Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Local man admits to receiving and storing child pornography via social mediaRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 22-year-old Laredo man has pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Ricardo Reyna admitted to viewing and sharing child pornography between May 1, 2020 and May 6, 2022.
During the investigation, authorities found 51 video files and 16 images of child pornography on Reyna’s cellphones. Reyna admitted to viewing and sharing child pornography on Kik starting in 2020.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose a sentencing Oct. 18. At that time, Reyna faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Reyna has been and will remain in custody pending his hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney April Ayers-Perez 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.
Directing transportation of drugs lands local meth trafficker in prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 34-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison for 27 years for drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Henry Wilkinson pleaded guilty Nov. 23, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales handed Wilkinson a sentence of 324 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Wilkinson organized the drug trafficking by purchasing hotel rooms in Houston where meth was purchased on several occasions. In handing down the sentence, the court found Wilkinson was in fact the leader/organizer of the drug trafficking conspiracy.
On June 2, 2020, authorities arrested a drug dealer in possession of 39.99 grams of pure meth. Soon after, they learned that Wilkinson supplied the individual with meth from February through June 2020.
On Aug. 25, 2020, law enforcement intercepted a 2.8 kilogram shipment of meth in transit from Houston. Subsequent investigation revealed that Wilkinson instructed the individual to transport multiple kilograms of meth and other drugs on numerous occasions from Houston to Corpus Christi.
Wilkinson 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn prosecuted the case.
Preparing fraudulent returns results in conviction for tax servicersRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A tax preparer and her two daughters have admitted to conspiring to commit tax fraud over a four-year period, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jeannette Villarreal, Leannette Villarreal and Zeannette Salazar prepared and filed income tax returns for clients under the business name of J&G Armadillo’s Tax Service aka Reals Tax Service.
As part of their pleas, they each admitted to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.
On numerous occasions, they knowingly reported inaccurate earnings, fictitious charitable contributions and improper tax credits in order to increase the refund paid to the client. The tax returns purported their clients were permitted to claim deductions, credits or both. However, they were not entitled to claim more money, resulting in a tax loss to the United States.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Oct. 6. At that time, all three conspirators face up to three years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
They were permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert D. Thorpe Jr. and John Marck are prosecuting the case.
Man admits to smuggling 20 aliens in locked Fedex trailerRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 32-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, Vince Ruiz III pleaded guilty to one count of transporting illegal aliens within the United States.
On Oct. 5, 2021, Ruiz drove a white Freightliner tractor pulling two trailers marked “FedEx Ground” into the primary inspection lane at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Falfurrias. During inspection, a K-9 alerted authorities to one of the trailers.
A subsequent search of the trailer revealed 20 undocumented individuals inside behind a locked door.
Ruiz admitted he drove to Edinburg to pick up the trailer and return to Cypress. During the trip, he pulled over to the side of the road in a secluded area where the undocumented individuals were then loaded into the trailer.
They were later determined to be illegally present in the country
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Oct. 4. At that time, Ruiz faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Ruiz has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour is prosecuting the case.
Smuggler imprisoned after woman left on the side of the roadRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – A 43-year-old non-U.S. citizen illegally residing in Mission has been sent to prison for conspiracy to commit hostage taking which resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Nelson Bahena-Garcia pleaded guilty Nov. 2, 2021, admitting the victim died during the smuggling incident.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rainey ordered Bahena-Garcia to serve 252 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 about how he operated an alien stash house using threats and intimidation and refused to allow the victim to be released for medical care during the smuggling attempt.
The investigation began after authorities had learned of a missing Honduran female. Her fiancé called authorities and informed them he had been unable to make payment for her release.
On May 28, 2018, authorities found her on a rural county road in Victoria County. She had been stripped nude and had what appeared to be trauma inflicted upon her body. The investigation revealed she had collapsed during the smuggling attempt and had to be carried. Even though she said, “please don’t leave me,” a companion heard Bahena-Garcia eventually provide instructions to leave her behind in the brush to die.
At the time of his plea, Bahena-Garcia admitted his driver had abandoned her by on the side of the highway.
Bahena-Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection and the Victoria County Sheriff’ Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patti Booth prosecuted the case.
Contractor charged in bribery and bid rigging schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 64-year-old Houston resident is set to appear in court on charges he participated in a fraud scheme for 12 years, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Abraham Joseph is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m. today.
A one-count criminal information, filed June 27, alleges Joseph was the owner of a company called One Point Inc. and participated in a fraud scheme from 2007 until 2019 against a company with a manufacturing facility in Houston.
Joseph allegedly engaged in a bribery and bid rigging scheme to obtain construction and maintenance work at the victim company. According to the charges, Joseph submitted fake bids through the facilities manager who made it appear that OnePoint was the low bidder. In return, Joseph allegedly paid millions of dollars and gave other items of value. Joseph also had work funneled to him and his company and paid kickbacks in return, according to the charges.
The information alleges that when submitting invoices for payment to the victim company, Joseph failed to disclose he was submitting falsified bids, paying kickbacks from victim company funds and even had their employee on OnePoint’s payroll at one point.
The victim company would not have paid OnePoint invoices had it known about the falsified bids or the kickback payments, according to the charges.
If convicted, Joseph faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek 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.Cartel leader heads to prison for over $2M drug seizuresRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A leader within Cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion has been ordered to federal prison for his role in an elaborate conspiracy of possession with intent to distribute meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Manuel Salazar Alvarez, 29, Michoacan, Mexico, pleaded guilty Nov. 5, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana sentenced Alvarez to 282 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay a $2.7 million.
The investigation began in June 2017, when authorities identified Alvarez as a leader within Cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion. Alvarez directed the cartel’s large-scale operations functioning in Tamaulipas, Mexico. It comprised of couriers, stash house operators and transportation coordinators, all responsible for smuggling multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics concealed in fire extinguishers, wooden blocks, car batteries and hydraulic jacks. The drugs were often illegally imported into Laredo and stashed in storage units or tractor trailers to then be distributed into Houston, Dallas, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.
During the course of the investigation, authorities linked 16 separate drug seizures to Alvarez. The drugs were concealed in similar manner. The seizures spanned from July 18, 2017, through Sept. 10, 2019.
The wholesale value of the drugs seized is estimated to be $2.7 million.
Alvarez’s co-conspirators included truck drivers, stash house operators and transporters who were implicated in the seizure of wooden/steel blocks, hydraulic jacks, batteries or fire extinguishers which contained bundles of an assortment of drugs in multiple kilograms.
Alvarez is the last defendant among 11 who have been previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. Roberto Ivan Rodriguez Ramirez, 27, and Manuel Enrique Ayala Rodriguez, 45, both of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, were each sentenced to 192 months, while Giovani Mendez Hornelas, a non-U.S. citizen residing in Angier, North Carolina, received 108 months. Daniel Morales Hinojosa, 52, Santos Salazar, 35, Victor Hinojosa, 36, Omar Hiracheta-Cruz, 38, and Armando Animas Hernandez, 33, all from Michoacan and or Nuevo Leon, Mexico, were sentenced earlier in the year. Daniel Hinojosa and Salazar were each ordered to serve 262-month-terms of imprisonment, while Victor Hinojosa, Hiracheta-Cruz and Hernandez received 210, 192 and 120 months, respectively. All are also expected to face removal proceedings.
Alvarez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Gelo Podre (Rotten Ice) with the assistance of Laredo Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office coordinated through Special Operations Division Operation Python.
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.
Deputy Criminal Chief for the South Texas Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Mary Lou Castillo prosecuted the case.
Six-time convict and multi-gang member heads to prison againRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 40-year-old Victoria man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Michael Salazar pleaded guilty April 7.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Salazar to serve 95 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence of telephonic conversations during which Salazar discussed illicit drug sales and purchases. While in custody, Salazar also provided an individual with his Facebook login information and instructed her to “deactivate it” and “erase everything.”
Salazar was also identified as a member of the Tango Valluco, Tango Blast and Tango Houston gangs. In addition, the court learned of Salazar’s extensive criminal history that includes six prior drug convictions. Salazar committed the instant offense while serving a sentence for unlawful delivery of controlled substance.
On July 22, 2021, law enforcement was conducting surveillance on a female individual who had an outstanding warrant. However, the operation eventually led to Salazar who was driving East on Port Lavaca Highway with the woman in the passenger seat. Authorities attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but he did not initially comply. He eventually did as instructed.
At that time, authorities conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered a digital scale with meth residue in the center console. They also discovered a bag with crystal-like substance on the passenger side near the front right tire.
While stopped, Salazar told the female to take a bag he had removed from his pockets and run. She did but dropped the bag on the ground. At that time, Salazar yelled several times at the female to “take the charge.”
Laboratory analysis later confirmed the substance in the bag was in fact 22.65 grams of meth at 100% purity.
Salazar 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.
Three-time sex offender lands in prison for collecting sadistic virtual child pornography imagesRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 55-year-old Aransas County man has been ordered to federal prison for transporting obscene images, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Bryan Wesley Fulfer, Aransas Pass, pleaded guilty April 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Fulfer to 60 months in prison. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that Fulfer was previously convicted of indecency with a child, possession of child pornography and failure to register as a sex offender. The charges spanned from 1992 to 2014.
The court also saw several virtual images Fulfer possessed which depicted adult men sadistically abusing prepubescent boys.
Fulfer was further ordered to serve three 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.
The investigation began July 28, 2021, when Fulfer’s relatives found his cellphone in a room at their grandmother’s house. He had been residing there. On the device, they saw computer-generated images of prepubescent children engaging in sex acts.
They notified authorities who, in turn, arrested Fulfer within days.
He ultimately admitted to viewing what he called “fake” child pornography online.
Fulfer has been and 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 assistance of the Aransas County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Dennis E. Robinson 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Smuggled individual charged with having pornographic images on phoneRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Mexican national been charged with possession and transportation of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment today against Cristian Dolores Munoz-De La Rosa. He is expected to appear for his arraignment in the near future.
On June 6, law enforcement was conducting a human smuggling investigation near Carrizo Springs, according to the charges. Upon inspection, they seized a phone allegedly belonging to one of the individuals.
The charges allege they found child pornography images on that device. A preliminary review of the phone showed approximately 20 images of child pornography, according to the allegations.
If convicted, Munoz-De La Rosa faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a $250,000 maximum fine.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney April Ayers-Perez 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.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Local felon heads to prison for smuggling nearly 100 in trailerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old Desoto man has been sent to prison following his conviction of alien smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Dedrick Lindell Coleman pleaded guilty April 14.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Coleman to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that described Coleman’s efforts to smuggle over 90 people inside a tractor trailer. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo considered that number of individuals and his prior criminal history.
At the time of his plea, Coleman admitted that on Jan. 14, he approached the Interstate Highway 35 Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located on mile marker 29 while driving a tractor trailer. A K-9 unit alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans and referred him to secondary inspection.
There, authorities found a total of 95 non-U.S. citizens hidden in the trailer. All were determined to be in the United States illegally. At the time of his arrest, authorities also discovered a pistol in Coleman’s possession.
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 with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac prosecuted the case.
Local couple faces life in prison on charges relating to forced laborRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Two Edinburg residents have been indicted on multiple charges to include hostage taking, labor trafficking and financially benefitting from the labor of three victims, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, a federal grand jury returned a seven-count superseding indictment against Eduardo Javier Gomez, 31, and Margarita Alvarez, 40. They are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Hacker for their arraignment in the near future.
Both had been previously indicted for hostage taking and labor trafficking. The superseding indictment returned today adds the charge of financially benefitting from the forced labor.
According to the complaint originally filed in the case, authorities learned that three individuals had allegedly been taken at gun point and forced to work in McAllen for approximately two weeks.
The investigation revealed the victims were allegedly being harbored separately and forced to work without pay. The two male victims were forced to sell drugs outside of a club, while a female was required to act as a nanny and housekeeper at the house Gomez and Alvarez shared, according to the charges. All three victims were also allegedly made to work at a local fireworks stand Gomez managed.
If convicted, the couple faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez 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.Houston truck driver admits to transporting 145 in trailerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 73-year-old Houston man entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Anthony Alfred Boring arrived at the Border Patrol checkpoint April 15 on IH-35 approximately 29 miles north of Laredo. He was driving a tractor that was pulling a locked utility trailer.
Upon questioning about what he was hauling, Boring appeared shocked. His face also turned pale, his eyes became glassy, and he sunk into his seat. He then shrugged his shoulders and mumbled “I don’t know.”
Law enforcement unlocked the trailer and discovered 145 individuals in the trailer. A total of 86 were from Mexico, 49 from Guatemala and five, three and two from Honduras, El Salvador and Ecuador, respectfully.
One of the people described how hot it was in the trailer and that it was excessively packed with bodies. Further, there was no drinking water in the trailer.
At the time of his sentencing, Boring faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
Honduran sent to prison after claims cartel forced him to transport drugsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 28-year-old non-U.S. citizen has been sentenced to federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute nearly two kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for less than five hours following a two-day trial before convicting Edwin Lopez-Chavez March 25 on one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Lopez to serve 60 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that detailed how Lopez had received money in his jail commissary account from a person related to alien smuggling. Lopez claimed he was unfortunate to get involved with the wrong people as he was attempting to illegally enter the United States.
At trial, the jury heard that Lopez was a passenger in a vehicle that entered the primary inspection area at the Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita on Aug. 22, 2021. A K-9 alerted to the vehicle which was then sent to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.
There, authorities discovered three non-U.S. citizens inside the trunk of the vehicle. Lopez, admitted he was a citizen and national of Honduras who was illegally present in the United States.
Law enforcement ultimately found four bundles of cocaine taped to his ankles and inside his waist band. Lopez admitted the bundles contained narcotics.
However, during trial, he attempted to convince the jury that he transported the cocaine because some cartel members had threatened him. These people were allegedly involved in moving Lopez and other illegal aliens north.
The jury heard that Lopez could have used his cell phone to contact law enforcement at any time or at the checkpoint explain he had been forced to transport narcotics. Additional evidence showed that he had lied to authorities during an interview by saying that his phone had no service in the United States. A forensic report of his phone revealed otherwise.
The jury ultimately did not believe his claims and found Lopez guilty as charged.
Lopez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Gould and Liesel Roscher prosecuted the case.
Distributing child pornography videos results in heavy prison time for local manRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 42-year-old Nueces County man has been ordered to federal prison for distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Michael Aaron Galvan, Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty April 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Galvan to 210 months in prison. At the hearing, the court heard an emotional victim impact statement detailing the negative impact of Galvan’s criminal actions. Galvan 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. Galvan will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution to the victims will be determined at a later date.
The investigation began June 14, 2021, when authorities discovered Galvan had distributed multiple videos of child pornography via social media. Galvan was later apprehended at the U.S./Mexico border where authorities discovered he possessed a cellphone containing child pornography. Forensic analysis of that device and others seized from Galvan’s residence showed he possessed hundreds of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children. There was also evidence of how Galvan created surreptitious recordings of young children at play in his neighborhood and children walking to an elementary school near his home.
Galvan has been and 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 assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Dennis E. Robinson 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Cock-fighter receives hefty sentence for local drug traffickingRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 33-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 34 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jeffrey Justice Dale Williams, Gray Court, South Carolina, pleaded guilty Jan. 5.
Today, US. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Williams to serve 156 months in prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that detailed how Williams recruited other individuals to transport a large quantity of meth from Texas to Georgia. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that this drug trafficking venture would not have happened if not for Williams’ involvement.
The investigation revealed Williams recruited Doug Allen Navy and Noah Michael Hiler in the narcotics scheme. They were to pick up meth in McAllen and transport it to Atlanta, Georgia, for distribution.
Authorities discovered the co-conspirators referred to bundles of meth as roosters because Williams participated in cock-fighting in South Carolina. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement discovered hundreds of brutalized animals and evidence of cock-fighting at his property.
On Jan. 25, 2020, law enforcement arrested Navy and Hiler at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Falfurrias. A search of the vehicle revealed 12 bundles of meth hidden in speaker boxes located inside of Navy’s vehicle.
Navy and Hiler also pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme. They later received 96 and 70 month sentences, respectfully.
Williams 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 Laurens County, South Carolina, Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly K. Smith prosecuted the case.
Smuggling narcotics to three cities lands traffickers in prisonRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 47-year-old Cuban national has been sent to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to distribute large quantities of marijuana and cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Suarez-Pupo pleaded guilty March 29.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Suarez-Pupo 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 that described Suarez-Pupo as a leader within the drug trafficking organization and that he oversaw smuggling operations in both Texas and Florida. He also had connections to sources of supply in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Suarez-Pupo’s extensive involvement in drug trafficking and his previous conviction for alien smuggling for which he had served 37 months in prison. Judge Marmolejo stated that Suarez-Pupo had placed himself in this situation by his own choices.
In April 2019, authorities initiated an investigation on a drug trafficking organization operating in Laredo. They seized 615 kilograms of marijuana and approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine. They also seized $26,000 in drug proceeds.
The marijuana had an estimated street value of approximately $400,000, while the cocaine is valued at $250,000.
Co-defendant and Laredo resident Charlie Gonzalez, 36, was previously sentenced to 135 months for his role in the conspiracy to smuggle narcotics to Houston, Dallas and Louisville, Kentucky. Judge Garcia Marmolejo found that, like Suarez-Pupo, Gonzalez was a leader within the drug trafficking organization and that he had significant involvement. The court also considered Gonzalez’s 27 prior arrests, which included 11 assaults, six gun charges, two money laundering offenses and a murder. Judge Marmolejo additionally imposed a sentencing enhancement against Gonzalez for threatening the life of the federal agent who arrested him.
Additional co-conspirators Ildefonso Martinez Jr., 40, Laredo, and Jesus Antonio Trevino-Cabrera, 43, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, were also previously sentenced for their involvement. They received prison terms of 36 and 26 months, respectively.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation The World is Yours.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the OCDETF operation with the assistance of Border Patrol and Laredo Police Department. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day prosecuted the case.
More charges filed in fraud and kickback schemeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas ‐ A 56-year-old woman has been taken into custody on charges related to a healthcare fraud and kickback scheme, announced Jennifer B. Lowery.
Nora Alaniz, South Padre Island, is set to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at 10 a.m. today. Previously charged was Dr. Tajul Shams Chowdhury, 72, McAllen. He will again appear on the charges in the superseding indictment in the near future.
The 16-count superseding indictment returned June 21 charges Alaniz and Chowdhury with conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks in exchange for the referral of prescriptions for compound drugs.
Alaniz is a registered nurse and the former owner of a home health care company located in Hidalgo County, according to the charges, while Chowdhury is a physician who also previously operated a medical clinic in Edinburg.
Alaniz allegedly received kickbacks disguised as employee salaries from a local pharmacy. In turn, she paid Chowdhury and employees of his medical clinic for the referrals.
The superseding indictment alleges Chowdhury wrote prescriptions and referred them to the pharmacy. As a result of the illegal kickback scheme, the pharmacy received more than $300,000 from healthcare benefit programs such as Medicare and Medicaid from January to July 2017, according to the charges.
The indictment further alleges Alaniz received over $70,000 in kickbacks.
Chowdhury and five others were originally charged July 15, 2021, for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, multiple counts of healthcare fraud, illegal kickback conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Four have already pleaded guilty in relation to the charges in the original indictment.
If convicted o the new charges, Chowdhury and Alaniz face up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General (OIG), FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor – OIG, Veterans Affairs - OIG, Texas Health and Human Services and the Department of Health and Human Services - OIG, Texas Attorney General's Office - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation. The South Padre Island Police Department provided assistance with the arrest. 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.Hungry Texan sentenced for smuggling methRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 30-year-old Austin man has been ordered to federal prison for attempting to smuggle meth into the country while eating a cheeseburger, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Yen-Tsun Huang pleaded guilty Nov. 3, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered him to serve a total of 90 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Huang, a citizen of Taiwan, will lose his legal permanent resident status and be issued an immigration detainer upon completion of his incarceration.
On July 4, 2020, Huang was a passenger in a vehicle that attempted to pass through a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. Law enforcement noticed Huang displayed suspicious behavior by eating a cheeseburger immediately upon arrival. A K-9 also alerted authorities to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle.
Authorities referred him to secondary inspection. There, they discovered brick-shaped objects strapped to each of Huang’s thighs. They contained a total of 738.56 grams of meth.
Huang 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis E. Robinson prosecuted the case.
Local felon admits to possessing loaded pistol and ammunitionRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 32-year-old man has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Chad Everett Williams Jr., Corpus Christi, admitted to possessing a loaded Diamondback Firearms pistol and 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
On Oct. 27, 2021, law enforcement pulled Williams over to conduct a traffic stop. At that time, they noticed the odor of marijuana. He admitted to smoking in the car earlier in the day. Upon questioning, he also admitted he had a weapon in his vehicle. Soon after, authorities conducted a search and discovered the pistol along with the ammunition.
Williams has been previously convicted for aggravated robbery. As a felon, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Sept. 21. At that time, Williams faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations conducted investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin is prosecuting the case.
Laredo residents sent to prison for extortion schemeRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two individuals have been ordered to federal prison for aiding and abetting in the transmission of messages threatening to extort money from another, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Hector Jose Lopez, 31, pleaded guilty Sept. 29, 2021, while Nancy Yvette Garcia, 33, admitted to the charges Oct. 14, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 96-month term of imprisonment for Lopez, while Garcia received 188 months. Garcia, also currently on supervised release for a 2018 conviction for conspiracy to transport aliens, received an additional four months which will be served concurrently to the current offense. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Marmolejo noted that Lopez should make better choices if he wanted to live in the free world, further stating that he had no respect for the law or humanity.
On Jan. 26, 2021, a marijuana deal involving a 16-year-old male had gone awry. Shortly thereafter, Garcia and another individual took him to Lopez’s apartment. Garcia claimed they needed to keep him hostage in order to get their marijuana or money back. Lopez held him there in exchange for $500.
At the time of his plea, Lopez admitted he asked the victim for some of his login information stored on his phone which he then sent to Garcia via WhatsApp.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 27, 2021, someone posted photographs to the victim’s Facebook account showing visible injuries and referencing what happens to people who steal. The mother of the victim then received a message on Facebook Messenger accusing her son of stealing marijuana.
Shortly thereafter, she received a phone call from a Mexican phone number demanding $30,000 for the release of her son. Throughout the course of the day, the mother received text messages or phone calls asking about the status of the ransom and was told her son would be killed if the demand wasn’t met.
On Jan. 28, 2021, the victim managed to escape and contacted law enforcement.
Lopez and Garcia 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 assistance from the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew prosecuted the case.
Distributing pornography results in federal prison time for Katy sex offenderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 45-year-old man has been sent to federal prison following his conviction for a child pornography charge while on deferred adjudication for another similar offense, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Manuel Candia-Reuter pleaded guilty June 9, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller ordered Candia-Reuter to serve 180 months in prison to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Candia-Reuter is a registered sex offender and had been serving a deferred sentence for previous possession of child pornography.
The investigation began in March 2019, when authorities discovered Candia-Reuter had uploaded or distributed child pornography material via Skype.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Candia-Reuter’s residence July 12, 2019. At that time, Candia-Reuter admitted to distributing images of child pornography to another user on Skype.
Candia-Reuter also acknowledged he had been attending therapy sessions while on deferred adjudication for possession of child pornography. He relapsed and again began searching for child pornography.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Sherin Daniel prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Brownsville man sentenced for trying to smuggle cocaine past CheckpointRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 60-year-old Brownsville resident has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 11.78 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Martin Munoz pleaded guilty Sept. 15, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 70-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On March 13, 2020, Munoz arrived at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located in Sarita driving a pickup truck.
At inspection, law enforcement opened the driver side door and immediately noticed a large duffel bag laying on the front passenger seat. They ultimately found 10 bundles wrapped in brown tape consistent with narcotics located inside the bag.
They contained a white powdery substance which later field tested positive for the properties of cocaine with a total combined weight of 11.78 kilograms.
Munoz has been and 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 Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.
Man admits to enticing South Texas minor into commercial sexRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old man has entered a guilty plea for enticement of a minor online, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, Malcom Lenard Thomas, Houston, admitted he communicated via Instagram with whom he thought was a 15-year-old female.
He connected with the individual in October 2021. In those conversations, he conveyed his expectations to recruit her to engage in commercial sex in Houston for his own financial benefit, calling it the rules of “the game.”
Through numerous exchanges over social media and other means, he instructed her how to send him money. He then purchased a bus ticket for her to travel to Houston. He made arrangements to pick her up on Oct. 29, 2021. Upon his arrival, law enforcement took him into custody.
As part of his plea, he admitted to sending the bus ticket knowing the minor was coming to Houston to engage in commercial sex. He claimed his role would be to provide her with protection.
U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge will impose sentencing Sept. 15. At that time, Thomas faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Thomas will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) conducted the investigation.
HTRA law enforcement includes members of the Houston Police Department, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor (DOL), DOL – Wage and Hour Division, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General (OIG), Social Security Administration – OIG and Sheriff’s Offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting this case.
Felon ordered to prison for illegally owning rifles and shotgunsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 32-year-old Alvin resident has been sent to prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of multiple firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Alonzo Gonzalez III pleaded guilty March 22.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Ramos ordered Gonzalez to serve 180 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about the impact the theft of some of the guns that Gonzalez possessed had on the victim.
On March 10, 2021, authorities pulled over a vehicle for having an expired Texas temporary tag. Alonzo Gonzalez III was a passenger in the vehicle.
Law enforcement officers noticed the occupants of the vehicle were behaving suspiciously and brought a K-9 to the scene. The K-9 alerted to the rear of the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of seven firearms concealed inside the trunk. Those included two 12-gauge shotguns, a .243 rifle, .223-5.56 rifle and three 7.62x54R rifles. Authorities later determined that two of the weapons were stolen.
At the time of his plea, Gonzalez admitted he had placed the firearms in the trunk and planned to sell them in South Texas.
Gonzalez 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 assistance of the Kleberg County Attorney Specialized Crimes & Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Gould prosecuted the case.
Army veteran admits to sending death threatsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 33-year-old Brazoria County man has pleaded guilty to threatening employees at the Lake Jackson Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Mark Williams Jr. was a U.S. Army veteran receiving treatment at VA facilities. Today, he admitted to making a series of threatening statements via interstate communications.
Beginning in June 2021, Williams began sending threats towards the staff at various VA facilities. These included calls to the Lake Jackson VA Outpatient Clinic, White House VA Hotline and Veterans Crisis Line.
As part of his plea, he admitted that during a call on Oct. 25, 2021, he made repeated threats to kill employees at the Lake Jackson VA clinic.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. will impose sentencing Sept. 6. At that time, Williams faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Pearson is prosecuting the case.
Indictment unsealed charging terrorism, fraud, identity theft and immigration offensesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 24-year-old former Iraqi refugee has been charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery and Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division (DOJ-NSD).
Abdulrahman Mohammed Hafedh Alqaysi made his initial appearance in federal court today. Also charged are his cousin Mohammed (aka Moe) Amer Faisal Al Qaysi, 26, another former Iraqi refugee, and Hami Jamshid aka Jamshid Ahmadzai, 32, a naturalized U.S. citizen. Hafedh Al Qaysi, Faisal Al Qaysi and Jamshid resided in Richmond, Houston and Sugar Land, respectively.
Law enforcement took them into custody June 16 on the charges contained in a sealed nine-count superseding indictment, returned April 26. The indictment was unsealed as the three appeared in court today.
Hafedh Al Qaysi did unlawfully and knowingly conspire and agree with others known and unknown to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), according to the charges. The Secretary of State has defined ISIS as a foreign terrorist organization.
Hafedh Al Qaysi is also charged with three counts of making a false statement in a naturalization application. The indictment alleges that he falsely answered “no” when asked if he had ever been a member of or in any way associated, either directly or indirectly, with a terrorist organization, or if he was ever a part of any group or ever helped any group, unit or organization that used a weapon against any person or threatened to do so.
The naturalization application also asks whether the applicant had ever committed, assisted with or attempted to commit a crime or offense for which they were not arrested. Hafedh Alqaysi, Faisal Al Qaysi and Jamshid all falsely answered “no” to that question, according to the indictment.
The indictment also alleges that Jamshid procured citizenship or naturalization unlawfully.
The three men face additional charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Beginning on or about Jan. 1, 2015, through on or about March 10, 2017, they conspired together to devise a scheme to defraud and to obtain money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises. The indictment alleges that Hafedh Alqaysi also committed aggravated identity theft in relation to that scheme.
If convicted, Hafedh Al Qaysi faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the material support count as well as well as a mandatory two years for the identity theft which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. Making a false statement in a naturalization application and procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully carry possible penalties of five and 10 years, respectively. All three also face up to 20 years for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, upon conviction.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani is prosecuting the case along with DOJ-NSD Trial Attorney Joshua Champagne.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Houston resident sentenced for attempting to bring kilos of deadly fentanyl to Galleria MallRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 22-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute approximately 4.65 kilograms of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Alvarado-Vargas pleaded guilty April 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 72-month term of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the prison term, Judge Marmolejo noted that Mexican Fentanyl is extremely dangerous and responsible for deaths all over the United States.
On Oct. 3, 2021, Alvarado-Vargas attempted to drive through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint along U.S. Highway 59 near Freer. During a search of his vehicle, authorities discovered approximately 4.65 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside his car battery.
At the time of his plea, Alvarado-Vargas admitted that smugglers had offered him approximately $4,500 to illegally transport drugs into the United States from Mexico. He further admitted that his ultimate delivery destination was the Galleria mall in Houston.
Fentanyl is a synthetic painkiller drug that has morphine and opioid-like side effects, but works at a mere one-hundredth of the/of a regular dose. Inadvertent exposure to high doses of fentanyl in micrograms can result in respiratory failure, overdose and ultimately death. Remember #OnePillCanKill
Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Therapist’s ex-wife charged with defrauding Medicaid and stealing patient informationRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 47-year-old Katy resident has been indicted for defrauding Medicaid of more than $600,000, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Kay Le Farmer into custody today. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Dena Hanovice Palermo at 1 p.m.
On June 9, a federal grand jury returned the 22-count indictment which was unsealed upon her arrest today.
According to the charges, Farmer is the former office manager for her ex-husband - a therapist and Medicaid provider. Following their separation, Farmer allegedly used her ex-husband’s provider number to submit fraudulent claims to Medicaid for counseling services that were never provided.
From 2013 until 2018, Farmer allegedly submitted or caused the submission of approximately $617,983.86 in claims for psychotherapy services that were not provided. The indictment alleges Farmer was paid approximately $432,924.69 on those claims.
In 2017, Farmer even used her employment at a pediatrician’s office to obtain patient information, according to the allegations. She then allegedly submitted more fraudulent claims to Medicaid under her ex-husband’s provider number.
According to the charges, Medicaid monies were deposited into accounts Farmer controlled.
If convicted, Farmer faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count of health care fraud.
The Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson 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.Federal agent charged with sexually groping passengerRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer is now in custody for allegedly violating a passenger’s civil rights and obstruction, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Law enforcement arrested Christopher Edwards Dowell, Conroe, today. He is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena H. Palermo at 1 p.m.
A federal grand jury returned the sealed two-count indictment June 9, which was unsealed today upon his arrest.
The charges allege Dowell deprived a female of her civil rights at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. While conducting a secondary inspection, he allegedly touched the victim’s breasts without her consent. He then engaged in obstruction by attempting to cover up the incident with information he submitted in the secondary inspection report, according to the indictment.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for obstruction as well as another year for the violation of civil rights. The obstruction and civil rights charges also carry potential fines of $250,000 and $100,000, respectively.
The Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Suh 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.
South Texas mayor arrestedRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – The Mayor of Penitas has been charged with bribery and fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Rodrigo Lopez, 38, into custody today as he re-entered the United States at a Port of Entry in Hidalgo County.He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The two-count indictment, returned June 1 and unsealed today, charges Lopez with embezzling or fraudulently obtaining property of the La Joya Independent School District (LJISD). From March through August of 2018, LJISD allegedly made purchases totaling approximately $70,010 from Lopez’s company Xizaka LLC.
Lopez offered or gave a bribe to an LJISD employee in connection with these purchases, according to the allegations.
If convicted, Lopez faces up to 10 years on each count.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Texas Department of Insurance; McAllen Police Department and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez is prosecuting the case.An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Former federal agent convicted of corruption in connection to illicit Syrian relationshipRead the Press Release
HOUSTON –A 48-year-old former special agent with Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has been convicted of obstructing justice, making false statements and accepting money and gifts for official acts, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal jury deliberated for less than three hours before convicting Leatrice Malika DeBruhl-Daniels following a six-day trial.
DeBruhl-Daniels was a veteran NCIS special agent working in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There, she met Nadal Diya, a Syrian businessman living in Dubai looking for help in securing a visa to the United States. At that time, Diya was the target of several federal investigations.
The jury heard from 16 government witnesses, which included numerous agents and Diya himself. Testimony revealed that in 2017, DeBruhl-Daniels used her position to get certain benefits from Diya in exchange for providing information to him about his visa status. The gifts included an expensive birthday party at Diya’s home, approximately $1,400 in cash and the promise of a job for her son in Diya’s company.
The relationship with Diya eventually became sexual. During that relationship, she revealed he was a target of an FBI counterterrorism investigation, information that was classified at the time. She also told him that if he came to the United States, he would likely be arrested.
In late December 2017, federal agents had questioned Debruhl-Daniels about Diya. However, she failed to disclose her intimate relationship with him, the gifts he had given her, the job he offered her son and the classified information she provided.
Following the interview, she also visited with Diya and coached him on what to say in a subsequent interview.
Several months later in May 2018, she left Dubai for Hawaii for a highly sensitive and coveted job. However, she soon learned she would not get the new position. It was only then she confessed to superiors and investigators about her illicit relationship, the monies, party and gifts she had received and the classified information she had previously revealed.
Debruhl-Daniels testified in her own defense at trial. She claimed, among other things, that the classified information she revealed to Diya was public information. She further attempted to convince the jury she did not have a duty to reveal any of the details of her personal relationship with Diya nor her disclosures to him.
The jury did not believe her claims and found her guilty.
Diya, 49, Dubai, previously pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Gray Miller presided over trial and set sentencing for Debruhl-Daniels for Aug. 15. At that time, she faces 20 years for each of the four obstruction counts, five years for each of six false statement counts of conviction, another eight for a false statement with terrorism enhancement as well as two years for the bribery conviction.
She was remanded to custody pending that hearing.
NCIS led the investigation with the assistance of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Commerce and Department of State. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arthur R. Jones and Alamdar S. Hamdani are prosecuting the case.
More charges filed in nationwide fraud scam targeting elderly victimsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 24-year-old Indian citizen has been taken into custody on charges related to a large nationwide conspiracy to commit mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Anirudha Kalkote is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m. He was incarcerated in Virginia and brought to Texas June 9 to face the charges.
The 12-count superseding indictment charges Kalkote with conspiracy and mail fraud. Also named in the indictment is MD Azad, 25, an illegal resident of Houston, who was originally charged in August 2020. He will appear again in court on the new charges in the near future.
The superseding indictment, returned June 9, accuses Azad and Kalkote of participating in a fraud ring from 2019-2020 which operated out of various cities including Houston. The scheme allegedly targeted elderly victims throughout the United States and elsewhere.
According to the charges, the ring tricked and deceived victims using various ruses and instructed them to send money via wire through a money transmitter business such as Western Union or MoneyGram, by buying gift cards and providing to the fraudsters or by mailing cash to alias names via FedEx or UPS.
One such scheme allegedly involved the claim of providing computer technical support services. The indictment alleges that the scheme generally worked because fraudsters contacted victims by phone or via internet sites directing them to a particular phone number. Once victims contacted them, they were told various stories such as they were communicating with an expert that needed remote access to their computer in order to provide technical support services. The fraudsters then allegedly gained further access to their personal data and bank and credit card information.
Victims typically paid a fee to conspirators for the alleged technical support but were later told they were due a refund, according to the charges. Through paying for “technical support” or through the “refund” process, the ring gained access to the victim’s bank account(s) and credit cards and manipulated the accounts to make it appear the victim was paid too large a refund due to a typographical error. Victims were then instructed to reimburse the ring by various means.
The indictment alleges victims were sometimes re-victimized multiple times and threatened with bodily harm if they did not pay.
Upon conviction, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
Three others have already pleaded guilty in relation to the scheme and are awaiting sentencing - Sumit Kumar Singh, 24, Himanshu Kumar, 24, and MD Hasib, 26 are Indian nationals who illegally resided in Houston.
All five individuals remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States including the Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office of Augusta County, Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Quincy Ollison are prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as a part of the Elder Justice Initiative. Its goal is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.
In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice launched National Elder Fraud Hotline to help combat fraud against older Americans and provide services to victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, we encourage you to call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372–8311).
The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time. Services are available for speakers of English, Spanish and other languages.
“Lavish” Bissonnet sex trafficker facing life in prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 46-year-old Houston man has been taken into custody on charges of sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Larry Odell Lewis expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew M. Edison at 2pm today.
A federal grand jury returned the eight-count indictment June 2 which was unsealed upon his arrest late June 8.
Self-proclaimed as “Lavish,” Lewis allegedly used force, fraud and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex. The indictment alleges some of the acts occurred on the Bissonnet Track, an area of Houston known to be plagued by prostitution and prostitution-related crimes.
He also coerced the women to do similar acts across state lines, according to the charges.
If convicted, Lewis faces up to life imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Department of Public Safety and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the FBI as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).
Established in 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Houston formed the HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as a national model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Christine Lu are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Jury delivers guilty verdict against mailman for distributing drugsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury sitting in Corpus Christi has convicted a 30-year-old Alice man for conspiring to distribute narcotics through the mail, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for more than two hours before convicting Rudolph Balboa on three counts of conspiring to use a communication facility to distribute THC products following a three-day trial.
At trial, the jury heard testimony from law enforcement that Balboa abused his position as a mailman to make illicit deliveries of narcotics between August 2019 and January 2020. Balboa carried out the scheme with the help of two co-conspirators, both of whom testified against Balboa at trial.
The jury also heard from postal inspectors and special agents who had performed a search of some of the packages and discovered THC products in them. They also testified how they conducted surveillance on Balboa and recorded him making deliveries at locations other than those addressed on the packages.
At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury Balboa had no idea what was inside the packages. However, the jury viewed video evidence and heard Balboa had previously confessed to the scheme. They also viewed text messages from Balboa’s cellphone confirming some of the deliveries.
The jury ultimately did not believe Balboa’s testimony and ultimately found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over trial and set sentencing for Aug. 31. At that time, Balboa faces up to four years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Liesel Roscher are prosecuting the case.
Max sentenced imposed for distributing images involving children engaged in sadistic conductRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 58-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Steven Furman pleaded guilty Feb. 1.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton handed Furman the statutory maximum of 240 months. He will also serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He was further ordered to register as a sex offender.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Furman was a hands-on offender and had sexually abused teenage girls over the course of several years, one of whom provided an in-person victim impact statement. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the horrible details of Furman’s crimes and her powerful statement.
The investigation began after authorities learned about the distribution of files containing child pornography. The images included prepubescent minors forced to engage in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Furman was associated with that IP address.
Law enforcement also discovered Furman was writing and sending fantasies stories about abusing children.
On April 6, 2021, they executed a search warrant at Furman’s residence, at which time they seized various electronic devices. Forensic analysis on those devices revealed 671 images and videos depicting child pornography. At the time of his arrest, Furman admitted to using the internet to view, download and distribute child pornography.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Smith and Dennis Robinson prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Another Texas drug dealer sent to prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Robert James Blanco pleaded guilty Sept. 7, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales sentenced Blanco to 130 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that detailed Blanco’s responsibility for 5,486 kilograms of narcotics and multiple arrests with narcotics and firearms. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Blanco’s multiple arrests for narcotics, weapons possession and violent crimes.
The investigation started in December 2020 when law enforcement discovered Blanco was posting in a social media chat room that he was selling meth, heroin, ecstasy and more in Corpus Christi. Undercover officers then purchased meth from Blanco on several occasions. On March 1, 2021, authorities attempted to stop a vehicle Blanco was driving when he crashed into other vehicles while trying to flee.
On Feb. 16, 2021, authorities arrested Blanco with a loaded firearm, $1,330 and various narcotics including 30.65 grams of meth.
He will remain in federal prison pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin prosecuted the case.
Jury returns verdict in Cle Nightclub violent armed robberyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year-old security guard working at a downtown Houston nightclub has been convicted of its 2019 violent armed robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for 10 minutes before convicting Hakeem Alexander Coles today for interference with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence following a five-day trial.
Coles, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, used a false identity to get hired as a security guard for Cle Nightclub. He worked there for about two weeks. On Sept. 7, 2019, after the business closed, he robbed the employees at gunpoint and demanded $20,000 cash.
At trial, the jury heard from witnesses who described how Coles was hired as a security guard using someone else’s identity. They also heard from employees at Cle who described how he had robbed them at gunpoint and discharged his firearm toward them as he fled the scene.
The investigation led to Coles’ arrest in Louisiana. At that time, he was found in possession of a loaded firearm and the false identification he used to gain employment at Cle. Law enforcement was soon able to uncover his true identity.
The jury also heard evidence of another robbery Coles had committed in Minneapolis three weeks prior to the Cle robbery. In that case, Coles was working as a security guard at Cowboy Jacks Bar and Restaurant and robbed the employees during closed hours as well. Coles pleaded guilty in 2020 and received 17 years in federal prison on that case.
The defense attempted to convince the jury in this case that Coles did not commit the crime and it was, in fact, the individual whose identity he had stolen. The jury did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. presided over trial and set sentencing for Aug. 26. At that time, Coles faces up to 20 years for the robbery and a minimum of 10 years and up to life for the firearms charge which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
Coles has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Gretna Police Department in Louisiana and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Britni Cooper and Luis Batarse prosecuted the case.
This is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts and enhancing training, public awareness and education. It stems from the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
Forged hours lands federal agent in custodyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 45-year-old Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervisor has been charged with stealing money from the U.S. government, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Alfonso Gonzalez, Laredo, is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 6.
A federal grand jury returned the one-count indictment June 1, which was unsealed today upon his arrest.
Gonzalez is a Supervisory CBP Officer, according to the charges. On multiple occasions between Sept. 27, 2020, and Sept. 27, 2021, he allegedly falsified hours on his timesheet. The indictment alleges he falsely recorded additional night and weekend hours when he did not actually report to work. On some of those occasions, he actually traveled to Mexico when he claimed to be at work, according to the allegations.
Further, Gonzalez allegedly fabricated excuses to justify his overtime hours.
As a result, Gonzalez allegedly stole approximately $6,497.52 from the U.S. government, according to charges.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
CBP - Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac 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.
Women admit to smuggling over $2M in fentanyl and other narcoticsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two Houston women have admitted to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, Clarissa Hernandez, 23, admitted to her role in the conspiracy. Her co-conspirator, Sarah Morales, 23, previously pleaded guilty April 28.
On Feb. 11, Hernandez attempted to drive through a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint, at which time a K-9 alerted to her vehicle. A search revealed 15 bundles of cocaine and 32,500 pills of fentanyl concealed in the front and rear bumpers of her Chevrolet sedan.
Soon after, Morales also attempted to pass through the checkpoint. During a search, authorities discovered 12 bundles of cocaine, three bundles of heroin and one bundle of fentanyl concealed in the front and rear bumpers of her Ford sport utility vehicle.
As part of their pleas, they admitted they had conspired together to smuggle a total of 25.36 kilograms of cocaine, 4.94 kilograms of fentanyl and 255 grams of heroin.
The drugs have a combined estimated street value of approximately $2.25 million.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales set sentencing for Morales July 20. Hernandez will be sentenced Aug. 23. They each face up to life in prison with a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Both have been and will remain in custody pending their respective hearings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck is prosecuting the case.
Houston area unlicensed cryptocurrency business results in convictionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 49-year-old out-of-state man has pleaded guilty to running an unlicensed money transmitting business, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Hien Ngoc Vo, Seattle, Washington, admitted that between March 16, 2016, and June 8, 2016, he operated a prohibited cryptocurrency business in the Houston area.
Vo used Paxful and LocalBitcoins to buy and sell Bitcoin - websites where people can buy and sell cryptocurrencies. He profited from sales by collecting a percentage of the transactions which ranged from 5-30%. During the transactions, Vo did not ask clients for any form of identification nor the purpose for which they were purchasing the cryptocurrency.
Vo received funds in the form of cash, direct bank deposits, American Express credit cards as well as Amazon and generic gift cards. He used several bank accounts to conduct his business, but the banks shut down the accounts after inquiring about the origination of the funds.
During the course of three months, the unlicensed money transmitting business received and transmitted approximately $515,147.19 in Bitcoin.
Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal will impose sentencing Sept. 5. At that time, Vo faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
Attempt to import $18M in meth in diesel tanks lands foreigner in custodyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 33-year-old Mexican national has been charged with attempting to import over 400 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, a federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment against Luis Alberto Garza Cisneros. He is expected to appear for his arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.
The complaint originally filed in the case alleges that on May 6, Cisneros attempted to enter the country through the World Trade Bridge Port of Entry while driving a tractor trailer.
Law enforcement referred the vehicle to secondary inspection, at which time an X-ray allegedly revealed anomalies. They conducted a search and allegedly discovered approximately 413.98 kilograms of meth in 24 five-gallon buckets inside of the tractor’s diesel tanks, according to the charges.
The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $18 million.
If convicted, Cisneros faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew 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.
Another indicted in nationwide fraudulent car buyer paper tag schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – More charges have been filed in the fraudulent paper license plate scheme involving fake car dealerships who issued more than 700,000 illegitimate paper tags, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.
Law enforcement arrested Daniel Rocky Christine-Tani, 33, Sugar Land, today. He is expected to make his initial appearance at 10 a.m. tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon.
A federal grand jury in Houston returned the 22-count superseding indictment May 11 charging Christine-Tani aka Daniel Rocky Christine-Tahi, Ruben Gonzalez, Rocky Keys and Daniel Christine with conspiracy and various counts of wire fraud. The indictment also adds more charges against known fugitive Emmanuel Padilla Reyes aka Christian Hernandez Bonilla or Noel Rivera, 32, last known of Houston. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.
Co-conspirators Leidy Areli Hernandez Lopez, 40, Houston, and Octavian Ocasio, 50, New York, were previously charged and arrested in the same scheme.
The indictment alleges all four participated in a scheme involving the use of fictitious car dealerships to issue and sell hundreds of thousands of Texas temporary buyer tags without selling cars. They also allegedly used email accounts and text messaging to communicate and deliver the fraudulent tags to purchasers throughout the United States. The four received and shared proceeds from the fraudulent sale of Texas buyer tags, according to the charges.
In Texas, used car dealerships must have an independent GDN license to buy, sell or exchange used vehicles. To obtain a license applicants must apply. Once an applicant obtains a GDN license, they can buy, sell or exchange used cars and create temporary buyer tags for the transaction through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle’s online eTag portal. The portal is web-based and password protected, and only licensed GDN holders can access it. However, the GDN holder can create other users on their account to allow access to the portal to create and issue buyer tags.
The co-conspirators allegedly provided false information such as fake identities, drivers licenses, lease agreements and business signs in the online application portal to obtain GDN licenses for fictitious car dealerships. The indictment further alleges they advertised the sale of Texas buyer tags via Facebook and Instagram.
According to the charges, the illegal tags pose a danger to the public and law enforcement because purchasers use them to avoid obtaining registration, safety inspections and liability insurance. They can also allegedly be used to hide identities from law enforcement.
If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from Travis County Precinct 3 Constables Office, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, sheriff’s offices in Harris and Ft. Bend Counties, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, New York State Police and New York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Adam Goldman are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.18-wheeler driver convicted of smuggling 73 people from six countriesRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old Mission man has pleaded guilty to illegally transporting non-U.S. citizens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Leonardo Davila Jr. admitted to smuggling 73 people while driving an 18-wheeler.
On Feb. 8, Davila drove a tractor trailer into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Falfurrias. There, a K-9 soon alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans. Upon a search of the trailer, law enforcement discovered dozens of undocumented individuals.
In the trailer were nationals of Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Mexico and El Salvador. All were later determined to be present in the country illegally.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton will impose sentencing Aug. 24. At that time, Davila faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case.
Young Texan ordered to federal prison for smuggling cocaine on passenger busRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 21-year-old Hidalgo County man has been sent to federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Matthew Ethan Joseph Castillo pleaded guilty Feb. 10.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Castillo to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Castillo transported cocaine numerous times in the past, having delivered narcotics to Houston and Dallas as well as Atlanta, Georgia, and New York City. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the significant quantity of cocaine that Castillo was smuggling.
At the time of his plea, Castillo admitted he knowingly attempted to smuggle the narcotics past a U.S. Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint.
On Sept. 29, 2021, Castillo was traveling on a Tornado commercial passenger bus that entered the primary inspection area of the checkpoint near Falfurrias. There, a service canine alerted to a specific piece of luggage in the lower compartment of the bus. Authorities identified Castillo as the owner.
They searched the item and found two wooden tortilla presses, each containing two bundles of cocaine. They had been individually wrapped in carbon paper and coffee and sealed in plastic.
The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $300,000.
Castillo 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 BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck prosecuted the case.
Selling child pornography lands local in prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 33-year-old south Texan has been sent to prison for possessing child pornography with the intent to sell it on the internet, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Astro Rey De Leon pleaded guilty Dec. 17, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced him 210 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including chats De Leon had with other individuals regarding the trade and sale of child sexual abuse material. The court also considered descriptions of the videos De Leon possessed as well as victim impact statements.
In handing down the prison term, the court noted that De Leon’s crimes were particularly heinous due to the ages of the victims, the number of videos involved and because he retained and sold videos to tailor his collection to his own desires. Judge Crane also reiterated that the material was recorded sexual abuse of children and should be addressed as such.
De Leon was further ordered to pay a total of $15,000 in restitution to five victims and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Authorities had learned a computer was receiving child pornography. They were able to trace it to De Leon at his residence. He admitted he was actively involved in speaking with individuals who were interested in buying child pornography via applications on his cell phone.
A search of his phone revealed he had recently tried to sell child pornography. De Leon further admitted he had bought it himself only two months prior to law enforcement’s arrival at his residence.
De Leon has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons Facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez 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.
Trafficker sent to federal prison for distributing meth out of homeRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 40-year-old Kingsville resident has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction of possession with intent to distribute over 120 grams of pure meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Aarika Wilson pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Wilson to 120 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Wilson had possession of a firearm during the commission of the drug trafficking offense.
On July 10, 2021, authorities executed a search warrant at Wilson’s residence in Bishop. At that time, officers located approximately three ounces of meth. Additionally, they found a firearm near the concealed narcotics.
Wilson 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 Administration Enforcement conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office-Criminal Interdiction Unit and Nueces County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Marin and Reid Manning prosecuted the case.
Suburban Houston man pleads guilty to transporting child inside plastic binRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 22-year-old Stafford resident has admitted to illegally transporting a minor non-U.S. citizen within the country, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Fernando Jaramillo admitted he knew the minor was illegally present in the United States.
On March 9, Jaramillo arrived at the checkpoint near Sarita. At initial inspection, authorities noticed a plastic bin filled with clothes laying on the back seat of Jaramillo’s vehicle. A K-9 alerted authorities, after which they conducted a search of the vehicle.
At that time, the clothes in the plastic bin jolted upwards. Authorities opened the plastic bin and discovered a small female child who they later determined was unlawfully present in the United States.
The investigation revealed the minor was traveling with her mother within the United States. Earlier that day, unknown individuals had taken them to a store and separated them. The minor did not know Jaramillo, but he put her inside the plastic bin and told her she would be in there for about 45 minutes. He also instructed her to not make any noise. She remained inside of the bin until law enforcement found her.
U.S. District Judge Nelva G. Ramos will impose sentencing Aug. 23. At that time, Jaramillo faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Jaramillo was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly K. Smith is prosecuting the case.
Valley resident sentenced for smuggling cocaine worth $2MRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old man residing in Mission has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute drugs, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Reynaldo Perez Jr. pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Perez Jr. to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 5 years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that detailed two prior successful narcotic smuggling attempts made by Perez.
On June 26, 2021, Perez was a passenger on a Tornado Bus that arrived at the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. There, a K-9 alerted authorities to Perez’s luggage located in the cargo area of the bus.
Authorities conducted a search and discovered 21 bundles of a white-powdery substance concealed inside the luggage. It was later determined to be 21 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $2 million.
Perez 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roland Swanson prosecuted the case.
Exploiting Philippine minors through Facebook lands Texan in federal prisonRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 47-year-old Harlingen man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Rico Giovanni Machietto pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. sentenced Machietto to 80 months in federal prison. Machietto was further ordered to pay $5,000 special assessment and will serve 15 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. Machietto will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
At the time of his plea, Machietto admitted that from Dec. 1, 2017, to June 1, 2018, he used Facebook to communicate with minor girls located in the Philippines. He requested nude photos of them and sent money as compensation to their families. As a result of the investigation, law enforcement discovered Machietto possessed one video and 106 images of child pornography on his Apple computer.
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.
Homeland Security Investigations – Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.