ordered to put the rifle on the ground and was taken into custody.  Further investigation revealed Allen is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.   

Allen was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum 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 Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Marsel Brejon Davis, 33, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale on August 19, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on August 31, 2023, a search of Davis’s residence was conducted after he was observed selling narcotics to another person.  During the search, officers located 31.16 grams of fentanyl.  Davis admitted to possessing the fentanyl for the purpose of distributing it to others.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid commonly used as an analgesic or anesthetic that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.

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SHERMAN, Texas –A McKinney convicted felon has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joe Anthony Plascencia, 32, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to 137 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, on August 14, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Plascencia was arrested after local law enforcement responded to a concerned 911 call from a Plano business.  Upon arrival, officers located several firearms, including a pistol and a hunting rifle, as well as a large camo bag, ammunition, and body armor.  Further investigation revealed Plascencia was a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Grand Prairie, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joel Calzada-Macias, 46, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on October 10, 2024, Calzada-Macias was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Calzada-Macias faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stevan Buys.

A federal 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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SHERMAN, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Denton County, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Luis Piedra-Sosa, 51, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on June 23, 2025, Piedra-Sosa was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Piedra-Sosa faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stevan Buys.

A federal 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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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Michael Antoine Lovelady, 53, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 14, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on March 14, 2025, Lovelady was arrested during a traffic stop for outstanding warrants.  During the arrest, Lovelady attempted to flee and was apprehended, and a firearm was discovered in his waistband.  Further investigation revealed Lovelady was a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.

Lovelady was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum 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 Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lufkin Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An El Salvadoran national, illegally living in Carrollton, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

David Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, 43, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on April 18, 2025, Lopez-Hernandez was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Lopez-Hernandez faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stevan Buys.

A federal 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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SHERMAN, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Collin County, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Vicente Marquez-Gonzales, 49, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on June 3, 2025, Marquez-Gonzales was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Marquez-Gonzales faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana Oliver.

A federal 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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SHERMAN, Texas – A Guatemalan national, illegally living in Collin County, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Anibal Gonzalez-Corado, 54, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on February 1, 2025, Gonzalez-Corado was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Gonzalez-Corado faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana Oliver.

A federal 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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SHERMAN, Texas – A Grayson County convicted felon has been charged with unlawfully possessing a machine gun in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Xavier Donnell Porter, 32, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition and possession of a machine gun.

The indictment alleges that on December 5, 2024, Porter was found in possession of a machine gun.  Further investigation revealed he is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Porter faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana Oliver.

A federal 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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BEAUMONT, Texas –A career criminal, with at least 10 felony convictions in Jefferson County, has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kendrick Malbrough, 29, of Humble, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 14, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on October 30, 2024, law enforcement officers observed a vehicle commit traffic violations and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at the intersection of Concord and Steelton in Beaumont.  The driver, Malbrough, eventually exited the vehicle while it was still rolling and attempted to flee on foot, discarding a pistol in the process.    During his arrest, Malbrough was found in possession of $1,990 cash and he had attempted to hide almost 5 grams of crack cocaine in a baggie in his mouth. Further investigation revealed Malbrough had at least 10 felony convictions in Jefferson County beginning in 2014.  As a convicted felon, Malbrough is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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 Matt Quinn.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Mexican national, illegally living in Diboll, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Eduardo Barajas-Macias, 32, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported alien before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 13, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Barajas-Macias was located in Diboll on March 26, 2024, after an investigation revealed he had been previously deported from the United States to Mexico in 2023.

Barajas-Macias faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation 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 Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; FBI; and Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Carter. 

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Pollock, has been charged with an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose de Jesus Pineda-Torres, 43, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on July 11, 2025, Pineda-Torres was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported three times.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Pineda-Torres faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

A federal 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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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Beaumont, has been charged with an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Enrique Guevara-Camargo, 51, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on July 2, 2025, Guevara-Camargo was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

If convicted, Guevara-Camargo faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration & Customs Enforcement.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

A federal 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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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been charged with federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Steven Wade Earle, 30, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The indictment alleges that on January 2, 2025, Earle was found in possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.  Then again on February 25, 2025, Earle was found in possession of at least another 50 grams of methamphetamine.  

If convicted, Earle faces up to life in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Jasper County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Division; Texas DPS-Highway Patrol; and U.S. Marshals Service.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

A federal 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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