Northern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Four Deuce Oakland Crips Gang Member Sentenced to Twenty Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
A multi-convicted felon who is a Crips gang member was sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
In September 2025, Christopher Jamiel Love, 46, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine and phencyclidine (PCP)) and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. On Monday, March 2, 2026, he was sentenced to 248 months in federal prison by United States District Judge David Godbey.Court records reflect that in January 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) agents initiated “Operation Blue Laces” to identify gang members who were engaged in criminal conduct along two main intersections within the Malcolm X Boulevard corridor of Dallas, Texas. According to court documents, “Operation Blue Laces” was initiated in part to address numerous complaints from residents living and working in the neighborhood that advised that Four Deuce Oakland Crip gang members had taken over the area and had created an environment of fear and lawlessness. Members and associates of the Four Deuce Oakland Crips wore jewelry and clothing that depicted the number “42” to show their allegiance to the gang, as depicted in the images below:
ATF agents identified multiple storefronts within the area that were operated by gang members and used to store numerous firearms and distribute drugs to customers. Agents also identified a residential block (2800 block of Casey Street) that was used as an open-air drug market where drugs were sold twenty-four hours a day by gang members and became known as the “Dead End.”
In court documents, Love admitted that throughout 2024, he and another Four Deuce gang member utilized a residence located on the 3600 block of Malcolm X Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, to store quantities of Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances that were later sold to customers on the “Dead End” by Love and others. On October 22, 2024, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the residence and seized 210 grams of cocaine; 4.6 kilograms of phencyclidine (PCP); 9.8 grams of methamphetamine; 1.4 grams of heroin; one kilogram of K2; multiple kilograms of marijuana and four firearms used in furtherance of the drug conspiracy, depicted in the following images:
To date, ten defendants linked to the Four Deuce Oakland Crips gang that were identified in “Operation Blue Laces” have pled guilty to federal offenses including drug conspiracy, firearms charges and carjacking.
The investigation was conducted by ATF-Dallas Division and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Rick Calvert prosecuted the cases.
This investigation 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 OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Waxahachie Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for $1.7M SIM Card Swapping Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Waxahachie man who coordinated a SIM card-swapping fraud scheme was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Kimionte Bennett, 30, was indicted in July 2025 and pled guilty in October 2025 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, who also ordered Bennett to pay $1,769,438 in restitution.According to court documents, Bennett facilitated multiple “SIM swap” attacks, whereby Bennett and his co-conspirators gained control over their victims’ cell phone numbers by temporarily re-assigning the victims’ phone numbers to a SIM card controlled by Bennett or his co-conspirators. After conducting the “SIM swap,” Bennett and his co-conspirators used that phone access to intercept the multi-factor authentication codes, and used these codes to illicitly access the victims’ cryptocurrency accounts—from which Bennett’s co-conspirators would steal cryptocurrency from the victims.
In total, court records reflect that Bennett and his co-conspirators were responsible for an actual loss of $1,769,438 sustained by the various victims of this SIM card-swapping fraud scheme.
At the sentencing hearing, one victim said, “These weren’t just digital numbers on a screen; they represented my family’s savings, our future security, our dreams. I had planned to use that money to build a stable future for my [child]—[their] education, our home, our peace of mind. In an instant, it was all gone. Coming from a family whose parents came to this country with cheap plastic suitcases, and zero money, it was absolutely devastating . . . In an instant, that same American dream that my parents worked so hard to build, and continued through me, vanished.”
Two of Bennett’s co-conspirators, Leticia Contreras and Osvaldo Guajardo, were also prosecuted in related cases for participating in Bennett’s fraud scheme. Contreras, 30, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. Guajardo, 31, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
FBI Omaha Field Division, FBI Dallas Field Division, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Detroit Field Division, and FBI Cyber Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric B. Chen, Matthew Weybrecht, and Justin Beck prosecuted the case.
Sheppard Air Force Base Airman Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Traveling to Colorado to Kidnap and Sexually Abuse a ChildRead the Press Release
A Sheppard Air Force Base Airman who traveled to Colorado to kidnap and sexually abuse a child was sentenced to life in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Travis Robert Larson, 24, of Denton, Texas, was indicted in August 2025. He pled guilty in November 2025 to one count of enticement of a minor and one count of sexual abuse of a minor, and was sentenced on February 27, 2026, by Chief United States District Judge Reed O’Connor.
According to court documents, on May 4, 2025, a father notified the Colorado Springs, Colorado Police Department that his 14-year-old daughter was missing. The father told authorities that he had located the child’s phone and found messages indicating that Larson had been communicating with the child and had discussed driving to Colorado to pick up the child and bring her back to Texas.
Law enforcement officers located surveillance footage of Larson picking up the child, identified in court documents as “Minor Victim 1,” and tracked his vehicle traveling from Texas to Colorado Springs and back during the late evening hours of May 3 to May 4, 2025.
Court records reflect that Larson was an active member of the United States Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. On the evening of May 5, 2025, the USAF Security Forces Squadron recovered the child near Larson’s dorm room on SAFB. The child disclosed that Larson began communicating with her online when she was just 10 or 11 years old, and that she would send Larson sexually explicit images of herself at Larson’s request. The child disclosed that her online relationship with Larson lasted several years until Larson eventually discussed coming to visit her in person.
According to court documents, the child disclosed that Larson had traveled twice to Colorado Springs to meet her for sex, including picking her up from her home in late April 2025 and driving to a nearby park, where he sexually abused her. Later, on May 3, 2025, Larson again traveled from Texas to Colorado to have sex with the child. Text messages between Larson and the child indicate that Larson promised to bring the child alcohol and described his desire to have sex with the child and to resort to violence, if necessary.
Court documents further reflect that around 3:30 a.m. on May 4, 2025, Larson picked up the child from her Colorado Springs residence and drove to a nearby park, where he had sex with the child. Instead of driving the child back to her residence, Larson then drove the child, against her will, back to Texas. On the morning of May 4, 2025, Larson and the child were captured on surveillance footage at the Buc-ee’s gas station in Amarillo, Texas. Later that day, Larson hid the child in the trunk of his vehicle in order to sneak her onto SAFB and conceal her in his dormitory room. Larson sexually abused the child multiple times inside his dormitory before she was recovered by law enforcement. A search of Larson’s phone revealed notes with the child’s name, date of birth, and social media accounts, indicating that Larson was aware the child was just 14 years old.
The Colorado Springs Police Department, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Wichita Falls Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allyson Monte and Stephen Rancourt prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Anson, Texas Man Federally Charged with Attempted Enticement of a Minor After Arranging to Meet Purported 15-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
An Anson man was charged with attempted enticement of a minor after arranging to meet a purported 15-year-old girl, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Ervin Joe Campbell, 63, was charged by a federal criminal complaint and arrested on February 26, 2026, for the federal offense of attempted enticement of a minor. He made his initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John R. Parker.
“The collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners took another alleged would-be predator from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This case highlights the importance of devoting resources to unearth sex trafficking in the Northern District of Texas. We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute these cases.”
According to the complaint, Ervin Joe Campbell allegedly attempted to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce an individual he believed to be fifteen years old to engage in prostitution and sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. As alleged, on February 25, 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the Abilene Police Department, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office conducted an undercover chat operation in Abilene, Texas, targeting the solicitation of prostitution and child predators. During the operation, AG Investigators posed as minors, aged fifteen and sixteen, via an undercover account. The account posted on Facebook Marketplace as “Massage and Fun.” Campbell allegedly contacted the account and agreed to pay $200 for sex with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl.
The complaint alleges that Campbell sent a picture of himself and stated he was 60 years old. After being told that the person he was communicating with was fifteen, Campbell replied, “I could get in trouble,” followed later by “I’m not a cop, are you?” The undercover investigator informed Campbell that her sixteen-year-old friend was available as well and provided the price of $500.00 for sexual intercourse with both girls. The messages exchanged between the undercover investigator and Campbell included:
According to the complaint, Campbell arrived at a prearranged meeting place with two condoms and $652.00 cash. Officers also found a cellphone on which Campbell had saved the undercover investigator’s number as “15.”
If convicted, Campbell faces a sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison up to life imprisonment. He remains in federal custody pending detention and preliminary hearings on March 3, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Parker in Abilene, Texas.
Homeland Security Investigations Abilene Division, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division in Abilene, the Abilene Police Department, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney James is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Campbell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dallas Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Federal Prison for $1.1M Concert Promotion Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Dallas man was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison for stealing more than a million dollars from investors through a concert promotion scheme, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Carlos Desean Goodspeed, 45, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty to wire fraud in October 2025 after a federal grand jury indicted him in 2024 for obtaining funds from unwitting investors to whom he falsely represented that he was a concert promoter who would use their funds to purchase concert and event tickets and suites in order to resell them for a profit. On February 18, 2026, United States District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Goodspeed to 75 months in federal prison. He also ordered Goodspeed to pay nearly $1.2 million in restitution to seventeen victims of Goodspeed’s fraud scheme.Court records reveal that Goodspeed operated a business under the assumed name “Straight Like That Entertainment,” and held himself out as a promotor for concerts and events involving high-profile artists and entertainers, including, for example, Tyler, the Creator, Ludacris, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, and Future, none of whom were involved in or knew about Goodspeed’s fraud scheme.
With respect to one of his victims, Goodspeed admitted in plea documents that he solicited an investment that was to be used to purchase concert tickets and suites for a series of Tyler, the Creator shows, and the investor would receive a return on their investment once the shows took place. The victim wired Goodspeed a total of $180,000 pursuant to partner agreements outlining the terms of the investments. Though the shows took place, Goodspeed did not pay the victim as promised. Goodspeed admitted that he instead used the victim’s investments, without the victim’s knowledge or consent, for personal expenses, including rental payments at an upscale apartment complex, a purchase at a high-end retail store, and airline fees and hotels. He also admitted that he used some of the victim’s money to pay other investors to continue concealing his scheme.
Three victims testified at Goodspeed’s sentencing hearing and detailed their financial and emotional sufferings as a result of Goodspeed’s scheme. One victim testified that she used part of an inheritance to invest with Goodspeed in hopes of being able to pay medical bills for a family member diagnosed with cancer. Goodspeed did not pay her back as promised, and she was forced to take out loans and use credit cards to pay funeral expenses when her family member passed away.
“Victims are often defrauded of life savings and suffer devastating economic and personal harm because of investment fraud schemes like this one,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Seeking lengthy prison time for defendants and restitution judgments on behalf of those victimized in these cases remain top priorities for my office.”
“The FBI remains committed to investigating those who take advantage of our communities through investment fraud schemes. We encourage the public to thoroughly research investment opportunities and to contact us immediately if they suspect fraud,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
While on pretrial release before his guilty plea, Goodspeed’s conditions of pretrial release were revoked and he was taken into custody in July 2025 after a United States Magistrate Judge found probable cause to believe Goodspeed committed a criminal fraud violation and also, in contravention to his conditions, continued to solicit and receive new investments. He remains in federal custody to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Hunter prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien with Prior Drug Trafficking, Sexual Abuse of a Child, and Firearm Theft Convictions Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
An illegal alien from Mexico, previously convicted of drug trafficking, sexual abuse of a child, and theft of a firearm, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Ivan Hernandez-Ortiz, 36, residing in Dallas, Texas, was indicted in March 2023 and pled guilty in October 2025 to illegally reentering the United States after he was last deported by immigration authorities in 2020. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown sentenced him to 120 months in federal prison.According to evidence presented at sentencing, Hernandez-Ortiz illegally entered the United States approximately five times, was granted voluntary return on three occasions, and was formally removed twice. Previously, he was federally prosecuted for illegal reentry into the United States in the Southern District of Texas in 2015 and was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.
Court records reflect that Hernandez-Ortiz was also convicted of six other felonies, including drug trafficking, firearm theft, and sexual abuse of a child—the victim of which was a 15-year-old female recognized during a traffic stop by Dallas Police Department officers as a child identified on a bulletin as missing and potentially being sex trafficked. Evidence at sentencing revealed that Hernandez-Ortiz previously admitted to being in a dating relationship with the victim and that she was pregnant with his unborn child. For the current illegal reentry offense, the lead prosecutor sought the maximum sentence allowed by statute, and the Court agreed.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Marbel Leonel Munoz prosecuted the case.
Texas Tech Professor and Two Others Federally Charged with Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Texas Tech University marketing and supply chain management professor and two others were federally charged for their roles in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Daniel Taylor, 50, of Lubbock, Texas, was charged by federal complaint on February 18, 2026, with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Taylor is an assistant professor of marketing and supply chain management with Texas Tech’s Rawls College of Business. Also charged are Alisha Red-Eagle, 21, and Mackenzie Gilcrease, 28, both of Lubbock.
According to the complaint, Taylor distributed two variations of fentanyl powder: one called “Pink Flamingo” and the other called “Ghost.” The complaint alleges that Taylor has been under investigation for drug distribution over the last several months. Specific instances of alleged drug activity include January 12, 2026, when law enforcement agents saw Alisha Red-Eagle enter and exit Taylor’s vehicle at a Lubbock convenience store, and then Red-Eagle entered a white SUV that left the location. When a Lubbock County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped the SUV for a traffic violation, the SUV’s occupants—which included Red-Eagle—advised that a male in the back seat was overdosing on suspected fentanyl supplied by Red-Eagle. Narcan and EMS services were administered. While searching the SUV, officers found five fentanyl pills, a clear baggie containing fentanyl, five aluminum foil wrappers containing fentanyl residue, and a pink baggie containing fentanyl powder.
“Instead of focusing on teaching students supply chain management, the defendant, as alleged, was developing and implementing his own supply chain of lethal fentanyl into the streets of Lubbock,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, at least in one instance, the fentanyl the defendant peddled through his drug trafficking organization caused an overdose. We hope the students of Texas Tech and the Lubbock community understand that my office will vigorously prosecute drug dealers and drug traffickers no matter if you are a professor or a street level dealer.”
“This arrest underscores the stark and troubling irony that an individual entrusted with educating others instead chose to distribute one of the deadliest drugs facing our communities today,” said DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “While this conduct is in no way reflective of Texas Tech University, it highlights that fentanyl trafficking can emerge from any corner of our society, and DEA, alongside our federal, state, and local partners, remains committed to identifying and holding accountable those who choose to profit from this poison.”
The complaint further alleges that on the evening of February 17, 2026, agents saw Mackenzie Gilcrease meet Taylor at his residence, enter and exit his apartment, and leave the location in a pickup truck. A Lubbock County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped the truck for a traffic violation and identified Gilcrease as the driver and sole occupant. After a K-9 alerted to the vehicle for the odor of narcotics, deputies searched the truck and found three pink plastic baggies of fentanyl inside of a pink envelope that contained a pink flamingo graphic. They also found a pink plastic baggie containing methamphetamine. Just after midnight on February 18, 2026, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant for Taylor’s home, locating multiple quantities of white powder and a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, along with pink envelopes, plastic baggies with pink flamingo stickers, and baggies containing a ghost graphic.
All three defendants appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge in Lubbock this morning for initial appearances on the charges. They remain in federal custody pending further court proceedings. If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in federal prison.
This investigation was a joint operation of the Texas Anti-Gang Center and the Caprock Hi-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. This group is composed of agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lubbock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Rancourt is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
taylor_-_complaint_-_affidavit.pdfFormer Fort Worth Resident Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Unemployment Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
A former Fort Worth, Texas resident was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits from the United States Department of Labor, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Mark Alan Valles, 51, previously of Fort Worth, Texas, pled guilty in October 2025 to the federal offense of conspiring to steal government funds. On February 20, 2026, Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor sentenced Valles to 60 months in federal prison. He also ordered Valles to pay $407,724 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Small Business Administration.“This defendant exploited government programs and stole funds intended to aid Americans during a critical economic period in this country,” said U. S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud the diligent work of our law enforcement partners in uncovering the fraud scheme and seeing justice done in this case.”
“Mark Valles conspired with others to defraud the Texas Workforce Commission, U.S. Government, and the American taxpayers in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme that enriched himself at a time when millions of Americans desperately needed the money,” stated Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “My office is committed to protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program by vigorously pursuing those who commit this type of fraud. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”
Court documents indicate that from approximately April 2020 through September 2021, Valles and others conspired to unlawfully use stolen personal identifying information of at least 44 victims to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance funds administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (“TWC”) and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”). Valles and his coconspirators used the stolen information to fill out false applications claiming a total of $899,719 in benefits to be loaded onto to debit cards. They directed the associated debit cards to be mailed to a physical address accessible by Valles or others, retrieved the debit cards from the particular address, and withdrew cash from multiple ATM machines at banks in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. Valles caused a loss to the government of more than $407,000.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security–Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald prosecuted the case.
Plainview Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Sexual Exploitation of 10-Year-Old ChildRead the Press Release
A man who sexually abused a 10-year-old child in the presence of the child’s younger sister was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Leandro Rodriquez, Jr., 44, of Plainview, Texas, was indicted in May 2025. He pled guilty in October 2025 to enticement of a minor and was sentenced today by United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
According to court documents, in March 2025, the legal guardian of the victim, “Jane Doe,” made a report of suspected sexual abuse involving Rodriquez, the boyfriend of Doe’s biological mother. Doe and her younger sister had recently been allowed to stay overnight with their mother and Rodriquez at a residence in Plainview.
Doe’s guardian discovered messages on Doe’s phone instructing her where to meet once Doe’s guardian left for work. Doe’s guardian questioned Doe about the messages, and Doe told her guardian that the messages were from Rodriquez. Doe was later interviewed by law enforcement and disclosed that Rodriquez had sex with her when Doe and her sister had stayed with their mother. Doe stated that her little sister was present during the abuse. Doe also disclosed that, following the abuse, Rodriquez asked Doe to send him a video of Doe engaging in a sexual act, “‘cause he taught me how.”
Doe’s younger sister was also interviewed by law enforcement. Doe’s sister confirmed that she witnessed Rodriquez having sex with Doe while their mother was away from the residence.
Law enforcement seized Rodriquez’s cell phone and obtained a search warrant. A search of the phone revealed several sexually explicit images of Doe along with messages from Rodriquez instructing Doe to leave her residence and meet up with him. Law enforcement also found a video of Rodriquez and Doe cuddling while Doe told the camera that they are “happily married.”
The Plainview Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Illegal Alien with Multiple Violent Felony Convictions Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
An illegal alien from Mexico, twice convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Pedro Garcia Lopez, 45, was indicted in June 2025 and pled guilty in September 2025 to illegally reentering the United States after he was last deported by immigration authorities in 2008. He was sentenced on Monday, February 2, 2026, to 57 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Sam Lindsay.
Evidence presented at sentencing revealed that Garia Lopez’s criminal history dates back to 2008, when he was convicted of burglary of a habitation. Subsequently, he committed two violent attacks resulting in state convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2018 and 2025, for which he received sentences of 3 years’ imprisonment.
U.S. District Judge Lindsay ordered Garcia Lopez’s state and federal sentences to run consecutively.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Marbel Leonel Munoz prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien with 17 Prior Removals and Aggravated Sexual Assault Conviction Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
An illegal alien from Mexico, removed from the United States 17 times and convicted of aggravated sexual assault, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Cesar Carapia-Hernandez, 42, was indicted in July 2024 and pled guilty in September 2025 to illegally reentering the United States after he was last deported by immigration authorities in 2022. He was sentenced on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to 90 months in federal prison by United States Senior District Judge Jane Boyle.
Evidence presented at sentencing highlighted Carapia-Hernandez’s extensive immigration and criminal history. Carapia-Hernandez illegally entered the United States approximately 17 times, was granted voluntary return to Mexico on 11 occasions, and was formally removed six times. He was federally prosecuted three times for illegal entry into the United States and three times for illegal reentry into the United States.
According to the information presented in court,in 2024, Carapia-Hernandez was convicted of aggravated sexual assault after he forcibly entered a victim’s home, assaulted her at knifepoint, and threatened to return and kill her and her child if she alerted law enforcement. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for that offense.
U.S. Senior District Judge Boyle ordered Carapia-Hernandez’s state and federal sentences to run consecutively.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorneys Shelby Davitt and Marbel Leonel Munoz prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 45 years for Child Exploitation of 12-Year-Old BoyRead the Press Release
An illegal alien was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for child exploitation involving a 12-year- old boy, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Julio Chavez, a citizen and national of El Salvador who was in the United States illegally, was convicted of one count of production of child sex abuse material and one count of receipt of child sex abuse material in August 2025. On February 11, 2026, United States District Judge Brantley Starr sentenced Chavez to 540 months in federal prison.
“The defendant exploited a young boy’s innocence and vulnerability,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I am glad the district court judge sentenced the defendant to over 40 years in federal prison for his heinous crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the most vulnerable and innocent in our North Texas communities are protected from being exploited by sexual predators.”
“The significant sentence imposed on the defendant sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to work to protect the children in our communities and hold child predators accountable,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
During the sentencing hearing, court records detailed how Chavez groomed his 12-year-old victim, ultimately convincing the child to send a sexually explicit video to Chavez. Chavez also possessed hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material on his cellular telephone.
After Chavez serves his sentence, he faces the possibility of deportation and exclusion from the country.
FBI Dallas and the Irving Police Department handled the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Mansfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Child Exploitation After Producing Explicit VideosRead the Press Release
A Mansfield woman who produced sexually explicit videos of a child pled guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of children this week, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Marisa Witkop, 31, was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury in October last year. For each count, she faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, for a total maximum sentence of 120 years’ imprisonment. According to court documents, Witkop produced four videos of a nine-year-old child, some of which she distributed using a social media application. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2026, in Fort Worth before Senior United States District Judge Terry R. Means.
The U.S. Secret Service and Mansfield Police Department handled the investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Five Federally Indicted for Alleged $220 Million Nationwide Cattle Fraud Scheme; One is Fugitive on FBI Wanted ListRead the Press Release
Five individuals were federally indicted this week for their roles in an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Those indicted by a Fort Worth federal grand jury on February 11, 2026, were:
- Jed Wood of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering involving wiring more than $63,000 to a lender for “Home Payoff”
- Joshua Link of Strafford, Missouri, charged with ten counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property
- Tia Link of Smithton, Missouri, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property
- Taylor Bang of Kildeer, North Dakota, charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering
- Royana Thomas of Arlington, Texas, charged with six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering
“Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”
“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
As alleged in the indictment, each of the defendants were associated with Agridime LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that offered cattle sales and meat processing and retail services to the public. Jed Wood served as the Operations Director. Joshua Link served as the Executive Director. Tia Link served as the Marketing Director. Taylor Bang served as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas served as the financial controller.
The indictment alleges that, from January 2021 through December 2023, the five defendants, acting through Agridime, perpetrated a fraud scheme in which they falsely represented to individual cattle purchasers, cattle ranchers, and feedlots that Agridime would use their funds to purchase specific individual cattle for each victim, raise the cattle, and eventually sell the meat from the same specific individual cattle for a profit. In reality, as the indictment charges, the defendants did not use victim funds as promised and instead used newer cattle purchaser funds to pay Agridime operating expenses, pay funds owed by Agridime to earlier cattle purchasers, pay personal expenses, and purchase real property.
As alleged, the defendants fraudulently collected more than $220 million from over 2,200 individual victims located throughout the United States due to fraudulent misrepresentations the defendants made in public and private advertising statements.
If convicted, the defendants face up to twenty years in federal prison on each wire fraud count for which they were indicted as well as twenty years’ imprisonment for the charged wire fraud conspiracy. Additionally, the defendants face up to ten years’ imprisonment for each money laundering count in which they are charged.
Tia Link and Taylor Bang appeared for arraignment before a United States Magistrate Judge in Fort Worth today. Both were released under pretrial supervision. Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are set to appear for arraignment in Fort Worth before a United States Magistrate Judge on February 25, 2026.
Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive. The FBI requests that the public contact the FBI with any information regarding Link’s location.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wcc/joshua-robert-link
fbi_wanted_-_fugitive_-_joshua_link.pdfThe Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Worth Resident Agency conducted the investigation, with assistance from the USDA-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Abilene Fentanyl Trafficker, 30 others, Sentenced as Part of “Operation Top Shelf”Read the Press Release
A large-scale fentanyl trafficker in Abilene, Texas, was sentenced to life in federal prison this week, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Kurtney Bernard Jones, of Abilene, was convicted in August 2025 by a federal jury in Abilene of two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. On February 5, 2026, United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix sentenced Jones to life imprisonment.
“The scale of this drug trafficking organization and this defendant’s leadership of it warrants a life sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Our law enforcement partners took down a massive fentanyl distribution ring over a 2-year operation. I applaud their collaborative efforts together with the prosecutors in my office in successfully removing these dangerous drugs and those peddling them from the Abilene community.”
“The defendant’s role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed a large quantity of narcotics into Abilene and the surrounding area warrants the life sentence that was imposed in this case,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and protect our communities from the threat of dangerous drugs.”
“This life sentence reflects the seriousness of fentanyl trafficking and our continued commitment to protecting communities from those who profit by distributing deadly drugs,” said DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “This case highlights the strength of our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together to hold dangerous traffickers accountable and keep our communities safe.”
Evidence presented in court demonstrated that Kurtney Jones, also known as “KP,” was responsible for distributing large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin in the Abilene area.
Court records show that in December 2023, Jones assumed control of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed drugs in Abilene and the surrounding counties. He formed a relationship with a drug supplier in Dallas, Texas. He organized the transport of a total of 42,000 fentanyl pills, 140 grams of heroin, 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, another 4,600 grams of fentanyl to the Abilene. While running the DTO, Jones threatened rival dealers and trafficked firearms. When arrested, he possessed 452 grams of fentanyl and $225,994.25 in cash. Agents also discovered that Jones possessed a pill press, capsules to make pills, and another 318.95 grams of heroin.
Jones’s prosecution was part of “Operation Top Shelf.” This was a comprehensive narcotics investigation that involved seven separate local and federal law enforcement agencies. Agents performed two separate “takedowns.” The first takedown occurred in February of 2024 and involved more than 80 agents and officers from the 7 collaborating agencies. Court records reflect that over the course of the first takedown operation, agents seized 29 kilograms of methamphetamine, 721 grams of cocaine, 1,370 grams of fentanyl, and 60 firearms. Seventeen methamphetamine and cocaine traffickers were arrested and indicted.
The second takedown occurred in September of 2024. Agents arrested and indicted 12 fentanyl traffickers, including Jones.
After the takedowns, opioid overdose rates fell sharply in Abilene. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/after-takedown-opioid-overdose-rates-fall-abilene.
With Jones’s sentencing this week, all 31 traffickers charged in “Operation Top Shelf” have been sentenced. In total and excluding Jones, the Court sentenced the defendants to 4,328 months, which amounts to over 360 years of federal prison time. Those sentences include:
- Kurtney Bernard Jones: sentenced to life imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute and distributing fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Rafael Perez: sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Diana Nichole Perez, aka Diana Santana: sentenced to 292 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Eddie Ochoa Lomas: sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Tylik Ojur Johnson: sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment for distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Nathaniel Deal: sentenced to 262 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Lisa Ann Beckham: sentenced to 204 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Angel Alvarez: sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Orson Rolando Ortegon: sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Joshua Gosson: sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Marquee Anthony Aboso, aka “OC”: sentenced to 175 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Hannah Rai Gongora, aka Hannah Alvarez: sentenced to 172 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Laura Trevino: sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Alexandrea Delgado: sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Petra Soliz: sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Juan Manuel Oliveros, Jr.: sentenced to 150 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jeremiah Greene, aka “Lil Mexico”: sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Bradley Kirk Gutierrez: sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Jimmy Rangel: sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Gloria Santibanez: sentenced to 114 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jason Eugene DeLeon: sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Steven Lattimore, aka “PNut”: sentenced to 103 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Mckenzee Marie Lane: sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment for distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Joseph Brassell: sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment for possession to distribute fentanyl.
- Robert Lee Mason: sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Glen Edward Lee, Jr.: sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Maxine Gonzales: sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Christopher Thompson: sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Jacob Lee DeLeon: sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Paul Eli Snyder: sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Christopher Anthony Glaze: sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The operation involved agents and officers from DEA Fort Worth, FBI Dallas Field Office - Abilene Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF Dallas, IRS – Criminal Investigations, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Abilene Police Department, and the Callahan County Sheriff’s Office.
This prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas handled the prosecution.
North Texas Man Indicted on Federal Charges for Threatening to Assault and Murder U.S. President and ICE AgentsRead the Press Release
A North Texas man who threatened to assault and murder the United States President and unnamed ICE agents was federally indicted on Tuesday this week, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Francisco Jesus Mena, 36, of North Richland Hills, Texas was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 3, 2026, on ten counts of threatening a federal official. Mena was previously arrested on a federal complaint for this offense and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Harold R. Ray, Jr. on January 7, 2026. Mena is set to appear for an arraignment on the charges in the indictment on February 11, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 96 years in federal prison.
“Any threat against the President, federal officials, and agents will be thoroughly investigated and swiftly prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Some individuals falsely believe that they are immune from criminal penalties by posting vitriol online and not in person. The diligent work of our law enforcement partners time and again uncovers those attempting to hide behind a computer screen.”
“The FBI takes online threats to federal officials and law enforcement seriously. Using online platforms to threaten the lives of others does not insulate an individual from consequences. We are committed to thoroughly investigating these crimes,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We ask that the public continue to remain vigilant and report suspicious online activity to law enforcement.”
According to the indictment, on several occasions in May 2025, Mena allegedly posted threats on a social media platform, including:
The indictment details other instances of Mena’s alleged violent rhetoric.
FBI Dallas Field Office - Fort Worth Resident Agency and U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mena is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Five Fentanyl Traffickers Sentenced to Combined 91 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Two of five defendants in a Lubbock drug-trafficking ring were sentenced to 19 and 20 years in federal prison today for their roles in distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Adam Whitehead Baber, 45, of Lubbock, was sentenced to 228 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl in October 2025. Jessica Clauson, 43, of Lubbock, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl in September 2025.Three others charged as part of the drug trafficking ring include:
• Sean Burns, 43, of Lubbock, was sentenced in December 2025 to 204 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl in August 2025.
• Charles Srnek, also known as “Dreds,” 38, of Lubbock, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison in December 2025 after pleading guilty in August 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual).
• Kiyle Jackson, 33, of Lubbock, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison in December 2025 after pleading guilty in August 2025 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.Court documents reflect that beginning in early 2024, the defendants conspired to travel out of state to purchase massive quantities of fentanyl to distribute in Lubbock. The investigation revealed that the defendants would purchase up to 10,000 fentanyl pills at a time, which they referred to as “yachts” of fentanyl. In total, the group was found responsible for distributing over 100,000 fentanyl pills and 20 pounds of methamphetamine in Lubbock.
According to court records, in January 2024, Baber and Burns were arrested in New Mexico with 1,669 fentanyl pills (184.5 grams) destined for Lubbock. Later, in May 2024, agents executed a search warrant at the Lubbock home of defendants Clauson and Srnek and found 568 grams of fentanyl, 625 grams of methamphetamine, and four firearms. In July 2024, Jackson was caught with 140 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop.
United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix sentenced each of the defendants.
Agents with the Lubbock, Texas Anti-Gang (TAG), the Drug Enforcement Administration, Caprock High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Texas Department of Public Safety, Lubbock Police Department, and Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Rancourt prosecuted the case.
Alleged Shooter of Armored Vehicle Security Guard in Balch Springs Federally ChargedRead the Press Release
A man in Dallas, Texas was federally charged with attempted interference of commerce by robbery after allegedly shooting a security guard who was servicing a bank ATM in Balch Springs, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Laroyce Antoine Lambert was charged by federal complaint with the offense of attempted interference of commerce by robbery on February 5, 2026. According to the complaint, Lambert attempted to rob an armored car while the security guard was servicing a Chase Bank ATM located at 2329 Lake June Road, Balch Springs, Texas.As described in the complaint, during the robbery, Lambert approached the security guard with a firearm and demanded access to the money located at the ATM he was servicing. After the guard informed Lambert that he could not access the money in the ATM, Lambert fired three shots at the guard and fled on foot through a fence. The security guard suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to the hospital. According to the complaint, footage from the security guard’s body worn camera captured Lambert with a firearm in his hand, pointed at the guard:
Court documents reflect that responding agents and officers with the Balch Springs Police Department and Dallas FBI Violent Crime Taskforce were able to obtain footage of Lambert fleeing the scene and entering a Dodge Charger to make his escape. The FBI worked in conjunction with the Fort Worth Police Department and Dallas Police Department to locate the Dodge Charger and tracked Lambert and the vehicle to an apartment in Fort Worth, Texas. Once located, the Fort Worth Police Department arrested Lambert.
“The swift apprehension of this individual is a testament to the tireless work and collaboration of our federal, state, and local partners. The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and our local partners identified the perpetrator within hours of the horrific shooting,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This should serve as a warning to violent offenders in North Texas: we will find you and swiftly bring you to justice.”
“The FBI Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force worked alongside the Balch Springs Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Mesquite Police Department and other law enforcement partners to investigate this robbery and brutal attack on an armored vehicle driver. This collaboration among multiple agencies and members of the public resulted in a swift arrest,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue our work to hold this perpetrator accountable and remain committed to protect the residents of North Texas.”
“Our community was shaken by this senseless act of violence. I am relieved that a suspect has been apprehended and there is no ongoing threat to the public,” said Brent Hurley, Chief of the Balch Springs Police Department. “I want to thank our agency partners — including the FBI, Texas Rangers, Mesquite Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Mesquite Fire Department, and our own Balch Springs officers — for their professionalism and swift action that led to this arrest. Our thoughts remain with the victim, their family, and all affected by this incident.”
Lambert is currently in federal custody following an initial appearance on February 6, 2026, before a United States Magistrate Judge. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in federal prison.
The Dallas FBI Violent Crime Taskforce, ATF Dallas, Balch Springs Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Mesquite Police Department, and Texas Rangers conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Withers and Jeremy Fugate.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Lambert is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
lambert_-_complaint.pdf
Two Men Sentenced to Combined 80 years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking and Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
Two Arlington men were sentenced to a combined 80 years in federal prison for their roles in sex trafficking a juvenile female who had been reported as a runaway and to whom they supplied fentanyl, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Jamal Howard, 52, was sentenced to 600 months on January 30, 2026, for Sex Trafficking Through Force Fraud and Coercion, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Distributing Fentanyl to a Person Under 21, and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. Renaldo Rojas, 27, was sentenced to 360 months for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Distributing Fentanyl to a person under 21 on January 15, 2026. Both men were indicted in June 2025 and pled guilty to the charges in October 2025.
“Tragically, sex trafficking and drug trafficking are nearly always intertwined, escalating the horrific harm to victims in these cases,” said United States Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud the tremendous work of HSI and Arlington Police Department that led to the victim’s rescue in this case. We embrace the difficult work removing prolific traffickers from our community’s streets and continue to pursue justice to the fullest extent against these types of offenders.”“This intensely gratifying 50-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Howard’s crimes and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to protect our children and our communities,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “The outcome is the result of outstanding teamwork and dedication from our agents, the Arlington Police Department, and our federal partners. Let this sentence serve as a warning: Those who traffic minors and distribute deadly narcotics will be brought to justice and face the full consequences of their actions.”
According to plea documents, in late July 2024, a minor female had been reported as a runaway to the Arlington Police Department. Rojas provided the minor with fentanyl and sent Howard, a known trafficker, photos of the minor, offering to connect Howard with the minor in exchange for fentanyl. After providing bags of fentanyl pills to Rojas, Howard transported the minor victim to his apartment, supplied her with fentanyl, had her photographed, and posted commercial sex advertisements for the victim on a website used for engaging in commercial sex transactions. Court records show that Howard trafficked the victim to several individuals in late July through August 1, 2024. Howard also distributed fentanyl to Rojas during this period. Communications found on Howard’s phone reflect messages with Rojas discussing fentanyl transactions totaling more than 5,000 fentanyl pills.On August 1, 2024, members from the North Texas Trafficking Force, including agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Arlington Police Department, recovered the minor victim in an apartment in Arlington, Texas, along with evidence of Howard’s large-scale fentanyl distribution to Rojas and others.
Two additional individuals were convicted and sentenced for their roles in Howard’s drug trafficking activity. Elnora Jordan, 63, of Arlington, Texas, pled guilty in October 2025 to conspiring to launder monetary instruments related to proceeds generated from Howard’s fentanyl sales. According to plea documents, Jordan accepted payments from Howard’s fentanyl customers using an app on her phone, transferred the funds to her bank account, and withdrew cash that she gave to Howard. She was sentenced on February 3, 2026, to 21 months in federal prison. Court records further reflect that Yolanda Gonzales, 23, of Hurst, Texas, was sentenced to twelve months in federal prison on January 22, 2026, after pleading guilty in October 2025 for using her cellphone to communicate with Howard about purchasing and distributing fentanyl. United States District Judge Mark T. Pittman sentenced each of the defendants.
Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas and the Arlington Police Department conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allyson Monte.
Illegal Alien Who Shot Rifle on Crowded Dallas Bridge on Jan. 1 Federally Charged with Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
A man who allegedly shot multiple rounds from an AR-style rifle on the Margaret McDermott Bridge on New Year’s Eve has been federally charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Jose Raul Alarcon Sanchez, a Mexican national unlawfully present in the United States, was charged by federal complaint yesterday. As alleged, just after midnight on January 1, 2026, Alarcon Sanchez and another man were on the Margaret McDermott Bridge amid numerous stopped cars and people at the time of the downtown Dallas firework presentations. While standing on the bridge, Alarcon Sanchez and the other individual took turns filming each other shooting black rifles over the bridge. The approximate location of the shooting is indicated by the red “x” in the map below:
“This type of violent behavior wrought tremendous danger to countless lives on the bridge that night,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud our law enforcement partners’ meticulous investigation and use of ballistic evidence to connect this individual to the violent crime he is alleged to have committed on New Year’s Eve.”“Firing a rifle from a crowded bridge in the middle of downtown Dallas posed a serious threat to public safety. Through close coordination with the Dallas Police Department and the use of NIBIN, investigators were able to connect critical ballistic evidence and advance this case. ATF will continue working with our partners to address violent crime and protect our communities,” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Brian W. Garner.
According to the complaint, on January 5, 2026, Dallas Police Department officers recovered seventy-nine 5.56/.223 caliber and four 9-millimeter fired cartridge casings (FCCs) where Alarcon Sanchez and the other man were observed firing the rifles. They also recovered an additional sixteen 5.56/.223 caliber FCCs, eight 9-millimeter FCCs, and one .40 caliber FCC under the bridge.
Court records show that Alarcon Sanchez was arrested on January 1, 2026, by Grand Prairie Police Department officers in response to a “shots fired” call to 911. Alarcon Sanchez had multiple 5.56/.233 live rounds in both of his front pockets. During a search of Alarcon Sanchez’s van, officers located additional 5.56/.223 FCCs, along with an AK-47 style rifle and magazines loaded with rounds of a different caliber than those recovered from the bridge in Dallas.During a later search of Alarcon Sanchez’s home on January 28, 2026, pursuant to a federal search warrant, court records show that ATF agents and Dallas Police task force officers located multiple firearms—including what is believed to be the firearm used on the bridge on New’s Year’s Eve—in a space between Alarcon Sanchez’s bed and his closet. As alleged in the complaint, the firearms recovered consisted of a .380 caliber pistol, a 9mm caliber pistol, and three 5.56 caliber AR-15 pistols. The investigation linked one of the recovered AR-15 pistols to the fired cartridge casings found at the Margaret McDermott Bridge.
Agents also found Alarcon Sanchez’s Mexican passport in his room. Court records show that Alarcon Sanchez entered the United States in May 2025 on a temporary visitor visa that expired and that he did not request an extension. As alleged, Alarcon Sanchez decided to stay and live in the United States illegally rather than returning to Mexico.
Investigators also located photographs posted on a social media account of Alarcon Sanchez, dated December 28, 2025, and January 1, 2026, showing a man holding two AR-style rifles, which, according to the complaint, are typically chambered in 5.56/.223 caliber and appear to be the same two firearms from the bridge on New Year’s Eve:
An appearance date for Alarcon Sanchez in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
ATF Dallas and the Dallas Police Department, assisted by the Grand Prairie Police Department, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh is prosecuting the case.
complaint_-_alarcon_sanchez_1.pdfA complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Third Defendant Involved in Amarillo Cockfighting Ring Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A third defendant involved in an Amarillo cockfighting ring was sentenced to nearly a year in federal prison last Friday, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Salvador Sanchez Chavez, 49, pled guilty in July 2025 to the federal offense of Attending an Animal Fighting Venture related to a February 10, 2024, cockfight at an Amarillo property. He was sentenced on January 23, 2026, to 11 months in federal prison.
In February 2025, Chavez and two others, Ivan Herrera Lopez, 45, and Jaime Gamez Resendiz, 34, were indicted for their roles in the animal fighting venture after committing or conspiring to commit acts forbidden by the federal Animal Welfare Act. Lopez pled guilty in July 2025 to Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture and was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and a $10,000 fine in late October 2025. Resendiz pled guilty in July 2025 to Unlawful Use of Interstate Instrumentality for Promoting or Furthering an Animal Fighting Venture and was also sentenced in late October to eight months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk sentenced each of the three defendants.
“Cockfighting is not a sport. It is flat out cruel,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This prosecution and the sentences reflect the seriousness of the defendants’ crimes against animals. Credit to our law enforcement partners for saving these animals before more harm could be done.”
“Savagely pitting defenseless animals against each other for sport, gambling or personal enjoyment is cruel and sadistic, and the illicit proceeds are often used to fuel other transnational criminal activity,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “Working alongside our state and local law enforcement partners and the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, we were able to dismantle the criminal organization responsible for operating this illegal gambling operation, hold the criminal illegal aliens who ran it accountable, and rescue the animals from certain death.”
According to court documents, deputies from the Potter County Sheriff’s Office responded to complaints of possible illegal activity taking place at a property in Amarillo on February 10, 2024. When they arrived, they observed cockfighting, multiple dead roosters, over 160 live fighting roosters, metal blades or talons used to affix to the roosters’ feet for fighting, syringes and medications used to boost the roosters’ adrenaline before a fight, a marker board for documenting bets, and other items indicative of a cockfighting operation.
Court records reflect that Lopez owned the Amarillo property on which he hosted the February 2024 cockfighting derby. He also bred, housed, fed, or sold roosters for the purpose of fighting. Plea documents show that Chavez brought two roosters to Lopez’s property that day to fight, along with blades to be used for cockfighting. Chavez also previously traveled to New Mexico for other cockfighting events and possessed and produced photographs of dead roosters, photos of steroids for animals, and videos of cockfighting on his phone. Additionally, court records show that Resendiz owned a vehicle outfitted to transport roosters, transported roosters to the February event on Lopez’s property, and attended the event. Messages on Lopez's phone included discussions between Lopez and Resendiz about cockfighting derby dates and locations dating back to 2022.
The roosters were all collected by Texas Game Wardens and members of the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo and taken for further care and evaluation.
All three defendants are Mexican nationals and entered the United States illegally. As a result of their convictions, each of the defendants is subject to removal from the United States.
Homeland Security Investigations, Dallas Field Office (Amarillo Resident Agency), the Potter County Sheriff’s Office, Texas State Game Wardens, the Amarillo Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation along with support from the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Woolam, Anna Marie Bell, and Joshua Frausto (fmr.) prosecuted the case.
Texas Couple Pleads Guilty for Operating Website Selling Smuggled Pesticides and Veterinary DrugsRead the Press Release
Thao Duong of Garland, Texas, pleaded guilty today for conspiring to smuggle and sell unregistered pesticides and misbranded veterinary drugs. Duong’s husband, Lam Mai, also pleaded guilty for conspiring to sell unregistered pesticides and misbranded veterinary drugs. The couple operated a website selling those drugs and pesticides, which had been smuggled into the United State from Mexico. They are scheduled to be sentenced on June 9.
“Stopping transborder crime is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who flout our customs laws and endanger the health and safety of Americans.”
“No one should profit from bringing illegal chemicals into the United States and poisoning American communities,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Illegal Mexican pesticides and animal steroids are a toxic combination. The guilty plea in this case underscores the importance of the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt smuggling operations and secure our nation’s borders from foreign harm.”
“This case highlights the need to protect unwitting consumers from dangerous, misbranded products smuggled in from foreign sources at the expense of the health and safety of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “We applaud the diligent work of our law enforcement partners to interrupt these illegal practices and punish those who commit them.”
“Smuggling prohibited and misbranded products into the United States, and then selling them to unsuspecting consumers, greatly endangers public health,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Lamb of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office. “The FDA will continue working with our federal government partners to bring to justice anyone who carries out these illegal actions.”
According to filings and evidence presented in court, in approximately 2011, Duong began using various online platforms to sell animal care products to customers throughout the United States. The products she sold were used primarily by people engaged in rooster fighting ventures. Duong was not a veterinarian and did not require customers to provide veterinary prescriptions to purchase veterinary drugs. She also sold products such as Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, and Caterrol, which are produced in Mexico and not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. In 2017, she added the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz to her inventory. Taktic and Bovitraz are not registered with the EPA for sale or use and cannot be sold legally in the United States.
In 2018, Duong started a website which she used as her primary means of selling and distributing veterinary drugs and pesticides. After launching the website, Duong entered into agreements with several co-conspirators to purchase veterinary drugs and pesticides that she knew had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico.
The smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs were brought into the United States through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County, California, and placed in storage units near the border. Duong’s co-conspirators then shipped the products from California to Texas. Between 2018 and 2022, Duong obtained approximately $2.4 million worth of smuggled merchandise from her co-conspirators.
Lam Mai was the shipping manager for the website. After orders were received he packaged the pesticides and veterinary drugs and distributed them to customers throughout the country using the United States Postal Service and other shippers.
According to the EPA, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees if released into hives, and then ultimately to humans when it ends up in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz have been documented in multiple animal species and include central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia.
The EPA and FDA investigated the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the United State Postal Inspection Service.
Trial Attorney Lauren D. Steele of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section is handling the prosecution with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent J. Mazzurco for the Northern District of Texas.
Gas Pipeline Operator Settles Federal Allegations of Regulatory Violations Leading to Employee Death for $1.4 MillionRead the Press Release
A gas pipeline operator has agreed to pay the United States $1.425 million to resolve allegations that its violations of federal pipeline safety regulations resulted in the death of a company employee, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
In April 2025, the United States filed a civil complaint seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties under the Pipeline Safety Act against Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co., LP (“PEPL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Texas-based Energy Transfer, LP. In its complaint, the United States alleged that PEPL violated pipeline safety regulations requiring it to follow its manual of written procedures for conducting operations and maintenance activities in four areas in connection with a fatal incident at the company’s Borchers Station near Meade, Kansas in March 2020. As alleged in the complaint, PEPL’s violations caused a pipeline cleaning pig to be ejected from a partially-pressurized receiver barrel during maintenance activities at the station, which struck and ultimately killed a PEPL employee. A pipeline cleaning pig is an industry term for a cylindrical object that travels through the pipeline, removing deposits and contaminants like scale or rust.
“This settlement reflects our commitment to impose accountability in regulatory matters,” said United States Attorney Ryan Raybould. “The outcome here illustrates the importance and necessity of compliance and appropriate enforcement actions to prevent and address tragic circumstances such as those alleged in this case.”“Safety and enforcement go hand in hand,” said PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti. “The complaint alleged that the company’s failure to follow the rules led to an employee’s death. We will not let operators escape accountability in cases like this one and will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure our nation’s energy infrastructure is safe.”
Per the terms of a civil settlement executed with the Department of Justice on December 31, 2025, PEPL agreed to pay the United States $1.425 million to resolve the allegations in the complaint. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination or admission of liability.This pipeline safety enforcement case was investigated and handled by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration before it was referred to the Department of Justice for resolution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Saurabh Sharad of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas handled this matter on behalf of the Department of Justice.
Dallas Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine from MexicoRead the Press Release
A Dallas man was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine he received from Mexico, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
“Ejecting transnational drug traffickers from our streets is critical to protecting North Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This criminal spilled poison into our communities in exchange for money. All credit for the conviction and 40-year prison sentence goes to our heroes in law enforcement and our line prosecutor, who worked in close collaboration with the Dallas Homeland Security Task Force.”
“The sentence of Mr. Mejia-Mendoza sends clear message to drug traffickers that they will be held accountable for the distribution of poisonous drugs and violence in North Texas,” said Joseph B. Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Division. “This investigation demonstrates what coordinated, intelligence-driven, law enforcement can accomplish. The men and women of DEA and our partners remain committed to pursuing and dismantling foreign terrorist organizations that endanger Americans.”
“This lengthy sentence is another success for the Dallas Homeland Security Task Force. Our collective effort resulted in a member of a transnational criminal organization being held accountable for trafficking narcotics into the Dallas area,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
Orlando Gerardo Mejia-Mendoza, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty in June 2025, to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, in 2023, Mejia-Mendoza was receiving shipments of liquid methamphetamine from Mexico. Some of the shipments involved as much as 20 to 25 kilograms of methamphetamine at a time, for which Mejia-Mendoza paid $1,800 per kilogram. Court documents reflect that one Dallas apartment used by Mejia-Mendoza contained an active methamphetamine conversion laboratory used to convert methamphetamine from its liquid form to crystal methamphetamine. Agents found methamphetamine in various stages of conversion scattered about the apartment. In another apartment used by Meji-Mendoza, agents found multiple guns and cash.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown sentenced Mejia-Mendoza to 480 months in federal prison.This case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
Dallas HSTF comprises agents from FBI, DEA, and HSI, who were assisted in this investigation by the Dallas Police Department, Coppell Police Department, and the Grand Prairie Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Hundreds of Kilograms on Behalf of Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
A drug trafficker was sentenced this week to more than 11 years in federal prison for distributing hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine and other narcotics on behalf of Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, a foreign terrorist and drug trafficking organization operating in Mexico and the United States, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
“This case sends a clear message: those who dump poison into our streets will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Prosecuting an affiliate of senior cartel leaders requires years of painstaking work, unwavering resolve, and exceptional interagency cooperation. My office will continue to prioritize these impactful prosecutions.”
“The sentence of Mr. Velazquez reflects our continued focus on dismantling foreign terrorist organizations that traffic deadly drugs into our communities,” said Joseph B. Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas. “DEA and our partners will continue targeting violent cartels and their criminal associates, in order to save American lives.”“The Dallas Homeland Security Task Force is focused on targeting the leadership, financial networks, and logistical infrastructure of transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations, both locally and globally. The collaborative work of the HSTF led to this drug trafficker receiving an 11-year sentence and significantly reducing the flow of narcotics into our neighborhoods,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
Luis Robert Velazquez, 39, of Cockrell Hill, Texas, pled guilty in July 2025, to a drug conspiracy in which he admitted to trafficking narcotics for Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). According to plea documents, in the span of less than five months, from November 2024 to April 2025, Velazquez admitted to having received shipments of approximately 300 kilograms of methamphetamine, ten to twelve kilograms of heroin, and a kilogram of cocaine from his Mexico-based CJNG associates. Velazquez then distributed the narcotics in kilogram quantities to domestic customers of the organization in the Dallas area at the direction of his Mexico-based CJNG superiors. Velazquez laundered U.S. currency from the transactions to send to CJNG superiors in Mexico. On Monday, January 5, 2026, Velazquez was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy to 135 months in federal prison by U.S. Senior District Judge Daivd Godbey.In February last year, the U.S. State Department designated Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación a foreign terrorist organization, consistent with a presidential executive order issued on January 20, 2025, declaring such cartels a national security threat extending beyond traditional organized crime.
This case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from FBI, DEA, HSI, Dallas Police Department, Coppell Police Department, and Grand Prairie Police Department. First Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Coker prosecuted the case.
Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud Conspiracy for Alleged $4.8 Million in Unfinished Custom Home ProjectsRead the Press Release
A Fort Worth business owner who received nearly $5 million from local customers for unfinished custom home building and remodeling projects pled guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy charge yesterday, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Court records reflect that Christopher Judge and his wife, Raquelle Judge, both of Fort Worth, Texas, were managing members of Judge DFW LLC (“Judge DFW”), a Texas limited liability company. Each defendant admitted that from approximately August 2020 to January 2023, through Judge DFW, they conspired to defraud consumers by purporting to offer custom architecture, construction, and interior design/décor services that they never completed. They also falsely represented that Christopher Judge was an architect. As part of the fraud scheme, victims received below-market bids from Judge DFW and executed design and build contracts for the work. The defendants then started construction projects and accepted multiple installment payments from victims but never completed those projects, often leaving victims without a completed residence. Plea documents reflect that the defendants defrauded over 40 victims residing in six Northern District of Texas counties, involving at least 24 different construction projects. Court records also show that the defendants commingled victims’ installment payments in the primary Judge DFW operating account, frequently using individual victim installment payments for unrelated construction projects. The alleged loss amount totaled approximately $4.8 million.
Yesterday, Christopher Judge pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to twenty years in federal prison. Raquelle Judge pled guilty on December 17, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud that subjects her to a maximum of five years in federal prison. They also face monetary penalties, restitution, and terms of supervised release. Sentencing for Raquelle Judge is scheduled for April 14, 2026. Sentencing for Christopher Judge is scheduled for May 12, 2026. Both sentencing hearings will occur before United States District Judge Terry R. Means.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Euless Police Department conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McDonald and Laura Montes prosecuted the case.
Texas Man Charged with Providing Bomb Components and Funding to Individuals He Believed Were Involved with Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization.
“This case is a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents, who work tirelessly to save American lives,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “ISIS’s poisonous ideology must be ripped out root and stem — anyone who tries to commit violence on ISIS’s behalf will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. You cannot hide from us.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combatting terrorism and demonstrates our continuous work to disrupt and thwart terrorist plots against the American public,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Let this serve as a warning to those who plan to conduct attacks against the United States on behalf of terrorist organizations – you will be brought to justice.”
“The increasing threats of harm and destruction in our country made by those aligned with violent ideologies must be stopped,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism. This operation is but one example highlighting the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to take prompt action against those attempting to carry out alleged terrorist missions.”
“The FBI worked alongside our law enforcement partners to quickly arrest an individual who intended to provide bomb making materials to a foreign terrorist organization,” said Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of FBI Dallas. “Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
“Today’s charges illustrate that the threats of terrorism and extremist violence against our nation are still very real,” said Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch of the New York Police Department (NYPD). “The NYPD remains committed to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these networks at their source – before they can reach their murderous ends. And any person who puts American lives at risk will face justice and be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank our undercover investigators in the NYPD, as well as our law enforcement partners in the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their exceptional work on this case.”
John Michael Garza, Jr., 21, of Midlothian, Texas, was charged last week by federal complaint with the offense of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization after he brought various bomb-making materials to a meeting on Monday evening, Dec. 22, and gave them to an individual he allegedly believed was an ISIS “brother.” In reality, Garza met with an undercover agent. During the meeting, Garza described how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to build the bomb. Law enforcement agents arrested Garza shortly after he left the meeting.
According to the complaint, in mid-October 2025, an undercover New York City Police Department employee noticed a particular social media account — later determined to be Garza’s — that followed several other pro-ISIS accounts and wrote a comment on a pro-ISIS post. When the NYPD undercover engaged with Garza on social media, Garza described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas. In their continuing conversations throughout November and December, Garza shared that he ascribed to the ISIS ideology and sent the undercover multiple official ISIS media releases. Garza paid the undercover small sums of cryptocurrency in November and December 2025, believing that he was supporting ISIS causes, including buying firearms and other materials. Examples of ISIS media releases that Garza provided included:
Photo of masked individual and another man standing in a gated area Photo of explosion in part of a buildingGarza also allegedly shared a video depicting a suicide vehicle bombing. A screenshot of one bomb-making instructional video shared by Garza is below:
Still photo taken from video depicting masked and gloved individual prepared to assemble materialsAs alleged, Garza began telling the undercover agent of his plans to buy materials to make explosives. Garza told him that he would buy the ingredients and agreed to meet with a second individual who Garza believed to support ISIS activities on Monday, Dec 22. At the meeting, Garza handed the FBI undercover several explosive components. As alleged, Garza explained how to mix the ingredients and surround them with nails, and he offered to send the undercover an instructional bomb-building video.
Garza appeared before a United States magistrate judge for his initial appearance on Dec. 23. A probable cause and detention hearing is scheduled for Dec. 30. If convicted, Garza faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the NYPD, with assistance by FBI’s New York Field Office, Dallas Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, and Euless Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Madeleine Case for the Northern District of Texas and DOJ Trial Attorney David Courchaine with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Alleged ISIS Sympathizer Who Attempted to Provide Bomb Materials Federally Charged with International Terrorism OffenseRead the Press Release
An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
“This case is a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents, who work tirelessly to save American lives,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “ISIS’s poisonous ideology must be ripped out root and stem — anyone who tries to commit violence on ISIS’s behalf will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. You cannot hide from us.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combatting terrorism and demonstrates our continuous work to disrupt and thwart terrorist plots against the American public,” said FBI Director, Kash Patel. “Let this serve as a warning to those who plan to conduct attacks against the United States on behalf of terrorist organizations– you will be brought to justice.”
“The increasing threats of harm and destruction in our country made by those aligned with violent ideologies must be stopped,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This operation is but one example highlighting the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to take prompt action against those attempting to carry out alleged terrorist missions.”
“The FBI worked alongside our law enforcement partners to quickly arrest an individual who intended to provide bomb making materials to a foreign terrorist organization,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
“Today’s charges illustrate that the threats of terrorism and extremist violence against our nation are still very real,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “The NYPD remains committed to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these networks at their source – before they can reach their murderous ends. And any person who puts American lives at risk will face justice and be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank our undercover investigators in the NYPD, as well as our law enforcement partners in the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their exceptional work on this case.”
John Michael Garza, Jr., 21, of Midlothian, Texas, was charged last week by federal complaint with the offense of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, after he brought various bomb-making materials to a meeting on Monday evening, December 22, 2025, and gave them to an individual he allegedly believed was an ISIS “brother.” In reality, Garza met with an FBI undercover. During the meeting, Garza described how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to build the bomb. Law enforcement agents arrested Garza shortly after he left the meeting.
According to the complaint, in mid-October 2025, an undercover New York City Police Department employee noticed a particular social media account—later determined to be Garza’s—that followed several other pro-ISIS accounts and that wrote a comment on a pro-ISIS post. When the NYPD undercover engaged with Garza on social media, Garza described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas. In their continuing conversations throughout November and December, Garza shared that he ascribed to the ISIS ideology and sent the undercover multiple official ISIS media releases. Garza paid the undercover small sums of cryptocurrency in November and December 2025, believing that he was supporting ISIS causes, including buying firearms and other materials. Examples of ISIS media releases that Garza provided included:
Photo of masked individual and another man standing in a gated area Photo of explosion in part of a buildingGarza also allegedly shared a video depicting a suicide vehicle bombing. A screenshot of one bomb-making instructional video shared by Garza is below:
Still photo from video depicting masked and gloved individual prepared to assemble materialsAs alleged, Garza began telling the undercover of his plans to buy materials to make explosives. Garza told the undercover that he would buy the ingredients and agreed to meet with a second individual who Garza believed to support ISIS activities on Monday, December 22, 2025. At the meeting, Garza handed the FBI undercover several explosive components. As alleged, Garza explained how to mix the ingredients and surround them with nails, and he offered to send the undercover an instructional bomb-building video.
Garza appeared before a United States magistrate judge for his initial appearance on December 23, 2025. A probable cause and detention hearing is scheduled for December 30, 2025. If convicted, Garza faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the New York City Police Department, with assistance by FBI’s New York Field Office, Dallas Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, and Euless Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Madeleine Case and DOJ Trial Attorney David Courchaine with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Relentless JusticeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country.
“We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes.”
“Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes.”
“This operation highlights the tremendous collaboration of our federal, state, and local law enforcement to remove those who prey on children from our streets,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. “We are proud to work alongside these agents and officers in the pursuit of justice on behalf of the victims in our District.”
“FBI Dallas has worked with our law enforcement partners this year to apprehend hundreds of suspected child predators through multiple arrest operations. Operation Relentless Justice is another example of our commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
In the Northern District of Texas, five individuals were arrested and charged as part of Operation Relentless Justice, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould and FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. Those individuals include:
Ruben Reyes Tijerina III, 26, of Levelland, Texas, arrested and charged with one count of Production of Child Pornography. If convicted, Tijerina faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison. The FBI Dallas Field Office (Lubbock RA), FBI St. Louis, St. Charles City (Missouri) Police Department, and Levelland Police Department handled the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the case.
James Childress, 40, of Chicago, Illinois, arrested and charged with one count of Attempted Enticement of a Minor, which carries a penalty of imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment; two counts of Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, carrying a maximum of 10 years in federal prison; one count of Production and Attempted Production of Child Pornography, for which Childress faces a minimum of 15 years and maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment; one count of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, which carries a sentence of 5 years to 20 years’ imprisonment, and one count of Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, if convicted. The investigation was handled by the FBI Dallas Field Office (Lubbock RA), FBI Chicago, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the case.
Marcus Xavier Anguiano, 30, and Maddie Rhea Anguiano, 28, of Lubbock, Texas, arrested and charged with one count of Conspiracy to Produce and Attempt to Produce Child Pornography; one count of Production and Attempted Production of Child Pornography; a second count charging only Marcus Anguiano of Production and Attempted Production of Child Pornography; and one count of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. The Anguianos face sentences ranging from 15 years to 30 years on all counts except the receipt charge, which carries a penalty of five to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted. The FBI Dallas Field Office (Lubbock RA), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (Mountain Home Air Force Base), Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Lubbock Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Wolfforth Police Department handled the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the case.
Kai Isaiah Ranaglia-Nelson, 25, of Abilene, Texas, arrested and charged with Production of Child Pornography as a Registered Sex Offender. At the time of the offense, Ranaglia-Nelson was serving a probation sentence for a 2020 Arizona conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 50 years in federal prison, in addition to a consecutive ten years’ imprisonment for committing the offense as a registered sex offender. FBI Dallas Field Office (Abilene RA), the Abilene Police Department, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Ohlhausen is prosecuting the case.
Like those charged in the Northern District of Texas, others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes, including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking. Some of the alleged offenders include an airman out of Lubbock, Texas, who was arrested with his wife for producing child sex abuse material (CSAM), as mentioned above, as well as a Police Officer from Raleigh, North Carolina, who distributed CSAM to an undercover officer while discussing his interest in engaging in sexual contact with children. In another case involving enticement of a minor, the Miami Field Office arrested a Guatemalan national who was previously deported in 2011, and had previous arrests for battery, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon.
As sextortion cases continue to rise, this operation highlights arrests of individuals who target vulnerable children online including the five leaders of Greggy’s Cult, as well as a Virginia man who persuaded a 14-year-old to produce CSAM. The victim attempted suicide after he allegedly told her to kill herself.
This effort follows two other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May, which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, including seven from the Northern District of Texas, and Operation Enduring Justice in August, which resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders.
The FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.
These operations underscore the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys’ offices and 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, visit justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Sentenced for $65M COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A co-founder of a lender service provider was sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $65 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The defendant was also ordered to pay over $66 million in restitution.
“This defendant orchestrated one of the nation’s largest schemes to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program during a global pandemic,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Stealing money from federal relief programs is stealing money contributed by taxpayers to help individuals and small businesses survive economic hardship. This sentence sends a clear message that people who exploit government programs to enrich themselves will be brought to justice.”
“In a critical time for our nation, when businesses were trying to survive a worldwide pandemic, this defendant egregiously lined his own pockets via his massive fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “He and others who criminally exploit federal funding will be prosecuted to the fullest extent in our district.”
“Abusing government programs and exploiting a national emergency will never be tolerated,” said Acting Assistant Director Rebecca Day of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable those who defraud the government in an effort to benefit themselves.”
“Nathan Reis orchestrated a massive fraud that siphoned tens of millions of dollars from a program meant to save small businesses during a national emergency,” said Acting Deputy Chief Justin Campbell of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Today’s sentence is a testament to the strength of federal partnership and coordinated investigative work. The women and men of IRS-CI remain committed to investigating complex financial crimes and ensuring that those who abuse government programs for personal profit will face justice.”
“This sentencing underscores the SBA Office of Inspector General’s unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who exploit taxpayer funds for personal gain,” said Deputy Inspector General Sheldon Shoemaker. “At a time when these programs were designed to support small businesses and workers facing unprecedented hardship, fraud of this magnitude undermines public trust and diverts critical resources from those who truly needed them. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and pursue those who abuse SBA programs.”
“This sentencing holds accountable and brings to justice a fraudster who stole millions of taxpayer dollars intended to help small business owners for their own personal gain,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Don Daley of the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Western Region. “We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to achieve this result.”
According to court documents, Nathan Reis, 47, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and previously of Arizona, conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent PPP loan applications to receive loan funds for which they were not eligible. In April 2020, Reis co-founded Blueacorn, purportedly to help small businesses and individuals obtain PPP loans. Through Blueacorn, Reis and his co-conspirators submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications they knew contained materially false information to make more money. Reis and others fabricated documents, including tax documents and bank statements. As part of the conspiracy, Reis and his co-conspirators charged borrowers fees based on a percentage of the funds received. In total, Reis and his co-conspirators processed over 530 fraudulent loans causing over $65 million in losses.
In August 2025, Reis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The FBI, IRS-CI, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board-Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General, and SBA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Trial Attorneys Elizabeth Carr and Ryan McLaren of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht for the Northern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the enactment of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Sentenced for $65M COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A co-founder of a lender service provider was sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $65 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The defendant was also ordered to pay over $66 million in restitution.
“This defendant orchestrated one of the nation’s largest schemes to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program during a global pandemic,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Stealing money from federal relief programs is stealing money contributed by taxpayers to help individuals and small businesses survive economic hardship. This sentence sends a clear message that people who exploit government programs to enrich themselves will be brought to justice.”
“In a critical time for our nation, when businesses were trying to survive a worldwide pandemic, this defendant egregiously lined his own pockets via his massive fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “He and others who criminally exploit federal funding will be prosecuted to the fullest extent in our district.”
“SBA was proud to support the Justice Department in their work to bring one of our nation’s largest pandemic fraudsters to justice," said Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "At the SBA, we are tirelessly working to hold criminal actors accountable and claw back the taxpayer dollars that were stolen from honest American families and small business owners.”
“Abusing government programs and exploiting a national emergency will never be tolerated,” said Acting Assistant Director Rebecca Day of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable those who defraud the government in an effort to benefit themselves.”
“Nathan Reis orchestrated a massive fraud that siphoned tens of millions of dollars from a program meant to save small businesses during a national emergency,” said Acting Deputy Chief Justin Campbell of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Today’s sentence is a testament to the strength of federal partnership and coordinated investigative work. The women and men of IRS-CI remain committed to investigating complex financial crimes and ensuring that those who abuse government programs for personal profit will face justice.”
“This sentencing underscores the SBA Office of Inspector General’s unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who exploit taxpayer funds for personal gain,” said Deputy Inspector General Sheldon Shoemaker. “At a time when these programs were designed to support small businesses and workers facing unprecedented hardship, fraud of this magnitude undermines public trust and diverts critical resources from those who truly needed them. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and pursue those who abuse SBA programs.”
“This sentencing holds accountable and brings to justice a fraudster who stole millions of taxpayer dollars intended to help small business owners for their own personal gain,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Don Daley of the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Western Region. “We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to achieve this result.”
According to court documents, Nathan Reis, 47, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and previously of Arizona, conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent PPP loan applications to receive loan funds for which they were not eligible. In April 2020, Reis co-founded Blueacorn, purportedly to help small businesses and individuals obtain PPP loans. Through Blueacorn, Reis and his co-conspirators submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications they knew contained materially false information to make more money. Reis and others fabricated documents, including tax documents and bank statements. As part of the conspiracy, Reis and his co-conspirators charged borrowers fees based on a percentage of the funds received. In total, Reis and his co-conspirators processed over 530 fraudulent loans causing over $65 million in losses.
In August 2025, Reis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The FBI, IRS-CI, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board-Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General, and SBA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Trial Attorneys Elizabeth Carr and Ryan McLaren of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht for the Northern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the enactment of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Houston Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Jugging Robbery of ATM TechnicianRead the Press Release
A Houston, Texas man was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison for his role in the “jugging” robbery of an ATM technician, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. A “jugging” robbery is a type of theft where thieves follow a victim as they service or withdraw cash from ATMs or banks and then rob them.
Corey Dashun Holloway, 30, of Houston, Texas pled guilty in September 2025 to the felony charge of interference with commerce by robbery relating to his role in the July 3, 2024, robbery of an ATM technician. Today, United States Senior District Judge David Godbey sentenced him to 87 months in federal prison. Holloway is the third defendant to be sentenced in this case.
Also indicted with Holloway were Houston residents Johnny Juwan Clark, Tierra Toneisha Brandyberg, and Roosevelt Ford Valentine. Court records reflect that Clark, Brandyberg, Holloway, and Roosevelt have been linked to a Houston-based criminal organization called the “Hiram Clarke Money Team.” HCMT members are known to routinely travel to areas outside of Houston and engage in “jugging” style robberies and other forms of theft.
According to court documents, Holloway admitted that, during the early morning hours of July 3, 2024, he traveled from Houston, Texas to the Dallas metroplex in a rental car with the intent to commit robbery. Holloway further admitted that after arriving in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he followed an ATM technician to multiple stops as the technician repaired ATMs in Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, and ultimately, Midlothian, Texas. At approximately 5:35 p.m. on July 3, 2024, Holloway approached the ATM technician as he was servicing an ATM at a Chase Bank located in Midlothian, Texas. Clark, Holloway, and Valentine were wearing a hoodies and face coverings to disguise their appearance. Clark approached the technician from behind and forced him to the ground. Clark kept his fist to the back of the victim’s head as cannisters containing United States currency were removed from the ATM by Holloway and Valentine. Approximately $260,000 in United States currency was taken during the robbery.
Court records reveal that after the robbery, Holloway and two of his codefendants fled from the Chase Bank in the rental car and met codefendant Tierra Tonisha Brandyberg at an apartment complex near the bank. The stolen money was loaded into a Range Rover and driven back to Houston, Texas. Evidence presented in court showed that, two days after the robbery, a jewelry store in Houston posted a video on social media of Holloway in the store in possession of large quantities of cash and purchasing a diamond Rolex, a diamond necklace and other jewelry, as depicted below:
At the time of the Chase Bank robbery, Holloway was serving a probation sentence in Collin County, Texas for aggravated robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity. At today’s sentencing hearing, United States Senior District Judge David Godbey ordered that Holloway’s federal sentence run consecutive to any state sentence imposed in Holloway’s Collin County cases.
Two of Holloway’s codefendants have also been sentenced to terms of imprisonment in federal prison. Codefendant Tierra Toneisha Brandyberg was sentenced to 41 months on November 3, 2025. Codefendant Johnny Clark was sentenced to 96 months on August 4, 2025. On December 2, 2025, codefendant Roosevelt Valentine pled guilty to a total of three “jugging” style robberies that targeted ATM technicians, and he is awaiting sentencing.
The FBI Dallas Field Office investigated the case.
Former Texas DPS 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
A former Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender was sentenced last Thursday to 18 months in federal prison for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Raymond Lee Trejo, 36, of Abilene, Texas, pled guilty to failure to register as a sex offender in August 2025. He was sentenced last Thursday, December 11, to 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
According to court documents, in 2009, Trejo was convicted of sexual assault of a child against a 14-year-old girl in Taylor County, Texas, and sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. As a result of Trejo’s offense and conviction, he was required to register as a “sex offender” pursuant to the laws of any state where he resided and the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Among those requirements, Trejo had to register his address and other information, with local law enforcement in any county where he resided or was employed. Trejo was informed of his registration requirements when he was released from prison in 2019 and again in 2022 when he was arrested for failure to comply with those requirements for not notifying of a change in employment.
Court records show that, in approximately November 2023, Trejo absconded from Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, where he was living, without notifying appropriate authorities of any change or intended change in his residential or employment status. Law enforcement in Taylor County made efforts to locate Trejo but were unsuccessful. In May 2024, Taylor County issued an arrest warrant for Trejo for failure to register as a sex offender. In December 2024, Trejo was placed on the Texas Department of Public Safety 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list, to aid in locating Trejo. Law enforcement received information that Trejo was living and working in Stilwell, Adair County, Oklahoma. Further investigation revealed that Trejo lived and worked in Stilwell, Oklahoma, since at least September 2024. He did not notify anyone in Taylor County of his change in residence or employment and he made no efforts to properly register as a sex offender in Adair County, Oklahoma.
In March 2025, Trejo was arrested at his place of employment in Stilwell, Oklahoma, and promptly extradited back to Taylor County, Texas. Trejo’s conduct involved his crossing state lines from the State of Texas to the State of Oklahoma, without complying with the sex offender registration requirements of either state. As a result, Trejo’s actions violated the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The United States Marshals Service for the Northern District of Texas (Abilene Division) and the Eastern District of Oklahoma (Muskogee Division) conducted the investigation along with the Abilene Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Stilwell (Oklahoma) Police Department, Adair County (Oklahoma) Sheriff’s Office, and Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case with the assistance of the Taylor County District Attorney’s Office.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc. The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A man who distributed child sex abuse material to his co-defendant girlfriend was sentenced Thursday to 19 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Skyler Shoemaker, 34, of Colorado City, Texas, was indicted in May this year and pled guilty three months later to Distribution of Child Pornography. He was sentenced on December 11, 2025, to 228 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
According to court documents, Shoemaker used Facebook Messenger to send a sexually explicit video of a four- to six-year-old child to his girlfriend, Angel Bradford. Additionally, information presented at the sentencing hearing indicated that Shoemaker used various platforms to distribute child pornography to other users online and that he also committed sex acts in front of minors.
Bradford, 33, of Hermleigh, Texas, was indicted with Shoemaker in May 2025. She pled guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography in July 2025. On November 6, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Hendrix sentenced her to five years in federal prison.
The FBI Dallas Field Office – Abilene Resident Agency, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Abilene Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Ohlhausen prosecuted the case.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc. The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
Four Family Members Convicted of Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A jury in Fort Worth, Texas convicted four family members yesterday of participating in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould and the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
According to court documents and statements made in court, David Hunt, of Arlington, Texas, his twin sons Brandon and Baylon Hunt, also of Arlington, and the twins’ half-brother, Corey Burt, formerly of Long Beach, Mississippi, orchestrated a scheme to file tax returns in the names of purported trusts they controlled seeking over $8.5 million in tax refunds that the trusts were not entitled to receive. Brandon Hunt also filed a false return in his own name, and Brandon and Baylon Hunt also submitted to the IRS additional fake documents including falsified financial instruments and altered money orders as part of their scheme. Some of these documents were submitted to the IRS in response to IRS efforts to collect the fraudulently-obtained refunds. The defendants continued filing false returns and other documents even after receiving warning letters from the IRS about their submissions.
Collectively, the defendants received over $1.7 million from the IRS based on the false tax returns they filed. Court records reflect that the defendants shared in the proceeds of their fraud by transferring money between themselves. They also used the refunds to purchase luxury goods, furniture, cryptocurrency, a Cadillac Escalade, and a house in Mississippi.
All four defendants were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States. David and Brandon Hunt, as well as Corey Burt, were also convicted of multiple counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Baylon Hunt was acquitted of two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.
“Fraudulent tax schemes such as this rob the federal fisc and the American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This verdict rightly held all four defendants accountable for their roles in the criminal conduct – a result garnered by the diligent work of IRS-CI, the Tax Section of DOJ’s Criminal Division, and those in my office to bring these individuals to justice.”
“Let this verdict serve as a warning: frivolous tax arguments have no merit and will not shield anyone from prosecution,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. “Those who attempt to misuse the tax system through baseless claims and deceptive filings not only undermine public trust, but also face serious legal consequences. The women and men of IRS-CI remain steadfast in our mission to protect the integrity of the tax system and pursue those who seek to defraud it.”
Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The defendants face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to three years in prison on each false tax return charge. They also face monetary penalties, restitution, and terms of supervised release.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in locating and arresting three of the defendants who fled mid-trial.
Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind and Daniel Lipkowitz of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Mark McDonald of the Northern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
Multi-convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
A multi-convicted felon was sentenced today to more than 16 years in federal prison for a violent bank robbery, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Damon Johnson, 51, was indicted in December 2024 for robbing the PNC Bank on North Glenbrook Drive in Garland, Texas on November 14, 2024. He pled guilty in May 2025 to bank robbery. Today, U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle sentenced Johnson to 200 months in federal prison.
According to court documents, as a customer was conducting business at a teller station inside the bank, Johnson grabbed her from behind and held her hostage. Johnson then pointed a firearm at the teller and demanded money. After the teller gave him $3,900 from the register, Johnson fled on foot. He was arrested in December 2024 shortly after indictment.
Court records reflect that Johnson was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison. He had also served a 10-year federal imprisonment sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. At the time he committed the bank robbery in November 2024, he was on federal supervised release for these two offenses. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Boyle pointed to Johnson’s lengthy criminal record, including his 1991 Michigan state conviction of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder—which involved Johnson raping a woman and setting her on fire—as well as his other convictions for drug and firearm offenses, when imposing the 200-month sentence.
“The swift actions of FBI Dallas Violent Crime Task Force agents took this violent repeat offender off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will continue to pursue lengthy federal prison sentences for those like him to deter these types of crime sprees and restore safety in the Northern District of Texas.”
“The sentence received by the defendant is a result of the efforts of the Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force to hold accountable a felon with a violent criminal history,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to fight violent crime in our communities across North Texas.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A man who produced child sexual abuse material was sentenced today to 60 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Victor Torres, 33, of Dumas, Texas, pled guilty to two counts of production of child pornography in May 2025. He was sentenced today to 720 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk.
“This defendant lured vulnerable youth into his despicable crimes and deservedly received a lengthy prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will work unceasingly with our local and federal law enforcement partners to remove these types of dangerous predators from the streets of our communities.”According to court documents, in 2023, Victor Torres paid two different 13-to-14-year-old children to produce sexually explicit material to send to him online. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered Torres’s criminal activity when they received a CyberTip from an online money exchange platform. From the CyberTip, they were able to locate multiple different accounts used by Torres to communicate with minors online. Torres was 30 years old at the time of the communications but frequently told minors that he was 17 years old. Torres told the minors that he would “pay for content” and described exactly what he wanted the minors to do in the sexually explicit photos and videos he requested, including how to pose and what objects to use.
Court records show that, in June 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Torres’s residence and seized several electronic devices. Evidence located on Torres’s electronic devices revealed search terms for child pornography, communications with minors and bartering for the production of child pornography, and additional child sexual abuse material including material depicting the sexual abuse of toddlers, animals, and other prepubescent children.Homeland Security Investigations, Dallas Field Office (Amarillo Resident Agency) conducted the investigation along with HSI Harrisonburg, VA; HSI Buffalo, NY; HSI Columbia, SC; HSI Charleston, SC; the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, the Amarillo Police Department, the Pittsburg, OK Sheriff’s Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc. The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org
Former Bank Vice President Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulent PPP and EIDL Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A former bank vice president in Wichita Falls, Texas was sentenced to four years in federal prison for a fraud scheme involving fraudulent Paycheck Protection Plan and Economic Injury Disaster loans, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Kaylee Ree Lunn, 37, of Holliday, Texas, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in July 2025 related to several fraudulent PPP loans she submitted in 2020 and 2021. On Friday, December 5, 2025, Lunn was sentenced to forty-eight months’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Judge Reed C. O’Connor, who also ordered Lunn to pay restitution of $573,444 to the Small Business Administration and more than $19,000 to her former employer, Prosperity Bank (formerly First Capital Bank).
According to court records, Lunn admitted that, while she was vice president of commercial lending at the Wichita Falls branch of First Capital Bank, she accessed and unlawfully used the personal and business financial information of certain bank customers to apply for a series of four fraudulent PPP loans and a commercial loan in late 2020 through mid-2021. Lunn admitted that she used false or inflated income and payroll expense figures and diverted loan proceeds totaling more than $276,000 to bank accounts she controlled, all without the customers’ knowledge or consent.
Court records also reflect that Lunn applied for and received more than $140,000 in fraudulent PPP loans falsely reflecting the business entities as her husband’s. Throughout this time period, Lunn also made failed attempts to obtain several Economic Injury Disaster loans of over $890,000, which were ultimately rejected because they were associated with fraudulent information. According to plea documents, Lunn spent thousands of dollars of the fraudulently-obtained loan proceeds on her personal and lifestyle expenses.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office through the Amarillo Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Mark (“Mac”) McDonald prosecuted the case.
Former Senior Analyst for United States Postal Service Pleads Guilty to Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A former United States Postal Service employee pled guilty this week to a bribery scheme involving USPS service contracts, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Zechariah Yi, 52, of Aurora, Colorado, was indicted in March 2025 for his role in accepting payments related to USPS service contracts awarded to certain trucking companies. On Tuesday this week, Yi pled guilty to one count of Receiving a Bribe by a Public Official.
According to court documents, Yi admitted that, while working as a Senior Network Operations Analyst for the United States Postal Service, he solicited and received approximately $1.5 million in kickbacks from the owners and associates of three trucking companies in exchange for Yi’s agreeing to help the trucking companies obtain USPS service contracts. The USPS service contracts awarded to the three trucking companies paid the companies a total of approximately $15 million.
Yi faces up to fifteen years in federal prison. His sentencing date has been set for March 26, 2026.
Yi is the fourth defendant to plead guilty as part of this bribery scheme. Previously, another USPS employee, Tai Rho, and the owners of two trucking companies, Wan Jin Yoon and Hong Jin Yoon, each pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud for their involvement in the bribery scheme. They each face up to five years in federal prison. All three are set for sentencing in early 2026.
The FBI Dallas Field Office and the United States Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marty Basu and Joshua Detzky prosecuted the case.
Dallas Business Owner Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Failing to Pay over Withheld Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
A Dallas business owner convicted at trial of failing to pay over employment taxes that she withheld from her employees was sentenced yesterday to more than eight years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Heaven Marie Diaz, 57, was indicted in 2023 and convicted by a jury in June 2025 on five counts of failing to pay over trust fund taxes. She was sentenced yesterday to 97 months in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Judge David Godbey, who also ordered her to pay $799,033.47 in restitution.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Diaz was the owner and CEO of Pursuit of Excellence, a staffing company based in Dallas. From 2015 to 2017, she withheld payroll taxes from her employees’ paychecks but failed to remit more than $3 million to the IRS as required by law.
Former employees and Diaz’s former accountant testified that they repeatedly warned her about her obligation to pay employment taxes. Despite those warnings, Diaz continued to withhold the taxes and kept the funds in her company’s bank accounts. Evidence showed she used those funds to cover personal expenses, including international travel, luxury goods, and $10,000 monthly rent on a home in Dallas’s Preston Hollow neighborhood.
“The defendant lied to her employees and embezzled employment taxes due to greed. The substantial prison sentence of eight years reflects the seriousness of the offense and the collaborative investigative work by our AUSAs and IRS-CI,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will continue to fully pursue these offenses to protect the federal fisc and ensure that tax dollars are being spent as intended instead of to fund a defendant’s lavish lifestyle.”
“Heaven Diaz stole from her employees and the American taxpayer to fund a lifestyle she didn’t earn,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation Dallas Field Office. “She ignored repeated warnings, misused her position, and treated trust fund taxes like a personal bank account. Today’s sentencing is the result of IRS-CI’s relentless investigative work. The women and men of IRS-CI will continue working to uphold trust in the tax system and support those who do the right thing.”
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan P. Niedermair and Joshua D. Detzky prosecuted the case.
Afghan Citizen Federally Charged for Posting Threats to Build Bomb and Kill AmericansRead the Press Release
Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, 30, a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Fort Worth, Texas, has been federally charged for threatening to build a bomb, conduct a suicide attack, and kill Americans and others, in a video shared on TikTok, X, and Facebook. A screenshot of a social media post that shared Alokozay’s Nov. 23 statements is below:
Screenshot of one social media post containing Alokozay's video. From complaint in United States v. Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, number 25-MJ-730 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.“This Afghan national came into America during the Biden administration and as alleged, explicitly stated that he came here in order to kill American citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The public safety threat created by the Biden administration’s vetting breakdown cannot be overstated – the Department of Justice will continue working with our federal and state partners to protect the American people from the prior administration’s dangerous incompetence.”
“We have zero tolerance for violence and threats of violence to kill American citizens and others like those allegedly made by this individual,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “I applaud the rapid response of our federal and local law enforcement partners in identifying and apprehending him. Those individuals who jeopardize the public safety and security of North Texas residents will be swiftly brought to justice.”
“This arrest demonstrates that the FBI remains steadfast in our mission to defend the homeland and protect the American people. Thanks to public reports of a threatening online video, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force apprehended this individual before he could commit an act of violence. We continue to ask that if you see something, say something,” said Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI's Dallas Field Office.
“Our commitment to keep America safe is unwavering. Online threats made by those hiding behind a screen will not be dismissed or taken lightly,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “We will use every resource available to make sure these perpetrators are found, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Alokozay is charged with transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce related to threats he made on a Nov. 23 video call, which was recorded and posted to multiple social media accounts, including TikTok, X, and Facebook. According to the complaint, the video shows Alokozay angrily gesturing and speaking Dari, a language commonly spoken in Afghanistan, while interacting with at least two other males on a video call. A screenshot of a social media post that shared Alokozay’s Nov. 23 statements is below:
As alleged, Alokozay threatened to conduct a suicide attack on the other participants on the call, as well as “infidels” and Americans. He claimed he would build a bomb in his vehicle and talked about a particular yellow cooking oil container favored by the Taliban in building improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan. Alozokay stated the Taliban were dear to him and that he came to the United States to kill those on the call. He also claimed he wanted to conduct a suicide attack on Americans. According to the complaint, Alokozay stated he was not afraid of deportation or getting killed.
Alokozay is currently in custody pending an initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge and further court proceedings. If convicted, Alokozay faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Dallas Field Office through the Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Fort Worth Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent Mazzurco for the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Afghan Citizen Federally Charged for Posting Threats to Build Bomb and Kill AmericansRead the Press Release
A man in Fort Worth, Texas has been federally charged for threatening to build a bomb, conduct a suicide attack, and kill Americans and others, in a video shared on TikTok, X, and Facebook, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, 30, a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Fort Worth, was charged by federal complaint with the offense of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce related to threats he made on a November 23, 2025, video call, which was recorded and posted to multiple social media accounts, including TikTok, X, and Facebook. According to the complaint, the video shows Alokozay angrily gesturing and speaking Dari, a language commonly spoken in Afghanistan, while interacting with at least two other males on a video call.
As alleged, Alokozay threatened to conduct a suicide attack on the other participants on the call, as well as “infidels” and Americans. He claimed he would build a bomb in his vehicle and talked about a particular yellow cooking oil container favored by the Taliban in building improvised explosive devices (“IEDs”) in Afghanistan. Alozokay stated the Taliban were dear to him and that he came to the United States to kill those on the call. He also claimed he wanted to conduct a suicide attack on Americans. According to the complaint, Alokozay stated he was not afraid of deportation or getting killed. A screenshot of a social media post that shared Alokozay’s November 23, 2025, statements is below:
Alokozay is currently in custody pending an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge and further court proceedings.
“This Afghan national came into America during the Biden administration and as alleged, explicitly stated that he came here in order to kill American citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The public safety threat created by the Biden administration’s vetting breakdown cannot be overstated – the Department of Justice will continue working with our federal and state partners to protect the American people from the prior administration’s dangerous incompetence.”
“We have zero tolerance for violence and threats of violence to kill American citizens and others like those allegedly made by this individual,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud the rapid response of our federal and local law enforcement partners in identifying and apprehending him. Those individuals who jeopardize the public safety and security of North Texas residents will be swiftly brought to justice.”
“This arrest demonstrates that the FBI remains steadfast in our mission to defend the homeland and protect the American people. Thanks to public reports of a threatening online video, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force apprehended this individual before he could commit an act of violence. We continue to ask that if you see something, say something,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
“Our commitment to keep America safe is unwavering. Online threats made by those hiding behind a screen will not be dismissed or taken lightly,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “We will use every resource available to make sure these perpetrators are found, arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Alokozay is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office through the Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Fort Worth Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent Mazzurco.
Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who produced child pornography was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison today, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Emmanuel Jacobo Reyes, a 27-year-old Mexican citizen, pled guilty in July 2025, to one count of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. Today, he was sentenced to 420 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Terry Means.
According to court documents, the defendant admitted that he enticed a minor victim living in the North Texas area to engage in sexually explicit conduct, produce visual depictions of such conduct, and transmit the depictions to Reyes. At the time, Reyes resided in North Carolina. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Worth Field Office, working from information provided by the North Richland Hills Police Department, reviewed contents of the minor victim’s phone that included screenshots of video chats between Reyes and the victim. As Reyes’s face was visible in some of the screenshots, agents were able to find his social media profile, confirm his identity, and determine his location.
FBI’s Fort Worth Field Office, FBI-Raleigh, NC, North Richland Hills Police Department, and the Raleigh, NC Police Department conducted this investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allyson Monte.
This case was part of the FBI’s national Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country. In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for $63M COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A co-founder of a lender service provider was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Friday, November 21, 2025, for participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $63 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The defendant was also ordered to pay over $63 million in restitution.
According to evidence presented at trial, Stephanie Hockridge, also known as Stephanie Reis, 42, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and previously of Arizona, co-founded Blueacorn in April 2020, purportedly to assist small businesses and individuals in obtaining PPP loans. To get larger loans for certain PPP applicants, Hockridge and her co-conspirators fabricated documents, including payroll records, tax documentation and bank statements. Hockridge and her co-conspirators charged borrowers kickbacks based on a percentage of the funds received.
As part of the scheme, Hockridge and others offered a personalized service to their clients called “VIPPP” to help potential borrowers complete PPP loan applications. Hockridge recruited co-conspirators to work as VIPPP referral agents and coach borrowers on how to submit false PPP loan applications. To get more kickbacks from borrowers and a higher percentage of lender fees from the SBA, Hockridge and her co-conspirators submitted PPP loan applications that they knew contained materially false information. In total, Hockridge and her coconspirators processed over $63 million in fraudulent PPP loans.
On June 20, a jury found Hockridge guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas; Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don Daley of the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Western Region; Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
“These defendants exploited a national crisis to enrich themselves in this multimillion-dollar, taxpayer-funded fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing to justice those individuals who steal taxpayer dollars and undermine our federal programs through fraud and deceit.”
“The defendant used deceptive practices to exploit a government program for her own personal gain. This program was meant to protect small businesses and promote economic stabilization in a critical time of need,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The public can rest assured that the FBI is committed to holding accountable those who attempt to defraud the United States government and steal opportunities from honest, hardworking business owners.”
IRS-CI, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board-CFPB Office of Inspector General, SBA OIG, and FBI investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Trial Attorneys Elizabeth Carr and Ryan McLaren of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the enactment of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Sentenced for $63M COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A co-founder of a lender service provider was sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $63 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The defendant was also ordered to pay over $63 million in restitution.
According to evidence presented at trial, Stephanie Hockridge, also known as Stephanie Reis, 42, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and previously of Arizona, co-founded Blueacorn in April 2020, purportedly to assist small businesses and individuals in obtaining PPP loans. To get larger loans for certain PPP applicants, Hockridge and her co-conspirators fabricated documents, including payroll records, tax documentation and bank statements. Hockridge and her co-conspirators charged borrowers kickbacks based on a percentage of the funds received.
As part of the scheme, Hockridge and others offered a personalized service to their clients called “VIPPP” to help potential borrowers complete PPP loan applications. Hockridge recruited co-conspirators to work as VIPPP referral agents and coach borrowers on how to submit false PPP loan applications. To get more kickbacks from borrowers and a higher percentage of lender fees from the SBA, Hockridge and her co-conspirators submitted PPP loan applications that they knew contained materially false information. In total, Hockridge and her coconspirators processed over $63 million in fraudulent PPP loans.
On June 20, a jury found Hockridge guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas; Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don Daley of the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Western Region; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-CI, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board-CFPB Office of Inspector General, and SBA OIG investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Trial Attorneys Elizabeth Carr and Ryan McLaren of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the enactment of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Ryan Raybould Named United States Attorney for the Northern District of TexasRead the Press Release
Dallas, Texas – Ryan R. Raybould was named the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas on November 17, 2025, by United States Attorney General Pam Bondi. His appointment this week follows President Donald Trump’s nomination of Mr. Raybould on October 21, 2025, to serve a four-year term in this role. The President’s nomination of Mr. Raybould is currently pending United States Senate confirmation.
Mr. Raybould is now the chief federal law enforcement officer for the district, which covers 96,000 square miles and a population of approximately eight million, including those in Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Wichita Falls, and surrounding areas. Mr. Raybould oversees roughly 220 attorneys and staff across five division offices and is responsible for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States government in the region.
“The opportunity to serve in this role is an honor and a privilege,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I look forward to continuing the tremendous work of those in my Office, partnered with our Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, in pursuing justice and restoring safety to our communities in the Northern District of Texas.”
Before his tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Mr. Raybould was a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis in the Government, Regulatory, and Internal Investigations Practice Group.
Mr. Raybould previously served as a federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice for almost seven years, including as Deputy Chief of the White Collar and Public Corruption Unit in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. As a federal prosecutor, Mr. Raybould investigated and tried cases involving public corruption, tax fraud, securities fraud, cybercrime, national security, violent crime, money laundering and other white-collar crimes.
Mr. Raybould also served as Chief Counsel to former Assistant Majority Leader and U.S. Senator John Cornyn. As Chief Counsel to Senator Cornyn, Mr. Raybould helped draft and negotiate numerous pieces of legislation that became law on national security, government accountability and drug diversion control. Mr. Raybould also advised Sen. Cornyn’s work on the Judiciary Committee and the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
After receiving his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School, Mr. Raybould clerked for Chief United States District Judge Reed O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas. Mr. Raybould is a graduate of Yale University.
North Texas Man Convicted of Conspiracy and Wire Fraud in Cryptocurrency Mining SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Fort Worth convicted Caleb Ward, founder of Geosyn Mining, LLC, on Monday this week of a multi-million-dollar cryptocurrency mining investment fraud that victimized dozens of clients across the United States, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Mr. Ward, 41, was charged via indictment in May 2025. After a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman, the jury found Ward guilty on all counts, including one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ward solicited funds from individuals who were promised that their money would be used to purchase and host specialized cryptocurrency mining equipment. Ward and his company promised clients that he had locked in electricity rates as low as 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour; that specific mining machines would be purchased and installed on the clients’ behalf; and that clients’ machines were “up and running” and actively mining Bitcoin at various facilities.
Witnesses testified that, despite these assurances, many clients never received the machines they paid for, and others later learned that their machines were never powered on or connected as represented. Evidence also showed that the defendant and his coconspirators sent some clients photos of mining machines that belonged to other customers, and in several instances provided serial numbers tied to completely different miners to create the false impression that their equipment had been purchased, delivered, and installed.
According to financial analysis presented at trial, clients wired more than $4.5 million to Geosyn between November 2021 and January 2023. Instead of using the funds strictly for the purchase and hosting of mining equipment as promised, Ward transferred tens of thousands of dollars to accounts in his own name and used client funds to pay prior investors in a manner consistent with a Ponzi-style scheme. He also spent investor funds on personal expenses and paid business operational costs unrelated to specific clients’ machines, even while representing that every dollar would be dedicated to that client’s hardware and hosting.
“This defendant targeted and preyed on North Texas residents who simply wanted to invest in emerging cryptocurrency technology,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I’m proud of the trial team for this great result. Our Office will continue holding accountable those who prey on Main Street investors.”
“This conviction demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying and investigating perpetrators of fraud who use investor funds for their own personal gain. We encourage the public to thoroughly research investment opportunities and to contact us immediately if they suspect fraudulent activity,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
Mr. Ward now faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Worth Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad E. Meacham and Joshua D. Detzky prosecuted the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht.
Antifa Cell Members Indicted in Prairieland ShootingRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Texas indicted nine North Texas Antifa Cell operatives, and seven more were charged by information, with offenses including rioting, using weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists, obstruction, and attempted murder of an Alvarado police officer and unarmed correctional officers at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, 2025, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
Yesterday’s twelve-count indictment charges Cameron Arnold, a/k/a Autumn Hill, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, a/k/a Meagan Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada with multiple offenses for their roles related to the Prairieland attack. The defendants are set for arraignment on December 3, 2025, in front of a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Texas.
An information also filed yesterday charges Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas with one count of providing material support to terrorists. A sixteenth defendant, Seth Sikes, was charged by information in late October with one count of providing material support to terrorists. Guilty plea hearings for Baumann, Gibson, Thomas, Sharp, and Sikes will be held in front of a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Texas next week, with Morgan set to plead guilty the following week.
The indictment and informations follow on the heels of federal complaints brought against the defendants in July soon after the July 4 attack. According to the charges, the defendants were members of a North Texas Antifa Cell, part of a larger militant enterprise made up of networks of individuals and small groups primarily ascribing to an ideology that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and the system of law. Antifa’s coordinated efforts involve obstructing Federal law through organized riots, violent assaults, and armed confrontations with law enforcement officers, increasingly targeting agents and facilities related to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement in opposition to the agency’s deportation actions. The indictment alleges that most of the Antifa Cell involved in the Prairieland attack looked to Benjamin Song as a leader. As alleged, Song acquired firearms that he distributed to co-defendants and recruited members at gun ranges and combat sessions he conducted, as well as from various ideologically aligned groups. For example, defendants Ines Soto, Elizabeth Soto, and Savanna Batten are alleged to have been part of a group that created and distributed insurrectionary materials called “zines.”
The charges reflect that, late at night on July 4, at least eleven of the defendants rioted and attacked the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was using to house illegal aliens awaiting deportation. The defendants dressed in “black bloc”—dark clothing with head and face coverings that concealed their identities—designed to hide each individual’s identity but also to aid and abet those members engaged in illegal acts by making members indistinguishable from one another to law enforcement. According to the charges, after Antifa Cell members arrived at Prairieland, they began shooting off and throwing fireworks at the facility and vandalizing vehicles and a guard shack on Prairieland property.
According to the charges, an Alvarado police officer responded to the scene after correctional officers called 911. When the officer began issuing commands to defendant Nathan Baumann, Benjamin Song allegedly yelled, “get to the rifles!” and then opened fire on the officers, striking the Alvarado police officer in the neck as the unarmed correctional officers ducked and ran for cover. Police arrested most of the Antifa Cell shortly after the attack, many near the scene. Benjamin Song escaped and remained at large with the help of others until his capture on July 15, 2025.
Collectively, the Antifa Cell allegedly acquired over 50 firearms in the Fort Worth/Dallas area prior to July 4. As alleged in the indictment, members used an encrypted messaging app to coordinate with each other that had auto-delete functions, permanently deleting some Antifa Cell members’ communications. They also used monikers in group chats to hide their identities, and some of the planning chats included only trusted participants. Members in this limited group allegedly conducted reconnaissance and discussed what to bring to the riot, including firearms, medical kits, and fireworks.
The nine individuals indicted yesterday are charged with the following offenses:
- Riot, with the intent to commit an act of violence, involving conduct such as shooting and throwing fireworks and explosives, slashing tires on a government vehicle, spraying graffiti on property and vehicles, destroying a closed circuit camera, shooting at officers, and dressing in black bloc.
- Defendants charged: Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto
- Providing Material Support to Terrorists, including property, services, training, communications equipment, weapons, explosives, personnel (including themselves), and transportation.
- Defendants charged: Arnold, Evetts, Song, Batten, Morris, Rueda, E. Soto, and I. Soto
- Conspiracy to Use and Carry an Explosive, and Using and Carrying an Explosive, during a riot.
- Defendants charged: Arnold, Evetts, Song, Batten, Morris, Rueda, E. Soto, and I. Soto
- Attempted Murder of Officers and Employees of the United States, involving the unlawful attempt to kill with malice aforethought Correctional Officers-1 and 2, and an Alvarado Police Officer.
- Defendants charged: Song, Arnold, Evetts, Morris, and Rueda
- Discharging a Firearm During, and in Relation to, and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, i.e., the attempted murder of two correctional officers and an Alvarado Police Officer.
- Defendants charged: Song, Arnold, Evetts, Morris, and Rueda
- Corruptly Concealing a Document or Record, by transporting a box containing numerous Antifa materials, such as insurrection planning, anti-law enforcement, anti-government, and anti-immigration enforcement documents and propaganda from Sanchez Estrada’s residence to a location in Denton, Texas, intending to conceal the box’s contents and impair its availability for use in a federal grand jury and federal criminal proceeding.
- Defendant charged: Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada
- Conspiracy to Conceal Documents and other objects that would implicate Maricela Rueda in the riot and shooting at the Prairieland facility.
- Defendants charged: Sanchez Estrada and Maricela Rueda
If convicted, Song, Arnold, Evetts, Morris, and Rueda each face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Batten, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto each face a sentence ranging from a minimum of ten years up to fifty years in federal prison. Sanchez Estrada faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count.
The sole count of providing material support to terrorists brought in the information against Baumann, Gibson, Kent, Morgan, Sharp, Thomas, and separately, Sikes’s information, mirrors the material support offense charged in yesterday’s indictment. If convicted, each of these defendants face a sentence of up to fifteen years in federal prison.
Charges brought by indictment and information are merely allegations of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“This is the first indictment in the country against a group of violent Antifa cell members,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “The charges the Grand Jury has leveled against these defendants, including material support for terrorists, address the vicious attack perpetrated by an anti-ICE, anti-law enforcement, anti-government, anarchist group. I applaud the tenacious work of the FBI, ICE, our state and local law enforcement partners, and the prosecutors and staff in my office. They have tirelessly pursued justice in this case, and will continue to pursue justice in any cases like it. We are firm in our resolve to protect our law enforcement officers and federal facilities against organized domestic terrorist cells.”
“The updated charges in this case underscore the seriousness of the crimes committed at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4. We would like to thank our law enforcement partners for assisting us with this investigation. This collaborative effort reflects our collective commitment to holding these individuals accountable for this coordinated attack,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
“Four months ago, in an attempt to sow anarchy and chaos and to undermine the rule of law, a coordinated attack was carried out on the Prairieland Detention Center, leaving one of our local law enforcement officers injured and a community in disarray,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Acting Field Office Director Robert Cerna. “In response, the law enforcement community banded together to expose the cowardly thugs responsible for that heinous attack and hold them accountable. Yesterday’s indictments are a first step in that process, as we continue to work collectively to ensure that justice is served.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI—Dallas, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto and Shawn Smith are prosecuting the case.
- Riot, with the intent to commit an act of violence, involving conduct such as shooting and throwing fireworks and explosives, slashing tires on a government vehicle, spraying graffiti on property and vehicles, destroying a closed circuit camera, shooting at officers, and dressing in black bloc.
Twenty-one alleged Arlington, TX street gang members charged with RICO conspiracy, murder, drug and gun crimesRead the Press Release
Twenty-one alleged violent members of a criminal street gang in Arlington, Texas have been federally charged with racketeering, murder and assault in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, and gun crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
The defendants were charged by complaint on Tuesday, November 4. As of Friday, November 7, all were in custody, and 17 began initial appearances that day before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Texas. The rest had their initial appearances today.
Court documents reflect that the FBI and Arlington Police Department began investigating the Arlington-based criminal street gang known as “Kiccdoe” in April 2024 after a Kiccdoe gang member was shot and killed on the campus of an Arlington high school. The murder resulted in multiple alleged retaliation shootings between Kiccdoe and other Arlington gangs. According to court records, Kiccdoe members committed a lengthy pattern of murder, drive-by shootings, robberies, assaults, firearm offenses, and trafficking of fentanyl, marijuana, and other narcotics in Arlington and other North Texas cities. Over a three-year period from approximately early 2022 through this year, Kiccdoe members terrorized many parts of Arlington’s communities with these violent offenses and threats of violence.
Social media post of alleged Kiccdoe member Blake Scott with “600” gang clothing.
The Kiccdoe gang originated from the 600 block of East Arkansas Lane on the eastside of Arlington. To demonstrate their association with the gang, members used words such as “kiccdoe,” “KDN” (for “Kiccdoe Nation”), “6,” or “600” on public social media accounts. They also wore clothing bearing the same inscriptions and produced and distributed online songs and videos about their gang activities and crimes.As alleged in Tuesday’s complaint, violent acts that Kiccdoe members called “stripes” were required to join the gang, remain in good standing as a gang member, and maintain the gang’s violent reputation in the community. Specific crimes identified in the complaint in furtherance of racketeering include a murder, six attempted murders, nine robberies, numerous assaults with dangerous weapons, ongoing sales of fentanyl and marijuana, and continuing threats of violence, all undertaken to obtain and preserve the profits, power, and territory of Kiccdoe members while keeping victims in fear of the gang and its members.
Marijuana advertised for sale on social media by alleged gang member Kyron Oates. Photos of alleged gang member LaMarion Austin posted on social media with a gun, large quantities of marijuana, and cash.
Those charged in the complaint include:• Michael Mensah, 18, of Grand Prairie, Texas, charged with conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering (RICO conspiracy), assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Raphael Opare, 19, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Dillen Opare, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Isaiah Wiley, 21, of Dallas, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Kyron Oates, 22, of Grand Prairie, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Vernell Woods, 19, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• DeMarco Westmoreland, 19, of Mansfield, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Cortez Atkinson, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Bradley McArthur, Jr., 21, of Fort Worth, Texas charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• DaTraven Warren, 18, of Mansfield, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.
• Sadedrick Wilson, 22, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Joseph Hill, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Chauncey Ross, 22, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Marcus Shaw, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• KeyShawn Burton, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• LaMarion Austin, 21, of Dallas, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Blake Aaron Scott, 22, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Sir James Mack Williams, 21, of Arlington, Texas, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.
• Jaylen Jeshawn Franklin, of Arlington, Texas, 22, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.
• JaMarion Manogin, 20, of Forney, Texas, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence in aid of racketeering.
• Jakayla Totten, 21, of DeSoto, Texas, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
“The outstanding, collaborative work of our law enforcement partners has made Arlington residents safer today, because 21 alleged violent gang members and associates have been arrested and taken off the streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with federal and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to pursue justice against brazen offenders, who organize and terrorize our communities with relentless acts of violence.”
“The FBI is committed to working with our state and local law enforcement partners on the Tarrant County Safe Streets Task Force to protect our communities. Alongside the Arlington Police Department, we made a significant impact on violent crime through the arrest of violent gang members and the seizure of firearms and drugs. These arrests demonstrate the importance of partnerships in combatting the violence that plagues our communities,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
“The members of this gang have been involved in numerous violent offenses in our community, including shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies, and more,” said Chief Al Jones of the Arlington Police Department. “By getting these individuals off our streets, we are making Arlington safer. I’m extremely proud of the outstanding investigative work that got us to this point. I’m also incredibly grateful to our federal partners for helping us combat violent crime in our city.”
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants face statutory maximum sentences ranging from ten years in federal prison up to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and Arlington Police Department, with assistance in apprehending and arrests by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fort Worth Police Department, the Garland Police Department, the North Richland Hills Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, NORTEX Metro SWAT (comprised of Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Coppell Police Departments), and the North Tarrant Regionals SWAT (comprised of Hurst, Euless, Bedford, and Grapevine Police Departments). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Beck.
This investigation 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 OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Illegal Alien Arrested for TikTok Post Soliciting Others to Murder ICE AgentsRead the Press Release
An illegal alien from Mexico was arrested Tuesday for soliciting others to kill ICE agents in a TikTok post on October 9, 2025, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
According to court records, Eduardo Aguilar, 23, residing in Dallas, Texas, was charged by federal complaint for transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce a communication containing a threat, resulting from his October 9 post on TikTok in Spanish, as pictured below:
Court records reflect that the translation of the black and white text states, “I need 10 dudes in Dallas with determination (guts) who aren’t afraid to [two skull emojis].” The emojiis are known to represent the word, “die.” The second phrase, in red and white text, states, “10K for each ICE agent.”
“Threats against our law enforcement officers are completely unacceptable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “All threats against our agents and officers will be investigated thoroughly, and anyone who threatens or puts a bounty on agents will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
“The FBI takes threats of violence to our law enforcement partners seriously and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
Aguilar made his initial appearance yesterday afternoon in front of a United States Magistrate Judge in Dallas, who ordered that he remain detained in federal custody. If convicted, Aguilar faces a maximum of five years in federal prison.
Criminal Complaint - Aguilar
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Aguilar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas conducted the investigation of this case with the assistance of the Dallas Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – ERO, the Garland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Dallas Field Division.