Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Houston felon gets max for illegal gun possessionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 22-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Avery Frank Bass Jr. pleaded guilty March 22.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Bass to serve the statutory maximum of 15 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Bass was a true danger to the community.
Law enforcement arrested Bass as part of the Houston Violent Crime Initiative announced in September 2023.
“Removing violent individuals who use firearms from our communities is one of the top priorities of my office,” said Hamdani. “The Houston Violent Crime Initiative is an innovative program aimed at reducing violent crime by employing federal laws to prosecute gang members and associates in the southwest and southeast areas of Houston. The result in this case demonstrates that we are making progress in our fight to reduce violent and firearms crimes in the Southern District of Texas.”
Local law enforcement was executing an arrest warrant for Bass for aggravated robbery in August 2023. At that time, they discovered a loaded American Tactical AR pistol and a loaded 9mm Glock 17 on the driver’s side floorboard where Bass had been sitting. A review of his criminal history showed that he had three prior felony convictions for robbery, all of which involved the use of a firearm.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI and the Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Zenon-Matos prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorneys Ralph Paradiso and Shelia Lafferty of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
Houstonian admits to Hurricane Harvey house fraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 45-year-old Houston area resident has pleaded guilty to fraudulently applying for and receiving a newly rebuilt house worth $314,000, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Christopher Montealegre admitted to one count of theft of government funds after he knowingly applied for relief intended for victims the hurricane impacted through a program the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administered. Montealegre received assistance in the form of a newly re-built house. The home was rebuilt using federal funds which were intended for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Congress allocated funds to Texas as a special appropriation associated with a Presidentially Declared Disaster in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The funds help to support communities working to build stronger and more resilient neighborhoods.
“Christopher Montealegre exploited a program intended to assist vulnerable victims of Hurricane Harvey and used those funds for his own personal enrichment,” said Hamdani. “Public resources for disaster relief should go to the victims that actually need them, not to enrich private actors like Montealegre.”
“Montealegre’s alleged conduct is disturbing, especially during this time when the public is reminded of the devastation that historic storms leave with thousands of victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Bertrand Nelson for HUD’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), Southcentral Region. “The taxpayer has no tolerance for those who steal from Federal public aid – the sole goal of which is to help victims rebuild and move forward with their lives. We will continue to work with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue fraudsters who steal disaster grant funds to enrich themselves.”
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Aug 8. At that time, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Montealegre was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
HUD-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Lansden and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shalimar Addy prosecuted the case.
Four men imprisoned for dealing crack cocaine resulting in deathRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Multiple local residents have been sentenced for narcotics trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Gabriel Ortiz, 31, Francisco Ortiz, 53, and Adbento Guerrero, 62, all of McAllen; and Alonzo Rolando Garza, 42, Edinburg, had all previously pleaded guilty.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now imposed a 144-month-term of imprisonment for Gabriel Ortiz, while Francisco Ortiz received 121 months. Guerrero and Garza previously received 30 and 120 months, respectively. All four must also serve five years of supervised release following their sentences.
“Gabriel Ortiz and his co-conspirators, with their irresponsible and criminal behavior, directly caused the death of a human being,” said Hamdani. “This case demonstrates the dangers of local drug dealing and narcotics usage. Thankfully, their lengthy prison sentences will ensure they can no longer traffic these deadly substances in our communities and bring such tragedy to our streets.”
The investigation revealed that in 2019 and 2020, the four men trafficked cocaine in the McAllen and Edinburg areas. The co-conspirators would purchase and sell multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine as well as smaller amounts of cocaine base aka “crack.”
In November 2020, Gabriel Ortiz sold approximately three grams of cocaine base to a 53-year-old man who subsequently died after using the narcotic.
Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized a total of over 10 kilograms of cocaine and 69 grams of cocaine base. The drugs had a combined estimated street value of approximately $260,000.
Law enforcement seized $294,520 in money and assets as part of the case.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the Edinburg Police Department, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Sturgis prosecuted the case.
Second felon headed to prison for firearms offenseRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 39-year-old man has been sentenced for being a felon in possession of a converted machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Christopher Victor pleaded guilty Aug. 14, 2023, to possessing a loaded .40 caliber pistol which was located under his seat.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now ordered Victor to serve 57 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the violent nature and circumstances of the offense and found Victor had a history of violent conduct, including prior convictions for aggravated assault and possession of a firearm.
Co-conspirator Melvin Wilkins, 41, Houston, pleaded guilty April 7 to unlawful possession of a firearm and was later sentenced to 59 months. At the time of his plea, Wilkins admitted to possessing an AR-15 style rifle between his legs while in the backseat of a vehicle that Victor drove.
Law enforcement discovered the rifle contained an extra part, which they determined to be a “switch.” A switch is an additional part added to a firearm to convert it into a machinegun or firearm that shoots more than one shot without manual reloading.
The rifle contained one round in the chamber and 74 rounds in the magazine. The safety was set to off and the rifle was in the fire position.
As both a machinegun and short barreled rifle, the firearm requires registration to the possessor in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). Authorities verified the firearm had no serial numbers or identification number printed, engraved or stamped on the lower receiver of the rifle. Wilkins cannot register the firearm in the NFRTR without serial numbers or identifying information.
As convicted felons, federal law prohibits Victor and Wilkins from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Victor and Wilkins will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Southeast Crime Suppression Team and Houston Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Day prosecuted the case.
Guadalajara resident heads to prison for trying to smuggle dozens of firearms and ammunition back to MexicoRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 68-year-old resident of Guadalajara, Mexico, has been sentenced for attempting to smuggle multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition on a vehicle roof rack, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jose De Jesus Pena Dieguez pleaded guilty March 27.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Dieguez to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Dieguez had previously exported firearms to Mexico on several prior occasions.
On Jan. 11, Dieguez attempted to enter Mexico through the Progreso Port of Entry in a Nissan Xterra. Upon inspection, authorities noticed tampering on the screws of a compartment connected to the vehicle's roof rack. An x-ray examination also showed anomalies within the compartment.
A subsequent search revealed 16 firearms, 31 firearm magazines, assorted firearm parts and 800 rounds of ammunition.
Dieguez admitted he purchased the firearms and intended to illegally export them to Mexico.
Dieguez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Customs and Border Protection conducted the joint investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
Texas U.S. Attorneys announce “Operation Texas Kill Switch” aimed at machinegun conversion devicesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – U.S. Attorneys for the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas announced “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, colloquially known as “switches.”
At simultaneous press conferences throughout the state, U.S. Attorneys Alamdar S. Hamdani, Leigha Simonton, Damien Diggs and Jaime Esparza, joined Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agents in Charge Michael Weddel and Jeffrey Boshek and lambasted switches, which transform commercially available firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing faster than military-grade M4s.
“Today is an important step to put on notice those who traffic in switches and who use switches,” said Hamdani. “We will hold you to account. My office, combining forces with the ATF, and along with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern , Western and Northern Districts, will do everything in our power to continue to make our communities safer by stemming the flow of switches.”
“Today’s important initiative is aimed at raising awareness of illegal machine gun conversation devices also known as ‘switches,’ said Weddel. “Todays’ threat comes from MCDs that easily convert a firearm into a machinegun. These ‘switches’ as they are often called on the streets, not only pose a serious threat to those living in our communities but a unique and deadly threat to law enforcement. Simply possessing one of these devices is a federal crime and we will work endlessly in conjunction with our U.S. Attorney’s Office in addition to our local, state and federal partners to identify and prosecute these criminals.”
About an inch long, switches may be made of metal or plastic and can be printed on commercially available 3D printers. They generally slot into the butt of a gun and allow the shooter to fire “full auto,” unloading dozens of rounds with a single pull of the trigger. (In contrast, regular semi-automatic firearms require a separate trigger pull for each round fired.) To date, switches have been used in numerous fatal shootings, including at least one juvenile mass shooting and multiple police killings.
Except in very limited circumstances, possession of a switch is illegal, as the National Firearms Act classifies the switch itself as a machinegun.
Yet the number of switches law enforcement recovered has risen dramatically in the past few years. Between 2017 and 2023, Texas-based ATF agents seized 991 switches; 490 of those - 50 percent - were seized just last year. They are often sold over social media, marketed to adults and juveniles alike.
At Monday’s press conferences, the U.S. Attorneys announced that as part of Operation Texas Kill Switch, they are partnering with Crime Stopper programs statewide to combat the proliferation of these illegal devices.
From now until Aug. 31, local Crime Stopper programs will offer cash rewards for information leading to the apprehension or prosecution of those who possess switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them. Tipsters may use **TIPS to be connected to a Crime Stoppers program in their area. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, and anonymity is guaranteed by law. Information may also be submitted directly to ATF at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
U.S. Attorneys Hamdani, Simonton, Esparza and Diggs also urged local law enforcement to partner with federal authorities on switch cases, which carry maximum sentences of up to 10 years in the federal system. They laid out their case in a joint op-ed published Monday in the Austin American Statesman, which you can read here.
Pharmacist Convicted of Unlawfully Dispensing Controlled Substances at RetrialRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the Southern District of Texas convicted a Texas pharmacist last Friday after a retrial for unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances at a now-shuttered pharmacy.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Hieu “Tom” Truong, 60, of Houston, was the pharmacist-in-charge at S&S Pharmacy in Houston. In just 18 months, Truong and his accomplices unlawfully distributed over 750,000 doses of controlled substances, including over 500,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills. Trial evidence showed that S&S Pharmacy unlawfully dispensed controlled substances in bulk for cash, based on forged prescriptions brought in by street-level drug dealers.
The jury convicted Truong of two counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances. Truong was originally convicted at trial in May 2022 and was granted a new trial due to a change in the law following the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Ruan. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.
The DEA Houston Division investigated the case, with assistance from the Conroe Police Department, Houston Police Department, and Harris County Constable’s Office.
Trial Attorneys Devon Helfmeyer, Monica Cooper, and Andrew Tamayo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24.7 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Houstonian convicted for sending death threats to U.S. senatorRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A federal judge has returned a guilty verdict against a local man for making threats to injure a U.S. senator, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, after careful deliberation, found Issac Ambe Nformangum, 24, guilty on one count of interstate communications with a threat to injure following a two-hour stipulated bench trial.
Nformangum called the senator’s office from his cellular phone and left a lengthy threatening message. He stated the senator would be found and killed.
The court heard evidence that Nformangum made a direct threat intended for the senator in which he disregarded the extent of the seriousness of his words.
“Nformangum called the office of a U.S. senator and made threatening comments.” said Hamdani. “It was a frightening call. This is never acceptable, and the Southern District of Texas will always seek to hold actors like Nformangum to account for their actions, to deter others like him, to protect the rule of law and to ensure a safe environment for all public servants. Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates that dedication.”
“You can criticize, refute and disagree with someone’s political view or vote, but you don’t get to threaten an elected official with violence just because you don’t like their political platform,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston field office. “Those actions are not protected under the Constitution. On the contrary, as Mr. Nformangum found out, they’re a crime.”
Judge Rosenthal has set sentencing for Oct. 2. At that time, Nformangum faces up five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI-Houston conducted the investigation with assistance from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted Imperato and Craig M. Feazel are prosecuting the case.
Houston resident heads to prison for armed robbery of local Waffle HouseRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 32-year-old man has been sentenced for Hobbs Act robbery and related firearms charges, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Deonta Rashawn Brown pleaded guilty March 7.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now ordered Brown to serve 162 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Brown must also pay restitution to the victims. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the traumatic impact Brown’s crime had on his victims.
At the time of the plea, Brown admitted to aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting use, carry and brandish of a firearm during a crime of violence.
On Oct. 24, 2019, Brown robbed a Waffle House restaurant in the 1200 block of Wilson Road in Houston with Fabian Bradley. Bradley brandished a pistol during the attack. Together, the two stole an employee’s mobile phone and a small amount of cash from the restaurant.
This robbery was one of three that law enforcement believe the duo committed that night – including another Waffle House restaurant and a gas station convenience store.
The three robberies occurred within approximately one hour of each other, beginning at 10:57 p.m. and ending shortly after midnight. The robbery locations appeared to have been carefully chosen in either a low-traffic area or close to I-69 – which would allow the co-conspirators to make a quick getaway from each scene.
Bradley, 22, also pleaded guilty and previously received a sentence of 168 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
Brown has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation along with police departments in Humble and Houston. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Ganz and Joseph Porto prosecuted the case.
Former energy company president sentenced for over $5.5M illegal kickback and commodities insider trading schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 56-year-old Needville man has been ordered to federal prison for his role in an illegal kickback scheme and a commodities insider trading scheme involving natural gas futures contracts.
Matthew Clark pleaded guilty March 15 to honest services wire fraud, commodities insider trading and prohibited commodities transactions.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now ordered Clark to serve a total of 78 months in prison. He must also pay $7,709,509 in restitution and forfeit $6,532,360. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hanks noted Clark made the calculated choice to commit these offenses despite the risk of being caught, and in doing so “gambled and lost.”
According to court documents, Clark conspired with others to direct his employer’s trades to Houston-based Classic Energy LLC, a brokerage firm Matthew Webb, 54, Tiki Island, owned and operated, in exchange for illegal kickbacks. As part of his prohibited trading, Clark conspired with John Ed James, 54 Katy, and Peter Miller, 49, Puerto Rico. Clark received more than $5.5 million in illegal kickbacks for his trades.
Webb pleaded guilty in June 2021 to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and wire fraud and to violate various provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act. James pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and commodities fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced July 1, while Miller admitted to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and is set for sentencing June 20.
In two other related cases, Marcus Schultz, 44, Houston, and Lee Tippett, 64, Jacksonville, Florida, pleaded guilty in July 2020 and August 2021, respectively. Schultz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to violate various provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and is scheduled to be sentenced July 1. Tippett pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and honest services wire fraud and was previously sentenced to 33 months in prison.
Clark was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined at a later date.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Grace Murphy prosecuted the case along with Assistant Chief Leslie S. Garthwaite and Trial Attorneys Della Sentilles and David Hamstra of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Former President of Energy Company Sentenced for over $5.5M Illegal Kickback and Commodities Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
The former president of a Texas energy company was sentenced today to six years and six months in prison for his role in an illegal kickback scheme and a commodities insider trading scheme involving natural gas futures contracts.
According to court documents, Matthew Clark, 56, of Needville, Texas, conspired with others to direct his employer’s trades to Houston-based Classic Energy LLC, a brokerage firm owned and operated by Matthew Webb, 54, of Tiki Island, Texas, in exchange for illegal kickbacks. As part of his prohibited trading, Clark conspired with John Ed James, 54 of Katy, Texas, and Peter Miller, 49, of Puerto Rico. Clark received more than $5.5 million in illegal kickbacks for his trades.
Clark was also ordered to pay $6,532,360 in restitution and to forfeit $5,543,662.
Clark pleaded guilty on March 15 in the Southern District of Texas to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, prohibited commodities transactions, and commodities insider trading. Webb pleaded guilty in June 2021 to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and wire fraud and to violate various provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act. James pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1. Miller pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20.
In two other related cases, Marcus Schultz, 44, of Houston, and Lee Tippett, 64, of Jacksonville, Florida, pleaded guilty in July 2020 and August 2021, respectively. Schultz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to violate various provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1. Tippett pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and honest services wire fraud and was sentenced on Feb. 20 to two years and nine months in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Houston Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Leslie S. Garthwaite and Trial Attorneys Della Sentilles and David Hamstra of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grace Murphy for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
Brownsville trafficker sent to prison for importing 25 bricks of methRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 27-year-old man has been sentenced for importing meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Juan Adame II pleaded guilty March 11, 2022.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Adame to serve 57 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence Adame had an integral role in smuggling illegal narcotics into the United States. In handing down the sentence, the court noted traffickers could not succeed without the willing participation of transporters like Adame.
On April 8, 2021, Adame claimed he had no illegal drugs in his vehicle when arriving at the Progresso Port of Entry.
Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where a K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search revealed 25 bricks of meth, weighing approximately 24 kilograms and hidden in compartments within the vehicle’s wheel wells.
The meth had an estimated street value of approximately $60,000.
At the time of his plea, Adame admitted he knew he was smuggling narcotics and had done so on multiple occasions.
Adame will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Parran III prosecuted the case.
Pair arrested for extensive CARES Act fraud conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Two individuals are now in custody for allegedly conspiring to submit numerous fraudulent applications for small business loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program provided through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities have arrested Shawn Nicholas Young, 41, Missouri City, and Trenikia Lashae Banks, 40, Houston. They will make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Bennett at 2 p.m.
According to the 11-count indictment, Young and Banks devised a scheme to submit fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and several banks authorized to approve and fund PPP loans the government backed. They allegedly submitted false tax documents, including fake personal and business tax returns, to support the loan applications.
The indictment alleges Young and Banks used the loan proceeds to make large cash withdrawals and to pay for unauthorized and non-business expenses such as residential mortgages, home improvement loans and the purchase of vehicles. Some of the money also went to Young as kickback payments for submitting fraudulent applications for the businesses Banks and others owned, according to the allegations.
If convicted, each faces up to 20 years imprisonment for conspiracy and wire fraud as well as a $250,000 maximum possible fine. The money laundering count carries a possible 10-year prison term and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.
Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (OIG), Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Small Business Administration – OIG and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – OIG conducted the investigation with the assistance of Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bauman and Shirin Hakimzadeh are prosecuting 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.
Distributor of “Pedo Lives Matter” child pornography chatroom sent to prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Spring resident has been sentenced for distributing, receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Oscar Barrios pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett has now sentenced Barrios to 144 months for the distribution and receipt of child pornography counts and 120 months for the possession of child pornography count, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 144-month term of imprisonment. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted Barrios violated a position of trust as a father with minor children in the household. Barrios was further ordered to pay $20,500 in restitution to the victims and will serve five years life 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. Barrios will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Barrios distributed and received child pornography on multiple messaging applications such as Kik and Discord. He participated in chatrooms, including one named “Pedo Lives Matter,” where members engaged in trading child pornography. In these chatrooms, Barrios made statements proclaiming sexual interest in a minor female relative.
During a search of his electronic devices, law enforcement uncovered 66 videos and one image of child pornography.
Barrios will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebekah Saunders and Christine Lu are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.
Bissonnet sex trafficker “Glizzy” imprisoned for forcing teenage girls to engage in sex actsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old man has been sentenced for conspiring to traffic a minor for commercial sex, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani.
Javon Yaw Opoku aka “Glizzy” pleaded guilty June 7, 2023.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr has now sentenced Opoku to 365 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison term, the court noted the duty to the people Opoku harmed and that he had forfeited the right to be around other members of society for a very long time. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Opoku 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. Opoku will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“Opoku spent years exploiting and victimizing little girls and other vulnerable members of our community,” said Hamdani. “Opoku will now spend the next 30+ years away from our community, unable to continue his exploitation and victimization of our daughters and neighbors.
From April 2019 to February 2020, Opoku and co-conspirators recruited young teenage girls and forced them to engage in sex acts with clients for money in cars and hotels around the Bissonnet “blade.”
The blade or “track” is an area near 59 Southwest Freeway and Bissonnet Street in Houston where traffickers commonly place their victims to engage in commercial sex.
Opoku and co-conspirators passed around or reassigned victims amongst one another, taught each other “the pimp game,” forced the young girls to walk the blade while Opoku and others kept the proceeds.
The young girls were required to pay an exit fee or get “beat out” to switch between pimps. Some traffickers required daily quotas each night from their victims. If the victims failed to meet their daily quotas, they were severely punished through beatings and humiliation.
Co-conspirator Jerreck Michael Hilliard aka “Jmoney” was sentenced April 12 to 292 months in federal prison.
Opoku will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Houston Police Department initiated the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as a part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA). 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 (AUSA) Kate Suh and Anthony Franklyn prosecuted the case along with former AUSA Richard Bennett.
Mexican man admits to possessing images and videos of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 21-year-old Mexican citizen has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On June 30, 2023, Kevin Alejandro Santos-Moya attempted to enter the United States through the Los Indios Port of Entry. Law enforcement referred him to secondary inspection where they conducted a search of his iPhone and located child pornography.
Forensic analysis of the phone resulted in the discovery of a total of 31 images and 37 videos of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Sept. 5. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Santos-Moya has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 link on that page.
Local man sent to prison for trying to intimidate witnessesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 20-year-old Mission man has been ordered to federal prison for obstructing justice by threatening communication and assault on a federal officer, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Hector Reyes Jr. pleaded guilty March 18,2024.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered him to serve 30 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release.
“The Gulf Cartel is a brutal and violent organization, one that this office seeks to disrupt and dismantle,” said Hamdani. “So, there is no patience in my office when criminals, like Reyes, use the cartels to intimidate law enforcement and scare witnesses. We take such attempts seriously and will vigorously pursue those who, through such intimidation, seek to subvert our system of justice.”
At the time of his plea, Reyes admitted he had uploaded a threatening message from Commandante Siete, a high-ranking member of the Gulf Cartel to SnapChat. This message was transmitted on handheld radios the Gulf Cartel used and warned certain people to stand down while they still “had time.”
Reyes posted this message intending to intimidate individuals who were searching for his father and hoped that it would impede his arrest. He also wanted the message to intimidate those individuals intending to cooperate with the government.
Reyes also admitted that after a detention hearing for another individual, he spit at a federal officer in the courthouse parking lot. Reyes also admitted that in a jail house phone call he had bragged to his father that the agent had gotten scared, in part because of the things that were said at the detention hearing.
Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation with the assistance of local task force officers. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Cook Profit and Ted Parran prosecuted the case.
Houston fraudster heads to prison for possessing counterfeit identities, checks and credit cardsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 43-year-old man has been sentenced for possessing counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Wade Zollinger pleaded guilty Nov. 13, 2023.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now ordered Zollinger to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted it had a duty to issue a fair sentence on behalf of Zollinger’s victims.
At the time of the plea, Zollinger admitted to fleeing from law enforcement in a stolen vehicle. They apprehended him and located numerous counterfeit identification documents. These included credit and debit cards, personal checks belonging to others, counterfeit U.S. currency as well as counterfeit U.S. currency plates used for the manufacture of currency. They also found multiple ledgers detailing the personal identifiable information of others.
Shortly thereafter, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Zollinger’s residence and recovered additional evidence of the same type.
Secret Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grace Murphy and James Hu prosecuted the case.
Drug trafficker sent to prison for importing 22 kilos of cocaine through RGVRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old resident of Sacramento, California, has been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to import narcotics through the Rio Grande Valley for further distribution into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Shaun Michael Simmons pleaded guilty Oct. 11, 2023.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Simmons to serve 135 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Simmons had an aggravating role by acting in a leadership capacity over other members of the organization. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane also noted Simmons’ criminal history.
On June 14, 2022, Dustin Oliver entered the United States from Mexico in a vehicle with an attached trailer through the Anzalduas Port of Entry in Mission. Upon initial inspection, law enforcement conducted an X-ray scan, observed anomalies in the trailer floor and referred Oliver to secondary inspection.
Through a physical search, law enforcement discovered 20 packages of narcotics concealed within aftermarket compartments located in the trailer floor.
The packages weighed approximately 22 kilograms and tested positive for cocaine.
The investigation revealed another co-conspirator, Ericka Iesha Thomas, recruited Oliver in Austin to import a controlled substance. Simmons had recruited Thomas to find an individual to transport narcotics from Mexico into the United States. Simmons coordinated and provided instructions for the pickup and drop off of the narcotics transport trailers and provided co-conspirators with money to make the trips to Mexico and back to the United States.
Both Oliver, 35, Indiana, and Thomas, 30, California, were previously sentenced to 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release for their respective roles in the conspiracy.
Simmons will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case.
Local man receives 30 years in prison for fondling minor while producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 39-year-old resident of Montgomery County has been sentenced for sexually exploiting a child and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
James Aubrey Zachary Wasson pleaded guilty Sept. 27, 2023.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now sentenced Wasson to 360 months and 120 months for the sexual exploitation and production convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 30-year-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard from the victim’s mother detailing how Wasson’s actions caused the child to suffer nightmares. In handing down the prison terms, the court acknowledged that the sentence was “life altering for a reason,” noting that the victim’s life will never be the same. The judge also rejected Wasson’s excuse that he exploited the child because of a drug addiction, commenting that drug abuse does not lead preying upon children.
Wasson was further ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution to multiple victims 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. Wasson will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“Wasson shattered a little girl’s life,” said Hamdani. “Today’s sentence cannot give her back the life she should have had, but it does ensure Wasson cannot hurt other children for a very long time.”
“Over the course of two years, this child predator uploaded more than 500 files of child sexual abuse materials to the internet, including over 50 files of himself sexually exploiting a minor victim,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. “Thanks to the selfless bravery of one of his victims who worked with investigators to confirm his identity, we were able to obtain his conviction and ensure he is held accountable for his heinous actions.”
Authorities identified Wasson after discovering over 500 files of child pornography he had uploaded between March 2019 and March 2021. One folder contained a series of 51 photographs, all taken on a single date in December 2020. Some showed him in a state of sexual arousal next to a minor female child. He also appeared to be fondling her under her clothing.
A subsequent search of Wasson’s cell phone confirmed it was the device he used to produce the series of sexually explicit photographs. The cell phone also contained other files of child pornography taken between May 2020 and May 2021.
The minor victim also identified Wasson and recalled when he took the photographs.
Wasson will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 link on that page.
Self-proclaimed king of Bissonnet heads to prison for multi-state sex trafficking schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 48-year-old man has been sentenced for sex trafficking four women by means of force and of taking three women across state lines to engage in prostitution, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On Oct. 10, 2023, a federal jury in Houston deliberated for approximately three hours before convicting Larry “Lavish” Lewis following a six-day trial.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Lewis to serve 480 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. At the hearing, the government asked the court to consider the victims in the case and highlighted Lewis’s complete absence of remorse for his crimes.
“Today, the victims of Lewis’s abhorrent crimes have finally received the answer they have been waiting to hear for years,” said Hamdani. “The message the court delivered in its sentence is clear: traffickers do not get to profit from the sale of victims’ bodies. They do not get to use drugs, beatings and threats to compel others to engage in prostitution. Traffickers, like Lewis, are not welcome in the Southern District of Texas, or anywhere outside of a federal penitentiary, and my office will see to that.”
Lewis used physical force and coercion to compel four women to engage in commercial sex in the Bissonnet street area of Houston and various cities in Texas and Louisiana. The jury also found he coerced them to cross state lines to engage in prostitution.
At trial, the victims detailed how Lewis recruited them on false promises of good money and a good life. Lewis confiscated the identification cards of two women and tightly controlled access to their hotel rooms. The women were completely dependent on him for food, lodging and basic necessities.
Lewis’ rules dictated where and how long they worked. The women were required to give Lewis all money they earned after commercial sex dates.
The victims detailed the consequences of breaking Lewis’ rules. He kicked one victim in the head into a window because he believed she disrespected him. During another incident, Lewis whipped the same victim with an electrical cord following an attempt to escape using his vehicle. Another victim described how Lewis broke her ribs and left bruises all over her body after receiving many beatings.
The jury ultimately did not believe defense claims that the women sought out Lewis because of his marketing expertise in the commercial sex industry.
Lewis has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Christine J. Lu prosecuted the case.
Texas Department of Public Safety and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).
HTRA law enforcement includes members of the Houston Police Department, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor (DOL), 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 (OIG), 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 United States 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.
Mexican man heads to prison for organizing scheme to smuggle 150 kilos of cocaineRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 37-year-old man from Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been sentenced following his conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute multi-kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jesus Alfonso Leos-Orozco pleaded guilty May 1, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. has now ordered Leos-Orozco to serve 140 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the necessity to consider the seriousness of the offense, nature of the criminal activity and Leos-Orozco’s extensive involvement in the scheme.
Leos-Orozco was a manager/supervisor of the narcotics smuggling conspiracy responsible for distributing approximately 150 kilograms of cocaine.
From approximately 2019 to 2021, law enforcement conducted multiple arrests of individuals possessing multi-kilograms of cocaine in the Brownsville/Edinburg area. Authorities connected the narcotics seizures to attempts to enter the United States, gas station transfers, highway interdictions and bulk currencies destined for Mexico. The bulk currencies are proceeds of the conspiracy that are both connected to a truck transporting company and Leos-Orozco.
The investigation revealed Leos-Orozco would smuggle 15 to 20 kilograms of cocaine weekly and charge $500 per kilogram imported utilizing his commercial tractor trailers company “Leos Auto Transportes De Carga.” Leos-Orozco would then recruit drivers and pay them $250 per kilogram smuggled into the United States.
Further investigation indicated at least 20 border crossing incidents using a trailer are directly linked to Leos-Orozco. Surveillance video also identified Leos-Orozco as one of the individuals responsible for the transfer of a narcotics shipment to another driver.
Leos-Orozco will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Marian and Luis Salazar prosecuted the case.
Houstonian heads to prison in $1.7M insider trading scheme using wife’s private company informationRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 42-year-old man has been sentenced for securities fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Tyler Loudon pleaded guilty Feb. 22.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake has now ordered Loudon to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Lake noted a significant sentence of incarceration was required to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law and afford adequate deterrence to this type of criminal conduct.
“Insider trading is rampant, extremely difficult to uncover and adversely affects the integrity of the financial markets and the public perception of the markets,” said Hamdani. “These types of offenses erode the public’s confidence in the integrity of the markets and lead to widespread cynicism that the markets are rigged in favor of a fortunate few. Mr. Loudon was only able to commit this crime because he had an unfair advantage: his spouse was an insider who gave him material nonpublic information. This sentence sends a clear message to those who would take advantage of their access to confidential insider information to personally profit are not above the law.”
“Mr. Loudon took advantage of his and his wife’s ‘work from home’ situation and betrayed his spouse by eavesdropping on her confidential business calls to realize a profit of $1.7M in less than two months,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston field office. “Insider trading cases like this one cause damage to everyday investors, our economy and the public’s trust in the fairness of our financial markets. Fair trading laws and regulations are in place so that anyone who can, and wants to, participate in the stock market does, but on an equal playing field.”
Loudon made $1.7 million in illegal profits from the purchase and sale of stock market shares.
Loudon’s wife was an associate manager in mergers and acquisitions at international oil and gas company. Loudon learned her company was planning to purchase a travel center operator business.
Unbeknownst to his spouse, Loudon used the non-public information about the expected acquisition to purchase 46,450 shares ahead of the public notice.
After the announcement, the travel center’s stock price increased. Loudon then sold his shares for a substantial profit.
Prior to sentencing, Loudon forfeited the $1.7 million in illegal proceeds to the United States.
Loudon will self-surrender to a Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen M. Lansden prosecuted the case.
Mission stash house operator imprisonedRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old man has been sentenced for harboring aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Miguel Angel Nunez-Urrea pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Nunez-Urrea to serve 41 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that the firearms Nunez-Urrea possessed were capable of accepting large capacity magazines. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted the effect these actions had on Nunez-Urrea’s family.
On Sept. 26, 2023, authorities encountered a group of undocumented aliens near Falfurrias. The investigation led to a stash house in Mission where Nunez resided with his wife. They also believed firearms to be in the home.
On Oct. 11, 2o23, law enforcement conducted a search at the couple’s residence in the early hours of the day. At that time, they discovered seven undocumented aliens - Nunez-Urrea, his wife and five others who were in the attic above a child’s bedroom.
Authorities also found a loaded pistol, a .22 caliber rifle and high-capacity magazines within the couple’s bedroom, all of which belonged to Nunez-Urrea.
Further investigation revealed text messages detailing the undocumented migrants were to be transferred to the Houston area after staying with the couple.
Nunez-Urrea’s wife, Kenia Anguiano-Sanchez, 30, a Mexican national, also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced.
Nunez-Urrea and Anguiano-Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
Local woman sent to prison for decades-long use of stolen identityRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 53-year-old woman has been sentenced for passport fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Elizabeth Ann Berbel pleaded guilty Aug. 28, 2023.
Berbel is also known as Ana Elizabeth Gomez-Garcia, Ana Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, Ana Elizabeth Gomez, Anna Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, Anna Elizabeth Gomez, Elizabeth Berbel, Elizabeth Ann Gomez, Tina Gomez-Manns and Anna Gomez.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison has now ordered Berbel to serve six and 24 months for the passport fraud and aggravated identity theft convictions, respectively. They will run consecutively for a total 30-month-term of imprisonment. Berbel was also ordered to pay $3,083.43 in restitution. During the hearing, the court heard testimony from the victim who described the trauma she has experienced as a result of Berbel’s conduct as well as the negative impact the use of her identity has had on her life and career.
On March 22, 2019, Berbel applied for a passport in Laredo. Part of the application required her to include the names of her parents, her place of birth and her Social Security number. At the time of the plea, Berbel admitted she included information that actually belonged to another person.
Berbel had been using the victim’s Social Security number and other information as early as 2001.
The investigation further revealed that in August 2005, law enforcement had stopped at Berbel at the Laredo Port of Entry. At that time, she was carrying multiple forms of identification including a Social Security card with the victim’s number. At the time, Berbel admitted she was not the person on the identification documents and that she was in fact Ana Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, a citizen and national of Mexico. She also acknowledged having other identification documents hidden in her car. Berbel claimed she waited a week or two before returning to the United States by using these other documents.
Authorities were also able to locate and identify several of Berbel’s biological family members. The investigation confirmed her true identity and not the one she had been assuming by using the victim’s information.
She will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Department of State conducted the investigation with assistance from the Social Security Administration and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew prosecuted the case.
Laredo resident sent to prison for impersonating licensed nurseRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas - A 36-year-old woman has been sentenced for her conviction of false statements in a health care matter, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Nora Nely Avila pleaded guilty Jan. 3, 2021.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Avila to serve 18 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
At the hearing, the court heard evidence that Avila incorrectly took out stitches from a patient’s wound, leading to an infection. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Ellison entered a money judgement against Avila for $52,241.66.
Avila admitted that from January 2017 through December 2019, she impersonated a nurse and performed unlicensed work at multiple hospitals and home health companies in the Laredo area.
From 2017 until 2019, Avila stole the identity of a licensed nurse and repeatedly and fraudulently presented the license and credentials of this licensed nurse at federally-funded Medicare and Medicaid providers throughout Laredo.
At other home health agencies, Avila falsified patient records and failed to show up to work which left patients without needed care. Avila also obtained employment as nurse trainer in the federal-funded Job Corps program and was assigned to train future nurses.
Previously released on bond, Avila was permitted to remain on bond and to surrender at a later date.
FBI, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Department of Labor – OIG, Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson prosecuted the case.
Zapata resident sent to prison for uploading child sexual assault material to FacebookRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 28-year-old man has been sentenced for possessing child pornography and exploiting children, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Kevin Montemayor pleaded guilty March 28, 2022.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison has now sentenced Montemayor to 15 years for the possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of children convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 180-month-term of imprisonment. Montemayor was further ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve five 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. Montemayor will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Montemayor came to the attention of law enforcement after they learned an IP address associated with him had posted child sexual abuse material over Facebook Messenger.
On Aug. 9, 2020, authorities executed a search warrant at Montemayor’s residence and found several electronic devices containing child pornography. Law enforcement then seized the devices and took Montemayor into custody.
Authorities later identified a victim who claimed she met Montemayor over the instant messaging application Kik when she was only 15. She claimed Montemayor sexually extorted her for child sexual abuse material by threatening to leak her images if she did not continue to supply Montemayor with more explicit material.
Montemayor will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Ann Cortez prosecuted the case.
Smuggler sent to prison in conspiracy resulting in two deathsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas - A 35-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic has been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to transport individuals within the United States resulting in death, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Wilkin Perez-Perez pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison found him to be a leader in the conspiracy and ordered Perez-Perez to serve 135 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Perez-Perez was involved in numerous alien smuggling events, engaged in violent conduct both in and outside the scope of this conspiracy, to include the possession of a weapon, and that Perez-Perez fled the United States when he learned of his arrest.
“ ‘Two bodies found along the banks of the Rio Grande,’ a tragic and all too often headline made possible by ruthless and reckless human smugglers like Perez-Perez and the transnational criminal organizations that employ the likes of him,” said Hamdani. “We will go to any lengths necessary to prosecute the leaders and members of these organizations who care only about cash and not about they humans they transport. Let this case be an example to anyone thinking about becoming a part of the deadly smuggling industry in the United States, you will be held accountable…no matter how long it takes.”
Perez-Perez had been in charge and managing the transportation of people into the United States as well as their harboring in the country.
On Sept. 21, 2017, Melvin L. Barahona-Godoy and Yoryi Alexis Perez led several people to the Rio Grande River. Two drowned while trying to cross into the United States. Authorities discovered their bodies along the river bank.
The investigation led to Perez-Perez who had returned to the Dominican Republic following the discovery of the deceased individuals. He was determined to being in charge of and managing the U.S. branch of the organization. He had coordinated the transportation of these and other individuals, including the two that died, into the interior of the United States and harboring them in Laredo.
Perez-Perez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Barahona-Godoy, 27, Guatemala, and Perez, 34, Dominican Republic, were also charged in relation to the transportation and harboring of the men and others and were later sentenced to 57 and 78 months in prison, respectively.
Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol and U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling prosecuted the case.
Laredoan sent to prison for producing child pornography of sexual abuse of minor relativeRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 26-year-old man has been ordered to prison for production and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Aaron Negrete pleaded guilty March 7, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now sentenced Negrete to 225 and months for the production and possession of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 225-month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information including testimony from the minor victim’s mother, detailing the impact of Negrete’s actions. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted severity of the his crimes. Negrete was further ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to known victims of the child pornography possessed and will serve five 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. Negrete will also be ordered to register
“The homes of relatives are supposed to be safe places, especially for kids, but Aaron Negrete used his residence to harm his relative numerous times, committing the most heinous acts one can perpetrate on another, let alone a child," said Hamdani. "He filmed himself molesting the minor then shared the videos and images on the internet, extending the child’s victimization into perpetuity. Our hope is this significant sentence can give the victim some peace knowing Negrete is not lurking in anyone’s home, but instead behind bars for nearly 20 years to come.”
“The Aaron Negrete sentence today sets the tone for how we will handle child predators in our state,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “If you harm a child, we will investigate you, we will arrest you, and we will bring the full weight of the law against you. HSI urges our South Texas community to remain vigilant against child predators and to immediately report suspected cases of child exploitation to HSI.”
The investigation began when authorities learned an IP address associated with Negrete had uploaded child pornography online.
On Oct. 12, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home. At that time, they found and seized several electronic devices which contained child pornography and took Negrete into custody. He ultimately admitted to downloading an application he used to search for child pornography which included abuse of babies and toddlers.
The investigation further revealed he had sexually abused a minor relative. He recorded himself doing so and shared the recordings and photographs online. The child had visited Negrete and stayed at his residence in Laredo. On more than 50 instances, Negrete forced the victim to rub his genitals and took naked pictures, among other things. The minor was told to keep it a secret to prevent “something bad” from happening.
Negrete will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department as part of the Child Exploitation Task Force which also includes FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals Service and United Independent School District Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 link on that page.
Former enlistee admits to theft from U.S. ArmyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year-old man has pleaded guilty to selling stolen government property, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Tamoshion Rucker previously served in the U.S. Army from 2018 to 2022 as a radio and communications security repairer and was a former member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
As part of his plea, Rucker admitted he attempted to sell Image Intensifier Tubes (IITs) for personal gain. Manufacture of IITs fulfill government contracts which are not available or authorized for sale to the public.
The investigation began in December 2022 when authorities attempted to retrieve stolen IITs Rucker posted for sale on eBay.
To safeguard this technology and equipment, IITs require demilitarization at the end-of-life cycle use. The instructions allegedly involve striking them with a ball peen hammer, ensuring destruction and that disposal of the fragments are made in accordance with hazardous waste guidelines. IITs cannot be resold or otherwise transferred to anyone after already being used.
Rucker agreed to sell five IITs for $3,000. After the transaction, Rucker then also agreed to exchange the remaining 50 IITs for an additional $32,000. Authorities detained Rucker later that day carrying a box containing 45 IITs bearing contract numbers. The total estimated value of all recovered IITs exceeds $103,000.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Aug. 8. At that time, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The FBI and Army Criminal Investigative Division conducted the investigation with assistance from Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Ferko is prosecuting the case.
Working with Mexican drug trafficker lands South Texan back in prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 43-year-old McAllen man has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Raul Mendiola-Flores pleaded guilty Feb. 22.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Mendiola-Flores to serve 144 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard about his nine prior criminal convictions to include a felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine in which he previously served five years in prison.
Law enforcement determined Mendiola-Flores was in direct communication with Mexican drug traffickers to coordinate the importation of meth.
In May 2023, Jorge Lopez imported one kilogram of meth from Mexico into the United States through the Hidalgo Port of Entry. The Mexican drug trafficking organization communicated with Mendiola-Flores to facilitate pick-up and delivery further north. Mendiola-Flores then arranged a meeting at a local convenience store parking lot in McAllen to receive the drugs.
Lopez, 19, a U.S. citizen residing in Reynosa, Mexico, previously pleaded guilty and remains in custody pending his sentencing. At that time, he faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Mendiola-Flores will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
Pharr man sent to prison for importing over $200,000 of cocaineRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 28-year-old man has been sentenced for importing cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Miguel Angel Trejo pleaded guilty Feb. 21.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Trejo to serve 50 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Trejo played an integral part in smuggling illegal narcotics into the United States. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that traffickers could not succeed without the willing participation of transporters like Trejo.
On Nov. 30, 2023, Trejo claimed he had no illegal drugs in his vehicle when arriving at the Rio Grande City port of entry checkpoint.
Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where a K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search revealed 17 bricks of cocaine weighing approximately 19 kilograms hidden in compartments under the floorboards of the rear seat. The cocaine had an estimated street value of approximately $230,000.
At the time of his plea, Trejo admitted he knew he was smuggling narcotics and had done so on multiple occasions.
Trejo will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Parran III prosecuted the case.
Nigerian national sent to prison for conducting multimillion-dollar advance-fee schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 57-year-old man has been sentenced for his role in a fraud conspiracy perpetrated against victims in more than 20 countries, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Uche Victor Diuno pleaded guilty Feb. 1.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Diuno to serve 60 months months in federal prison and to pay $5,693,648 in restitution. Not a U.S. citizen, Diuno is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court recounted Diuno’s recent testimony in which Diuno detailed his own significant role in the fraud. Diuno himself told the court he regretted his actions and the great harm he caused to victims of the scheme.
“Diuno helped orchestrate a team of fraudsters impersonating bank executives to pitch fake investments and fake payouts to real victims around the world,” said Hamdani. “This international operation, supported by a cadre of co-conspirators, stole millions from victims as far off as Asia and as close as America, all to funnel money and Land Rovers to his boss in Nigeria. Now, the only traveling Diuno will do will be from a prison yard back to his cell.”
Diuno helped orchestrate a scam in which fraudsters abroad lured victims with false promises of millions in investment funding and inheritances.
His co-conspirators posed as executives and employees of well-known U.S. banks to deceive victims into making payments to secure purported investment and money transfer agreements. Other members of the conspiracy then laundered these payments through U.S. bank accounts and directed them back to the scheme’s leaders in Nigeria.
Diuno admitted he and his co-conspirators used multiple aliases to convince victims the scam was authentic. Diuno also admitted to his role in the laundering of victim funds.
Acting on instructions from the scheme’s leader, Diuno directed a co-conspirator to disburse victim funds after receiving them. This included transferring funds to other bank accounts through currency exchangers and purchasing vehicles that were shipped back to scammers in Nigeria.
From October 2014 to September 2018, Diuno and his co-conspirators caused losses of nearly $5.7 million.
“Uche Victor Diuno conspired with criminal associates who established false web domains and capitalized on sham visits to U.S. embassies around the globe to defraud millions of dollars from victims in over 20 countries,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “This complex, international investment fraud was identified, investigated, and ultimately eradicated due to the diligent work of FBI Houston agents and our key partners at the Department of State’s Office of Inspector General (DOS-OIG). We encourage all Americans to protect themselves from fraudsters like Uche Diuno by visiting www.ic3.gov for the most relevant information about trending scams and protective tips to combat swindles.”
“DOS-OIG is unwavering in our commitment to investigate and bring to justice individuals engaged in international fraud schemes such as Uche Victor Diuno,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Hileman, DOS-OIG. “We greatly appreciate the work of our partners at the FBI Houston Field Office, Southern District of Texas, Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and their diligent and professional investigation and prosecution of Diuno.”
Diuno will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI and DOS-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Latham and Trial Attorney Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
Members of religious-based company charged in elder fraud scheme against WWII veteranRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Five individuals are now in custody following allegations they tricked an elderly man in his 90s out of over $300,000 in retirement funds, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities arrested Lenel Hopkins, 52, Antoinette Monique Hopkins, 42, Alichia Webster, 60, Neil John Halvorson, 65, and Victor Evans Jr., 70. The arrests occurred in Alabama and Florida where they will first appear before their arraignments in Houston.
All five individuals as well as their company - Ternion Group International LLC aka Ternion Training and Education Center Corporation - are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.
The indictment alleges Ternion self-identified as a “Christian” company that claimed to be an international investment group performing construction projects and job training for believers. They promised investors high monetary returns and ownership in local development projects in exchange for large investment deposits into Ternion, according to the charges.
Potential investors would allegedly become “hubs” associated with Ternion which would have a Ternion name and the investor’s address as its physical location. According to the indictment, investors would make monetary payments and were supposed to receive millions of dollars in return. The charges allege they actually never received anything in exchange for their payments.
As part of the indictment, Ternion owners convinced a then 92-year-old World War II veteran to form a hub, telling him he would receive $13 million in return if he invested $300,000. The money was supposedly to be used to build a vocational school and to purchase 100 homes, according to the allegations.
The charges allege Evans actually drew a salary from the money the victim transferred from his retirement account.
In furtherance of the scheme, Halvorson also allegedly caused the victim to enter into a new will which gave Evans successor rights and power of attorney over the victim’s property (including his hub), bank accounts and contracts as well as a medical power of attorney he used to execute a do-not-resuscitate form for the victim.
The victim has not received any monies in return for the $300,000 he invested nor heard from anyone from Ternion since 2020, according to the charges. The indictment also alleges the location they had told the victim would be the site of the project is privately owned and not for sale.
If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of the Elder Justice Initiative. Its goal is to support and coordinate the Department of Justice’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Local man heads to prison for possessing material depicting sexual abuse of childrenRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 68-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for distribution and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Stephen Broussard pleaded guilty Oct. 26, 2022, admitting he possessed over 6000 images.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now sentenced Broussard to 130 and 120 months for the distribution and possession of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 130-month term of imprisonment. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted that distribution and possession of child pornography are egregious crimes and are not victimless. Broussard was further ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve the rest of his life 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. Broussard will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Broussard came to the attention of law enforcement after he made child pornography files available for download through a peer-to-peer network. Authorities obtained a search warrant for Broussard’s residence and seized his electronic devices.
A forensic examination of his devices revealed Broussard possessed 6215 images and 109 videos of child pornography. The material includes sadistic or masochistic conduct involving children under the age of 12.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherin Daniel prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 link on that page.
Edinburg resident sentenced for using Snapchat to entice minorRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 31-year-old Mexican citizen who resided in Edinburg has been sent to prison for coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Santos Emilio Marcial-Castro pleaded guilty Aug. 29, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Marcial-Castro to serve 120 months in prison. The sentence will be immediately followed by five years on supervised release during which 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. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence. At the hearing, the court noted that despite the likelihood of his removal from the country, he still needed to follow all the conditions imposed on him and not re-enter the country illegally.
In April 2023, law enforcement had discovered numerous conversations between Marcial-Castro and a then 15-year-old minor. The investigation revealed he had been communicating with the victim from May 2021 to April 2023 via Snapchat.
Marcial-Castro was aware the victim was a minor. During their initial conversations, the child told him about her upcoming 14th birthday. Over the course of the next two years, Marcial-Castro sent sexually explicit messages to the victim and enticed the minor to send nude images on multiple occasions. He also told her about his desire to have sex with minors and specifically requested nude photos of the victim’s genitals.
Marcial-Castro will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations – Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.
Brownsville resident heads to prison after attempt to transport over $200,000 of cocaineRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 35-year-old man has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute more than four kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Elias Garcia pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Garcia to serve 82 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release.
On Oct. 4, 2023, Garcia attempted to drive a Jeep Cherokee SUV through the primary inspection lane of the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. Soon thereafter, an X-ray of the vehicle showed the presence of an anomaly inside the vehicle’s battery compartment located beneath the driver’s seat. Authorities searched the vehicle and discovered four bundles of cocaine concealed within the battery.
The weight of the cocaine was over four kilograms and had an estimated street value of more than $200,000.
Garcia will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
BP and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck prosecuted the case.
Sex offender sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors using FacebookRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 35-year-old Virginia resident has been sentenced for the sexual exploitation of children in the McAllen area, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Michael Tienping Tang pleaded guilty May 22, 2019.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Tang to serve 600 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence including how victims of these schemes frequently feel deep fear and shame and often delay in reporting the conduct. In this case, however, Judge Crane heard how two minor victims ultimately came forward and exposed Tang’s crimes.
The court handed down the prison term, noting Tang’s prior sex convictions and the fact that Tang committed this current scheme while under supervision for those prior cases. In addition, the court noted Tang’s use of social media to stalk his victims, their friends and family, as well as Tang’s use of multiple accounts to coerce over 50 victims into engaging in sexually explicit acts at his request. Tang will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will be required to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Tang will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“Tang, a child predator, weaponized Facebook to serve his sick and depraved desires,” said Hamdani. “He used the common social media app to target, exploit and extort our most precious and vulnerable asset, our children. Today’s sentence shrinks Tang’s social circle shaped by the vastness of an online world to the restrictive confines of a federal penitentiary.”
“The abuse and exploitation of children is deeply cruel and violates the trust and safety of the victims. It generates trauma that may not heal. We hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice to those he harmed,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “Fortunately, he will spend the next 50 years in prison where he cannot harm another child. We will seek the same lengthy sentence for anyone who seeks to take advantage of children in our communities.”
The investigation revealed Tang utilized Facebook to coerce and entice minor children to produce child pornography. Tang’s requests frequently included bestiality and would demand minor victims with younger siblings to produce images and videos engaging in sexually explicit conduct with their younger siblings.
The investigation began in May 2017 when authorities learned about the possible online sexual exploitation of two minor victim students within a local school district. Law enforcement discovered Tang coerced them into producing and sending images and videos depicting themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct to his Facebook profile. When the victims blocked Tang on Facebook, he created new accounts, communicated and interacted with the victim’s Facebook friends and contacts and regained access to them. After regaining access, Tang coerced both victims to engage in a list of sexual activities by threatening to disseminate their images and videos.
A federal search warrant of Tang’s Facebook account revealed over 50 potential minor victims who had sent and/or received child pornography.
Authorities identified a third minor victim who Tang coerced to produce and send images and videos depicting themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Tang further coerced this minor victim to produce a video using a younger fourth victim’s hand for sexually explicit conduct. When the minor victim did not meet Tang’s deadline to produce an additional video engaging in oral sex with the younger minor victim, Tang distributed the minor victim’s video.
Tang was previously convicted in 2012 of two separate child exploitation offenses including attempted indecent liberties with a child and two counts of possession of child pornography in Virginia.
Tang will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Sturgis and Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.
Four imprisoned in Mexican Mafia murder-for-hire plotRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Several California residents have received significant sentences for their roles in a South Texas murder-for-hire scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before convicting Viola Elizabeth, Garcia, 53, following a four-day trial in November 2022. Christopher Andrade, 33, also proceeded to trial and was convicted in July 2023. Two others - Noah Solis, 25, and Ronaldo Gallegos, 25, had previously pleaded guilty. All four are from Oxnard, California. Diego Morales, 38, was incarcerated at the time, but also pleaded guilty to his role in the crime prior to trial.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Garcia, Andrade and Gallegos to each serve 120 months in federal prison, while Morales received a 60-month-term of imprisonment. All sentences will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
Solis will be sentenced at a later date.
“The Mexican Mafia, a deadly criminal enterprise that traffics in fear and terror, imported a mother and son duo - Garcia and Andrade - from California to murder a local man for $20,000,” said Hamdani. “Garcia and Andrade thought the scheme would raise their family’s fortunes, but thanks to the work of law enforcement, there won’t be any family reunions for years to come.”
“These four individuals crossed state lines to carry out senseless acts of violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, Mission Police Department, Oxnard Police Department and California Department of Corrections for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe.”
The jury heard that in 2018, Mexican Mafia gang members arranged for the murder of a male residing in Mission.
Morales was in California State prison serving a sentence for attempted murder when he recruited others to commit the murder via a contraband cell phone in his possession. Andrade was a Colonia Chiques gang member who recruited and conspired with the others, including his mother - Garcia - to execute the murder in exchange for $20,000. Evidence showed Mexican Mafia members ordered the murder.
On Aug. 30, 2018, Garcia and co-conspirators attempted to forcibly enter the victim’s residence near Mission. The murder attempt was unsuccessful. They then tried to flee from the scene. At that time, Garcia led responding law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase until she crashed the vehicle.
At Andrade’s trial, the jury heard testimony regarding text messages and phone calls he had made from his phone coordinating the murder attempt.
The jury also heard that in July 2018, they attempted to murder the same victim.
At her trial, Garcia admitted she traveled to Texas in July and August 2018 with the co-conspirators while they were in possession of firearms. She also admitted to being present and witnessing gunshots fired in the July 2018 murder attempt.
However, she attempted to convince the jury she was unaware of any agreement or attempt to commit murder. She claimed the purpose of the trip was to transport the individuals to visit family members and to look at potential real estate for her daughter who resided in Arizona.
Andrade said he was not in fact the user of the phone and was unaware of any agreement or attempt to commit murder.
The jury did not believe either claims and found both guilty as charged.
All have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and police departments in Mission and Oxnard, California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr., Cahal P. McColgan and Sarina S. DiPiazza prosecuted the case.
Drug smuggler sent to prison for six-kilo cocaine seizure at bridgeRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 22-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Matamoros, Mexico, has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute 6.16 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Javier Eduardo Vicencio pleaded guilty Aug. 24, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. has now ordered Vicencio to serve 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that while Vicencio had some character references, the court needed to consider the seriousness of the offense, protecting the public and a deterrence to criminal conduct because Vicencio had committed at least five prior successful drug crossings.
On May 2, 2023, Vicencio drove into the United States through the Gateway Port of Entry in Brownsville. He was the sole occupant of a Chevy Cobalt bearing Mexican license plates. Upon initial inspection, Vicencio denied possessing alcohol, weapons, drugs or other items. However, authorities noticed he appeared nervous and referred him to secondary inspection.
There, they observed anomalies in the side passenger fire wall which resulted in the discovery of 35.4 pounds of cocaine.
Vicencio claimed his family had owned the vehicle for about 10 years and he was trying to “help” them. He believed he was crossing the border with cocaine and would receive payment of $1,000 per trip for delivery to others in Brownsville.
Vicencio will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce prosecuted the case.
Traveling carnival business owner charged for crimes against migrant workersRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A Mexican national residing in the United States has made an appearance in federal court on allegations of fraud in foreign labor contracting, false statements and mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The indictment alleges Angel Reyes Isidro aka Angel Reyes or Lucas Isidro Reyes, 41, operated and managed J&G Concessions LLC in Houston. In 2019, Reyes allegedly submitted falsified temporary employment applications to the United States to obtain H-2B visas for foreign seasonal workers. Upon the workers arrival, Reyes charged them illegal fees, paid them below what was required and made threats of deportation and loss of future employment opportunities to cause them to work despite horrible working conditions, according to the charges.
During the hearing, Judge Bryan heard Reyes poses a serious flight risk, risk of obstructing justice and is a danger to the community. The court heard Reyes also possessed a firearm, which he allegedly used to threaten workers. Testimony further alleged Reyes sexually harassed his female temporary workers, assaulted one of them and threatened and retaliated against the victimized workers.
From 2022 to the time of his arrest April 28, Reyes allegedly continued to operate his carnival business with unauthorized workers.
Reyes faces up to 20 years in federal prison for mail fraud and a maximum of 10 if convicted of visa fraud. He could also be ordered to $250,000 in fines for each conviction. The remaining counts carry a five-year-maximum term of imprisonment.
The Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations as part of the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Lu and Khoa Tran are prosecuting 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.
Harris County resident charged in scheme to steal $1M worth of Jeeps and other vehiclesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 29-year-old Houston man is charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal more than 25 vehicles worth over $1 million, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Kenneth Dwayne Westbrook is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Christina Bryan at 2 p.m.
According to the charges, Westbrook recruited individuals through Instagram by promising to pay them money to rent vehicles for him. Instead of returning the vehicles, he allegedly picked up the vehicles, had them driven to Mexico and ignored renters’ calls and messages imploring him to return them. The charges allege Westbrook repeated this scheme with more than 25 vehicles causing a loss of over $1 million.
If convicted, Westbrook faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count in the indictment.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler White and Michael Chu are prosecuting 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.
Dealer heads to prison for possessing over 5,000 grams of pure methRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 25-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jesus Alfredo Palacios pleaded guilty Jan. 30.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen has now ordered Palacios to serve 150 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
The investigation began in January 2020 when law enforcement learned Palacios was selling kilogram quantities of meth in the Houston area.
On March 30, 2021, authorities observed Palacios leaving his apartment carrying a beige colored backpack and a large box. He then placed the box in the back seat of a gray 2011 Nissan Sentra. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and immediately noticed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from his vehicle.
Upon searching the Nissan, authorities also observed two boxes in the back seat with three plastic containers that contained a crystalized substance. Laboratory analysis revealed it was 5,768 grams of meth and had a purity level of 88%.
Palacios will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Precinct 3 Harris County Constable’s office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart A. Burns prosecuted the case.
Justice Department sues TDCJ for religious discriminationRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) related to its denial of a religious accommodation for a former administrative employee.
The complaint alleges a woman worked as a non-uniformed clerk in an administrative building at the Pam Lychner Unit of TDCJ and requested to wear a head covering as an expression of her Ifa faith. The complaint asserts that rather than accommodating her request, TDCJ indefinitely suspended her without pay when she would not remove her head covering, impermissibly questioned the sincerity of her faith and ultimately terminated her employment.
The suit alleges TDCJ’s refusal to accommodate her religious practice violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Religious discrimination in the workplace will not be tolerated in our district,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “TDCJ, like any other employer, must reasonably accommodate employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
“Employers cannot require employees to forfeit their religious beliefs or improperly question the sincerity of those beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit is a reminder to all employers of their clear legal obligation to offer reasonable religious accommodations. In our country, employers cannot force an employee to choose between their faith and their job.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Karpati is handling the matter along with Trial Attorney Vendarryl Jenkins of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section
Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex and religion. Title VII also prohibits retaliation against employees who have made a charge, assisted or participated in an investigation, proceeding or hearing under Title VII. Employees with complaints of religious discrimination can report them to their local EEOC office or their state or local fair employment practices agencies. The contact information for each local EEOC office can be found at www.eeoc.gov/field-office.
The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. More information about the Civil Rights Division and its work is available on its websites at www.justice.gov/crt and www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section.
The claims asserted in this case are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Justice Department Sues Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Religious DiscriminationRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for denying an employee’s religious accommodation request to wear a head covering as an expression of her Ifa faith. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleges that TDCJ’s refusal to accommodate the employee’s religious practice violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).
“Employers cannot require employees to forfeit their religious beliefs or improperly question the sincerity of those beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit is a reminder to all employers of their clear legal obligation to offer reasonable religious accommodations. In our country, employers cannot force an employee to choose between their faith and their job.”
“Religious discrimination in the workplace will not be tolerated in our district,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “TDCJ, like any other employer, must reasonably accommodate employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
The department’s complaint alleges that Franches Spears, who worked as a non-uniformed clerk in an administrative building, requested to wear a head covering in accordance with the tenets of her religion. The complaint alleges that even though TDCJ allowed other employees to wear hats and other non-religious head coverings and could have accommodated Spears’ request it refused to do so. Instead, TDCJ indefinitely suspended Spears without pay when she would not remove her head covering, impermissibly questioned the sincerity of her faith and ultimately terminated her employment.
The department’s lawsuit seeks to require TDCJ to implement lawful religious accommodation policies and compensate Spears for lost wages and other damages.
Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex and religion. Title VII also prohibits retaliation against employees who have made a charge, or assisted or participated in an investigation, proceeding or hearing under Title VII. Employees with complaints of religious discrimination or retaliation can report them to their local Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) office or their state or local fair employment practices agencies. The contact information for each local EEOC office can be found at www.eeoc.gov/field-office.
The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. More information about the Civil Rights Division and its work can be found at www.justice.gov/crt and www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section.
Trial Attorneys Vendarryl Jenkins and Cheyenne Chambers of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Karpati for the Southern District of Texas are handling the case.
South Texas man arrested after attempting to purchase firearm with stolen bank heist fundsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas - A 42-year-old resident of Laredo is in custody for allegedly committing bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Arturo Limon III has made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga. Originally arrested on related state charges, authorities have now transferred him to federal custody.
The criminal complaint, filed April 29, alleges Limon entered Falcon International Bank located at 10511 McPherson Road April 27. He allegedly approached the bank tellers, handed them an empty camouflage backpack and demanded they put money in it. The charges allege that during the robbery he said, “yes this is happening.”
Limon allegedly stole a large amount of cash from the teller’s drawer, exited through the main lobby entrance and drove away in blue Ford Mustang.
Authorities responded, reviewed bank surveillance footage and issued a “be on the lookout” for an individual matching Limon’s description, according to the complaint.
He allegedly entered the Arena Gun Club shortly after the robbery with a green camouflage backpack and attempted to purchase a firearm by handing the employee a large amount of cash. The charges allege he left the club while employees conducted the mandatory background checks. They alerted law enforcement due to his suspicious behavior, according to the complaint.
Authorities allegedly arrested Limon at his residence as he arrived driving a blue Mustang. At that time, they found marked currency in his vehicle and a green camouflage backpack, according to the charges.
If convicted, Limon faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Makens 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.
RGV tax preparers convicted for $3M tax fraud schemeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Three local sisters have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist in the preparation of filing fraudulent tax returns to the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Maria Lourdes Campos was the owner and operator of Campos Tax Service (CTS) located in the Rio Grande Valley for over 10 years. Employed at Campos Tax Service were Campos’s two sisters, Elizabeth Romo and Gloria Romo.
With the sisters’ assistance, most CTS clients fraudulently applied for and claimed either residential energy credits, business expenses or childcare credits. CTS employees did this to earn larger tax refunds for its clients. Once CTS employees completed the tax returns, they did not review the completed documents with their clients and only provided them with refund amounts or incomplete documents.
From 2018 to 2020, Campos Tax Service filed approximately 6,501 federal income tax returns which included over $5 million of residential energy credits.
The false and fraudulent filings between Campos, Elizabeth Romo and Gloria Romo resulted in a total sustained tax harm of $3,672,472.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton accepted the plea and set sentencing for Aug. 27. At that time, Campos and Elizabeth Romo face up to five years in federal prison while Gloria Romo faces up to three years in federal prison. Each also face a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
All were permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric D. Flores and Cahal P. McColgan are prosecuting the case.
Mother and son duo charged in $1M elder fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 56-year-old Houston resident has been arrested following her indictment in a fraud scheme with her son in which they allegedly tricked an elderly couple out of over $1 million, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities have arrested Regina Lynn Thomas aka Nikki Laday. She made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo who ordered her into custody pending a detention hearing May 6.
Regina Thomas and her son Isaiah Thomas, 38, Houston, are both charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 67 counts of wire fraud.
The indictment alleges Regina Thomas pretended to be a nurse and assisted a couple with caring for an elderly parent. The couple allegedly allowed her to live at their home while they were out of the country for work.
Regina Thomas then told the couple federal authorities wanted them in connection for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) fraud and provided them with whom she claimed was an attorney, according to the charges. That individual was allegedly not a real attorney.
The indictment alleges the couple believed they were paying for the attorney’s services. However, the money was allegedly deposited into Isaiah Thomas’ account who shared the funds with his mother.
If convicted, both face up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of the Elder Justice Initiative. Its goal is to support and coordinate the Department of Justice’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Repeat child sex predator sentenced to 60 yearsRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 36-year-old Alvin resident has been ordered to federal prison for distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Keenan Edward Howe pleaded guilty Oct. 24, 2022.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown has now sentenced Howe to 300 months each for the distribution and receipt convictions in addition to 120 months for possession of child pornography, respectively. They will run consecutively for a total 720-month-term of imprisonment. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the egregious nature of Howe’s conduct. He will serve the rest of his life 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. Howe will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. In handing down the sentence, Judge Brown reiterated the need for Howe’s sentence to reflect the offensive nature of his conduct.
In August 2022, authorities identified Howe through an undercover online investigation in which Howe communicated with someone he believed to be a father with access to minor children. Throughout the conversation, Howe expressed his desire to drug and violently sexually abuse the children. He also discussed purchasing the younger minor child for the purpose of sexually abusing her.
Further communication revealed Howe also admitted to sexually abusing multiple minor victims. Law enforcement subsequently arrested Howe prior to a scheduled meeting with the “father.”
Two months before the conversations, Howe was previously released from prison for offenses involving the sexual abuse of a minor.
Howe will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis Batarse prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.
Mexican citizen imprisoned for downloading sexually explicit videos of minorsRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old Mexican man residing in Donna has been sentenced for using peer-to-peer (P2P) applications to download child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Angel DeJesus Torres pleaded guilty Jan. 19.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Torres to serve 72 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information that Torres used numerous P2P applications to download child pornography. Torres was found in possession of 43 videos child pornography which equated to 3,225 images including prepubescent children aged four to nine as well as minors subjected to acts of bondage. Torres was further ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution to the victims. He will also serve five years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. Torres will also be ordered to register as a sex offender and as a non-U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings.
In October 2018, authorities conducted an investigation identifying persons using P2P software to traffic in child pornography. During that time, they identified an IP address in Donna offering to participate in the distribution of images and child pornography.
In May 2019, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the address in Donna and identified Torres as one of the occupants. At that time, law enforcement seized two cellphones including Torres’ personal phone. Forensic analysis of Torres’ phone revealed 43 videos of child pornography including prepubescent minors under the age of 12.
Torres admitted to frequently downloading, receiving and possessing child pornography.
Torres will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.