Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Felon admits to possessing loaded firearm and drugsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 28-year old Houston resident has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing two firearms while a felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On Jan. 21, 2022, authorities found Sydney Rachal’s motor vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. They soon took him into custody for driving while intoxicated and for an outstanding felony warrant.
Upon his arrest, a search of his person revealed two plastic bags weighing approximately 68 grams that contained cocaine as well as $22,905 in cash. A subsequent search of his vehicle also resulted in the discovery of magazines and two firearms, one of which - a Glock Model 26 pistol - was loaded.
During the hearing, the court heard that Rachal also possessed several other illegal substances, such as marijuana, alprazolam and other pills along with the material to distribute them.
The investigation revealed Rachal had been previously convicted of aggravated robbery. As such, he is prohibited from possession firearms or ammunition per federal law.
U.S. District Judge Hittner accepted the plea and set sentencing for Oct. 5. At that time, Rachal faces up to 10 years and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for the firearms charge, while the drug trafficking conviction carries a potential 20-year prison term with a potential fine of $1 million.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
American headed back to prison after trying to export 5,680 rounds of ammunitionRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 32-year-old U.S. citizen has been ordered to federal prison for attempting to smuggle thousands of rounds of ammunition to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jesus Alberto Olivares pleaded guilty May 2 to attempting to export 5,680 rounds of pistol ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has now ordered Olivares to serve 75 months in federal prison less than one year after he served a sentence for a drug distribution conspiracy.
While imposing the sentence, Judge Garcia Marmolejo noted there was likely only one purpose for this ammunition: to be delivered into the hands of cartel members in Mexico for their use, including killing people.
“This sentence sends a clear message: the Justice Department will be relentless in bringing to justice those responsible for smuggling illegal firearms and ammunition across our southern border,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “We will continue to take aggressive action to combat the gun violence that endangers law enforcement and devastates communities in both Mexico and the United States.”
“The Mexican drug cartels are a threat to the residents and communities of the Southern District of Texas, in part because of their access to illicit firearms and ammunition,” said Hamdani. “Olivares’ decision to hide almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition in the panels of a truck as he attempted to cross a bridge into Mexico will send him to a federal prison for over six years and is a cautionary tale for anyone else who feels compelled to follow in his footsteps.”
On Feb. 27, Olivares drove his black PT Cruiser to the Lincoln Juarez International Bridge on his way home to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Authorities noted one of the vehicle’s doors seemed unusually heavy and rattled slightly as if something was hidden in them.
A subsequent search of all four of the Cruiser’s door panels yielded a total of 5,680 live rounds of pistol ammunition in assorted calibers - 3,600 rounds of .40 caliber S&W, 900 rounds of .380 caliber, 900 rounds of .45 caliber, 100 rounds of 9-millimeter and 180 rounds of .38 SPL +P ammunition.
Olivares admitted he had agreed to smuggle the ammunition into Mexico and had just received the ammunition a few hours prior. He personally hid the ammunition throughout the vehicle’s door and rear panels.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assigned to the HSI-Laredo Border Enforcement Task Force, working in coordination with the Laredo Police Department’s Texas Anti-Gang Task Force (TAG) conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted this case.
This case is being prosecuted 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.
Young man sent to prison for over 30 years for crime spreeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 22-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for robbery and brandishing a firearm during a one-man crime spree that lasted approximately 12 hours, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jose Luis Perez Jr. pleaded guilty Jan. 19 to four counts each of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Today, Judge Alfred H. Bennett sentenced Perez to 36 months in prison for the robberies. He also received an additional 336 months for the firearms charges which must be served consecutively. The total 372-month prison term will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Perez is also alleged to have committed several robberies of individuals during the crime spree.
“This young man has thrown his most of his life away,” said Hamdani. “At 22 now, he will likely be an old man before his release from federal prison. Crime does not pay. Jose Luis Perez terrorized the Houston area for 12 long hours, robbing convenient stores and a gas station at gun point. Thanks to brave victims who relayed concise and expeditious information, law enforcement was able to stop his reign of terror before it became even worse.”
The charges stem from numerous commercial aggravated robberies that began on March 2, 2021, at approximately 11:15 p.m. and ended the following day before 1 p.m. During that 12-hour spree, Perez robbed at gunpoint a Circle K in Friendswood, a Cindie’s Number One in Fantasy and Fun adult novelty shop in Webster, the same Circle K in Friendswood for a second time and a Chevron gas station in Friendswood.
During the robberies, Perez would enter the commercial businesses armed with a rifle, point it at the store clerks and demand money from the registers. He would then leave in his vehicle which was a dark color Chevrolet. The clerks were able to give authorities a description of the vehicle along with a license plate number.
Law enforcement was on alert located him driving the described vehicle after he committed the Chevron robbery. A pursuit ensued. It eventually ended, at which time Perez exited the vehicle with the assault rifle. Authorities took him into custody without incident.
At the time of his plea, Perez admitted he robbed the commercial businesses with the assault rifle.
Perez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Friendswood Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department and Task Force officers with the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts prosecuted the case.
Young adult guilty of producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 21-year-old Laredo resident has admitted he recorded sexual material and posted it on social media, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On June 5, 2022, Victor Antonio Puente rented a motel room in Laredo. There, he engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old female victim. He used his personal cell phone to record and photograph sexually explicit conduct between him and the minor and then uploaded the content via social media.
A forensic analysis of Puente’s cell phone revealed videos of him engaging in intercourse with the victim. Other videos showed him fondling her while both are naked or were of her naked body while she slept.
The minor victim’s family was able to discover Puente’s location from a third-party and contacted law enforcement.
Puente denied that the minor victim was in the room. However, they located her and took her to a local hospital for observation and treatment.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Sept. 28. At that time, Puente faces a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) Homero Ramirez and Michael P. Makens and former AUSA April Ayers-Perez prosecuted the case.
It 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.
Jury returns guilty verdict in murder-for-hire plotRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury sitting in McAllen has convicted a 32-year-old man for conspiracy to commit murder for hire, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting Christopher Andrade, Oxnard, California, following a four-day trial.
The jury heard that in 2018, Mexican Mafia gang members arranged for the murder of an individual residing in Mission.
Andrade was a Colonia Chiques gang member on parole who recruited and conspired with three additional individuals to execute the murder in exchange for $20,000. The others included his mother Viola Garcia, Noah Solis and Ronaldo Gallegos. Testimony revealed the co-conspirators agreed to travel from California to Texas to commit the murder in exchange for payment.
On Aug. 30, 2018, Garcia and co-conspirators attempted to forcibly entered the victim’s residence. 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.
The jury heard testimony regarding text messages and phone calls that Andrade had made from his phone coordinating the murder attempt.
The jury also heard that in July 2018, the group had attempted to murder the same victim.
Andrade attempted to convince the jury 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 those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa presided over trial and set sentencing for Sept. 7. At that time, Andrade faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Andrade has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Noah Solis, 24, and Ronaldo Gallegos, both 24 and from Oxnard, had previously pleaded guilty, while Garcia, 52, also of Oxnard, California, was convicted by a jury in November 2022. All are also pending sentencing.
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 Cahal P. McColgan and Peter I. Brostowin are prosecuting the case.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking a MinorRead the Press Release
A Mexican national, who legally resided in Mission, Texas, pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Texas today to sex trafficking a minor.
In February 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Rita Martinez, 65, for using force, fraud and coercion to compel 10 victims, both adults and minors, to engage in commercial sex work in a cantina that Martinez owned and operated in Mission, Texas, known at various times as Perez Lounge, Rita’s Lounge and Rita’s Sports Bar.
In January 2023, a co-defendant in the case, Genaro Fuentes, 40, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor.
As part of her plea agreement, Martinez admitted that she operated a cantina in Mission, Texas, from 2000 to 2019 and provided housing to a minor victim whom she knew to be 16 years old in the spring or summer of 2005. Martinez had the minor victim clean her house, but eventually, sent the minor victim with men from the cantina, knowing that these men intended to engage in commercial sex with the minor victim. Martinez also admitted that she accepted money from these clients before allowing them to take the minor victim out of the cantina to engage in commercial sex. Martinez applied the money to a smuggling debt that she imposed upon the minor victim to transport her from Mexico into the United States. The minor victim left Rita’s cantina in the fall of 2006.
“Human trafficking – particularly trafficking of children – is a reprehensible crime with far reaching consequences. Traffickers degrade human dignity and decimate individual rights while at the same time undermining public safety, border security, economic opportunity and the rule of law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department remains committed to prosecuting human traffickers for this heartless exploitation of vulnerable young people and to obtaining restitution on behalf of victims.”
“Behind her cantina, Rita Martinez tormented and forced young migrant women and girls into sexual acts, acts with Rita’s male patrons,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “No one should have to endure that kind of treatment. Sometimes it takes time, but we will not give up. We will make sure people like Martinez answer for violating the laws of the United States by preying on the weak and vulnerable members of our society.”
“Human trafficking strips victims of their bodily autonomy and devastates families and communities,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Justice would not be possible without the courage of the victims to come forward and tell their story. The FBI is grateful for their bravery and devoted to bringing justice to anyone affected by human trafficking.”
Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of Martinez’s plea agreement, she agreed to pay over $840,000 in restitution to 14 victims. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 7.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Hamdani and Assistant Director Quesada made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia and Sherri Zack for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Kate Hill of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Cantina owner admits to forcing young girl to engage in commercial sexRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 65-year-old Mexican woman who legally resided in Mission has admitted to forcing a young girl to engage in commercial sex.
Rita Martinez compelled the underage victim to engage in commercial sex work in a cantina she owned and operated in Mission known as Perez Lounge, Rita’s Lounge and Rita’s Sports Bar.
“Using her cantina as a front, Rita Martinez forced a young migrant girl into sexual acts with Rita’s male patrons,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “No one should have to endure that kind of treatment. Sometimes it takes time, but we will not give up. We will make sure people like Martinez answer for violating the laws of the United States by preying on the weak and vulnerable members of our society.”
“Human trafficking – particularly trafficking of children – is a reprehensible crime with far reaching consequences. Traffickers degrade human dignity and decimate individual rights while at the same time undermining public safety, border security, economic opportunity, and the rule of law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department remains committed to prosecuting human traffickers for this heartless exploitation of vulnerable young people and to obtaining restitution on behalf of victims.”
As part of the plea, she acknowledged from the spring of 2005 to the fall of 2006, the 16-year-old Mexican minor lived in Martinez’ home and worked at her bar. Martinez arranged for male patrons of the cantina to take this minor girl from the cantina in order to engage in commercial sex. Martinez profited financially by accepting money from those male patrons. Martinez kept the money and applied it to the cost of the minor victim’s fee for the transportation from Mexico into the United States.
“This case is a reminder of the need for aggressive pursuit of all those who would take advantage of anyone in vulnerable or desperate circumstances,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting people from these horrible predators and will do everything we can to bring these perpetrators to justice. We would like to thank the Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission (TABC) for their outstanding assistance in this case.”
Genaro Fuentes, 41, Martinez’s son, pleaded guilty Jan. 26 and admitted his role working at the bar and helping to facilitate the commercial sex.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing for Martinez and Fuentes Sept. 7 and July 6, respectively. Martinez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, while Fuentes could receive a 20-year maximum sentence.
Martinez and Fuentes have been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The FBI has led the investigation with assistance from the TABC. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia and Sherri Zack are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Kate Hill of the Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Texas Man Sentenced to over 13 Years for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
A Houston man was sentenced today to 165 months, the equivalent of 13 years and nine months, in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to court documents, Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, 23, attempted to join and support ISIS from August 2017 until his arrest in December 2017. He pleaded guilty July 8, 2019. In addition to wanting to join ISIS, Damlarkaya also provided information to ISIS supporters about the use of machetes, homemade construction of an automatic weapon and how to build and use explosive materials.
As part of his plans to join ISIS overseas, starting in approximately early August 2017, Damlarkaya had numerous conversations online with many individuals he believed to be fellow ISIS supporters. During these discussions, he described his intentions to travel overseas to fight for ISIS in Syria or Afghanistan. Damlarkaya added that if he was unsuccessful in joining ISIS overseas, he would conduct an on attack on non-Muslims in the United States and that it was his “dream” to be a martyr.
Damalarkaya also provided information to other ISIS supporters, on at least two separate occasions, about ways to manufacture a bomb. Specifically, he described how to make explosives formula using triacetone triperoxide and cautioned the others to “take safety seriously while you make this” to be “useful until you can strike.”
Damlarkaya further illustrated to ISIS supporters ways to construct an automatic weapon. He claimed he could buy a “GIANT machete for $15” and stated “a lot of us are poor… or we don't have experience. So not all of us can get a gun or make explosives, but we can afford to buy a $15 knife.” He claimed he slept with a machete under his pillow ready to use if law enforcement raided his house.
When agents arrested Damlarkaya, they executed a search warrant at his residence and found a machete by his bed.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas and Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division made the announcement.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Jones for the Southern District of Texas is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Texan sentenced for trafficking firearms to Mexico in ice chestRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 74-year-old San Antonio man has been sent to prison following his conviction for illegal exportation of firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S Hamdani.
Atanacio Espinoza-Duarte pleaded guilty Feb. 15.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Espinoza-Duarte to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how firearms illegally exported from the United States to Mexico are used in violent crime south of the border. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that it is no excuse for delivery drivers to ignore the merchandise they are transporting.
At the time of his plea, Espinoza-Duarte admitted to attempting to illegally exporting firearms to Mexico.
On June 14, 2021, Espinoza-Duarte attempted to enter Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, through the Laredo Port of Entry in a pickup truck. Law enforcement working the outbound inspection lane observed an ice chest in the flat bed of Espinoza-Duarte’s truck. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered five AK-47 rifles and five, 30-round AK-47 magazines that were fully loaded.
Espinoza-Duarte admitted he purchased some of the seized firearms from a man in Mesquite.
Espinoza-Duarte 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 conducted the investigation with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Oklahoman convicted of kidnapping estranged wife by gunpointRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old resident of Yukon, Oklahoma, has been found guilty of kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during the crime, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The federal jury sitting in Corpus Christi deliberated for approximately three hours before convicting Joshua Anthony Wallin on both counts following a four-day trial.
“Joshua Wallin’s maniacal decision to kidnap and torture his estranged wife and one-year-old son and later point a gun at the baby’s head caused two days of terror from places in Oklahoma to Texas,” said Hamdani. “Thanks to the heroic efforts of first responders, the child and mother were able to survive their frightening nightmare, and now Wallin will pay the price for his actions.”
In the early morning hours of June 23, 2021, Wallin confronted his estranged wife at her home in Crescent, Oklahoma, holding her at gunpoint and subjecting her to a two-day ordeal. The jury heard how he took her and their one-year-old son on an arduous journey that culminated at a Corpus Christi restaurant.
The victim provided testimony describing her fear and how she was sexually assaulted before they left Oklahoma and again along the way. She also told the jury that at one point during the trip, Wallin said “at the end of the day someone is going to die.”
As they traveled though Texas, Wallin was aware of law enforcement, called 911 and began a series of conversations with them. He repeatedly made threatening statements about killing his wife and child, telling authorities they should not get too close. His driving became erratic, and law enforcement was able to use a tire deflation device to flatten a rear tire. He eventually crashed into a local restaurant.
They eventually arrived in Corpus Christi, at which time Wallin grabbed his son from the mother’s arms and carried him into the restaurant while pointing a gun at his son’s head. Upon entry, Wallin fired one shot into the ceiling and ordered the occupants out of the restaurant.
A two-hour stand-off then ensued. Wallin did speak with negotiators, but became increasingly agitated. As authorities gained entry, Wallin shot himself. The child was unharmed. Wallin recovered from his self-inflicted wound.
At trial, testimony revealed Wallin had performed internet searches on his phone the day before the kidnapping in an attempt to locate his estranged wife and to learn how people react when kidnapped.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that Wallin and the victim were on a vacation when things went horribly wrong. The jury did not believe those claims and found Wallin guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 20. At that time, Wallin faces up to life in prison for the kidnapping as well as another seven years for brandishing the firearm which must be served consecutively.
Wallin has been and will remain in federal custody pending that hearing.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Hess and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.
Nicaraguan sentenced for smuggling conspiracy resulting in deathRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old Nicaraguan citizen illegally in the United States has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Arling Antonio Gutierrez-Garcia pleaded guilty March 10.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña ordered him to serve 72 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Gutierrez-Garcia is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court considered the conditions inside the trailer, law enforcement efforts in the heat and prior statements four of the aliens had made. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Gutierrez-Garcia was lucky that more persons did not die. She also added that he could have stayed and assisted the aliens not able to exit and offered assistance to those in distress, instead of running away into the brush.
“Transporting dozens of human beings in a vinyl-covered all metal trailer in the South Texas summer heat demonstrates the callousness and indifference of smugglers to human life,” said Hamdani. “The sweltering heat that built up in this vehicle which was designed not for people, but for hauling sand, rock and other materials maximized the potential for injury and the eventual and tragic death of one of the victims. Gutierrez-Garcia will now pay the price for his inhumane crime.”
On June 6, 2022, Gutierrez-Garcia drove a semi-tractor pulling a belly-dump trailer with 63 citizens from Mexico and Guatemala. The metal trailer was covered with a vinyl tarp, thereby eliminating air circulation and increasing temperatures which led to the aliens’ distress.
Gutierrez-Garcia noticed them jumping out the trailer from a tear in the tarp they had made. He then stopped the semi-tractor in west Webb County on a private ranch road where law enforcement saw him standing by the cab.
Law enforcement and medical personnel provided assistance to the individuals located in the trailer and brush. One alien was found at the bottom of the trailer’s pit and pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities apprehended Gutierrez-Garcia in the brush, at which time he claimed he was being transported with the others. However, the investigation revealed he was the driver of the vehicle.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol, Sheriff’s Offices in Webb and Dimmit Counties, Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
Houstonian sent to prison for supporting terrorismRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston has been ordered to federal prison for attempting to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani and Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen.
Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya attempted to join and support ISIS from August 2017 until his arrest in December 2017. He pleaded guilty July 8, 2019.
U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen ordered him to serve 165 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
“Damlarkaya wanted to kill in the name of ISIS,” said Hamdani. “He slept with a machete by his bed, ready to use on law enforcement, provided instructions on how to make a bomb to ISIS supporters, and prepared to travel overseas and become a martyr for our enemies. Today’s sentence insures that Damlarkaya will spend many many years away from machetes and explosives, making everyone in the Southern District of Texas a lot safer.”
In addition to wanting to join ISIS, Damlarkaya also provided information to ISIS supporters about the use of machetes, homemade construction of an automatic weapon and how to build and use explosive materials.
“Preventing a terrorist attack remains the FBI’s number one priority, but the threat of terrorism has morphed significantly from the sophisticated, externally directed plot to the individual, inspired attack,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Fortunately, for us and the public, Damlarkaya was stopped before he was able to carry out his terrorism plan. He dreamed of being a martyr. The reality is that he’s now a federal prisoner and will be one for years to come. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue to gather and share information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to protect our communities.”
As part of his plans to join ISIS overseas, starting in approximately early August 2017, Damlarkaya had numerous conversations online with many individuals he believed to be fellow ISIS supporters. During these discussions, he described his intentions to travel overseas to fight for ISIS in Syria or Afghanistan. Damlarkaya added that if he was unsuccessful in joining ISIS overseas, he would conduct an on attack on non-Muslims in the United States and that it was his “dream” to be a martyr.
Damalarkaya also provided information to other ISIS supporters, on at least two separate occasions, about ways to manufacture a bomb. Specifically, he described how to make explosives formula using triacetone triperoxide and cautioned the others to “take safety seriously while you make this” to be “useful until you can strike.”
Damlarkaya further illustrated to ISIS supporters ways to construct an automatic weapon. He claimed he could buy a “GIANT machete for $15” and stated “a lot of us are poor… or we don't have experience. So not all of us can get a gun or make explosives, but we can afford to buy a $15 knife.” He claimed he slept with a machete under his pillow ready to use if law enforcement raided his house.
When agents arrested Damlarkaya, they executed a search warrant at his residence and found a machete by his bed.
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 FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Jones is prosecuting the case along with DOJ Trial Attorneys Kevin Nunnally and Gregory Gonzalez of National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Drug trafficker sent to prison for possession of multiple variations of weapons earmarked for cartel in MexicoRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for drug trafficking on U.S. streets and unlawfully possessing a rocket launcher, rocket-propelled grenades, guns and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Alfredo Gonzalez-Diaz pleaded guilty May 26, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute kilograms of heroin and cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm.
Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred H Bennett ordered Gonzalez-Diaz to serve a total of 175 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment..
“A rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades, 8.5 kilos of heroin, and lots, and lots, of cash,” said Hamdani. “These are the tools of terror of the Mexican cartels. Cartels like Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) Cartel threaten our communities and our families. This U.S. Attorney’s Office will not rest until we seize the cartel’s weapons, drugs and cash, and welcome those, like Gonzalez-Diaz, to the inside of a prison cell.”
As part of the undercover investigation into individuals affiliated with the CJNG, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant and seized 8.5 kilograms of heroin and approximately two kilograms of cocaine. Authorities also seized a rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades and two guns inside a stereo speaker prepared for transport to Mexico.
The investigation revealed the weapons were destined for imminent distribution to the CJNG in Mexico.
Authorities also discovered additional guns, ammunition and $111,762 in drug proceeds.
Gonzalez-Diaz will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Houston Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shelley J. Sullivan and Lisa Collins prosecuted this case.
These such cooperative matters provide for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the DEA Strike Force is to identify and prosecute all members of narcotics trafficking organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Drug trafficker sent to prison for possession of multiple variations of weapons earmarked for cartel in MexicoRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for drug trafficking on U.S. streets and unlawfully possessing a rocket launcher, rocket-propelled grenades, guns and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Alfredo Gonzalez-Diaz pleaded guilty May 26, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute kilograms of heroin and cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H Bennett ordered Gonzalez-Diaz to serve a total of 175 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
“A rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades, 8.5 kilos of heroin, and lots, and lots, of cash,” said Hamdani. “These are the tools of terror of the Mexican cartels. Cartels like Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) Cartel threaten our communities and our families. This U.S. Attorney’s Office will not rest until we seize the cartel’s weapons, drugs and cash, and welcome those, like Gonzalez-Diaz, to the inside of a prison cell.”
As part of the undercover investigation into individuals affiliated with the CJNG, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant and seized 8.5 kilograms of heroin and approximately two kilograms of cocaine. Authorities also seized a rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades and two guns inside a stereo speaker prepared for transport to Mexico.
The investigation revealed the weapons were destined for imminent distribution to the CJNG in Mexico.
Authorities also discovered additional guns, ammunition and $111,762 in drug proceeds.
Gonzalez-Diaz will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Houston Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shelley J. Sullivan and Lisa Collins prosecuted this case.
These such cooperative matters provide for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the DEA Strike Force is to identify and prosecute all members of narcotics trafficking organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Houstonian imprisoned for distributing kilos of meth for Gulf CartelRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 61-year-old U.S. citizen has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute kilos of crystal meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Carlos Rodriguez-Gayton pleaded guilty Nov. 8, 2022.
Today, U.S. District Judge David Hittner sentenced Rodriguez-Gayton to a total of 168 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the defense asked for a lower sentence based, in part, on their position he held a minor role in the conspiracy. However, the court noted that working in concert with a cartel to conduct four drug deals of a kilogram or more is not minor.
Rodriguez-Gayton’s arrest and ultimate conviction stems from an investigation into individuals affiliated with the Gulf Cartel operating in Houston.
From October 2020 through January 2021, Rodriguez-Gayton sold approximately three kilos of crystal meth over the course of multiple transactions that occurred in Houston. The investigation further revealed that on Jan. 21, 2021, another individual purchased an additional two kilos of crystal meth from Rodriguez-Gayton.
Law enforcement was able to take all drugs into their possession before they could hit the streets of Houston.
Rodriguez-Gayton 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 Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Houston Police Department, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office conducted this investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley J. Sullivan prosecuted the case.
These such cooperative matters provide for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the DEA Strike Force is to identify and prosecute all members of narcotics trafficking organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Former officer convicted of smuggling cocaineRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury has returned guilty verdicts against a 51-year-old Raymondville resident for trafficking drugs, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The jury deliberated for two hours before convicting Juan Posas Jr. of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to do so.
Posas is a former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. At trial, the jury heard that on June 6, 2022, Posas traveled from Raymondville to a Home Depot in Weslaco where he met with Alexis Soria-Soria, 25, a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States. Soria then transferred a box containing approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine into Posas’ truck.
At trial, the jury heard recordings of phone conversations in which Posas helped plan the drug smuggling attempt.
However, the defense attempted to convince the jury that Soria approached him in the parking lot and simply asked if he wanted free fruits, then placed a box of fruits in his car. He said he never checked the box to see what was inside. The jury did not believe his claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 14. At that time, Posas faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Previously released on bond, Posas was taken into custody following the conviction today where he will remain pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jongwoo Chung and Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
Physician assistant admits to unlawful practice of medicineRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 50-year-old Brownsville man has pleaded guilty to health care fraud in relation to his work at an area mental health clinic, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
In July 2021, the Texas Medical Board deemed Fernando Mendez a “continuing threat to public welfare” and suspended his license as a physician assistant.
However, he continued to practice medicine at CCI Therapy Counseling Centers International P.C. (CCI), which has locations in Harlingen and Brownsville, following the suspension.
Mendez further admitted he manufactured medical records to make it appear a different medical provider had seen CCI patients when he was the one who had actually done so.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. accepted the plea and will impose sentencing Oct. 2. At that time, Mendez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Mendez was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (OIG), Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Department of Homeland Security-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz is prosecuting the case.
Couple admits to carjacking and beating Uber driverRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Two Houston residents have pleaded guilty to carjacking with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On Nov. 13, 2022, Frank Lewis Blanco, 28, and Destinee Guerrero, 25, hailed an Uber at approximately 8:30 a.m. However, once inside the vehicle, they repeatedly changed their destination, directing the driver around Houston for approximately half an hour.
The driver ultimately asked the couple to get out of the car, but they refused. He stopped at a gas station and asked the attendant to call the police. While awaiting the arrival of authorities, the driver again asked Blanco and Guerrero to get out of his car. The couple then began to attack him, knocked him unconscious, repeatedly stomped and kicked his body and then stole his car.
The gas station cameras captured the beating.
“This couple senselessly beat an Uber driver unconscious for doing nothing more than trying to give them a ride,” said Hamdani. “My late father was a cab driver, and I can’t imagine the horror and fear he would have felt in that same situation. I want drivers to feel safe as they go to work each and every day. Hopefully, after today, cab and rideshare drivers alike can rest a bit easier knowing these two violent passengers will be off the streets.”
“Once again, violent criminals thought they were entitled to break the law and get away with it. In this case, to savagely beat their Uber driver and steal his vehicle. And once again, the heavy arm of the federal justice system caught up with them and stopped them in their tracks,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI Houston Field Office. “These criminals are unrelenting, and so are we.”
U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted the pleas and set sentencing for Sept. 21. At that time, Blanco and Guerrero face up to 15 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Previously released on bond, the court ordered them into custody following the plea today where they will remain pending sentencing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Tallichet is prosecuting the case.
5th and final man admits role in Laredo cocaine trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 31-year-old man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and launder money, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Elizardo Vasquez Jr. admitted to being the courier of cocaine and drug proceeds.
Vasquez is the fifth co-conspirator to be convicted in this trafficking ring. He joins Cesar Mendiola, 57, Jose Angel Rodriguez Jr., 60, Rafael Rodriguez, 63, and Jose Angel Rodriguez III, 34, all of Laredo, who admitted on June 7 to felony charges related to cocaine distribution and money laundering in Laredo.
Throughout the course of this investigation, authorities seized nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine and over $147,000 in drug proceeds.
The investigation revealed brothers Rodriguez Jr. and Rodriguez would receive kilograms of cocaine from a source in Mexico through Vasquez and provide that cocaine to Mendiola for further distribution in and around Laredo. Rodriguez III kept records of transactions and drug proceeds for his father, Rodriguez Jr.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Sept. 25. At that time, Vasquez faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Vasquez will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the Webb County District Attorney’s Office, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office and the United Independent School District Police Department. 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. Attorneys Anthony J. Evans and Brian Bajew are prosecuting the case.
Washington state woman sentenced for threats to kill Texas judgeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Cheney, Washington, resident has admitted she threatened to kill a federal judge, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Elena Rose Markham pleaded guilty to threatening to assault and murder a federal judge.
Immediately thereafter, visiting U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra imposed a 19-month-term of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence regarding Ezra’s competency restoration and current mental health treatment. In handing down the sentence, Judge Ezra noted her circumstances influenced her conduct.
“Unlawful threats against our judiciary are an assault against our democracy,” said Hamdani. “Our system of justice relies on the ability of personnel to do their jobs without fear of retribution. We will not stand for anyone making any kind of threat – but especially when those statements use language about bullets to the head and murder.”
On Nov. 3, 2021, a woman calling herself “Elena” left two voicemail messages on the business line for a U.S. district judge. The messages were approximately three minutes, 46 seconds and four minutes, 20 seconds in length.
As part of her plea, Markham admitted to being “Elena” and making the threats.
In the voice messages, Markham indicated she was upset her federal lawsuit was dismissed and made several, irrational claims regarding judges who were afraid to deal with certain cases.
“What about a bullet in your head, maybe that’ll work,” she said. She further indicated she was not afraid and threatened to put liens on all federal judges. Markham claimed the judge was in her “war book” and if she ever saw him in a tunnel, her “team” would shoot him.
Markham has been and will remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
The FBI - Corpus Christi Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Ferko prosecuted the case.
Another cocaine trafficker heads to prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 27-year-old Alton resident has been sent to prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 22 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jesus Roberto Reyes-Gutierrez pleaded guilty April 6.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Reyes-Gutierrez to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised Reyes-Gutierrez’s prior criminal convictions in federal court and the amount of narcotics Reyes-Gutierrez had when apprehended.
On July 6, 2022, Reyes-Gutierrez was traveling on Highway 77 in Bishop driving a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. Authorities conducted a traffic stop after observing the vehicle commit a minor moving violation.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 20 packages of cocaine weighing approximately 22 kilograms. The drugs had an approximate street value of over $500,00 at the time of arrest.
At the time of the plea, Reyes-Gutierrez admitted she drove to Mexico to pick up the narcotics. She returned to the United States through the Anzalduas Port of Entry and traveled north of the Rio Grande Valley.
Reyes-Gutierrez 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 with the assistance of Nueces County Constables Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Brostowin prosecuted the case.
Houstonian sent to prison after hiding meth in speaker boxRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 32-year-old man has been sent to prison following his conviction for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Martin Alejandro Carreno pleaded guilty Nov. 8, 2022.
Today, U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein ordered Carreno to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony about the impact meth has had on individuals, families and communities and noted that deadly drugs lead to disaster.
In March 2022, authorities learned Carreno was selling meth by the kilogram in the Houston area and had recently received a large quanity. Law enforcement conducted a search of his residence and discovered more than nine kilograms of meth concealed inside a speaker box.
The total weight was approximately 9.15 kilograms meth with a 99% purity level. It had an estimated street value of $500,000.
Carreno 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 Constables 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.
Tax preparers sentenced in tax fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Three women have received their sentences following their convictions of conspiracy to aid and assist in the preparation of false tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Tamara Turner aka Tamara Owens, Brittany Richardson and Terra White pleaded guilty March 22, Feb. 1 and Feb. 25, respectively. All admitted to their roles in the tax fraud scheme.
Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake imposed a 41-month term of imprisonment for Turner to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Owens and White must serve two years on probation. All three were also ordered to pay $308,537 in restitution for the losses they colectiovely caused to the tax-paying public.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that scheme ran for roughly four years. In handing down the sentences, Judge Lake commented on the magnitude of the charges, the difficulty in detecting such schemes and importance of protecting the public from these schemes.
“Fraudsters like Turner learn that the real cost of stealing from taxpayers is paid by losing freedom. Return preparers that promise higher returns by committing fraud also shirk their responsibilities by placing the burden on all the other taxpayers,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s (CI) Houston Field Office. “Our special agents and investigators are experts at following the money back to the criminals that took it.”
From 2014 to 2018, Turner admitted she owned and operated AJW Taxes and More Tax Preparation Service, located on Westpark Drive in Houston. White and Richardson were employed as tax preparers at various times during the tax season. Turner admitted to submitting fraudulent Schedule C forms and W-2 tax records to the IRS. She inflated her clients personal and business losses to generate larger tax refunds.
Additionally, Turner admitted she routinely submitted altered or fake W-2 forms certifying employment for her clients and qualifying them for Earned Income Tax Credit. She also charged tax preparer fees well in excess of other tax offices that provide the same services.
White and Richardson claimed Turner trained them to submit fraudulent forms to create larger tax refunds for clients. They also admitted to utilizing a unique IRS filing number assigned to other individuals.
Turner was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
IRS-CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.
Convicted robber sentenced for third unlawful entryRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 54-year-old Mexican man has been ordered to prison for illegally re-entering the country…again, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Eleuterio Covarrubias-Martinez pleaded guilty Jan. 20.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Covarrubias-Martinez to serve 151 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Covarrubias-Martinez was facing a large sentence for an unlawful entry, but it was warranted given his significant criminal history in order to promote respect for the law and deter future criminal conduct.
Covarrubias-Martinez is a citizen of Mexico who was found illegally present within the United States. He was previously convicted twice of the same crime with a criminal history including prior convictions for drug trafficking, aggravated assault and aggravated robbery.
On Nov. 14, 2022, law enforcement encountered Covarrubias-Martinez near Hidalgo. At that time, he admitted he was a citizen from Mexico and entered the country by rafting across the river.
Covarrubias-Martinez was deported for the first time on July 25, 2001. He has since been convicted twice for re-entry by deported alien. Documents showed that Covarrubias-Martinez returned just four days after his last removal.
Covarrubias-Martinez 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 conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Phelps prosecuted the case.
Three charged in $6M pediatric dental fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A superseding indictment has been unsealed charging an operator and two managers at a local dental clinic for their roles in a $6 million Medicaid fraud and kickback scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities took Christian Agno Aquino, 42, Humble, into custody today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.
Also charged is Rene Gaviola, 67, and Ifeanyi Ndubisi Ozoh, 51, both of Houston. They were previously arrested on similar charges in August 2022. Ozoh and Gaviola are expected to make their appearances on the superseding indictment in Houston tomorrow.
According to the charges, Gaviola was the operator, while Ozoh and Aquino were managers of Floss Family Dental Care clinic located in Houston. The superseding indictment alleges Gaviola and other employees submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for pediatric dental services, including numerous cavity fillings, that Floss did not provide or that licensed individuals did not conduct. At Gaviola’s direction and with Aquino’s assistance, Floss allegedly employed one individual to practice dentistry without a license. Floss billed Medicaid for these dental services as if they were provided by a licensed dentist, according to the indictment.
Gaviola, Ozoh and Aquino also allegedly paid kickbacks to marketers and caregivers of Medicaid-insured children to bring them to Floss for dental services.
The indictment further alleges Gaviola laundered Medicaid monies from the Floss business bank account to his personal bank account in several transactions exceeding $100,000.
From 2019 to 2021, the dental clinic allegedly billed Medicaid for nearly $6.9 million for which Medicaid paid approximately $4.9 million.
If convicted, all three face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks and 10 years for each count of payment of health care kickbacks. Gaviola and Aquino also face up to 10 years for each count of health care fraud and conspiracy to do so. Finally, Gaviola faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of money laundering. All charges also carry a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grace Murphy 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.
Houston men charged with burning down Spring buildingRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 38-year-old local man is now in custody on charges of maliciously using explosive materials resulting in physical injury and conspiracy to do so, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities arrested Jason Vernon Rogers today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.
Truong Quoc Duong, 52, remains in custody on the same charges following his arrest in March.
A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment March 1.
On Nov. 21, 2022, Duong and Rogers allegedly set fire to a three-story medical center under construction on I-45 North in Spring. The charges allege the fire resulted in burn injuries to a firefighter and damages to the building and fire truck which exceeded $1 million.
According to the charges, Duong was driving a Jeep Gladiator on the date of the fire with Rogers as his passenger. Duong allegedly let Rogers out near the building. The charges allege Rogers then entered the building with a full backpack but left after several minutes without it. They allegedly later contacted each other and met up at a local restaurant.
The fire had allegedly erupted after they had both left the area of the Spring building. It took firefighters several hours to extinguish it, but it was completely destroyed as was a wall to the adjoining car wash, according to the charges.
According to testimony at his detention hearing, Duong owned a pet store in the strip mall next to the location of the fire. He allegedly rented the location from the same landlord who owned the now-destroyed building. The judge heard that Duong had stopped paying rent and abandoned his store before the lease expired, and the landlords sued him. Several days after, the fire occurred, according to information presented in court.
Upon his arrest, authorities allegedly discovered several 2 liter bottles filled with gasoline as well as numerous unregistered firearm suppressors in Duong's vehicle.
If convicted, Duong and Rogers each face up to 40 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation along with the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office and Texas Ranger. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam L. Goldman is 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.
Alleged fraudster extradited to face charges in $7M international advance-fee scamRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 57-year-old Nigerian national has been extradited from France to face charges in the United States for his alleged leadership role in a conspiracy perpetrated against victims in more than 20 countries, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Uche Victor Diuno is set to appear today at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena H. Palermo in Houston.
He arrived in the United States Friday, June 9.
The charges allege Diuno helped to orchestrate a scam involving false promises of investment funding by individuals who impersonated U.S. bank officials in person and over the internet to victims around the world. Those victims were allegedly told they had to make certain payments before they could supposedly receive their funding. Proceeds of the scheme were laundered through U.S. bank accounts and diverted back to the scheme’s perpetrators in Nigeria, according to the charges.
Diuno allegedly lead a criminal network of “catchers,” who sent phishing emails to potential victims falsely offering investment funding on behalf of BB&T Corporation and other U.S. banks. Victims in various countries were deceived into believing they would receive millions of dollars of investment funding as part of joint ventures with U.S. banks, usually BB&T or Chase,
according to the indictment. The perpetrators allegedly utilized false domain names to make it appear that senders of emails were actually affiliated with BB&T or Chase. The charges further allege that to convince victims the opportunities were authentic, the perpetrators recruited U.S. citizens to pose as bank “representatives” at in-person meetings with victims around the world. Further, if occurring abroad, they utilized sham visits to the local U.S. embassy or consulate and fabricated documents to make the victims believe the U.S. government was sponsoring the investment agreements, according to the indictment. The victims were then allegedly induced to pay tens of thousands, and often hundreds of thousands, of dollars to U.S.-based bank accounts on the belief that such payments were necessary to effectuate their investment agreements.
Diuno was originally charged in a second superseding indictment filed Oct. 3, 2018, with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of concealment money laundering.
As alleged in that indictment, Diuno was a “chairman” or leader in the scheme who operated his own network of catchers and money movers alongside other fraudsters, which he used in furtherance of the same BB&T investment scam.
Five other individuals have been charged as part of the same indictment.
The scheme allegedly resulted in losses of more than $7 million.
The FBI and Department of State – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Christian Latham of the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section 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.
Pharmacist Convicted for $1M Opioid Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the Southern District of Texas convicted a Texas pharmacist today for conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense opioids and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from May 2018 to August 2019, Sokari “Momma” Bobmanuel, 63, of Houston, was the owner and pharmacist-in-charge of Cornerstone Rx Pharmacy, which illegally distributed nearly 160,000 opioid pills, including oxycodone and hydrocodone. Bobmanuel, through Cornerstone, distributed controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice, and without a legitimate medical purpose, to individuals who bought prescriptions in the names of other people. These individuals then sold the pills they bought from Cornerstone on the black market. Bobmanuel charged exorbitant prices for her pills – often over $1,000 for a single oxycodone prescription – generating over $1 million from the scheme.
The jury convicted Bobmanuel on one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20 and she 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.
To date, 11 other defendants, including a physician and two nurse practitioners, have pleaded guilty to the conspiracy.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the DEA Houston Division, and Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI Houston Field Office made the announcement.
The DEA Houston Division and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Emily Petro, Monica Cooper, Ariel Glasner, and Courtney Chester of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman for the Southern District of Texas is handling forfeiture.
Several traffickers sentenced for smuggling meth for cartelRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Four U.S. citizens and one Mexican national have been sent to prison following their convictions for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute meth associated with the Michoacan drug cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Gerardo Martinez, 65, pleaded guilty March 9. Maria Valdez, 30, Rodrigo Sandoval, 31, both of Laredo, pleaded guilty Sept. 13, 2022, as did Jose Alfredo Cruz-Salas, 37, of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Karina Garcia, 27, Laredo, pleaded guilty Oct. 4, 2022. All admitted to conspiracy to transport a total of approximately 75 kilograms of meth into the United States from Mexico.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Martinez a 240-month term of imprisonment, while Sandoval, Garcia, and Cruz-Salas received 60, 36, and 72 months, respectively. Valdez received 188 months yesterday.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described how defendant Valdez was transporting meth in a vehicle while her five-month-old son was in an improperly-fastened infant car seat. The court admonished Valdez for putting her son at risk in such a way and costing herself the opportunity to watch him grow up.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted that high-purity Mexican meth was a dangerous and disfiguring drug wreaking havoc on the community. Not a U.S. citizen, Cruz-Salas is expected to face removal proceedings upon the completion of his sentence.
“Martinez was hiding in plain sight, maintaining a front as a taxi driver while secretly doing the bidding of the Michoacan cartel on the streets of Laredo,” said Hamdani. “My late father was a taxi driver and the actions of Martinez simply offend me. He trafficked in pure meth and recruited multiple drivers. The seized drugs could have ruined countless lives. Today’s sentencings underscore the scope of the threat transnational drug cartels pose and our efforts to combat them.”
The investigation revealed a complex conspiracy which began Feb. 1, 2017, and continued through Sept. 29, 2018. Martinez assisted drug traffickers in Mexico by finding and recruiting drivers willing to transport large quantities of high-purity meth through Laredo and further into the United States.
Martinez maintained a front as an independent taxi driver while working on behalf of the Michoacan cartel. He admitted to coordinating the distribution of meth through Laredo on five separate occasions.
Sandoval, Cruz-Salas, Valdez, and Garcia each previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to deliver and transport meth through Laredo while working for Martinez.
All but Karina Garcia will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Karina Garcia was permitted to self-surrender at a later date.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Codigo Siete with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Laredo Police Department and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. 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, mutlti-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. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Several charged in coordinated action in business email compromise and money laundering schemesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 11 people in multiple states are now in custody on charges filed in two separate business email compromise prosecutions in the Southern Districts of Texas and New York, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The two-count Texas indictment charges five - Bolaji Okunnu, 29, and Philip Ogbeide Jr., 33, both of Houston; Ayodegi Okunnu, 24, Austin; and Victor Rubio Jr., 26, and Bougar Robert Linares Soto, 41, both of Los Angeles, California. Okunnu and Ogbeide made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray in Houston this afternoon.
Six others – all of whom reside in the Houston area – are charged in the New York indictment and also expected to appear today. More information will be available later on this case.
All are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
The charges unsealed today pertain to alleged schemes that caused millions in losses to victims who were deceived into sending money to those charged in the scheme.
The charges stem primarily from business email compromise schemes. Conspirators allegedly posed as legitimate businesses and fraudulently diverted money from victim bank accounts into accounts they controlled. According to the charges, they gained access to business email accounts and spoofed email addresses to deceive victims into believing they were making legitimate payments.
The Texas charges include an alleged scheme that fraudulently diverted payments intended for a vendor that had provided electrical and mechanical services to a township in New Jersey. The charges allege conspirators obtained access to the email account of one of the vendor’s employees. They then used that email account to request payment for services to be sent to a new bank account that did not belong to the vendor, according to the charges.
The New Jersey township was allegedly deceived into wiring $287,236 to a fraudulent bank account Rubio had opened instead of actually paying the vendor. The charges further allege conspirators laundered the funds in a manner designed to conceal the source, ownership and control of the funds by quickly transferring the money from Rubio’s account to other bank accounts they controlled. They then withdrew the fraud proceeds incrementally in cash.
If convicted, those charged in Texas each face up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation with valuable assistance from the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office and the Edison Police Department in New Jersey. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Thomas Carter 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.
Local woman ordered to prison after chasing down trafficked victim who tried to escapeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 30-year-old woman who resided in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to traffic an adult female for sex by force, fraud or coercion., announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Samaria Kearney pleaded guilty Feb. 15.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal sentenced Kearney to a total of 72 months of imprisonment. In handing down the prison term, the court noted the sentence reflected the delicate balance between Kearney being under the influence of another person, engaging in prostitution and causing others to become a victim of sex trafficking. Judge Rosenthal further noted the sentence was commensurate with the brief time Kearney was controlling this victim. Kearney will serve five years on supervised release following completion of her prison term. During that time, she will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her access to children and the internet. Kearney will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
The day before her plea, her boyfriend and co-defendant Aryion Dupree Jackson received a 324-month-prison term for his participation in this case and an additional sex trafficking case involving minor females.
Between June and July 2020, while Jackson was in custody in Harris County, Kearney controlled a victim for him. He had directed her to do so in recorded calls from the jail. The plan was to put this victim on “the blade,” an area known for prostitution, and cause her to engage in commercial sex. However, the victim escaped and called police.
Kearney was responsible for driving the victim to a hotel, taking her phone and documents, threatening the victim and her family and chasing her down when she tried to escape. During that chase, Kearney was on the phone with Jackson.
Kearney will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherri L. Zack and Kimberly Ann Leo prosecuted the case.
The FBI conducted the investigation 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.
Houston man pleads guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearmRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year old resident of Houston has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities identified Nathan Steward Oct. 4, 2019, as the subject of a suspicious persons call. Law enforcement took him into custody and discovered a stolen firearm in his bag.
Steward admitted he possessed the Sig Sauer .380 caliber pistol.
Previously convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, federal law prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
“At the core of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) mission to reduce violent crime is investigating and brining to justice prohibited individuals that chose to possess firearms, in violation of federal law,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski. “These guns are disproportionately used to commit additional crimes and often threaten the public safety of our communities.”
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. will impose sentencing Sept. 11. At that time, Steward faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Steward was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shirin Hakimzadeh and Tyler White are prosecuting the case.
Four admit to roles in drug trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Four Laredo residents have entered guilty pleas for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and launder money, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Cesar Mendiola, 57, Jose Angel Rodriguez, Jr., 60, Rafael Rodriguez, 63, and Jose Angel Rodriguez III, 34, all admitted to the felony charges as related to cocaine distribution and money laundering in Laredo.
Throughout the course of this investigation, authorities seized nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine and over $147,000 in drug proceeds.
The investigation revealed brothers Rodriguez Jr. and Rafael Rodriguez would receive kilograms of cocaine from a source in Mexico and provide that cocaine to Mendiola for further distribution in and around Laredo. Rodriguez III kept records of transactions and drug proceeds for his father, Rodriguez Jr.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Sept. 7. At that time, Mendiola and Rodriguez Jr. face up to life in federal prison. Rafael Rodriguez and Rodriguez III could receive up to 40 and 20 years, respectively.
Mendiola, Rodriguez Jr. and Rafael Rodriguez remain in custody while Rodriguez III was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the Webb County District Attorney’s Office, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office and the United Independent School District Police Department. 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.
司法部宣布已就休斯顿市非法倾倒垃圾的环境正义调查达成协议Read the Press Release
司法部今日宣布，针对休斯顿市在黑人和拉丁裔社区非法倾倒问题上的环境正义调查，已达成一项和解协议。该协议基于休斯顿市最近宣布的 One Clean Houston（休斯顿整洁行动）倡议。这是一个全面计划，旨在解决广泛存在的非法倾倒垃圾问题，改善对休斯顿居民健康、安全和生活质量的不良影响。今日达成的协议正式记录了休斯顿市与司法部的合作，它将推动实施一系列新措施来打击非法倾倒，并为全体休斯顿市居民开发改进的废物管理服务。
司法部民权司 (Civil Rights Division, CRT) 助理检察长 Kristen Clarke 说：“休斯顿非法垃圾场的存在导致了水土污染、害虫滋生，对全市资源匮乏的社区造成了严重影响。我非常钦佩 Turner 市长在解决这些问题上展现的领导才能和对推动 One Clean Houston 倡议的坚定决心。该协议将确保休斯顿全面解决长期以来存在的非法垃圾倾倒问题，提供充分的废物管理服务，并改善有色人种社区居民的生活质量。司法部将持续推进环境正义，确保全国范围内的有色人种社区拥有安全、清洁和健康的居住环境。”
德克萨斯州南区的美国检察官 Alamdar S. Hamdani 说：“任何人都不应被迫生活在充斥着废弃轮胎、成袋的垃圾、腐烂的动物尸体且土壤和地下水受到污染的地方，而这些问题都是由非法倾倒造成的。长久以来，休斯顿的弱势和低收入社区一直承担着因他人无所作为和不当行为而带来的健康负担。我希望这项决议能成为纠正这些错误的重要一步。”
2022 年 7 月，司法部在收到一份代表休斯顿居民的民权投诉后启动了调查，投诉声称休斯顿市违反了 Civil Rights Act of 1964 （1964 年的《民权法案》）Title VI（第六章）的规定，对位于休斯顿东北部的 Trinity/Houston Gardens 社区的黑人和拉丁裔居民进行了歧视。Title VI 禁止接受联邦资助的机构在联邦资助的项目和活动中，以种族、肤色或国籍为由进行歧视。
司法部展开了长达十个月的调查，重点审查了休斯顿市在解决非法倾倒问题方面的工作。非法倾倒是休斯顿市长期存在且普遍发生的问题，尤其在该市的黑人和拉丁裔社区中更为频繁。2023 年 3 月，休斯顿市推出了 One Clean Houston 倡议。One Clean Houston 的重点是迅速清理、强化执法、预防和教育工作。除了确认休斯顿市对 One Clean Houston 的承诺之外，该协议还设立了为期三年的联邦监测期，数据报告义务，加强与受影响社区的沟通，包括与英语能力有限的居民互动，考虑采取额外行动打击商业非法倾倒行为，减少居民使用废物处理设施的限制，并为特定市政府员工提供联邦民权培训计划。
民权司的 Federal Coordination and Compliance Section（联邦协调与合规科）在德克萨斯州南部地区美国检察官办公室的协助下开展了这项调查。
通过执行国家民权法律消除歧视性的环境与健康影响，是民权司的一项首要任务。今天宣布达成的协议是根据联邦民权法规达成的第二项环境正义和解协议。上个月，民权司宣布对阿拉巴马州卫生局和阿拉巴马州朗兹县卫生局的环境正义调查已得到解决。2022 年 4月，司法部设立了环境正义办公室，并制定了全面的环境正义执法战略。
任何人如果认为自身的民权遭到侵犯或担心环境公正问题，可在 www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 向民权司提出投诉。
司法部宣佈已就休斯頓市非法傾倒垃圾的環境正義調查達成協議Read the Press Release
司法部今日宣佈，針對休斯頓市在黑人和拉丁裔社區非法傾倒問題上的環境正義調查，已達成一項和解協議。該協議基於休斯頓市最近宣佈的 One Clean Houston（休斯頓整潔行動）倡議。這是一個全面計畫，旨在解決廣泛存在的非法傾倒垃圾問題，改善對休斯頓居民健康、安全和生活品質的不良影響。今日達成的協議正式記錄了休斯頓市與司法部的合作，它將推動實施一系列新措施來打擊非法傾倒，並為全體休斯頓市居民開發改進的廢物管理服務。
司法部民權司 (Civil Rights Division, CRT) 助理檢察長 Kristen Clarke 說：「休斯頓非法垃圾場的存在導致了水土污染、害蟲滋生，對全市資源匱乏的社區造成了嚴重影響。我非常欽佩 Turner 市長在解決這些問題上展現的領導才能和對推動 One Clean Houston 倡議的堅定決心。該協議將確保休斯頓全面解決長期以來存在的非法垃圾傾倒問題，提供充分的廢物管理服務，並改善有色人種社區居民的生活品質。司法部將持續推進環境正義，確保全國範圍內的有色人種社區擁有安全、清潔和健康的居住環境。」
德克薩斯州南區的美國檢察官 Alamdar S. Hamdani 說：「任何人都不應被迫生活在充斥著廢棄輪胎、成袋的垃圾、腐爛的動物屍體且土壤和地下水受到污染的地方，而這些問題都是由非法傾倒造成的。長久以來，休斯頓的弱勢和低收入社區一直承擔著因他人無所作為和不當行為而帶來的健康負擔。我希望這項決議能成為糾正這些錯誤的重要一步。」
2022 年 7 月，司法部在收到一份代表休斯頓居民的民權投訴後啟動了調查，投訴聲稱休斯頓市違反了 Civil Rights Act of 1964 （1964 年的《民權法案》）Title VI（第六章）的規定，對位於休斯頓東北部的 Trinity/Houston Gardens 社區的黑人和拉丁裔居民進行了歧視。Title VI 禁止接受聯邦資助的機構在聯邦資助的專案和活動中，以種族、膚色或國籍為由進行歧視。
司法部展開了長達十個月的調查，重點審查了休斯頓市在解決非法傾倒問題方面的工作。非法傾倒是休斯頓市長期存在且普遍發生的問題，尤其在該市的黑人和拉丁裔社區中更為頻繁。2023 年 3 月，休斯頓市推出了 One Clean Houston 倡議。One Clean Houston 的重點是迅速清理、強化執法、預防和教育工作。除了確認休斯頓市對 One Clean Houston 的承諾之外，該協議還設立了為期三年的聯邦監測期，資料包告義務，加強與受影響社區的溝通，包括與英語能力有限的居民互動，考慮採取額外行動打擊商業非法傾倒行為，減少居民使用廢物處理設施的限制，並為特定市政府員工提供聯邦民權培訓計畫。
民權司的 Federal Coordination and Compliance Section（聯邦協調與合規科）在德克薩斯州南部地區美國檢察官辦公室的協助下開展了這項調查。
通過執行國家民權法律消除歧視性的環境與健康影響，是民權司的一項首要任務。今天宣佈達成的協議是根據聯邦民權法規達成的第二項環境正義和解協定。上個月，民權司宣佈對阿拉巴馬州衛生局和阿拉巴馬州朗茲縣衛生局的環境正義調查已解決了。2022 年 4月，司法部設立了環境正義辦公室，並制定了全面的環境正義執法戰略。
任何人如果認為自身的民權遭到侵犯或擔心環境公正問題，可在 www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 向民權司提出投訴。
Texas man sent to prison after leading officers on high-speed chaseRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 36-year-old San Benito man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of smuggling eight non-U.S. citizens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Rogelio Garcia pleaded guilty March 15.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Ruiz to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how Garcia led officers on a high-speed chase through the town of Sinton, putting the smuggled individuals and surrounding motorists in danger. In discussing the factors impacting the sentence, the court remarked on the danger to which Garcia exposed both the aliens and other motorists and noted the serious nature of his conduct.
On Jan. 23, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Garcia was driving and did not yield to them. He then led officers on a 10-mile chase, reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The chase led into the town of Sinton, where Garcia ran stop signs and forced other vehicles to pull to the side of the road to avoid his vehicle.
Ultimately, Garcia lost control and veered off the roadway onto railroad tracks. At that time, approximately eight people fled into the nearby brush, three of whom authorities located and placed in custody.
Garcia has been and 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Foster prosecuted the case.
Man admits he caused thousands in losses to IRSRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – An area man has admitted he filed false tax returns for three years, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Oscar Dominic Garcia admitted that between 2016 to 2018, he filed false tax returns in which he under-reported his income.
As part of his plea agreement, Garcia agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $108,113 to the IRS, representing the tax loss for the three years of false tax returns.
“Whether they are self-employed or own a large business, everyone pays taxes to keep services running. When they don’t pay, they violate the trust placed in them by their communities and the American public,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS - Criminal Investigation’s (CI) Houston Field Office. “There is no ‘up-side’ to stealing from our nation. All you gain is a felony record and the ire of honest taxpayers.”
A sentencing date has not yet been set. At the time of sentencing, Garcia faces up to three years in federal prison and possible $100,000 maximum fine.
Garcia was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
IRS – CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz prosecuted the case.
Justice Department Announces Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Illegal Dumping in the City of HoustonRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement in its environmental justice investigation into the City of Houston’s response to illegal dumping in Black and Latino neighborhoods. The agreement builds upon the city’s recently announced One Clean Houston initiative, a comprehensive plan to address pervasive illegal dumping and its negative impacts on the health, safety and quality of life of Houston residents. Today’s agreement memorializes the city’s cooperation with the Justice Department as it implements these new steps to combat illegal dumping and develops improved waste management services for residents across Houston.
“Houston’s illegal dumpsites have contaminated water and soil, attracted vermin and created blight in historically under-resourced neighborhoods across the city,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I appreciate Mayor Turner’s leadership in addressing these concerns and his resolve in developing One Clean Houston. This agreement will ensure that Houston fully addresses chronic illegal dumpsites, provides access to adequate waste management services and improves quality of life in communities of color. The Justice Department will continue advancing environmental justice and ensuring that people of color across our nation live in safe, clean and healthy communities.”
“No one should have to live next to discarded tires, bags of trash, rotting carcasses, infected soils and contaminated groundwater, all caused by illegal dumping,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “For too long now, Houston’s underserved and low-income communities have had to bear the health burdens of the inaction and misdeeds of others. My hope is that this resolution is an important step in remedying those wrongs.”
In July 2022, the Justice Department launched its investigation after it received a civil rights complaint filed on behalf of Houston residents alleging that the city discriminated against Black and Latino residents of the Trinity/Houston Gardens neighborhood in northeast Houston in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits recipients of federal funds from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin in their federally funded programs and activities.
The department’s ten-month investigation focused on Houston’s efforts to address illegal dumping, a persistent and pervasive problem that occurs more frequently in the city’s Black and Latino neighborhoods. In March 2023, the city announced its One Clean Houston initiative. One Clean Houston focuses on rapid cleanup, better enforcement and prevention and education. In addition to confirming the city’s commitment to One Clean Houston, the agreement establishes a three-year period of federal monitoring; data reporting obligations; enhanced community outreach with impacted neighborhoods, including engagement with residents with limited English proficiency; consideration of additional actions to combat commercial sources of illegal dumping and reduce restrictions for residents seeking to use waste depositories; and a federal civil rights training program for specified city employees.
The Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section conducted this investigation in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Addressing discriminatory environmental and health impacts through enforcement of the nation’s civil rights laws is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Today’s announcement marks the second environmental justice settlement under federal civil rights statutes. Last month, the division announced the resolution of its environmental justice investigation into the Alabama Department of Health and Lowndes County Health Department in Lowndes County, Alabama. In April 2022, the Justice Department launched its Office on Environmental Justice and its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy.
Individuals who believe their civil rights have been violated or have environmental justice concerns can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Felon admits to manufacturing and selling automatic weapons to the Mexican cartelRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 37-year-old Laredo resident has pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and conspiracy to possess intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jaime Jesus Esquivel produced and illegally exporting fully automatic firearms to Mexico for the use of drug cartels.
As part of the undercover investigation, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of cocaine or multiple AR-type fully automatic rifles. The rifles were ghost guns, a common term for privately made firearms that are absent any manufacture marks of identification.
Esquivel assembled and manufactured these weapons for distribution. He made them from various components of Colt model M4 parts and a 3D printed polymer AR-Type drop-in auto-sear or machine gun conversion device (MGCD). An MGCD is any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun.
Law enforcement executed two federal search warrants on locations in Laredo and seized completed and privately manufactured AR-type lower receivers, various firearm parts, firearm manufacturing tools/jigs, 950 rounds of assorted ammunition, a 7.62mm rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and one privately manufactured short barrel fully automatic rifle that lacked any serial numbers or industry markings as well as meth and cocaine and a 3D printer.
“Selling fully automatic rifles to Mexican cartels so they can carry out their deadly and heartless goals puts the lives of families on both sides the border in serious danger,” said Hamdani. “Esquivel manufactured and assembled fully automatic AR-Type rifles for distribution to Mexico’s cartels, placing his and the cartels’ profits above the lives of his neighbors. As a result, he now faces the potential of a very lengthy term in federal prison.”
U.S. District Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time, Esquivel faces up to 10 years for possession of a machine gun, a maximum of 20 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as well and 20 years for conspiracy to possess intent to distribute cocaine and total fines of up to $1.5 million.
Esquivel has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting 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.
El Departamento de Justicia anuncia un acuerdo en una investigación de justicia medioambiental de vertido ilegal en la Ciudad de HoustonRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio en su investigación de justicia medioambiental de la respuesta de la Ciudad de Houston ante el vertido ilegal en barrios negros y latinos. El acuerdo fortalece la iniciativa municipal One Clean Houston que se anunció hace poco, el cual consiste en un plan integral para abordar el vertido ilegal generalizado y sus efectos negativos en la salud, seguridad y calidad de vida de los residentes de Houston. El acuerdo de hoy conmemora la cooperación de la Ciudad con el Departamento de Justicia en la implementación de estas nuevas medidas para combatir el vertido ilegal y el desarrollo de mejores servicios de gestión de residuos para los residentes por todo Houston.
«Los vertederos ilícitos de Houston han contaminado el agua y la tierra, han atraído parásitos y han creado una lacra en barrios con recursos insuficientes por toda la ciudad», afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Aprecio el liderazgo del alcalde Turner en abordar estas preocupaciones y su determinación en lo que se refiere al desarrollo de One Clean Houston. Este acuerdo garantizará que Houston aborde plenamente los vertederos ilegales crónicos, que brinde acceso a servicios adecuados de gestión de residuos y que mejore la calidad de vida en las comunidades de color. El Departamento de Justicia seguirá promoviendo la justicia medioambiental, con el fin de asegurar que las personas de color por todo nuestro país vivan en comunidades seguras, limpias y sanas».
«Nadie debería verse obligado a vivir al lado de llantas botadas, bolsas de basura, cadáveres de animales medio podridos, suelos infectados y aguas freáticas contaminadas», declaró Almadar S. Hamdani, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas. «Durante demasiado tiempo, las comunidades marginadas de bajos ingresos de Houston han tenido que soportar las cargas sanitarias de la falta de acción y las fechorías de otros. Espero que esta resolución sea un verdadero paso hacia la corrección de estas injusticias».
En julio del 2022, el Departamento de Justicia lanzó su investigación después de recibir una queja de derechos civiles, presentada en nombre de residentes de Houston que alegan que la Ciudad había discriminado a residentes negros y latinos del barrio de Trinity-Houston Gardens, en el noroeste de Houston, en contra del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964. El Título VI prohíbe que los beneficiarios de fondos federales discriminen por motivos de raza, color de piel o nacionalidad de origen en sus programas y actividades promovidos con fondos federales.
La investigación del Departamento, que duró diez meses, se enfocó en los esfuerzos de Houston por abordar el vertido ilegal, un problema perenne y generalizado que ocurre con mayor frecuencia en los barrios negros y latinos de la Ciudad. En marzo del 2023, la Ciudad anunció su iniciativa One Clean Houston. One Clean Houston se enfoca en la limpieza rápida, mejor aplicación de la ley y prevención y la educación. Además de confirmar el compromiso de la Ciudad con One Clean Houston, el acuerdo establece un período de tres años de supervisión federal; obligaciones de declaración de datos; mejor proyección comunitaria con los barrios afectados, lo que incluye la interacción con residentes cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado; la consideración de medidas adicionales para combatir las fuentes comerciales del vertido ilegal y reducir las restricciones para residentes que deseen usar depósitos de residuos; y un programa de capacitación en los derechos civiles federales para ciertos empleados municipales.
La Sección Federal de Coordinación y Cumplimiento de la División de Derechos Civiles realizó esta investigación con el apoyo de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas.
Una de las prioridades principales de la División de Derechos Civiles es abordar los impactos discriminatorios en los ámbitos del medioambiente y la salud mediante la aplicación de las leyes nacionales de derechos civiles. El anuncio de hoy representa el segundo acuerdo de justicia medioambiental bajo las leyes de derechos civiles federales. El mes pasado, la División anunció la resolución de su investigación de justicia medioambiental del Departamento de Salud de Alabama y el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Lowndes en el Condado de Lowndes, Alabama. En abril del 2022, el Departamento de Justicia lanzó su Oficina para la Justicia Medioambiental y su Estrategia Integral de Aplicación de la Justicia Medioambiental.
Aquellos individuos que creen que sus derechos civiles han sido vulnerados o que tienen alguna inquietud relacionada con la justicia medioambiental pueden presentar una demanda ante la División de Derechos Civiles en www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Bộ Tư pháp Đưa ra thông báo về Thỏa thuận trong Cuộc điều tra Công lý Môi trường đối với tình trạng Đổ rác Bất hợp pháp tại Thành phố HoustonRead the Press Release
Hôm nay, Bộ Tư pháp thông báo rằng họ đã đạt được thỏa thuận dàn xếp trong cuộc điều tra công lý môi trường đối với phản hồi của Thành phố Houston về vấn đề đổ rác bất hợp pháp ở các khu dân cư của người Da đen và người Latinh. Thỏa thuận này được xây dựng dựa trên sáng kiến One Clean Houston (Khối thống nhất Houston Xanh sạch đẹp) được công bố gần đây của thành phố, đây là một kế hoạch toàn diện nhằm giải quyết tình trạng đổ rác trái phép diễn ra rộng khắp và những tác động tiêu cực của vấn đề này đối với sức khỏe, an sinh và chất lượng cuộc sống của cư dân Houston. Thỏa thuận ngày hôm nay kỷ niệm hoạt động hợp tác của thành phố với Bộ Tư pháp trong việc triển khai các bước hành động mới này để chống lại tình trạng đổ rác bất hợp pháp và phát triển các dịch vụ quản lý chất thải được cải thiện cho cư dân trên khắp Houston.
“Các bãi rác bất hợp pháp ở Houston đã làm ô nhiễm nước và đất, thu hút các loài sâu hại và gây nên sự tàn phá trong các khu dân cư trước đây vốn sở hữu nguồn lực hạn chế trên khắp thành phố”, Trợ lý Tổng chưởng lý thuộc Ban Dân quyền (Civil Rights Division, CRT) của Bộ Tư pháp, Kristen Clarke cho biết. “Tôi trân trọng phương hướng lãnh đạo của Thị trưởng Turner trong việc giải quyết những mối quan ngại này và quyết tâm của ông ấy trong việc phát triển One Clean Houston. Thỏa thuận này sẽ đảm bảo rằng Houston giải quyết triệt để các bãi rác tồn tại lâu năm bất hợp pháp, cung cấp khả năng tiếp cận đến các dịch vụ quản lý chất thải đầy đủ và cải thiện chất lượng cuộc sống trong các cộng đồng người da màu. Bộ Tư pháp sẽ tiếp tục thúc đẩy công lý môi trường và đảm bảo rằng người da màu trên khắp đất nước chúng ta được sống trong các cộng đồng an toàn, sạch sẽ và lành mạnh”.
“Sẽ không có ai phải sống kế bên những chiếc lốp xe bỏ đi, túi rác, xác động vật thối rữa, đất nhiễm khuẩn và nước ngầm bị ô nhiễm bắt nguồn từ tình trạng đổ rác trái phép.”, Luật sư Hoa Kỳ, Alamdar S. Hamdani thuộc Quận phía Nam Texas cho biết. “Đã quá lâu rồi, các cộng đồng có thu nhập thấp và không có đủ nguồn lực của Houston đã phải chịu gánh nặng về sức khỏe do không hành vi khoanh tay đứng nhìn và các hành động sai trái của những người khác. Tôi hy vọng rằng quyết tâm này là một bước tiến quan trọng trong việc khắc phục những việc làm không đúng đắn đó.”
Vào tháng 7 năm 2022, Bộ Tư pháp đã bắt đầu cuộc điều tra sau khi nhận được đơn khiếu nại về hành vi vi phạm dân quyền được đệ trình thay mặt cho các cư dân Houston, cáo buộc rằng thành phố đã có sự phân biệt đối xử đối với cư dân là người Da đen và người Latinh đang sống tại khu dân cư Trinity/Houston Gardens ở phía bắc Houston, vi phạm Title VI (Tiêu đề VI) của Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Đạo luật Dân Quyền năm 1964). Title VI cấm những người tiếp nhận quỹ liên bang phân biệt đối xử dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da hoặc nguồn gốc quốc gia trong các chương trình và hoạt động do liên bang cấp vốn.
Cuộc điều tra kéo dài mười tháng của bộ tập trung vào những nỗ lực giải quyết tình trạng đổ rác trái phép của Houston, một vấn đề dai dẳng và diễn ra rộng khắp, xuất hiện thường xuyên hơn ở các khu dân cư trong thành phố có người Da đen và người Latinh sinh sống. Vào tháng 3 năm 2023, thành phố đã công bố dự án One Clean Houston của mình. One Clean Houston tập trung vào việc vệ sinh nhanh chóng và hoạt động thực thi, phòng ngừa cũng như giáo dục tốt hơn. Ngoài việc xác định cam kết của thành phố đối với One Clean Houston, thỏa thuận này còn thiết lập một giai đoạn kéo dài ba năm trong đó diễn ra hoạt động giám sát của liên bang; thực hiện nghĩa vụ báo cáo dữ liệu; tăng cường khả năng tiếp cận cộng đồng với các khu dân cư bị ảnh hưởng, bao gồm cả việc tương tác với những cư dân có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế; cân nhắc các hành động bổ sung để chống lại các nguồn hoạt động thương mại thực hiện hành vi đổ rác trái phép và giảm bớt các hạn chế đối với những cư dân muốn sử dụng các bãi chứa chất thải và một chương trình đào tạo dân quyền cấp liên bang cho nhân viên thành phố được chỉ định.
Federal Coordination and Compliance Section (Bộ phận Tuân thủ và Điều phối Liên Bang) của Ban Dân quyền tiến hành cuộc điều tra này với sự hỗ trợ của Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ thuộc Quận phía Nam của Texas.
Giải quyết các tác động phân biệt đối xử về môi trường và sức khỏe thông qua việc thực thi luật dân quyền của quốc gia là ưu tiên hàng đầu của Ban Dân Quyền. Thông báo ngày hôm nay đánh dấu lần giải quyết vấn đề công lý môi trường thứ hai theo các đạo luật dân quyền liên bang. Vào tháng trước, ban này đã đưa ra thông báo về nghị quyết của cuộc điều tra công lý môi trường áp dụng cho Sở Y tế Alabama và Sở Y tế Quận Lowndes ở Quận Lowndes, Alabama. Vào tháng 4 năm 2022, Bộ Tư pháp đã thiết lập Văn phòng Công lý Môi trường và Chiến lược Thực thi Công lý Môi trường Toàn diện.
Những cá nhân tin rằng các họ đã bị vi phạm dân quyền hoặc có những mối quan ngại về công lý môi trường có thể nộp đơn khiếu nại cho Ban Dân quyền tại địa chỉ www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Small town meth and cocaine traffickers sent to prisonRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – With the sentencing of two Sinton residents, nearly a dozen criminals have now been brought to justice for their respective roles in narcotics trafficking on local streets, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jonathan “John Bear” Olbera, 37, pleaded guilty to March 8, 2022, to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, while Lisza Marie Vera, 44, entered her plea Oct. 5, 2020, to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute meth.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey sentenced Olbera to 78 months in federal prison, while Vera was ordered to serve a 60-month-term of imprisonment. The sentences will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
“In a small town like Sinton, drug trafficking and gang activity endangers every resident,” said Hamdani. “Worthless gangs, including a motorcycle gang, cared nothing about Sinton’s children and families when they distributed cocaine and meth, even near a school and park. My hope is that these sentences send a strong message to others thinking of putting their neighbors at risk.”
In 2019, local, state and federal law enforcement conducted investigations to address drug trafficking and gang activity in various small towns in San Patricio County including Sinton with a population of less than 6000.
The investigation led to the identification of the Garcia drug trafficking organization. Several individuals in that group were members and associates of various gangs including the Calaveras Outlaw motorcycle gang, Texas Syndicate, 59 Bounty Hunters and the Bloods. They operated out of a multi-family residence known as “The Compound” in the heart of Sinton located within 1000 feet of a public park and an elementary school.
Olbera and Vera were part of that group responsible for distributing cocaine and multi-kilogram amounts of meth to residents in Sinton, Odem and Aransas Pass. The organization was selling approximately one kilogram of meth every week.
The leader of the organization - Jacob Eli Garcia, 31 - previously received a sentence of 300 months in federal prison. Collectively, the total sentences imposed in this case totals approximately 1100 months in federal prison.
“The Compound” was sold at auction as a result of the criminal convictions in this case.
Olbera will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Vera was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender at a later date.
“The success demonstrated in this case is a prime example of community and public safety partnerships working hand-in-hand for the betterment of all served,” said Aransas Pass Police Department Chief Eric Blanchard. “And, this tremendous outcome would not be without our close working relationship with our federal partners.”
Task force officers from Aransas Pass Police Department working with the Drug Enforcement Administration lead the investigation with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Texas Department of Public Safety, Sinton Police Department and San Patricio Sheriff’s Office conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Jensen prosecuted the case.
Sex offender gets 40 years for sharing child pornography in two statesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 44-year-old registered sex offender has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of distributing and possessing child pornography in two separate federal cases, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Timothy Lee Tyler, pleaded guilty Sept. 12, 2022, to distributing child pornography in 2020 and to possessing child pornography in both 2019 and 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen sentenced Tyler to 360 and 240 months for the distribution and possession convictions, respectively. A portion of the sentences will run consecutively for a total 480-month term of imprisonment. Before imposing sentence, the court heard Tyler had previously committed hands-on offenses against children he knew through friends and loved ones and that he had encouraged other users on the Kik messaging app to create child pornography for his enjoyment.
Tyler was further ordered to pay a total of $28,100 in restitution to his victims and will serve 20 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. Tyler will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“For years, this person preyed upon children,” said Hamdani. “Online, he encouraged other predators to abuse their own children for his sick gratification. In real life, he terrorized and abused children of people close to him. This sentence will help ensure he isn’t allowed access to children ever again.”
At the time of his plea, Tyler admitted he was staying with friends in Conroe in September 2020. During that time, he started distributing child pornography from his cellphone on the Kik messenger app. When Tyler was arrested, his cellphone contained hundreds of images and videos depicting bestiality, bondage and sexual abuse of children. Tyler also admitted to possessing hundreds of child pornography files on a flash drive while residing in Milwaukee in June 2019.
Tyler, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 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 Montgomery County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Conroe Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bauman and Sherri Zack 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.
Three sent to prison for Pearland bank robberyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Three Houston men have been ordered to federal prison for aiding and abetting bank robbery and brandishing a firearm for the 2021 robbery of a local Woodforest Bank, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Alex Dwayne Thomas, 20, and Rafael Fernandez, 29, pleaded guilty Feb. 24 and Jan. 26, respectively.
Today, Judge Alfred H. Bennett sentenced Thomas and Fernandez to 24 and 18 months in prison, respectively, for the bank robbery. They each also received an additional 84 months for the firearms charges which must be served consecutively. The respective 108 and 102-month prison terms will be followed by three years of supervised release.
Accomplice Lorenzo Lewis Smith, 20, Houston, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 108 months April 20.
“These men put innocent lives at risk – first when they terrorized bank employees at gunpoint, then by engaging in a reckless escape,” said Hamdani. “Thankfully, authorities were on their heels and put them in custody in short order. This sentence shows our vigilance in combatting violent crime and how we partner with law enforcement to ensure these criminals are off the streets of Houston.”
The charges stem from a violent take-over style robbery of a Pearland area Woodforest Bank Nov. 5, 2021. During the robbery, Thomas jumped over the teller counter while brandishing a 9mm firearm with an extended magazine. Smith then used a crowbar to pry open the cash drawers and stole U.S. currency.
Both then fled to an awaiting get-away car that Fernandez was driving. Authorities pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase before safely apprehending all three men.
All three men 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 Harris County Sheriff’s Office Task Force officers and the Pearland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Peneguy and John M. Lewis prosecuted the case.
Man accused of shooting three HPD officers to appear in courtRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 31-year-old Houston resident is scheduled for his first appearance in federal court on charges of carjacking, discharging a machine gun during a crime of violence, possession of a machine gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Aldamar Hamdani.
Roland Caballero is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam S. Sheldon at 3:15 p.m. A federal grand jury returned the indictment Feb. 16, 2022, but he has remained in state custody on related charges.
On Jan. 27, 2022, Caballero was allegedly involved in an altercation with his girlfriend which resulted in a 911 call. The criminal complaint alleges authorities allegedly responded, but he fled. They pursued until Caballero ultimately crashed his vehicle, according to the charges. At that time, he allegedly shot and wounded three Houston Police Department (HPD) officers using a pistol modified with a fully automatic switch.
Caballero then fled the scene on foot and carjacked a nearby citizen in a vehicle, according to the criminal complaint. Law enforcement located him and a stand-off allegedly ensued. Caballero, again, allegedly discharged a firearm at authorities, after which he ultimately surrendered.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Caballero’s residence and allegedly discovered several firearms, ammunition, machine gun components and 3D printers.
If convicted, Caballero faces up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, HPD and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Britni Cooper is 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.
Former USDA animal inspector sentenced for accepting bribesRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 69-year-old Laredo man has been ordered to federal prison for accepting bribes from Mexican cattle brokers, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Roberto Adams pleaded guilty on April 25, 2022.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered he serve a total of 57 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The sentenced was enhanced because he accepted more than one bribe payment while in a position of public trust for a total amount of over $40,000. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Adams did not understand the gravity of the crime he committed and the significance of the harm he did or could have caused by allowing diseased cattle into the country. He was also ordered to immediately pay $40,000 in fines.
“It is critical that we do not allow corruption to infect positions of public trust, including inspectors at the port of entry,” said Hamdani. “They are supposed to ensure the safety and integrity of the agricultural products passing into the United States. Adams put that system at risk. We hope this sentence serves as deterrent to others thinking of violating their obligations.”
At the time of his plea, Adams admitted he accepted over $40,000 in bribe payments from Mexican cattle brokers while acting in his official position as a USDA employee. In return, he allowed cattle to enter the United States without proper quarantine or inspection.
Adams was a employed at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a lead animal health technician for 10 years. In that role, he was responsible for inspecting and quarantining or excluding tick-infested or diseased cattle. He was only one of two technicians the USDA employed in Laredo and exercised high level decision-making authority.
The FBI and USDA - Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the case.
Suburban Houstonian sentenced for having over 35,000 child pornography filesRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 33-year-old Alvin resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Michael Crisp Jr. pleaded guilty March 31, 2022.
Today, Judge Jeffrey V. Brown ordered Crisp to serve 210 months for distributing and receiving child pornography and 120 months for possessing it. They will run concurrently for a total 210-month-term of imprisonment. Before imposing the sentence, Judge Brown emphasized that child pornography is not a victimless crime and that he received more victim impact statements in this case than in any previous case before him.
Crips was further ordered to pay a total of $136,500 in restitution to 42 identified victims and must 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. Crisp will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“Crisp hoarded and traded files of child rape, suffering and trauma as if they were some kind of collectors’ item - to the order of tens of thousands,” said Hamdani. “Today’s sentence underscores that consumers of child pornography can and will be held to account for how they fuel demand for more and more images of children suffering unspeakable sexual abuse.”
“Cases that involve the sexual exploitation of children are some of the toughest cases our agents work,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Crisp took pleasure from thousands of images and videos depicting the sadistic sexual exploitation, torture and abuse of children, including infants and toddlers. By choosing to receive and disseminate such graphic imagery, Crisp repeatedly re-victimized the victims. While today’s sentence removes one sexual predator from children’s lives, the FBI’s work continues as there are many more like Crisp still out there.”
Crisp first came to the attention of law enforcement after he imported a nine-minute video into his cloud storage account of an adult woman sexually abusing a toddler. During the investigation, authorities found over 29,000 images and 6,500 videos of child pornography on multiple devices. The images depicted young children in bondage and included children under the age of five. In addition to possessing child pornography, Crisp utilized messaging applications to trade child sexual abuse material with others.
Previously released on bond, Crisp was taken into custody following the sentencing today where he will remain 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 Pearland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman 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 PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Smuggling over $2M in fentanyl and other narcotics lands women in prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two Houston women have been sent to prison following their convictions of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Clarissa Hernandez, 24, admitted her role in the conspiracy June 2, 2022, while her co-conspirator, Sarah Morales, 24, pleaded guilty April 28, 2022.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Hernandez to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that detailed the conspiracy, which included the women purchasing firearms in Houston and exporting them to Mexico.
Morales was also previously sentenced to a 120-month term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the complex and seriousness nature of the criminal activity.
On Feb. 11, 2022, Hernandez attempted to drive through a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint, at which time a K-9 alerted to her vehicle. A search revealed 15 bundles of cocaine and 32,500 pills of disguised fentanyl concealed in the front and rear bumpers of her Chevrolet sedan.
Soon after, Morales also attempted to pass through the checkpoint. During a search, authorities discovered 12 bundles of cocaine, three bundles of heroin and one bundle of fentanyl concealed in the front and rear bumpers of her Ford sport utility vehicle.
At the time of their pleas, they admitted they had conspired together to smuggle a total of 25.36 kilograms of cocaine, 4.94 kilograms of fentanyl and 255 grams of heroin.
The drugs have a combined estimated street value of approximately $2.25 million.
Hernandez 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 and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck prosecuted the case.
#OnePillCanKill
Smuggler sentenced after leaving one dead in brushRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI – A 26-year-old Mexican citizen illegally in the United States has been ordered to federal prison for transporting illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jose Carols Arroyo-Secundino pleaded guilty Dec. 28, 2022.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Arroyo-Secundino to serve 48 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Arroyo-Secundino is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence regarding the reckless nature of the offense that described the hazardous nature of transporting aliens through the brush in South Texas. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Arroyo-Secundino’s lack of criminal history.
On Sept. 11, 2022, law enforcement apprehended Arroyo-Secundino after observing him guide approximately 13 illegal aliens through the brush. After his arrest, a subsequent search of his cell phone led to the discovery of videos depicting a person dying. The videos linked Arroyo-Secundino to a deceased person found in the brush on July 16, 2022. The footage confirmed Arroyo-Secundino guided the group and directed others to leave the victim in the brush.
The investigation also revealed the number associated with the cell phone was used to contact the victim’s brother to demand $2,000 in exchange for the GPS coordinates of the body. The information was turned over to law enforcement who ultimately located the deceased person.
Arroyo 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Gould prosecuted the case.
Several smugglers admit to transporting undocumented aliensRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A total of four people have pleaded guilty to human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jose Quezada-Gamez, 29, Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty to functioning as a guide for undocumented aliens attempting to cross the Rio Grande and enter the United States illegally. Derly Crescencio Medina, 27, McAllen, and Jessica Dinora Pena-Rodriguez, 48, Tamaulipas, admitted housing undocumented aliens at a residence near San Juan. Rogelio Gonzalez III, 29, Edinburg, entered his plea to transporting undocumented aliens further north into the United States.
Authorities arrested all four following an investigation into a extensive smuggling ring operating in the McAllen area. They apprehended Quezada-Gamez near the Rio Grande guiding a group of aliens into the United States from Mexico. Gonzalez was taken into custody near Premont as the driver of a vehicle containing multiple undocumented aliens.
At the time of the pleas, all four admitted to knowingly transporting or harboring undocumented aliens for financial gain.
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing Aug. 10. At that time, each faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
All four have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Parran III is prosecuting the case.