Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New Jersey man arrested for local fentanyl overdoseRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 34-year-old Trenton, New Jersey, resident has been charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance resulting in death.
Authorities have now taken Edgar Guzman into custody at his residence. He will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in New Jersey and is expected to appear in Corpus Christi federal court in the near future.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment July 8, 2026, which was unsealed upon his arrest.
The charges allege that on April 18, 2026, law enforcement responded to a call in relation to a cardiac arrest and discovered an unresponsive individual. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and declared the victim to be deceased, noting signs of drug use in the residence and near the body, according to the allegations.
Court records indicate the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.
Authorities allegedly recovered messages from the victim’s phone and other evidence from the residence. The indictment alleges the victim would order fentanyl from Guzman who would then ship it through the mail to Corpus Christi using flat rate shipping envelopes.
If convicted, Guzman faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $1 million maximum fine.
Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine K. Tucker prosecuted the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Illegal alien previously convicted of shooting girlfriend’s husband and other crimes sent to federal prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 30-year-old illegal alien from Honduras illegally living in Houston has been sentenced for unlawfully reentering the country.
Nelson Alberto Fajardo pleaded guilty March 10, 2026.
U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge has now ordered Fajardo to serve 46 months in federal prison. As an illegal alien, he is expected to be once again removed from the United States following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about his criminal history while illegally present in the country.
Farjardo has multiple prior convictions for burglary, possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, and aggravated assault.
Authorities removed him from the country in 2015, but he illegally returned. In 2022, he shot his girlfriend’s estranged husband at a residence in Houston, ordered to prison, and ultimately charged with felony illegal reentry.
Fajardo has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robin Whitney and Amanda Alum prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigrants, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Bangladeshi national extradited from Brazil to face charges for role in transnational criminal human smuggling organizationRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 39-year-old Bangladeshi national has made his initial appearance in Laredo federal court after being extradited from Brazil on July 8. A second superseding indictment charges Saifullah Al-Mamun for his role in a conspiracy that smuggled aliens from Bangladesh into the United States.
According to court documents, Al-Mamun and his co-defendants, Mohamad Milon Hossain, 46 and Moktar Hossain, 38, both of Bangladesh, participated in a wide-ranging human smuggling operation and assisted other smugglers by facilitating the travel of scores of aliens from São Paulo, Brazil, and other locations in South America, Central America, and Mexico so that the aliens could illegally enter the United States. Al-Mamun housed aliens in São Paulo and arranged their travel, while Mohamad Milon Hossain housed aliens in Tapachula, Mexico, and facilitated their transportation to Monterrey, Mexico, according to the charges. Moktar Hossain allegedly housed aliens in Monterrey and instructed them how to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States, but many had difficulty safely doing so. The charges allege aliens paid as much as tens of thousands of dollars to individuals in Bangladesh to help them travel illegally to the United States.
Al-Mamun was arrested in Brazil in October 2019.
Al-Mamun is charged with conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States and conspiracy to encourage and induce an alien to enter the United States and faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He could also receive up to 15 years for multiple counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain.
Mohamad Milon Hossain and Moktar Hossain pleaded guilty to their roles ole in the operation and were each sentenced to 46 months in prison.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix is investigating this case with assistance from the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border and Protection’s (CBP) International Interdiction Task Force, CBP – Counter Network Division, HSI Laredo, HSI Brasilia, HSI Bogota, U.S. Embassy in Brazil including the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Brazil Federal Police, Colombian National Police, and U.S. Marshals Service.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Brazil. The Justice Department thanks its Brazilian law enforcement counterparts for their assistance in this matter.
The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated prosecutors from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE HSI and Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 464 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 414 U.S. convictions; and more than 360 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This case is also 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 immigrants, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Bangladeshi National Extradited from Brazil to Face Charges for Role in Transnational Criminal Human Smuggling OrganizationRead the Press Release
Bangladeshi national Saifullah Al-Mamun, 39, made his initial appearance in Laredo, Texas, today after being extradited from Brazil on July 8. A second superseding indictment charges Al-Mamun for his role in a conspiracy that smuggled aliens from Bangladesh into the United States.
According to court documents, Al-Mamun and his co-defendants — Mohamad Milon Hossain, 46 and Moktar Hossain, 38, both of Bangladesh — participated in a wide-ranging human smuggling operation and assisted other smugglers by facilitating the travel of scores of aliens from São Paulo, Brazil, and other locations in South America, Central America, and Mexico so that the aliens could illegally enter the United States. Al-Mamun housed aliens in São Paulo and arranged their travel, Mohamad Milon Hossain housed aliens in Tapachula, Mexico, and facilitated their transportation to Monterrey, Mexico. Moktar Hossain housed aliens in Monterrey and instructed them how to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States. Many of the aliens had difficulty safely crossing the Rio Grande River. The aliens paid as much as tens of thousands of dollars to individuals in Bangladesh to help them travel illegally to the United States. Al-Mamun was arrested in Brazil on Oct. 31, 2019.
Mohamad Milon Hossain pleaded guilty to his role in the operation and was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Moktar Hossain also pleaded guilty to his role in the operation and was also sentenced to 46 months in prison.
Al-Mamun is charged with conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States, multiple counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain, and conspiracy to encourage and induce an alien to enter the United States. If convicted on all counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain, he faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If convicted of conspiracy to bring and/or conspiracy to encourage and induce and alien to enter the United States, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz for the Southern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix made the announcement.
HSI Phoenix is investigating this case with assistance from the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border and Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Counter Network Division, HSI Laredo, HSI Brasilia, HSI Bogota, , U.S. Embassy in Brazil including the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Brazil Federal Police, Colombian National Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Brazil. The Justice Department thanks its Brazilian law enforcement counterparts for their assistance in this matter.
The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated prosecutors from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 464 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 414 U.S. convictions; and more than 360 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Cortez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Previously deported illegal alien convicted of multiple violent offenses in Houston areaRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old illegal alien from Mexico who unlawfully resided in Houston has pleaded guilty to robbery, carjacking, brandishing a firearm, and illegal reentry.
On September 9, 2023, Jose Luis Reyes-Martinez entered the Fiesta Supermarket on Airline Drive in Houston. He brandished a handgun at two employees, forced one into a frozen meat locker, and demanded cash before fleeing on a bicycle.
Reyes-Martinez then broke into a nearby residence and held a family hostage at gunpoint for several hours. He tied one of them up, sexually assaulted a woman while again brandishing the firearm, and then stole their car.
Forensic analysis on a condom recovered from the assault matched Reyes-Martinez.
Authorities had first encountered Reyes-Martinez in Arizona in 2012. He had illegally entered the United States and was subsequently deported. However, law enforcement discovered him in Houston on October 21, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake will impose sentencing September 24. At that time, Reyes-Martinez faces up to 20, 15, and two years for the robbery, carjacking, and illegal re-entry convictions, respectively. In addition, he will also receive a minimum of seven years and up to life for brandishing a firearm which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All convictions also carry as possible punishment up to a $250,000 fine.
The FBI and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Illegal reentry into US lands convicted felon in federal prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 48-year-old illegal alien from Mexico has been sentenced for unlawfully reentering the country again.
Juan Francisco Juarez-Rodriguez illegally resided in Houston and pleaded guilty on March 10, 2026.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now ordered Juarez-Rodriguez to serve 57 months in federal prison. As an alien in the United States illegally, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about his criminal history while illegally present in the United States.
Juarez-Rodriguez has prior convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, burglary, criminal mischief, drug charges, resisting an officer, shoplifting, criminal trespass, battery, and illegal reentry.
Authorities first removed him from the United States in October 1999, and he repeatedly returned illegally. On January 25, 2023, law enforcement again discovered him in Houston with no authorization to be in the country.
Juarez-Rodriguez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Hostetter prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Illegal alien gets federal prison time for unlawful reentry into US after seven previous removalsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 49-year-old illegal alien from Mexico has been sentenced for unlawfully reentering the country again.
Israel Garcia-Garcia illegally resided in Houston and pleaded guilty March 20, 2026.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein has now ordered Garcia-Garciato serve 54 months in federal prison. As an illegal alien in the United States illegally, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about his criminal history while illegally present in the United States.
Garcia-Garcia has prior convictions for illegal reentry and transporting illegal aliens.
Authorities removed him from the United States seven times since the first instance in February 2008. He repeatedly returned illegally. On December 25, 2025, law enforcement again discovered him in Houston with no authorization to be in the country.
Garcia-Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Hostetter and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Whitney prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
185 more charged in new cases related to continuing efforts to secure southern borderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – In support of Operation Take Back America, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Texas has filed another 181 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from July 3-9.
The cases include charges against 21 people allegedly involved in human smuggling. A total of 33 criminal complaints were filed for illegal entry, while another 129 people face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felonies related to narcotics, violent crime, immigration offenses, and more. The remaining cases charged this week involve other immigration crimes.
As part of these new matters, two illegal aliens from Mexico have been charged with unlawfully reentering the country. Authorities had just removed Gilberto Cuenca-Pedroza on May 6 but found him again in the United States near La Joya, Texas. Wilson Perez-Landeros had also been previously removed, but law enforcement discovered him near Rio Grande City, according to the criminal complaint. The charges further allege Cuenca-Pedroza and Perez-Landeros both have prior narcotics convictions, distribution of heroin and meth, respectively.
If convicted of illegally reentering the United States without authorization, both face up to 20 years in federal prison.
In addition to these new cases, a federal jury in Corpus Christi convicted a 46-year-old Honduran national of illegally reentering the United States after a one-day trial and 15 minutes of deliberation. Carlos Lopez-Mejia fled on foot following a traffic stop before authorities apprehended him. The jury heard evidence of his two prior removals in 2001 and 2019.
In Laredo, Guatemalan human smugglers Agapito Jorge Ventura and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino pleaded guilty in a scheme tied to a tractor-trailer crash that killed more than 50 people and injured over 100 more. They conspired with others to transport illegal aliens, including unaccompanied minors, from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. They recruited individuals, collected payment, and arranged travel via foot and various other forms of transportation. In some cases, they provided scripted language if authorities apprehended them. Both face up to life in prison at the time of their sentencing.
Also of note was the sentencing of Mexican national Ivan Garcia-Lopez in Houston. The court considered the dangerousness of his other crimes and lack of respect for the law before imposing the 60-month sentence. Garcia-Lopez has previous convictions for illegal reentry, engaging in organized crime, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the Southern District. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault, and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Illegal alien convicted felon handed federal prison sentence for unlawful presence in the countryRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 37-year-old illegal alien from Mexico with a felony criminal history has been sentenced for illegally entering the country without authorization, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Ivan Garcia-Lopez pleaded guilty April 10.
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett has now ordered Garcia-Lopez to serve 60 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen and with a current removal order, he will be immediately removed from the country following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court considered the dangerousness of his other crimes and lack of respect for the law.
Garcia-Lopez has previous convictions for illegal reentry, engaging in organized crime and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He was first removed from the country in 2012. However, authorities discovered him again in Houston Sept. 8, 2025, following his arrest for felony evading arrest with a motor vehicle.
Garcia-Lopez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration Customs Enforcement - Enforcement Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Law prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Aaron Reitz takes oath as new U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of TexasRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Today Aaron Reitz took his oath as the new U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. He was sworn in by U.S. District Judge Nicholas J. Ganjei. Reitz will lead one of the largest and busiest U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country.
“I’m honored to serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer and lawyer for this mission-critical district,” said Reitz. “Our office will relentlessly combat violent crime, illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking, corruption, and fraud. We will faithfully uphold the rule of law and protect the public. Things are about to get very bad for criminals in the Southern District of Texas.”
Reitz comes to the office from private practice with Hance Scarborough, LLP where he represented and counseled clients in litigation and investigations before federal and state courts and agencies, and advised corporations, executives, and public entities on complex constitutional, regulatory, administrative, and commercial disputes.
Prior to that, Reitz served as the presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy. As the assistant attorney general over OLP, Reitz was charged with developing and implementing DOJ’s significant policy initiatives, handling special projects that implicate the interests of multiple DOJ components, and serving as the primary policy advisor to the U.S. Attorney General. As chief regulatory officer, Reitz also reviewed and coordinated all regulations promulgated by DOJ. Lastly, he identified and vetted candidates for federal judgeships and coordinated the nomination and confirmation process with the White House and Senate.
Before DOJ, Reitz served as Senator Ted Cruz’s chief of staff, where he oversaw domestic policy, legislative, communications, administrative, Commerce Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Foreign Relations Committee teams, as well as several regional offices throughout the state of Texas.
Reitz also previously served as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s deputy attorney general for legal strategy, where he planned, staffed, and executed the agency’s most consequential affirmative lawsuits and legal initiatives on matters including immigration, federal-state-local relations, election integrity, voting rights, Big Tech, consumer protection, energy, and the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.
Reitz clerked for now-Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock on the Texas Supreme Court and practiced both corporate law and commercial litigation in Houston and Austin. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was president of the Texas Federalist Society and editor in chief of the Texas Review of Law & Politics.
Before law school, he was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He spent nearly five years on active duty and deployed to the northern Helmand Province of Afghanistan, where he was embedded with the Afghan National Army. Reitz is still in the Marine Corps Reserve as a major.
As U.S. Attorney, Reitz is the chief federal law enforcement officer for one of the largest districts in the United States. The SDTX typically prosecutes more cases against more defendants than most other USAOs nationwide, representing 43 counties and over 10 million people, and covering 44,000 square miles. The district is comprised of seven U.S. District Court divisions in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo.
Texas man gets max sentence for federal firearms violation related to attempted murder of police officerRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 22-year-old Premont man has been ordered to federal prison for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Damian Rodriguez aka Diablo pleaded guilty March 31.
U.S. District Judge David Morales has now ordered Rodriguez to serve 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described Rodriguez’s use of the firearm with the obliterated serial number to commit several crimes, including attempted murder of a local victim as well as a police officer. In handing down the sentence, Judge Morales noted the Rodriguez’s actions and sentenced him to the maximum possible sentence allowed under the law. At the sentencing hearing, Rodriguez was held responsible for the attempted murder of both the local victim and the police officer.
On Dec. 29, 2025, law enforcement was dispatched to a local residence in response to a call regarding multiple gunshots. Surveillance footage of the area revealed the shooter, later identified as Rodriguez, firing multiple gunshots into the residence from an adjacent alley. Further investigation revealed he had made multiple threats to the victim’s life on social media. Authorities recovered 11 shell casings at the residence, but the victim did not sustain any injuries.
Two days later, a local police officer discovered multiple threats on his life from Rodriguez’s social media accounts. Law enforcement learned Rodriguez had been walking in the area with a loaded gun and attempted to locate him. Rodriguez saw them and began shooting. During another incident the same day, shots had also been fired at law enforcement. The shell casings at those scenes matched those from the prior attempted murder scenes.
The investigation led to a residence where authorities located Rodriguez. Among his belongings was a Colt .223 caliber rifle with an obliterated serial number. Analysis and tests showed a match between the firearm and the shell casings from the prior shootings.
At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez had also made multiple comments regarding his attempts to shoot and kill the police officer.
Rodriguez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Police departments in Premont and Falfurrias, Brooks County Sheriff’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.
South Texan sent to prison after using child sexual abuse material to entice a minor to produce pornographic materialRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 20-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for distributing child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Carlos Genaro Rodriguez-Luna Jr. pleaded guilty April 23, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now sentenced Rodriguez-Luna to 262 months and 60 months for the coercion and enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run in part consecutively for a total 300-month term of imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard about the disturbing content Rodriguez-Luna collected and distributed to others. Additionally, the court heard how Rodriguez-Luna communicated with a 13-year-old minor victim discussing his disturbing fantasies.
In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the seriousness and gravity of the content involved in the case. Rodriguez-Luna was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to a known victim and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Rodriguez-Luna will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
The investigation began in December 2024 after authorities identified a social media account sharing images and videos of people performing self-inflicted harm and child sexual abuse material. Rodriguez-Luna was the owner of that account.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence where they located and seized several electronic items and his cell phone. Authorities observed a current conversation between Rodriguez-Luna and a 13-year-old female who he identified as his girlfriend. The investigation revealed Rodriguez-Luna distributed child pornography to the minor and discussed sexual assault fantasies. He also asked her to produce sexually explicit material and send to him.
Additional content on the devices included sexual acts committed on infants, toddlers and prepubescent children as well as other severe material he collected and distributed.
Rodriguez-Luna admitted to previously downloaded and viewed child pornography at his Edinburg residence.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI McAllen conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Sex offender sentenced to 15 years for possessing nearly 10,000 sexually explicit videos and images of childrenRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 71-year-old Bacliff man has been ordered to federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material for the second time, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Wesley Joseph Slanina pleaded guilty Dec. 17, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown has now sentenced Slanina to serve 186 months in federal prison. The sentence will be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release, during which time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet.
At the hearing, the court held him accountable for possessing over 7,000 images and heard additional information that Slanina was previously convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material and using a government-issued laptop to access prohibited material. Slanina was further ordered to pay $71,000 in restitution to the victims and will also be ordered to re-register as a sex offender.
The investigation began in June 2019 when law enforcement discovered Slanina sharing multiple files containing child sexual abuse material using peer-to-peer software. The videos and images depicted children, including infants and toddlers, in various sexual acts.
On June 10, 2020, authorities executed a search warrant at his home and discovered and seized several electronic devices.
Forensic analysis of his personal computer and 129-gigabyte storage card resulted in the discovery of 2,503 videos and 7,172 images containing child sexual abuse material.
Slanina will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Leo, Amanda Alum and Michael Day prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Illegal alien and Guatemalan national extradited to U.S. admit to roles in 2021 alien smuggling mass casualty event in Chiapas, MexicoRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two foreign nationals have pleaded guilty to smuggling charges related to the crash of a tractor-trailer packed with at least 160 illegal aliens which resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, including unaccompanied children, and injured over 100 more. These two are part of a group of six who were charged in this case. Five have now admitted to their role in a conspiracy to bring illegal aliens from Guatemala into the United States.
Agapito Jorge Ventura, 34, an illegal alien from Guatemala, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 26, a Guatemalan national extradited in 2025, acknowledged they conspired with other smugglers to transport illegal aliens, both adults and unaccompanied minors, from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States.
Aliens paid Ventura, Zavala Quino and their co-conspirators to be smuggled into the United States, with Ventura coordinating from the Houston area. During the previous administration’s policy to parole illegal aliens into the United States, Ventura also facilitated the release of Guatemalan aliens who were smuggled illegally into the United States from U.S. immigration authorities, to include unaccompanied minors. Ventura provided co-conspirators, including Zavala Quino, with falsified scripts and instructions to provide to adults and unaccompanied minors on what to say to immigration officials if apprehended to secure their release. Ventura would also provide a person who would falsely pose as a relative of the apprehended alien to gain the alien’s release.
On Dec. 9, 2021, Ventura, Zavala Quino and others arranged for the aliens they were smuggling to the United States to be loaded into a tractor trailer that was to transport them through Mexico. Over 150 illegal aliens, including adults and unaccompanied minors, were crammed into the trailer. The vehicle ultimately crashed north of the Guatemala/Mexico border near Tuxtla Guiterrez, Chiapas, Mexico, resulting in deaths and serious bodily injury.
“With today’s guilty pleas, five defendants charged in this case have now been held accountable for one of the deadliest human smuggling tragedies in recent memory,” stated Marck. “These defendants treated more than 150 people as cargo, packing them into a tractor-trailer for profit with total disregard for human life. The Southern District of Texas will continue to hunt down smugglers wherever they hide, because there is no place on earth safe enough to escape justice for the lives lost on that Chiapas roadside.”
“This crime shows that human smugglers care only about profiting from their crimes, not about the illegal aliens they transport and the life-and-death risks to which they expose them” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These defendants worked together to exploit vulnerable people by breaking the immigration laws of this country, with deadly consequences that followed. Robust border enforcement avoids deadly results like this. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who put profit over people and ensure our nation’s immigration laws are enforced.”
“This case underscores U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations’ relentless pursuit of transnational criminal organizations that profit from the exploitation of vulnerable individuals,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of HSI. “The guilty pleas of these defendants send a clear message: those who orchestrate and facilitate dangerous human smuggling operations — placing lives at grave risk — will be held accountable. HSI remains committed to working with our domestic and international partners to dismantle these criminal networks, protect our borders and uphold the rule of law.”
Ventura and Zavala Quino pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring an illegal alien into the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has set sentencing for Oct. 6. At that time, all face up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Daniel Zavala Ramos, 42, Josefa Quino Canil de Zavala, 44, and Alberto Macario Chitic, 33, all of Guatemala, previously pleaded guilty to the same charges.
Canil De Zavala, Macario Chitic, Zavala Ramos, Zavala Quino and Tomas Quino Canil were extradited from Guatemala in 2025 to face charges. U.S. authorities arrested Ventura at his residence in Cleveland in December 2024.
HSI’s Washington, D.C. Field Office conducted the investigation in partnership with HSI Guatemala and HSI Mexico. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C.; HSI Houston; HSI Laredo; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; Liberty County Constable, Precinct 6; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas; and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions. Guatemalan prosecutors from the Office of Public Ministry and Mexican prosecutors from the Republic of Mexico’s Federal Prosecutions Office, with the support of law enforcement officials from both countries, were also instrumental in furthering the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Lou Castillo and Jennifer Day are prosecuting the case along with Senior Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section with substantial assistance from HRSP Latin American Specialist/Historian Joanna Crandall.
The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha, the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking cartels and transnational criminal organizations commit. A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s HRSP Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 464 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 414 U.S. convictions; and more than 360 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This case is also 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Illegal Alien and Guatemalan National Extradited to the U.S. Admit to Roles in 2021 Alien Smuggling Mass Casualty Event in Chiapas, MexicoRead the Press Release
An illegal alien from Guatemala and a Guatemalan national have pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges related to the crash of a tractor-trailer packed with at least 160 illegal aliens which resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, including unaccompanied children, and injured over 100 more. These two defendants are part of a group of six who were charged in this case. Five of six defendants have now admitted to their role in a conspiracy to bring illegal aliens from Guatemala into the United States.
Agapito Jorge Ventura, 34, and an illegal alien from Guatemala, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 26, a Guatemalan national extradited to the United States in 2025, acknowledged that they conspired with other smugglers to smuggle and transport illegal aliens, both adults and unaccompanied minors, from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States.
“This crime shows that human smugglers care only about profiting from their crimes, not about the illegal aliens they transport and the life-and-death risks to which they expose them” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These defendants worked together to exploit vulnerable people by breaking the immigration laws of this country, with deadly consequences that followed. Robust border enforcement avoids deadly results like this. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who put profit over people and ensure our nation’s immigration laws are enforced.”
“With today’s guilty pleas, five defendants charged in this case have now been held accountable for one of the deadliest human smuggling tragedies in recent memory,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “These defendants treated more than 150 people as cargo, packing them into a tractor-trailer for profit with total disregard for human life. The Southern District of Texas will continue to hunt down smugglers wherever they hide, because there is no place on earth safe enough to escape justice for the lives lost on that Chiapas roadside.”
“This case underscores U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) relentless pursuit of transnational criminal organizations that profit from the exploitation of vulnerable individuals,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of HSI. “The guilty pleas of these defendants send a clear message: those who orchestrate and facilitate dangerous human smuggling operations — placing lives at grave risk — will be held accountable. HSI remains committed to working with our domestic and international partners to dismantle these criminal networks, protect our borders, and uphold the rule of law.”
Aliens paid Ventura, Zavala Quino, and their co-conspirators to be smuggled into the United States, with Ventura coordinating from the Houston area. During the previous administration’s policy to parole illegal aliens into the United States, Ventura also facilitated the release of Guatemalan aliens who were smuggled illegally into the United States from U.S. immigration authorities, to include unaccompanied minors. Ventura provided his coconspirators, including Zavala Quino, with falsified scripts and instructions to provide to adults and unaccompanied minors on what to say to immigration officials if apprehended to secure their release. Ventura would also provide a person who would falsely pose as a relative of the apprehended alien to gain the alien’s release.
On Dec. 9, 2021, Ventura, Zavala Quino, and others arranged for the aliens they were smuggling to the United States to be loaded into a tractor trailer that was to transport them through Mexico. Over 150 illegal aliens, including adults and unaccompanied minors, were crammed into the trailer. The vehicle ultimately crashed north of the Guatemala/Mexico border near Tuxtla Guiterrez, Chiapas, Mexico, resulting in deaths and serious bodily injury.
Ventura and Zavala Quino pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring an illegal alien to the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury, and resulting in death. They will be sentenced on Oct. 6 and each face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Daniel Zavala Ramos, Josefa Canil De Zavala, Alberto Macario Chitic, Tomas Quino Canil, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, were extradited from Guatemala in 2025 to face charges. Authorities arrested Jorge Agapito Ventura, 33, at his residence in Cleveland, Texas, in December 2024.
Zavala Ramos, 42, pleaded guilty on April 7. Canil De Zavala, 44, and Macario Chitic, 33, pleaded guilty on June 11.
HSI’s Washington, D.C. Field Office investigated the case in partnership with HSI Guatemala and HSI Mexico. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C.; HSI Houston; HSI Laredo; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; Liberty County Constable, Precinct 6; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas; and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions of the defendants. Guatemalan prosecutors from the Office of Public Ministry and Mexican prosecutors from the Republic of Mexico’s Federal Prosecutions Office, with the support of law enforcement officials from both countries, were also instrumental in furthering the investigation.
Senior Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Lou Castillo and Jennifer Day for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from HRSP Latin American Specialist/Historian Joanna Crandall.
The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean, and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 464 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 414 U.S. convictions; and more than 360 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This case is also 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
SDTX adds 256 more cases in ongoing border enforcement effortsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 259 individuals have been charged in immigration and border security-related crimes from June 26-July 3, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The Southern District filed a total of 188 criminal complaints for felony reentry after prior removal, while another 40 people face charges of illegal entry. Most of those individuals have previous convictions, such as narcotics and violent crimes, immigration offenses and more. The cases also include 26 people allegedly involved in human smuggling, while the remaining five matters relate to other immigration offenses and assaulting officers.
Among those charged with felony reentry include a Guatemalan illegal alien with a prior conviction for rape of a child, according to the charges. However, law enforcement discovered Jelber Botello-Hernandez near La Grulla, with no authorization to be in the United States. Also found in the same area was Mexican national Rogelio Rodriguez-Jaimes who allegedly has a prior conviction for unlawful transportation of firearms.
Authorities also allegedly found Mexican nationals Armando Almaguer-Trejo and Eva Karina Gomez-Salazar in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. According to the criminal complaints, Almaguer-Trejo has a prior conviction for DUI with a child, while Gomez-Salazar was previously convicted of drug trafficking, according to their respective charges.
All four had just been removed during various months this year, according to the charges. If convicted of felony reentry after removal, all face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Honduran illegal alien guilty after flight from trooperRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 46-year-old illegal alien who resided in Corpus Christi has been convicted of illegally reentering the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
A federal jury deliberated for approximately 15 minutes before returning the guilty verdict against Carlos Lopez-Mejia aka Eddi Alberto Lopez-Mejia following a one-day trial.
On Sept. 6, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with excessively tinted windows and a non-complaint stop lamp. The driver presented a Mexican identification card and admitted he was present in the United States illegally.
Lopez-Mejia was the passenger in the front seat. Authorities also asked for his identification, but he refused to provide it or answer any questions. Upon the arrival of additional members of law enforcement, Lopez-Mejia exited the vehicle and fled on foot to a nearby apartment, but was quickly taken into custody.
The investigation revealed Lopez-Mejia had been removed from the United States in 2001 and 2019.
At trial, the jury heard from several members of law enforcement who provided details about the arrest, his prior removals from the United States, fingerprint analysis confirming his identity and that Lopez-Mejia had never sought status to legally enter or remain in the United States.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that the records of the prior removals were unreliable. They did not believe those claims and found Lopez-Mejia guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Oct. 7. At that time, Lopez-Mejia faces up to two years in federal prison.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Izaak Bruce and Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Former school district financial officer charged in $1M fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 50-year-old Tomball resident has been charged with wire fraud after allegedly stealing approximately $996,174 from Tomball Independent School District, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Kristi Williams is set to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett July 13 at 10 a.m.
According to the criminal information, Williams was the manager of Property Tax Administration at Tomball ISD from January 2018 until November 2023 and oversaw the collection of local property taxes.
The charges allege that when a taxpayer paid in cash, a tax office employee would place it inside an envelope and record the payment in specialized software as part of a batch. Once the amounts reached a certain threshold, either $15,000 or $20,000, the batch was closed and Williams was expected to deposit the money into Tomball ISD’s bank accounts, according to the allegations.
Williams allegedly used the software to reverse the payments in the system and kept the funds for her own personal use.
If convicted, Williams faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lewis is prosecuting the case.
A criminal information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Illegal alien sentenced for role in decades-long identity theft schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 63-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Ana Silvia Garcia pleaded guilty April 14.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge has now ordered Garcia to serve 27 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, she is expected to face removal proceedings following her imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard testimony from the victim describing the emotional toll of the crime. In handing down the sentence, Judge Eskridge noted Garcia’s use of the victim’s identity was an ongoing crime that was intentionally done and therefore was not aberrant behavior despite her lack of prior criminal history. Garcia was further ordered to pay $278,385 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
Beginning in 1992, Garcia used a Social Security number belonging to a U.S. citizen. Using that identity, she submitted immigration petitions on behalf of family members and obtained disability and Medicare benefits.
As a result of the scheme, Garcia unlawfully received more than $278,000 in benefits from 2013 through February 2026. She was not entitled to those funds.
Garcia later admitted her true identity following her arrest in February.
She has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The SSA - Office of Inspector General and Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation with the assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.
Registered sex offender sentenced to 10 years for possession of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 55-year-old Pearland resident has been ordered to federal prison again for possessing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Jason Doehring pleaded guilty Oct. 15, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown has now sentenced Doehring to 120 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information detailing how he possessed over 300 images on his laptop. Doehring was further ordered to serve five years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Doehring will also be ordered to again register as a sex offender.
The investigation into Doehring began when authorities discovered a registered sex offender was accessing the social media pages of underage children.
On Feb. 9, 2022, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Doehring’s residence in Pearland. They located and seized 11 electronic devices and found them to contain multiple images of child sexual abuse material.
Doehring has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the future
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ekua Assabill and Kimberly Leo prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Houston businesswoman admits to under-reporting millions in incomeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The owner of a high-end flower business has entered a guilty plea to making and subscribing a false tax return, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Le Hao Tran owned and operated a flower business in Houston called Blooming Gallery LLC. She also owned HTX Rental and Delivery Service LLC. Both companies provided goods or services for high-end events, including weddings and corporate gatherings. At times, her clients paid via checks - sometimes exceeding tens of thousands of dollars. In one instance, a corporate client paid her over $2.7 million for floral services at a corporate gathering.
Tran admitted she failed to report to the IRS all the income she received from these businesses for the 2019 through 2022 tax years. Often, she would divert money and hide income from the IRS by taking customer checks to check-cashing businesses. She would also at times deposit checks in her bank account without accounting for those checks in her business books and records.
Tran pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return for the 2022 tax year. In that year alone, she earned over $9 million in gross income yet reported approximately only $7 million. By under-reporting this income, she paid to the IRS less than she actually owed.
In total, Tran admitted her conduct resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of $1,391,167 and has paid this amount in restitution.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks will impose sentencing Sept. 11. At that time, Tran faces up to three years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 possible fine.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Gray is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.
Cuban illegal alien sent to federal prison for role in human smuggling operationRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old illegal alien from Cuba living in Houston has been ordered to federal prison in a crime that involved transporting numerous illegal aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Juan Manuel Sifontes-Sinales pleaded guilty Feb. 12.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Sifontes-Sinales to serve 18 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the conduct Sifontes-Sinales demonstrated showed a reckless disregard for human life. Judge Ramos also expressed concern about the number of the aliens who were transported.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Sifontes-Sinales approached the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita driving a box truck. At that time, law enforcement determined he did not have legal authorization to be in the country. A scan of the vehicle also revealed anomalies in the cargo area. Authorities conducted a search and uncovered a false wall concealing a compartment containing 19 illegal aliens without food, water or the ability to sit.
The investigation revealed communications Sifontes-Sinales had with smugglers, including the stash house caretaker. His phone also showed the phone number used to send instructions to the hidden aliens in the box truck. Records showed his truck had crossed the checkpoint six times, each accompanied by the same scout vehicle. Further investigation also revealed that the smuggling operation as a whole that he was involved with had transported more than 25 illegal aliens.
Sifontes-Sinales has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Young Min Burkett prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Four charged for violating national defense airspace during FIFA fan festivalRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Federal criminal complaints have been filed against four Houston area residents since the beginning of the World Cup for flying drones into sensitive national defense airspace without authorization, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
John Alexander Meza, 26, La Porte; Jordan Lee Zale, 38, Richmond; and Huu An Nguyen Dinh, 30, Pearland, are all expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett at 2 p.m. July 7. Patrick Phillip Heer, 34, Katy, is scheduled for July 8 at 10 a.m.
According to one complaint, on or about June 13, law enforcement observed Heer operating a drone in restricted airspace in the vicinity of Polk and Chartres Streets in Houston. The charges allege it was specifically within the boundaries of the Temporary Flight Restriction zone established near the FIFA World Cup Fan Zone just east of downtown Houston. Heer was operating the drone, according to the complaint.
In a separate, but similar case, on or about June 11, law enforcement allegedly observed a small drone flying in the TFR zone near 612 Live Oak Street in Houston. The charges allege Meza was the pilot of that drone.
On that same date, another complaint indicates that a small drone was flying near 633 Middle Street in Houston, also within the TFR zone. Law enforcement determined Zale was operating the drone, according to the allegations.
In the 4th matter, Dinh was charged with also violating national defense airspace by flying a small drone June 18 in the vicinity of 3305 Jefferson Street in Houston. This area is also within the TFR zone, according to the charges.
To ensure a safe environment for all players, attendees and staff, Federal Aviation Administration and law enforcement have officially designated all FIFA World Cup stadiums and surrounding event spaces, to include Houston’s Fan Zone, as strict "No Drone Zones." This means that unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited in the designated airspace and surrounding grounds. During such major sporting events FAA implements temporary flight restrictions to limit air travel and secure the airspace. Taking off, landing or flying a drone within these restricted areas is a serious violation of federal and local regulations.
FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Air Marshal Service, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety are conducting the joint investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and Roldolfo Ramirez are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
See a drone breaking the rules? Blow the whistle! Report it to 911, on-site law enforcement, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Former school board president gets 40 years after sexually exploiting minor relativeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 61-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Jerry James Svatek Jr. pleaded guilty Dec. 5, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. has now sentenced Svatek to 480 months for the production and possession of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 480-month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard Svatek previously served as president of the Boling Independent School District Board of Trustees and had joined an underground online community where he continued distributing images of a close family relative.
The court also considered information from the impact statements from the parents of the minor which detailed the harm Svatek caused to the family.
In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the particularly egregious nature of the offense by exploited his position within the family. Svatek was further ordered to pay $78,500 in restitution to the victims and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Authorities identified Svatek in 2025 when conducting undercover investigations into an online forum known as FetLife – a social networking platform designed for people interested in alternative sexual lifestyles. It revealed Svatek was sharing child sexual abuse material online.
During undercover conversations with Svatek, he exchanged multiple images taken from videos of himself with the victim. In some messages, he discussed the desire to have sex with prepubescent minors and admitted to sexual contact with at least one three-year-old victim and sought others that engaged in similar conduct.
On June 17, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle where they seized a cellular phone.
Forensic examination of the device revealed more than approximately 150 videos depicting child sexual abuse material. The images depicted prepubescent victims as young as six months of age engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Svatek admitted to creating videos and distributing still images over the messaging platform.
Svatek admitted to creating videos of the minor relative in the bathtub and distributing the still images over the messaging platform.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; Boone County, North Carolina, Police Department; Texas Rangers; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and Wharton County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer K. Teper prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
First official week of summer brings 265 more individuals charged as part of newest border security actionsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Southern District of Texas has filed another 263 cases involving immigration and border security-related crimes from June 19-25, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
A total of 223 illegal aliens are charged with unlawfully being in the United States - 56 and 167 for illegal entry and reentry, respectively. Most have previous convictions related to narcotics, immigration offenses, violent crimes and more. The cases also include 29 people allegedly involved in human smuggling, while the remaining matters involve other immigration crimes.
One illegal alien facing charges this week is Mexican national Rosendo Castelan-Reyes. Court documents allege he has a prior conviction for aggravated assault and was previously removed Oct. 30, 2018. However, law enforcement allegedly discovered him near La Grulla with no authorization to be in the country.
Similarly, authorities found another illegal alien near Cuevitas, according to the criminal complaint. Cuban national Angel Javier Cabrera-Rivero allegedly had a prior conviction for drug trafficking before his removal in December 2025.
If convicted of felony reentry after removal, both men face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Homeland Security Task Force effort delivers alleged cartel drug trafficker into US custodyRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 46-year-old Mexican national is set to appear in U.S. federal court for significant drug trafficking offenses, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Roberto Bazan-Salinas aka Beto is set for an arraignment and detention hearing at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchel Neurock in Corpus Christi.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment against the alleged associate of Cartel del Golfo March 27, 2024.
Between 2021 and 2022, Bazan-Salinas allegedly conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 500 grams of a mixture containing meth.
Mexican authorities arrested him in Guanajuato, Mexico, March 5 at the request of the United States. He was extradited June 18.
If convicted, Bazan-Salinas faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case, which is now part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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 U.S. 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 South Texas comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.
The Department of State, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Government of Mexico provided invaluable assistance securing the arrest and extradition from Mexico.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Clear Lake Shores man convicted of multiple offenses involving child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas - A 45-year-old man has been found guilty of possession of child pornography and access with intent to view it, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The jury deliberated for less than one hour before convicting Michael Harkless following a two-day trial.
The investigation revealed Harkless had been accessing child pornography since 2009.
Authorities executed a search warrant and seized several electronic devices. Forensic examination revealed approximately 14 videos and nearly 2,000 images containing child sexual abuse material. The videos depicted young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Law enforcement found both laptop computers containing child sexual abuse material in his bedroom closet along with his passport and other items.
The jury heard that Harkless accessed CSAM images on one of the computers before deleting them.
The defense attempted to convince the jury the computers did not belong to Harkless. However, they observed emails, credit card records, letters, chat history and tax records belonging to him on the device.
The jury did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown presided over the trial and afterwards stated he will issue a sentencing date in the near future. Harkless faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine on each of the two counts of conviction.
Previously released on bond, Judge Brown ordered him into custody following the verdict where he will remain pending sentencing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, police departments in Galveston, Clear Lake Shores and Pearland as well as Jones Creek Marshals Office and Houston Metro Internet Crimes against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Michael Day are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Nine charged in SDTX as part of national health care fraud takedownRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Several people in and around the Houston area as well as a Nevada woman have been indicted in various schemes including illegal drug diversion and attempts to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE which involve a total of over $1 billion in alleged fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The charges include alleged pill mill clinics, fraud involving mental health care as well as allegations of improper wound care treatment on elderly patients and are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
One case charges Tonya Crowder, 49, Missouri City; Marlene Durham, 55, Humble; and Demetrius Onuaguluchi, 34, Houston; with distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to do so in connection with the operation of two pill mill clinics in Houston and a pill mill pharmacy in Conroe. The three allegedly participated in a scheme to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances in exchange for cash to the clinics and the pharmacy. The charges allege Crowder and Durham were the managers of two pill mill clinics that issued prescriptions for over 3.4 million pills to include oxycodone, hydrocodone and carisoprodol. Onuaguluchi was a pharmacist that worked closely with these two clinics and dispensed over 136,000 pills based on prescriptions that Durham and Crowder’s clinics issued, according to the charges. The indictment includes a notice of forfeiture of over $80,000 in cash seized from one clinic and one residence and a property connected to the alleged drug diversion.
In a separate matter, Katy residents Princepaul Agbonlahor and Nekewon Konah, both 51; Ginger Ruffin, 46, Conroe; Stephanie Harris, 37, Pearland; and Takiya Caradine, 33, Houston, are charged with health care fraud and conspiracy to do so as well as false statements relating to a health care matter in connection with a $16 million Medicaid fraud scheme. Agbonlahor was the owner of Lahor Behavioral Services LLC and billed Medicaid for mental health services for minors that did not occur, according to the charges. The indictment alleges Lahor counselors, including Ruffin, Konah, Harris and Caradine, created fake visit notes and falsified their timesheets to cover up Agbonlahor’s fraudulent Medicaid billing.
As part of the enforcement action, the Texas Strike Force also filed charges in the Southern District of Texas against Marizel Yukee, a 49-year-old nurse practitioner from Las Vegas, Nevada, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and offering, paying, soliciting and receiving illegal health care kickbacks. She is also charged with transactional money laundering, all in connection with an alleged $906 million scheme to defraud Medicare and TRICARE by billing for medically unnecessary amniotic wound allografts that were procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes. The indictment alleges Yukee, through four mobile wound clinics she owned in four different states, targeted elderly Medicare patients, many of whom were terminally ill in hospice care. The scheme allegedly caused unnecessary and expensive allografts to be applied to these vulnerable patients’ wounds without attempting, completing or confirming conservative wound care treatment. Yukee caused allografts to be applied to infected wounds, to wounds that had already healed and to wounds that were not responding to the allografts, according to the charges. Yukee also allegedly falsified patient medical records to make it appear as though applications of allografts were medically reasonable and necessary and met Medicare requirements. The charges further allege Yukee caused kickbacks to be paid to induce patient referrals and solicited kickbacks in exchange for purchasing allografts. In total, Yukee allegedly caused approximately $906 million in false and fraudulent claims to be billed to Medicare and TRICARE, of which approximately $297 million was paid. Assets valued at approximately $35.2 million were seized as part of this investigation, including $467,000, a $594,000 Ferrari 296 GTS and seven other vehicles, and jewelry including a Bulgari necklace purchased for $865,000.
The SDTX worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Office - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to investigate and prosecute the cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Olson and Alexander Alum are prosecuting the SDTX matters, while Trial attorney Adam Tisdall is handling the Yukee prosecution. SDTX AUSAs Tyler Foster, Kristine Rollinson and Elizabeth Wyman are handling asset forfeiture in the various cases.
The overall charges are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. The takedown represents a new era in federal, state and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
This coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 civil monetary payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions and 25 DHHS-OIG actions under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025.
Descriptions of each case involved in the nationwide enforcement action are available on the Department’s website.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, SDTX, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virigina also participated in the investigation of the various federal cases.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nicaraguan national admits to forcible sexual assault of minor on cruise shipRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 47-year-old man who was a fugitive for two decades has entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
In 2003, Elias Luis Herrera worked on a cruise ship that had departed Galveston along with fellow crewman – Edgerton Phillip Medford. In the early morning hours of July 17, the victim was walking near a pool when both men grabbed her arms, forced her down and held her on a deck chair so she could not escape.
The men removed their uniforms and took turns sexually assaulting her while the minor victim screamed throughout the attack.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment in 2004.
While on a subsequent cruise, Herrera fled from arrest in Cozumel, Mexico, and later traveled to Costa Rica. He remained a fugitive for over 20 years before his arrest in Costa Rica and subsequent extradition to the United States in October 2025.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake accepted the plea and set sentencing for Sept. 18. At that time, Herrera faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Medford was extradited in 2007 and later pleaded guilty. He was removed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines following his sentence.
FBI - Texas City Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Laurence Goldman and Kimberly Ann Bulger Leo prosecuted the case.
U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Costa Rica with support of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The United States extends its gratitude to the Government of Costa Rica, Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Costa Rica’s Office of Technical Assistance and International Relations and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible.
Mexican national sentenced to 20 years for international cocaine trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 51-year-old Houston man has been sentenced for his role in an ongoing cocaine distribution scheme that spanned nearly a decade, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Leonel Mata Luna pleaded guilty Sept. 6, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen has now ordered Luna to serve 240 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, Luna admitted he violated the terms of his supervised release stemming from a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. The court imposed a concurrent 30-month sentence for the supervised release violation.
During the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Luna served as a leader in a drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking more than 100 kilos of cocaine during the course of the conspiracy. Luna admitted he was a member of the drug trafficking organization while residing in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. His role was to oversee the receipt and packaging of cocaine in Mexico and coordinate its transportation to the U.S. border. The drugs were then smuggled by vehicle into the United States on a monthly basis.
The cocaine was initially transported to Houston where it was further distributed throughout the United States.
In December 2015, law enforcement agents seized 176 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of meth and $3.5 million in drug proceeds after executing search warrants at three stash houses controlled by the organization in Houston.
Luna was a fugitive for seven years until his arrest in Monterrey, Mexico, in Sept. 2022as part of a joint Mexican and American law enforcement operation. He was subsequently removed from Mexico and transported to Houston for prosecution.
To date, 15 defendants have been convicted in relation to the conspiracy.
Luna will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.
This Operation is now part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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 U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes these organizations commit, 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz prosecuted the case.
Leader of drug trafficking organization linked to Mexican cartels sentenced in Homeland Security Task Force caseRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 28-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Cleveland has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy involving large quantities of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Elmer Vargas-Serrato pleaded guilty Oct. 28, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Vargas-Serrato to serve 201 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
Vargas-Serrato was the head of a drug trafficking organization responsible for moving cocaine from cartels in Mexico to Houston and Dallas. The cocaine was then distributed to other U.S. cities in the states of Illinois, New York, Georgia and North Carolina. The organization also transported firearms to Mexico to arm the cartels.
Vargas-Serrato was responsible for sourcing cocaine from the Mexican cartels and directing the organization’s U.S. operations. He was tied to approximately 41 kilograms of cocaine seized across three states.
A search warrant of a residence tied to Vargas-Serrato resulted in the discovery and seizure of cocaine, a stolen firearm and multiple drug ledgers discussing the movement of narcotics and firearms. Authorities also located titles to numerous vehicles used during the transportation of narcotics.
Vargas-Serrato has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Foster, Liesel Roscher and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.
This investigation and prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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 U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes these organizations commit, 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 South Texas comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.
Illegal alien sentenced after tossing kilos of meth out car window during pursuitRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 27-year-old repeat felon from Mexico who unlawfully resided in Rio Grande City has been ordered to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute three kilograms of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Victor Manuel Gaytan pleaded guilty April 2.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. has now ordered Gaytan to serve 235 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Gaytan is already a three-time felon with prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance and alien smuggling and has served sentences in both state and federal prison. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rodriguez noted the significant amount of narcotics involved in the crime and Gaytan’s dangerousness to the community.
On Nov. 4, 2025, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Impala that Gaytan was driving. He slowed down, appearing to pull over, but then immediately accelerated which resulted in a vehicle pursuit.
Authorities observed a bag thrown from the passenger window and continued the pursuit until Gaytan eventually stopped and surrendered.
The bag was found to contain three kilograms of meth.
At the plea, Gaytan later admitted possession of the bag of meth and that he tried to get rid of it before being apprehended.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Palmview Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
Illegal alien returns to federal prison for unlawful reentry into US and violating supervised releaseRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 36-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced for violating the terms of his supervised released after his removal from the country, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Marco Antonio Zuniga pleaded guilty March 26, 2026.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now ordered Zuniga to serve 27 months in federal prison for the illegal reentry. He also received an additional eight months for violating his term of supervised release following a conviction for meth trafficking. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
Zuniga was convicted of the drug offense, placed on supervised release following his release and removed from the United States. However, authorities encountered him again Aug. 18, 2025, in Houston with no authorization to be in the country.
According to the terms of his supervised release, he was not to commit any new offenses. He did so, however, by illegally reentering the United States.
Zuniga has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekua Assabill prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Border enforcement efforts result in 160 more cases filed in the Southern District of TexasRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 161 individuals have been charged in immigration and border-security related matters from June 12-17, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Of those, 33 people face illegal entry charges, while another 104 allegedly reentered the United States after prior removal. Many have prior felony convictions related to narcotics trafficking, immigration offenses, violent crimes and more. An additional 21 people allegedly engaged in human smuggling, while the remaining three cases involve other immigration crimes.
Among the newly filed complaints, Guatemalan national Rodolfo Belisario Mendez-Mencho was allegedly removed from the United States March 29. However, authorities discovered him again illegally in the country near Sullivan City, according to the charges. The criminal complaint alleges he has a prior conviction for abuse/abandonment/cruelty.
Three others - Jose Robledo Cruz, Jose De Jesus Garcia-Andrade and Eduardo Lopez-Figueroa, all Mexican nationals - were also allegedly found in the McAllen area despite having been previously removed. According to the charges, they have various convictions of felony assault by strangulation, DWI (3 or more) and/or trafficking of a controlled substance.
All four men lacked legal authorization to be in the United States and face up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction.
In addition to the new cases, two men were sentenced to federal prison for separate alien smuggling offenses that involved assaults on Border Patrol agents. Mexican national Adrian Isaac Pimentel-Garcia assaulted an agent while attempting to evade arrest after guiding illegal aliens through a residential area. Juan Carlos Lopez Jr. led agents on a vehicle pursuit before driving toward an agent and striking a patrol vehicle. Both received 36-month prison sentences.
In Houston, Marco Antonio Zuniga, an illegal alien from Mexico, received a 27-month federal prison sentence for unlawfully reentering the country. He had previously been convicted of meth trafficking and was serving a term of supervised release when authorities encountered him in Houston without authorization to be in the United States.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Texas man sentenced for attempting to illegally traffic firearms and ammunition in water heaters destined for Central AmericaRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 44-year-old Port Arthur man has been ordered to federal prison for smuggling goods from the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Ismael Bernardez-Lacayo pleaded guilty Dec. 4, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Bernardez-Lacayo to serve 30 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release.
The investigation revealed Bernardez-Lacayo attempted to unlawfully ship dozens of firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition to Honduras in violation of United States law.
On April 5, 2024, he drove to a shipping company located in Humble and dropped off two water heater boxes in a shipping container which was transported to the Port of Houston. Law enforcement ultimately discovered a total of 37 firearms, 6,654 rounds of ammunition, 54 magazines and one rifle scope were hidden inside the water heaters.
Bernardez-Lacayo did not have a license to export firearms, ammunition, magazines or scopes from the Unites States nor did he have authorization for the shipment of firearms and ammunition to Honduras as required.
The pistols, rifles and scope in the shipment were classified as a controlled commodity on the Commerce Control List and are barred from being shipped to Honduras without an appropriate license.
The investigation further revealed Bernardez-Lopez had previously attempted to ship ammunition and a firearm to Honduras in 2010 and was aware that it was illegal to do so without the appropriate license as required by federal law.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance of Seaport Border Enforcement Security Task force and Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Keri Fuller is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien and local man earn prison sentences after assaulting officersRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two men have been ordered to federal prison for smuggling illegal aliens and for assaulting federal agents in the course of their duties, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Adrian Isaac Pimentel-Garcia, a 20-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, and Juan Carlos Lopez Jr., 24, Laredo, both pleaded guilty March 3 in separate, but similar cases to bringing an alien to the United States and assault on federal officers.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana has now ordered both Pimentel-Garcia and Lopez to serve a total of 36 months in federal prison. At the hearings, the court heard from the victims who described how their experiences would affect them for the rest of their careers but still expressed forgiveness. Lopez must serve a three-year-term of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, Pimentel-Garcia is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
In handing down the sentence in the Lopez case, Judge Saldana emphasized that but for the Grace of God, no one died. She noted that his careless behavior could have led to the death of an agent, an alien or even himself but also complimented the agent’s professionalism.
On Dec. 5, 2025, Border Patrol agents discovered a group of aliens who had just crossed into the United States from the Rio Grande in south Laredo. Law enforcement found them in a nearby residential area where they were climbing fences around homes. Pimentel-Garcia had been leading the aliens and climbed a rooftop to escape. When the agent attempted to stop the attempt, Pimental-Garcia jumped off a fence and dropkicked a Border Patrol agent in the face, knocking him to the ground. Pimental-Garcia then tried to flee by foot.
Assisting agents then detained Pimental-Garcia and the three aliens he was illegally guiding into the United States.
The day prior, Border Patrol agents discovered Lopez was driving a vehicle picking up aliens as they exited the Rio Grande near southwest Laredo. Authorities attempted a traffic stop, but Lopez sped off and led law enforcement on a vehicle pursuit. Lopez drove his vehicle from paved roads onto dirt ones that ended at a cliff. When law enforcement stopped the patrol vehicle behind him, he exited to detain Lopez. However, Lopez soon revved his engine and sped back into the agent’s path. He was able to narrowly avoid being hit and severely injured. However, Lopez did strike the patrol vehicle of another agent and caused injury to that law enforcement officer.
Lopez attempted to flee on foot, but authorities soon took him and seven smuggled aliens into custody.
FBI and Border Patrol conducted both investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manuel A. Cardenas Jr. prosecuted the cases.
The cases are 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Another 301 charged in efforts to secure the southern borderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Southern District of Texas has filed 296 cases in immigration and related matters from June 5-11, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The charges include 186 illegal aliens for unlawfully reentering the United States and another 65 for illegal entry. Many have previous convictions related to narcotics trafficking, immigration offenses, violent crimes and more. An additional 41 people allegedly engaged in human smuggling, while the remaining nine people face immigration-related charges.
Among the new allegations are several convicted illegal alien felons who attempted to illegally reenter the United States.
One of those was allegedly Pedro Martinez-Arias from Mexico. According to the charges, law enforcement discovered him near Linn, despite having been previously removed Oct. 19, 2024. The criminal complaint alleges he has a prior conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and had been ordered to serve 168 months in prison before his removal from the United States.
He and others charged with felony reentry after prior removal face up to 20 years in federal prison, upon conviction.
In addition to the new cases, two Guatemalan human smugglers admitted to their roles in the 2021 mass casualty event in Chiapas, Mexico. Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala and Alberto Marcario Chitic acknowledged they conspired with other smugglers to transport illegal aliens from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. They recruited aliens, collected payment, arranged for travel and even provided scripted language to unaccompanied minors if U.S. immigration authorities apprehended them. On Dec. 9, 2021, they and others arranged for aliens to be loaded into a tractor trailer that ultimately crashed north of the Guatemala/Mexico border, resulting in the deaths of more than 50 and injuries of over 100 more.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Iola man charged for online threats that included blowing up White House and killing federal law enforcementRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old man from a small town in Grimes County has been charged for allegedly transmitting interstate threats via social media, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Authorities took Peter James Bloomfield into custody June 10 where he remains on related charges. He is expected to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in Houston in the near future.
The criminal complaint alleges authorities discovered a Texas-based X account with multiple threatening messages directed at federal law enforcement and others. The account allegedly made several posts about where the closest FBI building was, killing federal agents and others, spending money to blow up the White House and negative comments about America. Bloomfield is linked to that account, according to the allegations.
Law enforcement also allegedly identified a Facebook account in Bloomfield’s name that used the same profile image as the X account which posted additional threats against federal agents and notable figures. The charges further allege the Facebook account included comments about making a hit list and who would be on it during a Fox News broadcast of a recent Senate floor hearing.
According to the complaint, Bloomfeld was angry and had researched explosives and their effect on demolishing a building.
A federal search warrant allegedly resulted in the discovery of over 20 firearms and a significant amount of ammunition.
If convicted, Bloomfield faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI - Bryan Resident Agency conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office; Secret Service; and Grimes County Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ganz is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Illegal alien sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child after communicating on social mediaRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for producing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Erasmo Alexandro Rodriguez-Estrada pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2025.
U.S. District Judge John Kazen has now sentenced Rodriguez-Estrada to 188 months. At the hearing, the court considered additional information including letters detailing the psychological harm the victim has suffered. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the seriousness of the crime and its consequences. Rodriguez-Estrada will also be ordered to register as a sex offender and will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Not a U.S. citizen, he is also expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
The investigation began May 19, 2025, when authorities discovered the whereabouts of a minor previously reported as a runaway. Upon discussion with the young female, law enforcement observed multiple hematomas, commonly known as a hickey, on her neck and learned she had spent the previous night with Rodriguez-Estrada.
Rodriguez-Estrada indicated he sent the minor a friend request on social media before their sexual involvement. Authorities seized his electronic device and uncovered five videos of the two engaging in sexual acts. The investigation revealed Rodriguez-Estrada knew the victim’s age at the time of the encounters.
Rodriguez-Estrada is a citizen and national of Mexico who had been previously removed from the United States in December 2024 and illegally resided in Laredo.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Lopez prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Guatemalan human smugglers admit to roles in 2021 mass casualty event in Chiapas, MexicoRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas - Two foreign nationals have pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges related to the crash of a tractor-trailer packed with at least 160 illegal aliens which resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, including unaccompanied children, and injured over 100 more.
Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 43, and Alberto Marcario Chitic, 32, both of Guatemala, acknowledged that they conspired with other smugglers to transport illegal aliens, both adults and unaccompanied minors, from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. Canil De Zavala, Chitic and others recruited Guatemalan aliens, collected payment, and arranged for the aliens to travel by foot, inside microbuses, cattle trucks, and tractor-trailers.
Aliens paid Canil De Zavala and Chitic and their co-conspirators to be smuggled to the United States. In some cases, Canil De Zavala, Chitic and their co-conspirators provided scripted language to unaccompanied minors for their use if U.S. immigration authorities apprehended them.
During the conspiracy, on Dec. 9, 2021, Canil De Zavala, Chitic and others arranged for the aliens they were smuggling to the United States to be loaded into a tractor trailer that was to transport them through Mexico. The vehicle ultimately crashed north of the Guatemala/Mexico border near Tuxtla Guiterrez, Chiapas, Mexico, resulting in deaths and serious bodily injury.
“The defendants ran a calculated alien smuggling operation that moved people across borders like a supply chain—recruiting them in Guatemala, collecting their money, and packing them into cattle trucks and tractor-trailers for a dangerous journey through Mexico,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “This was an organized, profit-driven network that even handed scripts to children so they could lie to law enforcement if caught entering the United States. That operation ended with the loss of more than 50 lives on a Mexican roadside, and today’s convictions make clear that the Southern District of Texas will work to shut down these networks at every level.”
“This tragic event shows that human smugglers do not care about the illegal aliens they come in contact with and transport despite the numerous risks, including extreme heat and dangerous travel conditions,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duvan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This defendant and her co-conspirators maximized their profits by packing more than 100 men, women, and children into a tractor trailer, which ultimately ended in an accident that claimed the lives of 56 people.”
“This case highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. This horrific tragedy, which claimed dozens of lives, underscores the urgent need to combat human smuggling,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John Condon. “The successful prosecution of these smugglers reflects the dedication of our agents and the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international partners to safeguard our borders and uphold the rule of law.”
Canil De Zavala and Chitic pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring an illegal alien into the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has set sentencing for Sept. 9. At that time, Ramos faces up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Canil De Zavala, Chitic and three other Guatemalan nationals: Daniel Zavala Ramos, 41, Tomas Quino Canil, 37, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 25, were extradited from Guatemala in 2025 to face charges. U.S. authorities arrested an additional Guatemalan national illegally present in the United States, Jorge Agapito Ventura, 33, at his residence in Cleveland in December 2024. Ramos entered a guilty plea in April. The others are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HSI’s Counter Proliferation Investigations Group in Washington D.C. conducted the investigation in partnership with HSI Guatemala and HSI Mexico. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C.; HSI Houston; HSI Laredo; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; Liberty County Constable, Precinct 6; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas; and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions. Guatemalan prosecutors from the Office of Public Ministry and Mexican prosecutors from the Republic of Mexico’s Federal Prosecutions Office, with the support of law enforcement officials from both countries, were also instrumental in furthering the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Lou Castillo and Jennifer Day are prosecuting the case along with Senior Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section with substantial assistance from HRSP Latin American Specialist/Historian Joanna Crandall.
The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha, the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking cartels and transnational criminal organizations commit. A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s HRSP Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 458 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 408 U.S. convictions; more than 357 significant jail sentences imposed and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This case is also 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Guatemalan Human Smugglers Admit to Roles in 2021 Mass Casualty Event in Chiapas, MexicoRead the Press Release
Two foreign nationals have pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges related to the crash of a tractor-trailer packed with at least 160 illegal aliens which resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, including unaccompanied children, and injured over 100 more.
“This tragic event shows that human smugglers do not care about the illegal aliens they come in contact with and transport despite the numerous risks, including extreme heat and dangerous travel conditions,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This defendant and her co-conspirators maximized their profits by packing more than 100 men, women, and children into a tractor trailer, which ultimately ended in an accident that claimed the lives of 56 people.”
“The defendants ran a calculated alien smuggling operation that moved people across borders like a supply chain — recruiting them in Guatemala, collecting their money, and packing them into cattle trucks and tractor-trailers for a dangerous journey through Mexico,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “This was an organized, profit-driven network that even handed scripts to children so they could lie to law enforcement if caught entering the United States. That operation ended with the loss of more than 50 lives on a Mexican roadside, and today’s convictions make clear that the Southern District of Texas will work to shut down these networks at every level.”
“This case highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) unwavering commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable individuals for profit,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John Condon. “This horrific tragedy, which claimed dozens of lives, underscores the urgent need to combat human smuggling. The successful prosecution of these smugglers reflects the dedication of our agents and the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international partners to safeguard our borders and uphold the rule of law.”
Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 43, and Alberto Marcario Chitic, 32, both of Guatemala, acknowledged that they conspired with other smugglers to transport illegal aliens, both adults and unaccompanied minors, from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. Canil De Zavala, Chitic and others recruited Guatemalan aliens, collected payment, and arranged for the aliens to travel by foot, inside microbuses, cattle trucks, and tractor-trailers.
Aliens paid Canil De Zavala and Chitic and their co-conspirators to be smuggled to the United States. In some cases, Canil De Zavala, Chitic and their co-conspirators provided scripted language to unaccompanied minors for their use if U.S. immigration authorities apprehended them.
During the conspiracy, on Dec. 9, 2021, Canil De Zavala, Chitic and others arranged for the aliens they were smuggling to the United States to be loaded into a tractor trailer that was to transport them through Mexico. The vehicle ultimately crashed north of the Guatemala/Mexico border near Tuxtla Guiterrez, Chiapas, Mexico, resulting in deaths and serious bodily injury.
Canil De Zavala and Chitic pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring an illegal alien to the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury, and resulting in death. They will be sentenced on Sept. 9 and each will face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Canil De Zavala, Chitic and three other Guatemalan nationals: Daniel Zavala Ramos, 41, Tomas Quino Canil, 37, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 25, were extradited from Guatemala in 2025 to face charges. U.S. authorities arrested an additional Guatemalan national illegally present in the U.S., Jorge Agapito Ventura, 33, at his residence in Cleveland, Texas, in December 2024. Ramos entered a guilty plea in April. The others are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HSI’s Counter Proliferation Investigations Group in Washington D.C. investigated the case in partnership with HSI Guatemala and HSI Mexico. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C.; HSI Houston; HSI Laredo; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; Liberty County Constable, Precinct 6; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas; and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions of the defendants. Guatemalan prosecutors from the Office of Public Ministry and Mexican prosecutors from the Republic of Mexico’s Federal Prosecutions Office, with the support of law enforcement officials from both countries, were also instrumental in furthering the investigation.
Senior Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Lou Castillo and Jennifer Day for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from HRSP Latin American Specialist/Historian Joanna Crandall.
The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean, and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 458 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 408 U.S. convictions; more than 357 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This case is also 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime
Former Turkey Leg Hut owner admits role in arson-for-hire schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A Houston businessman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit arson of a commercial building, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Lyndell Leroy Price, 42, admitted he directed others to intentionally set fire to Bar 5015, a Houston business his former partner owned on Almeda Road in Houston. Shortly before the fire, court records show that the owner had declined Price’s offer to buy into the bar and refused to sell his interest in the Turkey Leg Hut, an establishment he co-owned with Price.
In the early morning hours of June 12, 2020, the conspirators bought gasoline and gas cans before going to an area near the business. Wearing face coverings and carrying gasoline-filled containers, they walked to Bar 5015, poured gasoline across the entrance ramp and deck, ignited it and fled.
The fire caused significant damage to the business and endangered nearby occupied homes, commercial properties and the electrical grid.
After the arson, a member of the conspiracy reported to Price that the mission was complete. The conspirators then received payment for their roles in the crime.
U.S. District Judge Lake accepted the plea and set sentencing for Sept. 25. At that time, Price faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Armani Williams and Miziah Shepherd, both 27 and of Houston, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and are also set for sentencing the same date.
Price, Williams and Shepherd have been and will remain in custody pending their sentencing hearings.
FBI – Houston; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Houston Fire Department Arson Bureau conducted the investigation with assistance of Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct 4. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Keri Fuller are prosecuting the case.
CEO among those guilty of falsifying wastewater test resultsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Three Texas residents have admitted they violated the Clean Water Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Derek McCoy, 52, was CEO of a laboratory that sampled and tested wastewater from local treatment facilities, while Deena Higginbotham, 56, served as director of Client Services. The two Spring residents and John Montgomery, 60, Llano, all admitted to falsifying or aiding and abetting the falsification of data required under federal and state law.
For roughly three years, all three aided or abetted in changing wastewater test results to falsely ensure that treatment facilities did not exceed pollutant limits in state-issued discharge permits. These falsified results, including exceedances of ammonia, E. coli and phosphorous levels, were then submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
“By submitting falsified data, these defendants undermined the integrity of a program specifically designed to safeguard human health,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. “Today's guilty pleas show that we and our partners at EPA – Criminal Investigation Division and Office of Inspector General, as well as TCEQ, are committed to rooting out and holding accountable those who not only violate the law but also endanger the safety and erode the trust of the public we serve.”
U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted the pleas and set sentencing for Sept. 3. At that time, each faces up to two years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
EPA - Criminal Investigation Division, EPA - Office of Inspector General and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Environmental Crimes Unit conducted the investigation through the Texas Environmental Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher and Special AUSA Nathan Stopper are prosecuting the case.
Mexican national living abroad extradited to US to face charges for producing child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 39-year-old citizen of Mexico who had been living in Dublin, Ireland, is set to appear in McAllen federal court for production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Abelardo Sanchez is set for an arraignment and detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis at 2 p.m.
Austrian authorities arrested Sanchez in December 2025. He was extradited June 5 and made his initial appearance June 8 in McAllen.
According to the indictment, returned Oct. 28, 2025, Sanchez had an online account that contained child sexual abuse material, some of which appeared to be self-produced and dated back to 2014. The investigation led to the identification of the minor victim who had resided in Texas at the time Sanchez produced the images, according to the charges.
Sanchez had allegedly been living in Dublin, Ireland, since 2024 before traveling to Austria where he was ultimately arrested on the charges.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in The Hague and Vienna conducted the investigation with assistance of HSI in McAllen and Dublin, Ireland, as well as international law enforcement partners. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Sanchez.
If convicted, Sanchez faces a minimum of 25 and up to 50 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Houston man gets over 30 years for trafficking minors in two citiesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old local man has been sentenced for sex trafficking and enticing a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
A federal jury deliberated for less than two days before returning guilty verdicts on two counts of sex trafficking of minors as well as coercion and enticement of a minor against Cristian Morris following a three-day trial in March 2025.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now sentenced Morris to a total of 384 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted that sex trafficking is a horrible crime, made worse when minors are involved and that the victims were sentenced to a life of terrible memories. Morris was further ordered to serve 180 months on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
From Jan. 1 - June 23, 2023, Morris recruited teenage girls, gave them drugs and posted sexually explicit ads offering them for commercial sex. He forced them to engage in sex acts with clients at hotels near the “blade” in Houston and Dallas.
The blade or “track” in Houston is an area near I-59 Southwest Freeway and Bissonnet Street. The blade in Dallas is on Harry Hines Boulevard. Both locations are known areas where pimps and traffickers commonly place their victims to engage in commercial sex.
At the trial, the jury heard from three victims Morris trafficked over several months. They testified he instructed them on how to walk the blade, how much to charge and gave them condoms. The jury also learned that Morris transported them between Houston and Dallas to engage in sex acts.
Morris kept all the proceeds.
Law enforcement ultimately arrested him June 23, 2023, after he had posted commercial sex ads for the youngest victim, a 15-year-old runaway.
At the time of the trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury that the victims were just a group of runaways and school dropouts engaged in bad behavior. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
Morris will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance.
HTRA law enforcement includes members of HPD, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor, DOL – Wage and Hour Division, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration – OIG and Sheriff’s Offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Established in 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Valenti and Kimberly Leo prosecuted the case.
Sugar Land man sentenced for role in conspiracy involving smuggling firearms to IraqRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 54-year-old Iraqi national has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to violate gun export laws, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before finding Hassan Al Gharawi guilty on one count of conspiracy to violate export control laws following a three-day trial, Oct. 1, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen has now ordered Gharawi to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay a $5,000 fine.
From approximately November 2020 to June 2021, Gharawi conspired with others to knowingly stockpile, conceal and transport firearms in vehicle parts bound for Iraq.
At trial, the jury heard Gharawi received two deliveries in 2020 and 2021 totaling approximately 77 firearms, which he had stored in his home.
On June 10, 2021, authorities observed Gharawi load firearms into his vehicle and transport them to a storage facility.
The jury saw photos of more than 500 firearms and listened to recordings of Gharawi discussing the trafficking plan.
The defense argued Gharawi acted under duress from the traffickers in Iraq. The jury rejected those claims after seeing the extent of his involvement and found him guilty as charged.
Gharawi will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Winter, John Pearson and Steven Schammel prosecuted the case.
Texas City man sentenced for illegally possessing machine gunRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 32-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing and transferring an illegal machine gun, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Jaleel Filer pleaded guilty March 5, 2026.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge has now ordered Filer to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
The investigation began in January 2023 when law enforcement identified Filer’s involvement in the sale of firearms and machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches.” A machine gun conversion device converts a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic machine gun and is illegal to possess.
Over the next five months, authorities conducted multiple undercover purchases from Filer, including firearms and MCDs.
During one purchase Jan. 6, Filer sold two firearms, including one equipped with a machine gun conversion device installed for approximately $2,200. The firearm functioned as a machine gun. He claimed he could also sell MCDs in the future for $100 each.
During the final deal, Filer arranged for the sale of more than 50 MCDs that were subsequently interdicted by law enforcement.
Previously released on bond, Filer was taken into custody following the sentencing where he will remain pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith prosecuted the case.
Illegal alien admits to exploiting fraudulent U.S. citizenship to access restricted offshore oil platformsRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 52-year-old Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States in Brownsville has pleaded guilty to using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain an official permit to access offshore oil platforms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Ezequiel Escamilla Martinez admitted he was born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and not a U.S. citizen born in Brownsville.
From Sept. 23, 2022, to Feb. 12, 2025, he used the false identity to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential card granting access to offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of America as well as a Texas driver’s license and U.S. passport.
Martinez used the fraudulently obtained passport to cross the U.S.-Mexico border more than 80 times from 2024 through 2025.
“For years, Martinez deliberately exploited a fraudulent American identity to gain access to restricted offshore oil platforms, a U.S. passport, and a driver’s license—privileges reserved for lawful residents of this country,” said Marck. “This was a calculated scheme carried out with complete disregard for the American citizens whose livelihoods were put at risk and the security of our offshore facilities, which he had no legal right to enter. Those who abuse our immigration system to fraudulently obtain federal credentials and access our sensitive infrastructure will face the full force of federal prosecution in the Southern District of Texas”
“The Coast Guard Investigative Service remains steadfast in its mission to protect the integrity of critical infrastructure and uphold federal security regulations,” said Special Agent in Charge Damon J. Youmans, CGIS. “Following a comprehensive investigation, CGIS agents apprehended the individual responsible for fraudulent activity involving access to a federally regulated facility. We are grateful for the collaboration of our partners at the Department of Justice throughout this process and look forward to the continued prosecution of these cases to ensure the security and safety of our nation’s infrastructure.”
Sentencing is set for or Aug. 26. At that time, Martinez faces up to eight years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
CGIS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
First week of June brings 291 charged in relentless border enforcement actionsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Southern District of Texas has filed 285 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from May 29-June 4, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Of those charged, 79 people face illegal entry charges, while another 179 allegedly reentered the United States after prior removal. Many have felony convictions involving narcotics trafficking, violent crimes and immigration offenses. An additional 27 people face charges of engaging in human smuggling, while the remaining six cases are related to other immigration offenses.
Among the new matters are three men from various countries, all charged with felony reentry into the United States after removal.
Authorities allegedly found Guatemalan national William Perez-Perez and Mexican national Edgar Guadalupe Cruz-Velasco in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. According to the criminal complaints, both had been previously removed April 17 and April 19, respectively. Perez-Perez has a prior conviction for battery on law enforcement, while Cruz-Velasco was convicted of first degree assault and battery.
Law enforcement also allegedly discovered Honduran national Osman Adalid Soto Benites near Progreso after he was removed Oct. 31, 2025. Court records reflect he has a prior conviction for failure to register as a sex offender.
Another illegal alien charged in a separate case is Mexican national Rafael Pineda-Ruiz. According to the complaint, authorities removed him in September 2005. The charges allege Pineda-Ruiz has a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute narcotics and was sentenced to 70 months in prison. Law enforcement allegedly discovered him near Roma without legal authorization to be in the country.
If convicted, all four face up to 20 years in prison.
In addition to the new cases, Mexican national Cruz Alberto De La Garza pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens in a Laredo stash house under dangerous conditions that resulted in the death of an individual. The investigation began after two illegal aliens were dropped off at an emergency room, one of whom was pronounced dead. Authorities later discovered 30 additional illegal aliens in a tractor-trailer’s sleeper compartment and determined they had been housed in extreme heat with little to no air conditioning, limited food and water and inadequate ventilation. He faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
A federal jury in Corpus Christi found a mother and daughter guilty of human smuggling. Evidence showed Enedelia Garcia and Ashley Garcia drove the illegal alien through the Border Patrol checkpoint near Kingsville. The illegal alien later testified he had been smuggled into the United States and expected the pair to transport him to Houston. The jury saw evidence Ashley Garcia texted a friend during the smuggling event and said “not to ask” about her trip to Houston. Both women face up to 10 years in federal prison.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Mother and daughter guilty of human smugglingRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury has convicted two family members from the Rio Grande Valley of transporting an illegal alien, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The jury deliberated for two hours before returning guilty verdicts against Enedelia Garcia, 55, Weslaco, and Ashley Garcia, 37, Brownsville, following a two-day trial.
On the evening of July 22, 2025, Enedelia Garcia drove to the Border Patrol checkpoint near Kingsville with her daughter in the backseat and another passenger in the front seat. During an immigration inspection, law enforcement noticed nervous behavior from that passenger who was also unable to produce identification.
Authorities determined he was an illegal alien with no authorization to be in the country.
At trial, he testified he was smuggled into the United States and was expecting the pair to take him to Houston. The jury also heard that Ashley Garcia was texting a friend at the time of the smuggling event and said “not to ask” about her trip to Houston.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that they were deceived into believing the illegal alien was a U.S citizen. They did not believe those claims and found them both guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 1, at which time the mother and daughter both face up to 10 years in federal prison.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lamont is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.