Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former manager of Prairie View Federal Credit Union indicted on embezzlement chargesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 56-year-old Prairie View woman has been indicted on charges of embezzlement from elderly customers, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gloria Jean Hall She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan at 2 pm.
A federal grand jury returned the four-count indictment Sept. 15.
The charges allege Hall was the manager at Prairie View Federal Credit Union from February 2000 to August 2020. Beginning in 2010, she allegedly embezzled approximately $211,563 from elderly account holder funds. She created loans totaling nearly $791,000, withdrew the loans and cashed $76,772 in numerous unauthorized checks from accounts at the credit union for her own personal use and benefit, according to the indictment.
Hall allegedly fraudulently formed 58 nominee loans by creating fake share loans in the names of relatives and friends. She transferred money across the loans to make payments among them, according to the charges. She also allegedly created fake monthly loan statements and moved funds mainly from elderly credit union members into the accounts of her relatives and friends.
Hall is charged with three counts of embezzlement by a credit union employee and one count of making false entries in the financial records of the credit union.
If convicted, Hall faces up to 30 years in prison and a possible $1 million maximum fine.
The credit union existed for approximately 85 years. It was one of the oldest continually operational federal credit unions established by a historically black college and university in the United States until its failure and merger with the Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union in early 2022.
The FBI – Bryan Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quincy L. Ollison 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.
Drug traffickers sent to prison for transporting narcotics in car batteriesRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Five members of a drug trafficking organization have received significant sentences their convictions of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Felipe De Jesus Garcia, 31, Laredo, pleaded guilty Feb. 3, while Manuel Orozco-Ambriz, 48, also of Laredo, and Mexican national Erick Cuellar-Rodriguez, 31, each pleaded guilty Sept. 9, 2021. Cesar Juarez-Romero, 24, and Jose De Jesus Morales, 37, both Mexican nationals with no legal presence in the United States, pleaded guilty Oct. 4 and Dec. 10, 2021, respectively.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana imposed a 360-month term imprisonment for Orozco-Ambriz for the drug trafficking conviction as well as another 24 months for violating the terms of his supervised releases for a prior conviction. The sentences will be served concurrently for a total 30-year-prison term. The court ordered Cuellar-Rodriguez to serve 210 months in prison, while De Jesus Garcia and Juarez-Romero received 51 and 108 months in prison, respectively. Judge Saldana will sentence De Jesus Morales at a later date.
In handing down the sentences, the court noted the significant quantity of illegal drugs coming across the border and acknowledged the significant threat to the public and the court’s role in deterring others who would engage in similar conduct.
In 2018, law enforcement initiated an investigation into a drug distribution network that was responsible for transporting narcotics concealed within car batteries from Mexico into the United States.
Orozco-Ambriz and Cuellar-Rodriguez coordinated the transportation and delivery of multiple car batteries containing meth across the border into Laredo. Law enforcement had identified Juarez-Romero, De Jesus Morales and De Jesus Garcia as they delivered the drug laden items.
As a result of the investigation, authorities seized approximately 44 kilograms of pure meth and one kilogram of heroin.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Customs and Border Protection conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Fox Hound with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, and La Salle 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, 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 Lance Watt prosecuted the case.
Out of state man convicted for stalking local victimRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 47-year-old Colorado man has admitted to threatening a woman with releasing sexually-explicit images unless she moved with him across the country, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Moses Cano pleaded guilty to one count of stalking.
Cano and the victim dated for a brief amount of time. At the end of that relationship, Cano made threats to her if she did not agree to come to Colorado with him. The victim refused. In retaliation, he then sent sexually-explicit images of the victim to her place of employment and several of her friends.
As part of his plea, he admitted he took over her Facebook account and used it to send the images and other messages to her contacts. He also posted a sexually-explicit video of the victim to a well-known adult pornography site.
In distress, the victim contacted authorities.
Sentencing has been set for Nov. 30. At that time, Cano faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum possible fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting the case.
Jury returns guilty verdict in local deed fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A federal jury sitting in Houston has convicted a 61-year-old Dallas man for money laundering, conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for half a day before convicting Clarence Roland III on all charges following a eight-day trial.
In 2009, Roland began working with co-conspirator Arlando Jacobs, 57, Oakland, California, in a deed fraud scheme to cancel and challenge mortgage loans held in the name of Jacobs or others. During this time, Roland frequently used the alias Joshua Stein, while Jacobs used Caleb Wright or Dexter Ponzey.
According to testimony, they solicited and received the help of other co-conspirators to establish over 11 business entities or shell companies and office spaces with mailing addresses in Houston, The Woodlands and Katy to carry out the scheme.
The jury heard that Roland and co-conspirators fraudulently acquired real property by manipulating and filing fraudulent deeds and other documents. Roland sold the properties and received profits from the sales. The original mortgage liens were not paid off and the mortgage holders were ultimately defrauded. Some title insurance companies were forced to pay buyer claims who had acquired the title when purchasing the real property Roland sold to them.
The co-conspirators fabricated a series of documents to falsely create the appearance of transferred ownership of real property to the shell companies. In order to do so, they signed documents claiming to represent one of the many entities in the transactions. The same names were used as signors on many documents and purported to represent different entities. They were also fraudulently notarized by using fake notary stamps.
The defense attempted to convince the jury the law allowed him to file fraudulent documents in the real property records to transfer title of houses on which there were mortgages so he could then sell them free of those mortgages. They did not believe those claims and found Roland guilty as charged.
Jacobs pleaded guilty in advance of trial in an unrelated fraud case in the Northern District of Texas and was sentenced to 51 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $7.6 million.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal presided over the trial and set sentencing for Jan. 25, 2023. At that time, Roland faces up to 30 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution and 20 years for wire fraud. They also carry potential fines of up to $1 million. For money laundering, he faces another 10 years as well as a fine of $250,000.
Previously released on bond, Roland was taken into custody following the conviction today where he will remain pending sentencing.
The FBI, Federal Housing Finance Agency - Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Housing and Urban Development - OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Braddock and John Wakefield are prosecuting the case.
Galveston man sentenced for receiving and possessing nearly 100 child pornography filesRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 53-year-old local man has been ordered to prison following his conviction of receiving and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Cedric Robert Cox pleaded guilty July 21, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffery Brown sentenced Cox to 84 months for each of the receiving and possessing convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 84-month term of imprisonment. Cox was further ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution to known victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Cox will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In 2016, authorities discovered Cox using peer-to-peer file sharing software to obtain child pornography images and videos. They executed a search warrant at his residence and seized numerous devices. Further examination revealed the devices contained 32 images and 62 videos containing child pornography as well as search terms indicative of a sexual interest in children. Some of the videos depict a pre-pubescent minor female with her genitals exposed and engaging in various sex acts.
Cox was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations, Webster Police Department and Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. 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.
Former soldiers sentenced for transporting undocumented citizensRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two former soldiers stationed at Fort Hood have been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to transport undocumented aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Emmanuel Oppongagyare, 22, pleaded guilty Aug. 11, 2021, while Ralph Gregory Saint-Joie, 19, pleaded guilty the following day.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña imposed a 21-month-term of imprisonment for Oppongagyare, while Saint-Joie received 13 months. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony from both men. Oppongagyare remarked that, “On June 13, I made one of the worst mistakes of my life,” while Saint-Joie stated he was ashamed of what he did. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Saldaña commented, “you made a horrible mistake and you’re going to get punished for it. You’re going to go to prison,” and that the defendants were “really vested in trying to make this successful.”
Saint-Joie has been identified as an active duty member of the U.S. Army while Oppongagyare is from the Pennsylvania National Guard. At the time of arrest, each noted they were stationed at Fort Hood.
On June 13, 2021, Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie attempted to go through the Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint in Hebbronville wearing their army-issued uniforms. Upon inspection, authorities discovered two individuals hidden in the trunk who were determined to be in the country illegally. Authorities promptly took them and the soldiers into custody. At the time of arrest, both Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie were wearing their Army-issued uniforms.
At the time of his plea, Oppongagyare admitted a person he met through Saint-Joie recruited him to pick up the aliens from McAllen and drive them to San Antonio. They expected to be paid once they arrived the destination but did not know the exact amount.
The two Mexican nationals hidden in the vehicle admitted to paying Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie a fee in exchange for passage into the United States. They also identified Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie as the driver and the passenger, respectively, of that vehicle.
The investigation determined Isaiah Gore had hired them and instructed them to wear their uniforms to possibly avoid questioning. Authorities also identified Denerio Williams and Ivory Palmer as being involved in human smuggling. Gore, Williams and Palmer were also indicted, pleaded guilty and later sentenced before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo.
Both Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and Department of the Army – Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Bajew and Mark Hicks prosecuted the case.
Army National Guardsman ordered to prison for trafficking cocaineRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 28-year-old Austin resident and active duty Army National Guardsman has been sent to prison for possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jonathan Zarazua pleaded guilty Jan. 13.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered Zarazua to serve 50 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Zarazua was responsible for trafficking numerous loads of illegal narcotics.
On Sept. 11, 2021, Jonathan Zarazua attempted to enter the United States through the Brownsville and Matamoros Bridge in Brownsville. He claimed he was returning after visiting his father in Mexico. At secondary inspection, an x-ray scan of his vehicle revealed anomalies and officers ultimately discovered 6.62 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a false compartment under the center console.
At the time of his arrest, Zarazua was an active duty Army National Guardsman employed as a Petroleum Supply Specialist. He also served on active duty with the United States Army from 2016 to 2020.
Zarazua admitted to smuggling the cocaine for individuals in Mexico and to having smuggled drugs into the United States on at least 30 other occasions. He further admitted he was specifically recruited because he could use his military status to facilitate crossing the border with illegal narcotics.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
“The Breadman” sentenced for trafficking narcoticsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 43 year-old Houston rapper has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and distributing meth, cocaine and opioids, announced U.S. Attorney B. Lowery.
Jermaine West aka The Breadman pleaded guilty April 6 to 10 counts of drug trafficking in the Houston area.
Today, U.S. District Judge George Hanks ordered West to serve 280 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by six years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional argument that West had engaged in gang activity beyond his drug trafficking. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hanks noted that West “destroyed people’s lives.” The court further noted that “for 20 years [West] played a dangerous game,” and that he had “played the game and lost.”
West was part of the Hood Kat Music Group rap studio based in southeast Houston.
The investigation began in 2019 when law enforcement learned West was trafficking narcotics. The information regarding drug trafficking as well as West’s known position as an influential gang member in southeast Houston triggered the multi-agency investigation.
West 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 and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Houston Police Department.
The plea is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Bullet Trap. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States. It uses 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 Jason Corley and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Devon Helfmeyer prosecuted the case.
Houston woman admits to importing meth in “aloe vera” jugsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 28-year-old Houston woman has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to import 40.5 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
As part of her plea, Evelyn Fabiola Ramirez admitted that on April 3, she attempted to enter the United States from Mexico driving an SUV at the Lincoln Juarez Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo. She was carrying several jugs which she claimed was aloe vera.
Authorities referred her to secondary inspection after it appeared someone had tampered with the lids and due to the unusual color of the liquid.
There, they opened one of the jugs and inspected the liquid. It tested positive for meth and weighed 40.5 kilograms.
Ramirez admitted someone hired her to move the drugs into the country. She was told to bring her children along for the ride to make the trip look legitimate. Ramirez was given $500 for expenses and traveled to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to pick up the narcotics. She believed she would be paid $3,000 to move the narcotics.
She actually thought she was transporting cocaine.
Ramirez has been in custody, but could be released upon posting bond. Sentencing will be det at a later date, at which time she faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.
Bryan man sent to prison for receiving PPP funds while under indictmentRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 46-year-old Texan has been ordered to prison following his conviction of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Keith Anton Johnson pleaded guilty March 10.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ordered Tran to serve 14 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court considered Johnson’s fraudulent statements on multiple official documents he used to secure $123,000 in Payroll Protection Loans. Specifically, he falsely claimed he was not currently under indictment for any other crime. In imposing the sentence, Judge Hughes noted that Johnson stole not just from the government, but the taxpaying citizens of the United States who made the emergency relief possible.
At the time of his plea, Johnson admitted that in 2020, he lied on multiple documents while applying for a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan. At the time of his application, Johnson was under indictment in Harris County for theft over $300,000 in connection with construction fraud allegedly committed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Johnson would have been ineligible to receive PPP funds due to that indictment.
Johnson applied for the fraudulently obtained PPP loan by claiming the loan was to be used for the employees of a bar and live music venue he owned in Bryan called Southerns. That venture failed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI and Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas H. Carter prosecuted the case.
Victoria resident that fled police with handgun and kilo of meth sent to prisonRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – A 32-year-old Victoria man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Daniel Berry pleaded guilty April 7.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Berry to serve 144 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence of Berry’s extended criminal history and prior use of a firearm during the commission of crimes. Additionally, Berry has a history of discarding evidence during the commission of crimes. Berry also has multiple probation revocations and other pending state drug and firearm offenses.
On Jan. 30, law enforcement observed Berry commit traffic violations while driving on Highway 59. They soon learned his vehicle was registered to a subject with an outstanding federal warrant and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, Berry failed to yield.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop, at which time Berry attempted to flee on foot while attempting to discard a backpack. Authorities were able to apprehend him, took him into custody and secured the bag. They noticed it had an odor of marijuana and ultimately found approximately 1001.8 grams of suspected meth, nearly one ounce of marijuana, 17.4 grams of suspected meth pills, a small amount of cocaine and a Ruger handgun with 25 rounds of ammunition.
Laboratory analysis later confirmed the substances were in fact 983 grams of 97% pure meth. Berry admitted to having knowledge of the drugs and gun and took ownership of the backpack.
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 Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.
Former head of Gulf Cartel receives life sentence for importing kilos of drugsRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 51-year-old Mexican national who was head of Cartel del Golfo (CDG) from 2003 to 2012 has been ordered to prison and to pay millions for his role in conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jorge Costilla-Sanchez pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered Costilla-Sanchez to serve the rest of his life in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information detailing how Costilla-Sanchez profited $5 million from drug trafficking. He was ordered to pay a money judgment in that amount. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rodriguez noted Costilla-Sanchez’s extensive involvement in trafficking illegal drugs into the country. The court commented that during the 10 years Costilla-Sanchez was the head of the CDG, he lead a violent criminal organization, using guns and intimidation to maintain control of their illegal drug trafficking enterprise and resorting to violence and killing to maintain power.
“This was a long, but very important case to the district and especially our partners in Brownsville," said Lowery. "The life sentence speaks for itself. Justice has now been served.”
“Today’s sentencing is the culmination of years of relentless work by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and its partners targeting the Cartel del Gulfo,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of HSI - San Antonio. “This investigation highlights HSI’s dedication to go after cartel members importing dangerous drugs into our communities. This sentence will send a resounding message that transnational criminal organizations are being continuously investigated and their leaders will be brought to justice.”
“High-ranking drug trafficking leaders like Costilla-Sanchez are not immune from facing stiff punishments,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Houston Division. “Costilla-Sanchez brought poison to our communities, and our collaborative efforts with our local and federal partners brought him to prison. We will continue to aggressively go after any drug trafficking organization wanting to profit from our communities.”
“This sentencing sends a clear message that organized drug trafficking organizations and threats against law enforcement will not be tolerated,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “The FBI continues to work alongside our partners to pursue and prosecute the leadership of drug trafficking cartels and dismantle their organizations. We thank the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for their collective efforts to bring this high-level criminal to justice.”
Costilla-Sanchez aka El Cos, Doble X and Dos Equis became head of CDG after the arrest of former CDG leader Osiel Cardenas in 2003. Prior to joining the cartel, Costilla-Sanchez was a municipal police officer in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
He was arrested in 2012 in Mexico at the request of the United States and in 2015. Costilla-Sanchez also previously pleaded guilty to threatening two federal agents from the FBI and while he was being investigated for drug trafficking in 1999.
CDG is a Mexican transnational criminal organization operating in Tamaulipas, Mexico. During the time Costilla-Sanchez was the leader, he was responsible for importing over 10,000 kilograms of cocaine and 140,000 kilograms of marijuana to the United States.
Costilla-Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI, DEA and FBI conducted the OCDETF operation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and IRS-Criminal 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. Attorneys Jody Young and Karen Betancourt prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Costilla-Sanchez to the United States.
Local contractor pleads guilty to bribery in bid rigging schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 64-year-old Houston man has admitted to conspiring to commit mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Abraham Joseph pleaded guilty to engaging in the fraud scheme for 12 years.
Joseph was the owner of One Point Inc., a company located in Houston.
As part of his plea, he admitted that from 2007 to 2019, he engaged in a bribery and bid rigging fraud scheme to secure construction and maintenance work contracts from a local company with a manufacturing facility.
During that time, he submitted fake bids through the company’s facilities manager to make it appear OnePoint was the lowest. In return, Joseph paid $1.3 million in cash and other items of value in bribes.
Joseph further admitted he failed to disclose he was submitting falsified bids and paying kickbacks from the victim company’s funds. He also had the victim company’s facilities manager on company payroll.
The victim company would not have paid invoices from OnePoint had they known about the falsified bids or the kickback payments.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal will impose sentencing Jan. 18, 2023. At that time, Joseph faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Joseph was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.
Houston doctor pays $240,000 for wrongful receipt of retirement benefit paymentsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 68-year-old Houston doctor has agreed to pay $240,000 to resolve allegations he wrongfully received government retirement benefit payments from the from the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), announced the Jennifer B. Lowery.
Dr. Henry Zaleski inappropriately spent funds intended for his mother.
From Jan. 26, 2007, to June 1, 2019, Zaleski received his deceased mother’s CSRS survivor annuity payments through a joint bank account he shared with her while she was alive. CSRS survivor annuity payments are made to the spouse of a former government employee and terminate upon the survivor annuitant’s death.
OPM was not informed of Zaleski’s mother’s death and continued to make deposits into the joint bank account. Zaleski spent the funds on personal expenses including maintenance and upkeep costs on his second home located in Florida.
These payments were made by mistake and caused Zaleski to be unjustly enriched.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and OPM - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura E. Collins handled the matter.
The claims resolved by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Local man sent to prison for tax evasion and bankruptcy fraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A man who evaded payment of his income taxes has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
David Felt pleaded guilty May 9.
Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ordered Felt to serve 18 months in federal prison. Judge Hanen also ordered Felt to pay $250,000 in restitution to the IRS.
According to the plea agreement filed in the record of the case, Felt admitted that he willfully evaded payment of income taxes he owed for 1986-87 and 1994-98.
He further admitted he received over $4 million in income during 2004-14, none of which was paid towards the owed taxes. Felt falsely stated he had no significant assets or income and had no ownership in any businesses.
In addition, he also admitted he acted as a disbursing agent for a debtor in a bankruptcy case. He testified in 2017 that he would not pay insiders from the estate of the debtor while the debtor paid creditors. However, as part of his plea, he admitted he filed monthly accounting reports for the debtor in 2019 containing payments to insiders, including himself, from the estate of the debtor.
Felt 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 - Criminal Investigation and the FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Trustee's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Quincy L. Ollison and Charles J. Escher prosecuted the case.
First-ever False Claims Act settlement received from Paycheck Protection Program lenderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Prosperity Bank has agreed to pay $18,673.50 to resolve allegations it improperly processed a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on behalf of an ineligible customer, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Prosperity Bank is a regional bank with branches throughout Texas and Oklahoma. It is a subsidiary of Prosperity Bancshares Inc.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorized the issuance of PPP loans in order to provide relief to small businesses experiencing economic hardship during the pandemic. Those loans would be forgiven if certain conditions were met.
Lenders like Prosperity Bank who originated PPP loans were entitled to receive a fixed fee from the Small Business Administration (SBA).That fee ranged from 1% to 5% depending on the size of the loan.
In May 2020, Prosperity Bank approved and processed a $213,400 PPP loan for Woodlands Pain Institute PLLC. The PPP application included a question asking whether the applicant (or any individual owning more than 20% equity) is subject to an indictment, criminal information, arraignment or other means by which formal criminal charges are brought in any jurisdiction.
Dr. Emad Bishai was the sole owner of Woodlands Pain Institute PLLC. However, at the time of the application, Bishai was facing criminal charges in Montgomery County arising from his practice of prescribing opioid medicines. When filling out the application, he checked the box marked “No” and initialed his name beneath the question.
At that time, Prosperity Bank employees knew Bishai was facing charges and was therefore ineligible to apply for the PPP loan. However, the bank processed the application anyway and falsely granted the money to Bishai. As a result, Prosperity Bank received a 5% processing fee of $10,670 to which it was not entitled.
Bishai entered into a $523,331 settlement in November 2021 to resolve his liability arising from fraudulent medical billing and his submission of the PPP loan application. He also repaid the PPP loan in full in 2022.
The settlement announced today is believed to be the nation’s first settlement with a PPP lender pursuant to the False Claims Act. The settlement amount also reflects Prosperity Bank’s efforts to cooperate with the government’s investigation and provide relevant facts along with its implementation of additional compliance measures.
The SBA’s Office of Litigation provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Gray handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Eight Indicted in Joint Task Force Alpha Investigation and Arrested as Part of Takedown of Prolific Human Smuggling NetworkRead the Press Release
The U.S. Department of Justice, along with its partners, today announced a significant enforcement operation that disrupted and dismantled a prolific human smuggling operation in Texas and across the Southern United States. The operation, a part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), included the arrest of eight alleged human smugglers whose indictment were unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX).
“Over a year ago, we launched Joint Task Force Alpha to strengthen our efforts across government to dismantle the most dangerous human smuggling and trafficking networks,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The charges announced today are just the latest example of these efforts’ success. The Justice Department will continue to bring our full resources to bear to combat the human smuggling and trafficking groups that endanger our communities, abuse and exploit migrants, and threaten our national security.”
Erminia Serrano Piedra aka Irma, and Boss Lady, 31, led the human smuggling operation. Other defendants include Kevin Daniel Nuber aka Captain, 41; Laura Nuber aka Barbie, 40; Lloyd Bexley, 51; Jeremy Dickens, 45; Katie Ann Garcia aka Guera, 39; Oliveria Piedra-Campuzana, 53; and Pedro Hairo Abrigo, 33. All were arrested in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama pursuant to charges previously filed in the SDTX and unsealed today.
According to the indictment, they facilitated the unlawful transportation and movement of migrants within the United States in deplorable conditions for profit. The migrants were allegedly citizens of Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia. The migrants or their families allegedly paid members of the human smuggling organization to help them travel illegally to and within the United States.
According to the indictment, the criminal human smuggling organization allegedly used drivers to pick up migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border and transport them further into the interior of the United States. They allegedly often harbored the migrants at “stash houses” along the way in locations such as Laredo and Austin, Texas. Drivers allegedly used various methods to transport migrants, including by hiding them in suitcases placed in pickup trucks and cramming migrants in the back of tractor-trailers, covered beds of pickup trucks, repurposed water tankers or wooden crates strapped to flatbed trailers. The human smuggling organization allegedly used methods to transport migrants that placed their lives in danger as they were frequently held in contained spaces with little ventilation, no temperature control and in conditions that placed them at great risk. Drivers for the organization were allegedly paid as much as $2,500 for each migrant they unlawfully transported.
81 migrants in the back of a tractor trailer. Migrants trapped inside the bed cover of a pickup truck. Migrants inside a wooden crate.The indictment also notices the criminal forfeiture of three properties as well as money judgments amounting to $2,299,152.40.
“This human smuggling organization operated on an enormous scale, placing a high value on financial profit, while putting migrants’ lives at great risk,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “JTFA will continue to use all means necessary to pursue and dismantle criminal smuggling networks and protect the vulnerable populations they exploit.”
“Sadly, this case is an example of what we see in our district, too many times, especially in our border communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery for the Southern District of Texas. “Our Laredo office works continuously with our valued partners to bring to justice those who allegedly put profits ahead of everything else. No amount of money should be a substitute for human life.”
“At DHS, countering human smuggling is a moral imperative, a law enforcement priority, and a necessity for our national security,” said Deputy Secretary John K. Tien of the Department of Homeland Security. “It is a central plank of our efforts to address irregular migration across the western hemisphere, and to hold transnational criminal organizations accountable for perpetrating vile and horrific crimes. We are unwavering in our commitment, and sending a strong message: if you manipulate and imperil and take advantage of struggling migrants, we are coming for you. This investigation is a perfect example of how we're bringing our agencies and components together to leverage the full force of the federal government to do just that.”
“Transnational criminal organizations often use sophisticated circumvention techniques to facilitate their smuggling and trafficking efforts,” said Acting Deputy Director PJ Lechleitner of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) employ a full range of law enforcement techniques and cross-border authorities to combat human smuggling by effectively eliminating profit incentives, seizing assets, and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with law enforcement partners across the country and world. Today should be a reminder that if you are going to engage in this type of criminal activity, your criminal network is not invisible. The members of the organization will be exposed, the network will be dismantled, and you will be brought to justice.”
“Human smugglers are criminals who do not care about human life,” said Deputy Commissioner Troy Miller of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). “They lie to make money, convincing vulnerable migrants to hand over what is often their life savings in exchange for empty promises to get to the United States. Smugglers regularly abandon migrants in the desert or mountains with no food or water, leaving them for dead. CBP strives to be flexible, adaptable, and to think outside the box when it comes to disrupting these criminal organizations and protecting migrants from harm.”
The indictments against these defendants were brought under JTFA. Attorney General Garland created JTFA in June 2021, in partnership with DHS, to strengthen the department’s overall efforts to combat the dangerous rise in human smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle those human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse or exploit migrants, present national security risks or engage in other types of transnational organized crime.
Since its creation, JTFA has successfully increased coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department, DHS, and other interagency law enforcement participants along with foreign law enforcement partners including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico; targeted those organizations who have the most impact on the United States; and coordinated significant smuggling indictments and extradition efforts in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. To date, JTFA’s work with its partners has resulted in criminal charges and over 100 domestic and international arrests against leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of human smuggling activities, several dozen convictions, significant prison sentences and substantial asset forfeiture.
JTFA is comprised of detailees from southwest border U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California, and dedicated support for the program is also provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division that are part of JTFA – led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS), the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), the Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO), the Office of International Affairs (OIA), and the Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS). JTFA is made possible by substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners.
HSI Laredo, along with CBP’s U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector and DHS-OIG, led U.S. investigative efforts and received substantial assistance from HSI offices in Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; West Palm Beach, Florida; and its Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C.; along with CBP’s National Targeting Center; U.S. Marshals Service; ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations – Austin; Police Departments in Laredo, Kileen, and Round Rock, Texas, Wiggins, Missouri, and Bogalusa, Louisiana; Webb County, Texas, Constable’s Office; Webb County, Texas, District Attorney’s Office; Sheriff’s offices in Webb, Bastrop, and Caldwell County, Texas, and Harrison County, George County, and Stone County, Mississippi; Jefferson Parish and Washington Parish, Louisiana; and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics; and the Louisiana State Police.
Trial Attorneys Erin Cox and Christian Levesque of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day for the Southern District of Texas and JTFA; Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Harrison for the Southern District of Texas; Trial Attorney Daria Andryushchenko and Financial Investigator Kelly O’Mara of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section handled the case, with substantial assistance from the Justice Department’s Electronic Surveillance Unit of the Office of Enforcement Operations.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sex offender convicted of sharing child pornography in two statesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 43-year-old registered sex offender has admitted to distributing and possessing child pornography in two separate federal cases, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Timothy Lee Tyler, pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography in 2020 and to possessing child pornography in both 2019 and 2020.
As part 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.
U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen will impose sentence Dec. 19. At that time, Tyler faces up to 40 years on the distribution of child pornography charge and up to 20 years for each conviction of possessing child pornography. Additionally, each charge is punishable by a $250,000 fine and mandatory restitution.
Tyler, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will remain in custody pending sentencing.
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 are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
El Salvadorian sex offender sentenced for second unlawful entryRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 27-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of illegal re-entry into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Edgar Yovani Bonilla-Flores pleaded guilty June 17.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Bonilla-Flores to serve 16 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Bonilla-Flores had previously illegally entered the United States on April 8, 2014. He had also engaged in criminal conduct that resulted in a conviction for the aggravated felony offense of third degree sex offense in Montgomery County, Maryland. In that case, the court heard he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old female he had met over social media. Bonilla-Flores had also failed to register as a sex offender. He was ordered to be removed from the United States Dec. 20, 2021.
In handing down the sentence, the court noted the egregiousness surrounding the prior sex offense and also that the Bonilla-Flores returned to the United States unlawfully shortly after being removed.
On April 18, authorities found Bonilla-Flores in Falfurrias. He was not in possession of any immigration documents nor had filed a petition to remain legally in the United States. He admitted to being a citizen of El Salvador and that he entered the country illegally by crossing the Rio Grande River near Hidalgo April 9. Records revealed he was physically removed Feb. 11.
Bonilla-Flores 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 J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.
Out of State man gets significant sentence for traveling to Texas to have sex with local minorRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 59-year-old Michigan resident has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison following his conviction of coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Raymond Dale Carr Jr. pleaded guilty Jan. 27.
Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen ordered Carr to serve a total of 262 months in prison. He will also be on supervised release for 10 years following his sentence, during which he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Carr will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. In imposing the sentence, the court considered victim impact statements and heard how the victim’s family has been forever changed. The victim herself has made several suicide attempts. She and her family are devastated, according to arguments presented.
Carr met the 11-year-old minor female online. He cultivated a relationship with her and discussed traveling to Texas. Carr and the minor communicated via text message, social media and FaceTime video calls. In September 2020, Carr drove from Michigan to Texas and picked the minor up near her home. He took her to a local motel where he had sexual relations with her which included intercourse and oral sex.
Carr gave the minor a ring and suggested they were going to be married when she came of age. The investigation revealed images of their hands wearing matching rings. Carr even bragged to the victim that he told his children about her but not her age. He believed it might upset his daughter that the victim was younger than her.
Carr knew the victim was under the age of 18 and would not be of age for quite some time. Their communications referenced how much he loved her and how he imagined they had a future together.
Carr has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons to be determined in the near future.
FBI Houston conducted the investigation with the assistance of FBI-Detroit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Jewelry store owner ordered to prison for cash advance fraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 40-year-old Katy man has been sent to federal prison following his conviction of committing wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Santiago Mora pleaded guilty March 3.
Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen imposed a 27-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
Mora was co-owner with his business partner of Alku Modern Jewelers located in Katy.
During sentencing, the judge heard that Mora failed to deliver pre-paid Rolex watches valued at approximately $3.9 million to a customer. In an effort to pay the customer and others, Mora executed a scheme by which he obtained a total $500,000 in merchant cash advances via wire transfer by impersonating and using the good credit of his business partner.
Mora eventually admitted his fraudulent dealings to his business partner and to using his partner’s identity to apply for and receive multiple merchant cash advances.
Mora was taken into custody in Miami, Florida, in June 2021 after he failed to appear in court for further proceedings.
Mora will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tina Ansari and Grace Murphy prosecuted the case.
Selling synthetic drugs results in $9.2M forfeiture and prison for sevenRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The seventh and final member involved in a synthetic narcotics distribution network has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Frank Gonzalez, 61, Mesa, Arizona, pleaded guilty Aug. 19, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge George Hanks Jr. ordered Gonzalez to serve a total of 28 months in federal prison and to forfeit $117,984. During the hearing, testimony detailed the significant dangers of synthetic cannabinoids including the risk of death, major health problems and the negative impact it has on the community and first responders. The court also heard how there is no standard manufacturing process so users do not know what chemical substance is actually present or how it will affect them.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Hanks noted that the overall operation was fueled by greed and without regard for potential dangers to the community. He recognized the court’s role in deterring others who would engage in similar conduct and the need to protect the public.
In 2015, authorities began investigating a smoke shop in Laredo. During that time, they discovered a nationwide mail order business that Bowles owned and operated which supplied the shop with illegal synthetic cannabinoid products. Call-takers in several states received order requests for the products with names such as Brain Freeze and Death Grip which were delivered to shop owners from California. Payments were often sent to accounts Bowles controlled in Arizona. In addition, he used various business entities to conceal the amount of the income made.
During the investigation, authorities tracked payments from multiple retail smoke shops throughout the United States and identified several bank accounts involved in the scheme. Financial records show that from February 2012 through 2019, the network received over $15.4 million in illicit proceeds.
Bowles, 47, Phoenix, Arizona, was previously sentenced to 192 months in prison, while five others received terms of imprisonment ranging from 63 to 98 months. Forfeitures for all seven convictions totaled $9.8 million.
Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana but often with sever life-threatening side effects. They can be infused in plant material and ingested with rolling papers, pipes, vaporizers or taken orally. They are usually sold in small foil or plastic bags containing dried leaves and are marketed as incense that can be smoked. They are commonly sold on the street as synthetic marijuana, fake weed, legal and known by popular brand names such as Spice, K2, Kush and Klimaxx.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Brain Freeze with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s offices in Zapata County and Maricopa County, Arizona. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graciela Lindberg and Lance Watt prosecuted the case.
Local physician assistant arrested for unlawfully practicing medicineRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas ‐ A 49-year-old Brownsville man has been charged for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicaid by working with a suspended medical license, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.
Law enforcement took Fernando Mendez into custody this past weekend. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald G. Morgan at 9:30 a.m. today.
According to the indictment, returned Aug. 26 and unsealed today, Mendez was a physician assistant at CCI Therapy Counseling Centers International.
On July 20, 2021, the Texas Medical Board allegedly ordered the immediate suspension of Mendez’s physician assistant license, deeming him to be a “continuing threat to public welfare.” He was then prohibited from practicing medicine, according to the charges.
However, Mendez allegedly continued to evaluate and treat patients at mental health clinics in Brownsville, Harlingen and Pharr and billed Medicaid for services he rendered during his suspension.
The indictment further alleges Mendez attempted to conceal his continued practice of medicine by using identities of other physicians and medical personnel. Specifically, Mendez allegedly created medical records under the identities of other physicians while they were traveling outside of the United States. The charges also allege Mendez submitted false statements to the Texas Medical Board in an effort to conceal his improper practice of medicine.
Mendez is charged with seven counts of health care fraud for which he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. If convicted of any of the four aggravated identity theft charges, he faces another two years which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All counts also carry as possible fine of up to $250,000.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services and Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz 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.United States obtains warrant for seizure of $45M airplane owned by Russian energy company PJSC LUKOILRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - The United States obtained a warrant to seize a Boeing 737-7EM aircraft owned by PJSC LUKOIL, a Russian multinational oil and gas corporation headquartered in Moscow, Russia. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas authorized the seizure, finding probable cause that the Boeing aircraft was subject to seizure based on violations of federal law.
Earlier this year, the Department of Commerce issued sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions impose export controls and license requirements to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The Russia sanctions expanded prohibitions on the export, reexport or in-country transfer of, among other things, U.S.-manufactured aircraft to or within Russia without a valid license or license exception.
According to court documents, LUKOIL owns the Boeing aircraft – bearing tail number VP-CLR and manufacturer serial number 34865 – which flew into and out of Russia in violation of the Department of Commerce’s Russia sanctions.
“The FBI will remain focused and faithful to our responsibility to protect our U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI – Houston Field Office. “We’ll continue to go after individuals who insist on helping Russia advance its hostile and illegal activities, and we’ll continue to seize their valuable possessions, wherever they may be. We thank Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Department of Commerce for their partnership in this case.”
“Once again, the United States, through its experts at the FBI and the Department of Commerce, has laid open a series of shell companies and sham corporations designed to conceal the ownership and illegal movements of controlled technology,” said Task Force KleptoCapture Director Andrew C. Adams. “The aircraft at the center of today’s affidavit was ultimately the property of Lukoil, though that ownership was obscured through a now-public series of holding companies. With today’s unsealed affidavit, aviation, insurance, and financial services companies are made aware of that nesting doll-structure, and can proactively avoid the provision of services that might aid the movement of this tainted aircraft as the United States pursues its seizure.”
“Today’s actions to enforce the powerful export restrictions placed on Russia are our latest coordinated measures that let Vladimir Putin and his allies know they are isolated and we are watching,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. “The Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement continues to vigorously enforce the export laws of the United States and stand with the people of Ukraine against Putin’s war of aggression.”
“By aggressively pursuing the seizure of these assets, we have sent a resounding message to sanctions violators and third-party facilitators around the globe that we are committed to targeting any individual or entity that seeks to blatantly skirt the sanctions, export controls and license requirements imposed by the United States in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson, HSI Houston. “Using our broad investigative and enforcement authorities and global reach, HSI will continue to work alongside our federal partners to protect U.S. national security interests and inflict maximum disruptive effects against anyone who violates these sanctions in an effort to support the Russian government.”
The Boeing last flew into the United States in March 2019 when the plane flew from overseas to Houston with LUKOIL officials, including a Russian oligarch – then LUKOIL president and CEO Vagit Alekperov – on board the aircraft. The Boeing is believed to be in Russia and worth approximately $45 million. Since September 2014, LUKOIL has been subject to sectoral sanctions imposed by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The seizure action is being coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
The FBI’s Houston Field Office, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security and HSI in Houston are investigating the seizure matter. The investigation into additional aircraft is ongoing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Pearson and Brandon L. Fyffe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorneys Lindsay M. Heck and Sinan Kalayoglu of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are leading the seizure action. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI’s New York Field Office and the Federal Aviation Administration provided significant assistance.
United States Obtains Warrant for Seizure of $45 Million Airplane Owned by Russian Energy Company PJSC LUKOILRead the Press Release
The United States obtained a warrant to seize a Boeing 737-7EM aircraft owned by PJSC LUKOIL, a Russian multinational oil and gas corporation headquartered in Moscow, Russia. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas authorized the seizure, finding probable cause that the Boeing aircraft was subject to seizure based on violations of federal law.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions impose export controls and license requirements to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The Russia sanctions expanded prohibitions on the export, reexport or in-country transfer of, among other things, U.S.-manufactured aircraft to or within Russia without a valid license or license exception.
According to court documents, LUKOIL owns the Boeing aircraft – bearing the tail number VP-CLR and the manufacturer serial number 34865 – which flew into and out of Russia in violation of the Department of Commerce’s sanctions against Russia.
The Boeing last flew into the United States in March 2019 when the plane flew from overseas to Houston, Texas with LUKOIL officials, including a Russian oligarch – then LUKOIL president and CEO Vagit Alekperov – on board the aircraft. The Boeing is believed to be in Russia and worth approximately $45 million. Since September 2014, LUKOIL has been subject to sectoral sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The seizure action is being coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
The FBI’s Houston Field Office, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Houston are investigating the seizure matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Pearson and Brandon L. Fyffe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorneys Lindsay M. Heck and Sinan Kalayoglu of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are leading the seizure action. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI’s New York Field Office and the Federal Aviation Administration provided significant assistance.
Exporting firearms and ammunition for wife lands Texas man in prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A man illegally residing in Garland has been sent to federal prison for his role in smuggling firearms from the United States into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Jose Roque, 36, pleaded guilty April 29.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Roque to serve 46 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Roque had been participating for months in the criminal venture before he was caught. The court also heard that his participation included buying firearms and ammunition to be exported and loading vehicles for his wife who was acting as the leader/organizer. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Roque was an average participant in the venture even though he was acting at the behest of his wife at the time.
On Dec. 17, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Roque after he failed to use a signal to change lanes. Soon after, authorities discovered 13,000 rounds of ammunition and a firearm in the vehicle.
Investigation later revealed that Roque worked in conjunction with his wife Brendalit Hernandez, 44, and co-conspirator, Juan Marvin Garcia, 25, both illegally residing in Garland, to smuggle ammunition and firearms into Mexico. Hernandez was also romantically involved with Garcia while currently married to Roque.
Hernandez facilitated the delivery of the ammunition and firearms to individuals in Mexico. She instructed Roque to purchase the weapons and ammunition to then be transported in vehicles while coordinating with Garcia to carry ammunition from Dallas to the Rio Grande Valley area and eventually Mexico.
Garcia was previously sentenced to 36 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Hernandez pleaded guilty to charges July 5 and will be sentenced Sept. 14.
Roque will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton Turner prosecuted the case.
Waller man indicted for ramming FBI gateRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 43-year-old local man has been charged with willfully injuring or committing a depredation against property of the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Jesus Jaimes Merlan into custody today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon tomorrow at 2 p.m.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment July 21. Merlan is charged with allegedly ramming his truck and trailer into the signage entrance to the FBI on May 11. He allegedly caused damage in excess of $1000.
If convicted, Merlan faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Federal Protection Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI, Houston Police Department and General Services Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Porto 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.Texas woman sent to prison for smuggling cocaine in compartmentRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 28-year-old resident of San Antonio has been ordered to federal prison for importing almost 17 kilograms of cocaine into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Alessandra Olivares pleaded guilty Aug.18, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered her to serve a 51-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On May 20, Olivares attempted to enter the United States at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo. Soon after, a K-9 alerted to her sport utility vehicle. Law enforcement conducted an X-ray inspection of the vehicle and discovered anomalies. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered a compartment containing 15 bundles of cocaine weighing 16.84 kilograms.
The drugs had an estimated street value of about $400,000.
Olivares will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett prosecuted the case.
Ten MS-13 gang members indicted on murder and racketeering chargesRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 10 alleged MS-13 gang members with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering (VICAR), related firearms charges and obstruction of justice.
“The charges in this case reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling and disrupting MS-13, a criminal organization that sows violence, terror and fear in communities across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to work closely alongside our law enforcement partners to root out criminal organizations wherever they exist and break the cycles of violence that they perpetuate.”
According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants were leaders and members of La Mara Salvatrucha, more commonly known as MS-13. In total, the indictment includes criminal charges related to seven murders, one attempted murder and one murder conspiracy.
“Protecting the safety of our communities is fundamental to what we do at the FBI,” said Director Christopher Wray of the FBI. “This indictment is one example of the persistent work being done by the FBI and our partners to combat violent gangs like MS-13 that inundate communities with violence. The FBI is committed to reducing violent crime and combating the threat criminal enterprises pose. We are proud to work alongside our local, state, tribal and federal enforcement partners in bringing violent members of criminal organizations like MS-13 to justice.”
The indictment alleges that beginning prior to at least in or around 2015, and continuing through today, the defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, extortion, drug trafficking, robbery and obstruction of justice.
“This case is an important step in curbing crime in Texas and a message to criminal organizations that federal authorities are working with local law enforcement to stop the violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery for the Southern District of Texas. “The charges in this case are extensive and violent. We will continue the fight and will stop at nothing to bring those who we believe are putting our communities at risk to justice.”
The murders and other crimes charged in the indictment were allegedly committed in the Southern District of Texas and the District of Maryland. Defendants Franklin Trejo-Chavarria aka Impulsivo and Julio Vigil-Lopez aka Hades reside in El Salvador. All other defendants are in law enforcement custody in the United States.
“As demonstrated by the allegations in the indictment, transnational criminal street gangs like MS-13 are a plague upon society that must be rooted out in the interest of public safety and national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. “HSI Houston is committed to continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring an end to the relentless terror and violence that they reign on the innocent and law-abiding members of our communities.”
Under the authority of MS-13 leadership in El Salvador and elsewhere, members engaged in a variety of violent crimes throughout the Southern District of Texas and District of Maryland, according to the charges. Over the past several years, law enforcement has allegedly uncovered several homicides and attempted murders related to these cliques and their associates. The investigation has revealed that these criminal acts were committed to maintain the gang’s control, to retaliate against rival gangs and to seek retribution against those who were believed to have cooperated with law enforcement against the gang, according to the indictment.
Leaders in El Salvador and elsewhere allegedly authorized the acts to ensure individual members and cliques followed the customs, rules, and protocols of the larger MS-13 enterprise.
The seven murders alleged in the indictment span from 2015 through 2018 and include a range of victims. These murders were allegedly brutal in nature and include the killing of a juvenile female and a police informant. The murders also included multiple acts of mutilation and dismemberment with machetes, according to the charges.
“This indictment is a testament to the strong partnerships we have with our federal and local agencies to help bring violent gang offenders to justice,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. “We thank our partners and look forward to working together to help keep our communities safe.”
The FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; police departments in Houston, Galveston and Prince George’s County, Maryland; and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Britini Cooper and John M. Lewis are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorneys Julie A. Finocchiaro, Matthew K. Hoff and Gerald A. Collins from the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Name
Age
Located In
Charges
Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, aka Impulsivo
25
El Salvador
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 2 and 3: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Julio Vigil-Lopez, aka Hades
25
El Salvador
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Walter Antonio Chicas-Arcia, aka Walter, aka Mejia
25
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, aka Destino, aka Chele
30
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Carlos Alexi Garcia-Gongora, aka Garcia, aka Lil Maligno
24
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice; Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, aka Discreto, aka Disco
26
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice
Wilman Rivas-Guido, aka Inquieto
26
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Carlos Elias Henriquez-Torres, aka Kalin
22
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Angel Miguel Aguilar-Ochoa, aka Darki
37
Houston, TX
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Marlon Miranda-Moran, aka Chinki
23
Houston, TX
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Ten MS-13 Gang Members Indicted on Murder and Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas returned an indictment yesterday charging 10 alleged MS-13 gang members with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering, related firearms charges, and obstruction of justice.
“The charges in this case reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling and disrupting MS-13, a criminal organization that sows violence, terror, and fear in communities across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to work closely alongside our law enforcement partners to root out criminal organizations wherever they exist and break the cycles of violence that they perpetuate.”
According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants were leaders and members of La Mara Salvatrucha, more commonly known as MS-13. In total, the indictment includes criminal charges related to seven murders, one attempted murder, and one murder conspiracy.
“Protecting the safety of our communities is fundamental to what we do at the FBI,” said Director Christopher Wray of the FBI. “This indictment is one example of the persistent work being done by the FBI and our partners to combat violent gangs like MS-13 that inundate communities with violence. The FBI is committed to reducing violent crime and combating the threat criminal enterprises pose. We are proud to work alongside our local, state, Tribal and federal enforcement partners in bringing violent members of criminal organizations like MS-13 to justice.”
The indictment alleges that beginning prior to at least in or around 2015, and continuing through today, the defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, extortion, drug trafficking, robbery, and obstruction of justice.
“This case is an important step in curbing crime in Texas and a message to criminal organizations that federal authorities are working with local law enforcement to stop the violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery for the Southern District of Texas. “The charges in this case are extensive and violent. We will continue the fight and will stop at nothing to bring those who we believe are putting our communities at risk to justice.”
The murders and other crimes charged in the indictment were allegedly committed in the Southern District of Texas and the District of Maryland. Defendants Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, aka Impulsivo, and Julio Vigil-Lopez, aka Hades, reside in El Salvador. All other defendants are in law enforcement custody in the United States.
“As demonstrated by the allegations in today’s indictments, transnational criminal street gangs like MS-13 are a plague upon society that must be rooted out in the interest of public safety and national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. “HSI Houston is committed to continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring an end to the relentless terror and violence that they reign on the innocent and law-abiding members of our communities.”
According to the indictment, under the authority of MS-13 leadership in El Salvador and elsewhere, members engaged in a variety of violent crimes throughout the Southern District of Texas and District of Maryland. Over the past several years, law enforcement uncovered several alleged homicides and attempted murders related to these cliques and their associates. The investigation revealed that these criminal acts were committed to maintain the gang’s control, to retaliate against rival gangs and to seek retribution against those who were believed to have cooperated with law enforcement against the gang.
“This indictment is a testament to the strong partnerships we have with our federal and local agencies to help bring violent gang offenders to justice,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. “We thank our partners and look forward to working together to help keep our communities safe.”
Leaders in El Salvador and elsewhere allegedly authorized the acts to ensure individual members and cliques followed the customs, rules, and protocols of the larger MS-13 enterprise.
The seven murders alleged in the indictment span from 2015 through 2018 and include a range of victims. These murders were allegedly brutal in nature and include the killing of a juvenile female and a police informant. The murders also included multiple acts of mutilation and dismemberment with machetes, according to the charges.
The FBI, HSI, the Houston Police Department, the Galveston Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Prince George’s County Police Department are investigating the case. The U.S. Marshals Service and DEA provided assistance.
Trial Attorneys Julie A. Finocchiaro, Matthew K. Hoff, and Gerald A. Collins from the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Britini Cooper and John M. Lewis of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Name, Location
Age
Charges
Max Penalty
Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, aka Impulsivo
El Salvador
25
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 2 and 3: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Life
10 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Julio Vigil-Lopez, aka Hades
El Salvador
25
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Life
Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia, aka Walter, aka Mejia
Houston, TX
25
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, aka Destino, aka Chele
Houston, TX
30
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Carlos Alexi Garcia-Gongora, aka Garcia, aka Lil Maligno
Houston, TX
24
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, aka Discreto, aka Disco
Houston, TX
26
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Wilman Rivas-Guido, aka Inquieto
Houston, TX
26
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Life
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Life
Carlos Elias Henriquez-Torres, aka Kalin
Houston, TX
22
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Angel Miguel Aguilar-Ochoa, aka Darki
Houston, TX
37
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life (or death)
20 years
Marlon Miranda-Moran, aka Chinki
Houston, TX
23
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life (or death)
20 years
Mexican national sent to prison for firearm chargeRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 34-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Zapata has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Abelardo Javier Caballero-Zamora pleaded guilty Jan. 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Caballero-Zamora to serve 63 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Caballero-Zamora is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described how Caballero-Zamora admitted to relatives on recorded jail calls that he had been consuming drugs continuously for several days prior to the offense, but claimed to have no memory of it. Judge Saldana also noted his lengthy criminal record was an “absolute nightmare” and admonished him directly, telling him he needed to “grow up” and remain in Mexico.
On April 3, 2021, authorities responded to an emergency call reporting Caballero-Zamora was threatening people at a local motel. Law enforcement arrived to the location and found Caballero-Zamora illegally in possession of a loaded .44 caliber revolver. The Investigation revealed Caballero-Zamora had also pointed a handgun at a local Zapata store clerk earlier that same day.
As both an undocumented alien and a felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law. Caballero-Zamora was previously convicted in 2020 of illegally re-entering the United States after a previous deportation, a felony.
Caballero-Zamora will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Former oil and gas mineral rights investment fund manager charged with fraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 41-year-old Spring resident is set to appear in federal court on charges of fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Christopher Russell Bentley is expected to make his initial appearance today at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheldon.
The criminal information, filed Aug. 16, charges him with one count of fraud. From February 2019 through April 2021, Bentley managed different oil and gas mineral rights investment funds, according to the charges. During that time, he allegedly inflated the value of oil and gas mineral rights he sold to investment funds and used their money to obtain a loan of $6.5 million for personal benefit.
The charges further allege he fraudulently obtained $3,972,492 from investors.
If convicted, Bentley faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock is prosecuting the case.
An information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Foreign trio charged with trafficking protected animalsRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Three Mexican nationals have been indicted on charges of attempted exportation of wildlife, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment against Jonathan Roberto Rojas-Casados, 32, Roberto Rojas-Ramirez, 50, and Roberto Angel Roman-Alvarez, 27, today. They are expected to make their initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.
The charges allege the men attempted to take over 160 animals out of the country.
On Aug. 3, according to the complaint originally filed in the case, the three men drove two vehicles into the Hidalgo Port of Entry and attempted to travel outbound into Mexico. Rojas-Casados and Roman-Alvarez allegedly rode together in a Ford Econoline while Rojas-Ramirez followed behind in a separate vehicle.
The charges allege authorities sent both vehicles for inspection. Upon a search of the Econoline, they allegedly discovered two boxes that contained over 160 animals that were concealed in small plastic containers and fabric bags located within the boxes. Among the animals were snakes, Chinese water dragons, iguanas, scorpions, tarantulas, frogs, geckos and lizards, according to the charges.
Rojas-Ramirez allegedly picked up the wildlife and loaded the boxes into the vehicle. Then, he contacted Rojas-Casados for assistance in transporting the wildlife in exchange for payment, according to the complaint.
The charges further allege that several of the animals are classified as Appendix II wildlife in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
Quantity
Common Name
Scientific Name
10
Ball Python
Pythons regius
3
Colombian Rainbow Boa
Epicrates maurus
2
Black and White Tegu
Salvator merianae
6
Green Iguana
Iguana iguana
5
Forest Armadillo Lizard
Cordylus jonesii
8
Jackson’s Chameleon
Trioceros jacksonii
2
Russian Tortoise
Testudo horsfieldii
10
Red-eyed Treefrog
Agalychnis callidryas
6
Green and Black Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobates auratus
6
Dyeing Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobates tinctorius
10
Curly-hair Tarantula
Tliltocatl albopilosus
10
Emperor Scorpion
Pandinius imperator
It is a violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to export wildlife without a license or permission from the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce. It is an additional violation of the Lacey Act to export CITES Appendix II wildlife against the ESA. None of the men had a license or permission to export wildlife from the United States, according to the charges.
If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Homeland Security Investigations and Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection and Gladys Porter Zoo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker 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.Two indicted for exploiting adult day care patients in Medicare fraud schemeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas ‐ A physician and employee have been charged for their roles in a health care fraud scheme involving the submission of more than $3.5 million in claims to Medicare, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Dr. Osama Balhir Nahas, 67, McAllen, and Isabel Moreno Pruneda, 50, Edinburg, into custody today. They are expected to make their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis Aug. 22 at 9 a.m.
A federal grand jury returned the 15-count indictment Aug. 16. It alleges Nahas is a physician and owner, while Pruneda was an employee at Crosspoint Medical Clinic located in Edinburg. Nahas allegedly paid kickbacks to various adult day care companies to gain Medicare beneficiary information under the guise of providing medical services.
Nahas, Pruneda and other co-conspirators used their access to adult day care facilities to perform a variety of unnecessary medical tests and procedures and order prescriptions for expensive medications that were not needed, according to the charges.
The indictment further alleges many of the patients had their own primary care physicians who were not consulted prior to or after the examinations. Most of the patients were allegedly elderly or disabled and lacked the capacity to consent to the examinations, tests and other procedures that Nahas and Pruneda performed.
In addition, marketers paid Nahas and Pruneda illegal kickbacks in exchange for ordering laboratory tests and prescriptions that were unnecessary and that patients often did not want, according to the charges. In many instances, patients allegedly did not receive their test results or the prescribed medication.
Pruneda also forged patient signatures on consent forms connected to the fraudulent laboratory testing services and prescriptions, according to the charges.
The indictment further alleges more than $3.5 million was billed to Medicare in connection to the fraud scheme.
Nahas and Pruneda are charged with seven counts of health care fraud and conspiracy to do so, all of which carry a possible 10-year-term of imprisonment, as well as one count of conspiracy to receive illegal remunerations which could result in another five years in prison. Both are also charged with aggravated identity theft which carries a mandatory two years in federal prison which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All convictions could also result in maximum possible fines of $250,000.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (OIG), Texas Health & Human Services Commission-OIG, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Texas Department of Insurance - Fraud conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz 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.Son of gun trafficker sentenced for role in exporting firearms to MexicoRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The 18th member of a trafficking cell responsible for sending hundreds of firearms to transnational criminal organizations in Mexico has been ordered to federal prison for his role in the scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Guillermo Gomez-Lazcano, 26, a Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston, pleaded guilty April 6 to being an alien in possession of a firearm, possessing a machine gun and participating in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Today, U.S. Circuit Judge Gregg Costa ordered Gomez-Lazcano to serve a total of 200 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 how many dangerous weapons were being sent to very dangerous people in Mexico that ultimately destroyed many families.
Gomez-Lazcano is the son of Gustavo Gomez-Valenzuela, the leader of the gun trafficking organization that was unlawfully exporting firearms to Mexico. Gomez-Valenzuela had pleaded guilty to eight counts related to the scheme, admitting to providing funds to purchase hundreds of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, smuggling both firearms and ammunition to Mexico, possessing firearms and selling kilogram quantities of meth.
Co-conspirators purchased firearms from Khalid Abdulaziz, the owner and manager of Zeroed In Armory to send to Gomez-Valenzuela. While acting in the capacity of a federal firearms licensee in Houston, Abdulaziz sold the majority of the firearms to others in the cell. Several have also pleaded guilty, admitted to making false statements in the purchase of firearms.
As a result of the scheme, they purchased approximately 500 firearms which were ultimately trafficked to transnational criminal organizations in Mexico. To date, authorities have recovered over 60 firearms in Mexico, the majority of which were being used in acts of violence.
Gomez-Lazcano will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Abdulaziz, 34, Manvel, and Gomez-Valenzuela, 49 and illegally residing in Houston, were sentenced to 10 and 30 years in prison, respectively. Other prison sentences have ranged from 18 months to more than 10 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Stabe and Lisa M. Collins prosecuted the case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, IRS – Criminal Investigation, Houston Police Department and the Harris 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, 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.
Hospice agrees to pay nearly $1M to settle false claims liabilityRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Corpus Christi health care company has agreed to pay $990,478.46 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for non-covered hospice services, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The settlement resolves allegations that Familia Healthcare Services Inc. dba Del Cielo Hospice and Palliative Care knowingly submitted false claims from May 12, 2017, through Jan. 31, 2022. The claims allegedly involved hospice services for patients who were not eligible for, and did not qualify for, the hospice benefit in violation of the False Claims Act.
“This office is committed to pursuing providers who put profits ahead of patients,” said Lowery. “The decision to provide hospice services should be prompted by a patient’s terminally ill medical diagnosis, not a hospice provider’s desire to boost its profits.”
Hospice care is special, end-of-life care intended to comfort terminally ill patients. To be eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit, a patient must be “terminally ill,” meaning that the patient has a medical prognosis that their life expectancy is six months or less if the illness runs its normal course.
“The Medicare trust fund is not a piggy bank to be used at will by those intent on stealing from it,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Meadows, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG). We, along with our law enforcement partners, will use all available investigative tools and means of recovery to return stolen Medicare money to its rightful place. We implore citizens who are aware of Medicare fraud to come forward.
“Del Cielo Hospice didn’t just unscrupulously rob the Medicare program out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, it also took advantage of ill patients who were unknowingly used for its scam,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI. “This type of health care fraud affects everyone - individuals and businesses alike. It raises our health insurance premiums, exposes patients to unnecessary medical procedures, harms patients and increase taxes, not to mention the billions of dollars in losses every year. The FBI will continue to work with our partners, including the private sector, to identify and disrupt health care fraud.”
The settlement includes the resolution of claims a former employee of Del Cielo Hospice brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The whistleblower will receive 16% of the proceeds from the settlement with Del Cielo Hospice.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office jointly conducted the investigation with DHHS – Office of Inspector General and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Green handled the matter.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Two charged in $6M pediatric dental Medicaid fraud/kickback schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – An operator and manager at a dental clinic have been charged for their roles in a health care fraud scheme involving $6 million in claims to Medicaid, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Ifeanyi Ndubisi Ozoh, 51, Houston, into custody today. He is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon at 2 p.m. Also charged is Rene Fernandez Gaviola, 65, also of Houston. He had been previously arrested on similar charges Aug. 1. He is expected to appear on the new charges in the indictment in the near future.
On Aug. 16, a federal grand jury returned the 13-count indictment which was unsealed upon Ozoh’s arrest today.
According to the charges, Gaviola was the operator, while Ozoh was the manager of Floss Family Dental Care clinic located in Houston.
The indictment alleges Gaviola and other employees submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicaid for dental services such as cavity fillings that were never provided as billed. Gaviola and Ozoh also allegedly paid kickbacks to marketers and caregivers of children Medicare insures to bring them to Floss for dental services.
Gaviola also employed at least one individual to practice pediatric dentistry without a license and billed Medicaid for their services, according to the charges.
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 company allegedly billed Medicaid for nearly $6.9 million for which Medicaid paid approximately $4.9 million. Many of the dental services were not provided or that unlicensed and non-enrolled individuals had administered.
If convicted, Ozoh and Gaviola face up to five years in federal for conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks. Gaviola also faces up to 10 years for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and each count of health care fraud and 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 with assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson 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.Texan gets max for smuggling people behind produceRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 37-year-old San Benito man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of illegally transporting undocumented aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Eric Mendiola pleaded guilty May 23 to smuggling 31 individuals while driving an 18-wheeler.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Mendiola to serve the statutory maximum of 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that this is Mendiola’s third conviction for smuggling humans. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the manner in which Mendiola transported individuals.
At the time of his plea, Mendiola admitted that on March 20, Mendiola drove a tractor trailer into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita. At inspection, A K-9 soon alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans. Law enforcement opened the doors of the trailer and discovered individuals hiding behind a load of produce.
In the trailer were 31 undocumented aliens - 19 from Mexico; five, four and two from Columbia, Guatemala and El Salvador, respectively; as well as one Honduran national. All were determined to be in the United States illegally. In addition, the temperature inside the refrigerated trailer was 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mendiola will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck prosecuted the case.
Human smuggler imprisoned for lying about load of watermelonsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 54-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison for transporting illegal aliens in a tractor trailer, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal jury convicted Jose Luis Gutierrez-Plascencia, of Chicago, Illinois, May 17, following a two-day trial and 90 minutes of deliberation.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Gutierrez-Plascencia to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Gutierrez-Plascencia had been caught with aliens in the cab of a tractor just one month before the incident for which he was found guilty. Several of the aliens in the trailer were also locked in with no way to communicate in the event of an emergency.
On Sept. 17, 2020, Jose Luis Gutierrez-Plascencia entered the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita while driving a white Freightliner commercial tractor and pulling an enclosed trailer. At trial, the jury heard testimony that Gutierrez-Plascencia had told authorities he was hauling a load of watermelons to Chicago. Law enforcement testified that he had displayed nervous behavior and answered questions rapidly.
The jury also saw an X-ray scan conducted at the scene that revealed anomalies – human bodies. Law enforcement had physically searched the vehicle and also discovered four aliens hiding in the cab of the tractor. Upon further inspection, they unlocked the trailer, with a key from Gutierrez-Plascencia’s keychain, and found three more individuals lying down inside the trailer. There were no watermelons in the vehicle.
It was later determined that the total of seven non-U.S. citizens were illegally present in the country. Two of the seven testified at trial and identified Gutierrez-Plascencia as the driver.
Gutierrez-Plascencia was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Dunn and Ashley Martin prosecuted case.
Violent robber receives massive sentence for multiple crimesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 27-year-old Honduran national who illegally resided in the Houston area has been ordered to prison for 29 years, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Denis Matute pleaded guilty Nov, 2021.
Today, U.S. Circuit Judge Gregg Costa handed Matute a 108-month term of imprisonment for the two counts of interference with commerce by robbery. He also received 120 months for each of two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence which must be served consecutively to each other and to the other sentence imposed. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the lengthy 348-month total prison term.
At the hearing, the court heard evidence of the underlying offenses as well as the details surrounding three additional murders and two home invasions Matute had committed. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the sadistic method Matute used toward the victim of one of the home invasions and that this case was much more than mere brandishing of a firearm.
Matute was part of a robbery crew that was involved in several crimes, to include two violent robberies during which they brandished firearms. One occurred at the A1 Flea Market in Houston. There, the crew handcuffed a security guard and proceeded to kick him while down. They then robbed two separate booths and pointed guns at multiple individuals.
At the hearing today, the judge commented on how en route to the robbery, the crew had also carjacked an individual at gunpoint.
Matute had also been convicted for his role in the robbery of the R&R Pawn Shop in January 2017. During that robbery, the crew pointed guns at employees’ heads before breaking the glass and stealing multiple items to include expensive Rolex watches.
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 Houston Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Collins prosecuted the case.
Mexican felon guilty of third illegal reentryRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A federal judge has imposed a guilty verdict against a 57-year-old Mexican man of illegally re-entering the United States after previously being removed, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo immediately handed down a guilty verdict against Antonio Montes-Ortiz following a bench trial. Montes-Ortiz is a citizen of Mexico who was found illegally present within the United States. He was previously convicted twice of the same crime.
On Feb. 15, law enforcement found Montes-Ortiz walking in the brush near a creek that leads to the Rio Grande River on Highway 83 near Zapata. At that time, he admitted he was a citizen from Mexico and entered the country by wading across the river.
During trial, the judge heard that Montes-Ortiz had been ordered deported on Dec. 20, 1996. He has since been convicted twice for re-entry by deported alien. A fingerprint expert also testified that Montes-Ortiz’s fingerprints matched those on the deportation documents.
An official from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also provided testimony that Montes-Ortiz did not seek permission to reapply for admission into the United States.
Montes-Ortiz is set for sentencing on Nov. 15. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gerard A. Cantu and Leslie Cortez are prosecuting the case.
Local home health care business owner sent to prison for $10M Medicare fraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 59-year-old Houston woman has been sent to federal prison following her conviction of committing and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Naomi Moore pleaded guilty April 7.
Today, U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge imposed the statutory maximum of 60 months to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Eskridge noted a variance would not appropriate given the amount of money involved in the scheme.
Moore was the owner of Friend’s Place and Metro Health Services, both home health care service businesses located in Houston.
From May 2006 to June 2019, Moore billed Medicare by fraudulently using names of beneficiaries that were not patients of Metro or Friend’s Place. They did not need home health services, were not treated by a physician and had never been patients.
Moore created false documents and billed Medicare for approximately $10.7 million in purported home health services. The federal health insurance paid nearly $6.8 million on those claims.
Moore was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicare Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tina Ansari prosecuted the case.
Local man sent to prison for violently abducting ex-girlfriendRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 24-year-old Conroe man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of kidnapping of a minor victim from Northwest Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Roaim Shams Shaikh pleaded guilty April 19.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ordered Shaikh to serve 131 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described the trauma this caused the victim.
On Jan. 24, 2021, Shaikh abducted his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend from a vehicle parked in front of a residence and transported her to Panama City, Florida.
At that time, Shaikh assaulted, threatened to kill and violently coerced her to participate in sexual intercourse. He has also made threats to shoot her with a pistol in the past.
Law enforcement soon located Shaikh and the victim at a Microtel Inn and took him into custody.
Shaikh 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 and the Panama City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Peneguy prosecuted the case.
Local man sent to prison for violently abducting ex-girlfriendRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 24-year-old Conroe man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of kidnapping of a minor victim from Northwest Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Roaim Shams Shaikh pleaded guilty April 19.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ordered Shaikh to serve 131 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described the trauma this caused the victim.
On Jan. 24, 2021, Shaikh abducted his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend from a vehicle parked in front of a residence and transported her to Panama City, Florida.
At that time, Shaikh assaulted, threatened to kill and violently coerced her to participate in sexual intercourse. He has also made threats to shoot her with a pistol in the past.
Law enforcement soon located Shaikh and the victim at a Microtel Inn and took him into custody.
Shaikh 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 and the Panama City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Peneguy prosecuted the case.
Penitas mayor convicted of defrauding La Joya school districtRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – The current mayor of Penitas has pleaded guilty to fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Rodrigo Lopez, 38, Penitas, admitted that in 2018 he aided and abetted the La Joya Independent School District (LJISD) athletic director in committing fraud against the district.
Through his company Xizaka LLC, Lopez had responded to an LJISD solicitation for bids for athletic supply vendors. He was approved. LJISD purchasing procedures require employees to disclose personal or financial interest in connection with bids to the superintendent. As an LJISD employee, he failed to do so.
Lopez also failed to submit the required Conflict of Interest Questionnaire disclosing his interest as a vendor prior to entering into transactions with LJISD.
LJISD purchasing procedures require competitive bids for purchases in excess of $15,000. LJISD purchasing procedures and state law also require competitive procurement mechanisms for contracts for goods in excess of $50,000 per year.
As a vendor, Lopez sold approximately 156 baseball gloves, 15,400 square feet of turf and three pitching machines to LJISD between March and August 2018 for a total of approximately $70,010. In efforts to approve the inflated costs associated with those purchases, Lopez fraudulently submitted over 20 separate invoices to the La Joya athletic director in efforts to aid and abet circumventing of competitive procurement procedures and subsequent approval of the invoices.
As a result of the fraudulent approvals, Lopez fraudulently received at least $34,923.70 in profits and proceeds from the LJISD.
Lopez agreed to pay restitution in that amount.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the plea and set sentencing for Oct. 31. At that time, Lopez faces up to 10 years in prison. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms, and explosives, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Insurance and McAllen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Three Nigerian Nationals Extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom for Participating in Business Email Compromise Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Three Nigerian citizens were extradited from the United Kingdom (UK) and arrived in the United States in relation to their alleged participation in multimillion-dollar cyber-enabled business email compromise (BEC) fraud schemes in the Western District of North Carolina, Southern District of Texas and Eastern District of Virginia. The scams allegedly perpetrated by the defendants and their co-conspirators targeted unsuspecting victims including universities in North Carolina, Texas and Virginia, and attempted to cause more than $5 million in losses.
BEC, also known as “cyber-enabled financial fraud,” is a sophisticated scam often targeting employees with access to company finances, businesses working with foreign suppliers and/or businesses that regularly perform wire transfer payments. The same criminal organizations that perpetrate BEC also exploit individual victims, often real estate purchasers, the elderly, and others, by convincing them to make wire transfers to bank accounts controlled by the criminals. This is often accomplished by impersonating a key employee or business partner after obtaining access to that person’s email account or sometimes done through romance and lottery scams. BEC scams may involve fraudulent requests for checks rather than wire transfers; they may target sensitive information such as personally identifiable information (PII) or employee tax records instead of, or in addition to, money; and they may not involve an actual “compromise” of an email account or computer network. Foreign citizens perpetrate many BEC scams. Those individuals are often members of transnational criminal organizations, which originated in Nigeria but have spread throughout the world.
Western District of North Carolina
Oludayo Kolawole John Adeagbo aka John Edwards and John Dayo, 43, a Nigerian citizen and UK resident, and Donald Ikenna Echeazu aka Donald Smith and Donald Dodient, 40, a dual UK and Nigerian citizen, are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and aggravated identity theft for defrauding a North Carolina university (the University) of more than $1.9 million via a business email compromise scheme. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Western District of North Carolina on April 17, 2019, and was unsealed yesterday following Echeazu’s initial appearance in federal court in Charlotte.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, from Aug. 30, 2016, to Jan. 12, 2017, Adeagbo and Echeazu conspired with other individuals to obtain information about significant construction projects occurring throughout the United States, including an ongoing multi-million-dollar project at the victim University. To execute the scheme, the defendants allegedly registered a domain name similar to that of the legitimate construction company in charge of the University’s project and created an email address that closely resembled that of an employee of the construction company. Using the fake email address, the co-conspirators allegedly deceived and directed the University to wire a payment of more than $1.9 million to a bank account controlled by an individual working under the direction of defendants. Upon receiving the payment, the co-conspirators allegedly laundered the stolen proceeds through a series of financial transactions designed to conceal the fraud.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge and the money laundering conspiracy charge each carry a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any other term imposed.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the Western District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.
Southern District of Texas
Oludayo Kolawole John Adeagbo aka John Edwards and John Dayo, 43, a Nigerian citizen and UK resident, is also charged in the Southern District of Texas with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. A federal grand jury returned the indictment March 30, 2022, which was unsealed on Aug. 3, 2022 before he was extradited to the United States.
From November 2016 until July 2018, Adeagbo allegedly conspired with others to participate in cyber-enabled business email compromises in an attempt to steal more than $3 million from victims in Texas, including local government entities, construction companies and a Houston-area college. The indictment alleges Adeagbo and his co-conspirators registered domain names that looked similar to legitimate companies. They then sent emails from those domains pretending to be employees at those companies, according to the charges. The conspirators allegedly sent emails to clients or customers of the companies they impersonated and deceived those customers into sending wire payments to bank accounts they controlled.
Adeagbo faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted on the charges.
The FBI Houston Cyber Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI Cyber and Criminal Investigative Divisions. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and Crown Prosecution Service also provided substantial assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez for the Southern District of Texas is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Brian Mund of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).
Eastern District of Virginia
Olabanji Egbinola, 42, is charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to a criminal complaint issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, from Sept. 26, 2018, to Dec. 26, 2018, Egbinola is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud a Virginia-based university. Egbinola and co-conspirators created and used a fraudulent email account that incorporated the name of a construction company that had a large, ongoing contract with the university. Using this email account, Egbinola and co-conspirators deceived the university into transferring $469,819.49 to a bank account controlled by Egbinola and co-conspirators. That money was quickly laundered and transferred overseas through numerous transactions. Evidence obtained during the investigation showed that Egbinola repeatedly accessed the email account used to defraud the Virginia university.
The FBI Richmond Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hood of for the Eastern District of Virginia is prosecuting the case.
All three defendants were arrested April 23, 2020, by UK authorities at the request of the United States and ordered extradited on Sept. 3, 2021. All three defendants filed appeals, all of which were rejected by the UK High Court on July 12, 2022.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of all three defendants.
Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the IC3 at bec.ic3.gov. The IC3 staff reviews complaints, looking for patterns or other indicators of significant criminal activity, and refers investigative packages of complaints to the appropriate law enforcement authorities in a particular city or region. The FBI provides a variety of resources relating to BEC scams through the IC3, which can be reached at www.ic3.gov. For more information on BEC scams, visit: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Houston woman charged for helping others falsely apply for government assistanceRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 22-year-old Houston resident is set to appear in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Desiree Coleman is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena H. Palermo at 2 p.m.
Coleman is charged with one count of conspiracy. She allegedly filed false online applications for government assistance in exchange for a fee from March to December 2020. Some included Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for rentals, personal property and critical needs, according to the charges.
The criminal information alleges the funds were designed for disaster assistance.
As part of the conspiracy, Coleman also allegedly helped others apply for unemployment claims and economic injury disaster loans meant for certain businesses and non-profit organizations that the pandemic had affected.
If convicted, she faces up to five years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Department of Labor-OIG, Secret Service, (FEMA and the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
A criminal information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Mexican resident indicted for trafficking firearms under new lawRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A federal grand jury sitting in Laredo has charged a U.S. citizen who resides in Mexico under the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act for trafficking handguns into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act is part of the broader Safer Communities Act, passed June 25. Said Isaac Hernandez, age 25, is the first person believed to be indicted under the new law.
The charges allege that on July 11, authorities apprehended Hernandez as he was traveling south on U.S. Interstate 35 towards the port of entry in Laredo. At the time of his arrest, they allegedly discovered 17 firearms hidden in his car.
Hernandez had been the subject of an investigation related to the purchasing of a large number of firearms then transporting them to Mexico, according to the charges. Between Jan. 21, 2020, and July 11, 2022, Hernandez allegedly purchased a total of 231 handguns in calibers of 9mm, .380 and .22.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens 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.Expired license plate stop leads to firearm conviction for HonduranRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted a 27-year-old man for possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes before convicting Carlos Javier Zelaya-Guerra following a two-day trial.
On Feb. 5, authorities stopped Zelaya-Guerra in Sinton for driving with an expired temporary license plate. At that time, Zelaya-Guerra admitted he had a firearm with him in the vehicle.
Zelaya-Guerra provided law enforcement with a Honduran passport, but did not have a driver’s license or any documentation allowing him to be in the United States lawfully.
Authorities later determined Zelaya-Guerra was present in the country illegally.
At trial, Zelaya-Guerra testified that he thought he had permission to be in the United States because he married a U.S. citizen who had initiated the paperwork necessary to obtain lawful status.
The jury did not believe his story and found him guilty as charged.
Zelaya-Guerra will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office, Border Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Dunn and John Marck are prosecuting the case.
Trafficking meth in an Igloo cooler results in prison timeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 25-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Monte Alto has been ordered to federal prison after admitting to possessing with intent to distribute 140 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jose Maria Hernandez-Alvarez pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Hernandez to serve a 70-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his/h imprisonment.
On Sept. 8, 2021, law enforcement was conducting surveillance which led to a traffic stop. At that time, Hernandez gave consent for a search of his car.
Authorities soon discovered approximately 15.5 kilograms of meth in an Igloo ice chest in the trunk of his vehicle. Hernandez claimed ownership of the narcotics and admitted he had more drugs stored at his residence. A search at that location resulted in the discovery of an additional 123.5 kilograms of meth.
Hernandez stated he had been living in the United States for three months and, during that time, had received three shipments of meth from Mexico.
The estimated street value of the meth is $490,000.
Hernandez 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 conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Hidalgo County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.