Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Texas plastics corporation will pay nearly $3M for violating Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Formosa Plastics Corporation has agreed to pay $2.85 million in civil penalties and improve its risk management program to resolve alleged violations of the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at their petrochemical manufacturing plant in Point Comfort.
In the complaint, filed today with the proposed consent decree, the United States alleges 20 violations of the CAA. Formosa’s Point Comfort plant is subject to Section 112(r) of the CAA regulations, known as the Risk Management Program, which are designed to prevent the accidental release of hazardous substances.
The Environmental Protections Agency’s (EPA) investigation of Formosa was spurred by a series of fires, explosions and accidental releases at the Point Comfort plant spanning from May 2013 through October 2016. These accidents caused injuries to workers, including second- and third- degree burns and chlorine inhalation requiring hospitalization as well as property damage and the release of extremely hazardous substances to the environment.
“Formosa repeatedly failed to comply with the chemical accident prevention provisions of the CAA at the Point Comfort plant, repeatedly placing their workers, neighbors and the environment in serious danger,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement will ensure Formosa’s compliance with essential regulations intended to protect workers and the community as well as help prevent dangerous chemical releases from occurring in the future.”
“This case demonstrates the importance of adopting and executing adequate chemical safety procedures to protect the safety of workers, the community and the environment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery for the Southern District of Texas.
“Formosa’s failure to implement safe work practices and failure to design and maintain a safe facility put public health and the environment at risk,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement requires Formosa to achieve compliance with its environmental obligations now and in the future, protecting air quality and the community of Point Comfort.”
Formosa will be required to update its response and personal protection plans to prevent employee injury, conduct a third-party audit of its risk management practices, perform corrective actions based on audit results and develop key performance indicators to evaluate future compliance. In addition, the company agreed to conduct a service compatibility evaluation to identify any incompatible equipment and implement a mechanical integrity reporting program.
The cost of the injunctive relief is estimated to be at least $1.4 million and will greatly improve the safe management of hazardous substances at the facility.
Congress added section 112(r) to the CAA in response to a 1984 catastrophic release of methyl isocyanate in Bhopal, India, that killed more than 3,400 people and caused over 200,000 others to suffer injuries. Under the CAA, facilities like Formosa’s are required to identify hazards, design and maintain a safe facility, minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur and comply with regulatory prevention measures. Failing to comply with these requirements increases the risk of accidents and threatens surrounding communities.
Reducing the risk to human health and the environment by decreasing the likelihood of chemical accidents at chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program.
The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Indian national admits to role in government impersonation call center scamRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 37-year-old Indian citizen who was illegally residing in Houston has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Between April and October 2019, Waseem Maknojiya was involved in a telemarketing scheme via Indian call centers to extort money from victims in the United States. Maknojiya acted as a runner in these schemes, using aliases and fake identification documents to pick up more than 70 parcels containing cash the scheme’s victims had mailed.
One common script used in the scheme involved coercing victims into believing federal agents were investigating them. The “agent” on the phone would convince the victim the only way to clear his or her name from investigation was to send cash in a parcel shipped through FedEx to a name and address they provided. Runners in the United States like Maknojiya would then pick up the parcels.
As part of his plea agreement, Maknojiya will pay restitution to the scheme’s identified victims.
U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 13. At that time, Maknojiya faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The FBI, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG) and Department of Homeland Security - OIG conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bauman and Eun Kate Suh are prosecuting the case.
The SSA consistently warns people of similar scams.
Laredoan sentenced for transporting 149 aliens in packed trailerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 54-year-old resident of Fort Meade, Florida, has been ordered to federal prison after he agreed to drive a tractor-trailer full of undocumented aliens from Laredo to San Antonio, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Joseph Winslow pleaded guilty March 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Winslow to serve a 72-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
On Dec. 30, 2020, Winslow arrived at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 approximately 29 miles north of Laredo. Authorities conducted an X-ray of the trailer he was driving and discovered it was full of people. They ultimately identified a total of 149 undocumented aliens inside.
Winslow agreed to transport the individuals in return for $10,000.
Winslow is currently in custody where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett prosecuted the case.
South Texas man sentenced for harboring over 200 in inhumane conditionsRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 35-year-old Brownsville resident has been ordered to federal prison for harboring illegal citizens within the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Santos De Leon-Cardenas pleaded guilty April 29.
Today, U.S. District Judge Ferando Rodriguez Jr. ordered him to serve a 30-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rodriguez noted De Leon-Cardenas harbored 57 non-citizens in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
On March 22, authorities arrived at a hotel room in Brownsville believed to be used to harbor undocumented individuals. They conducted surveillance and were eventually able to apprehend De Leon-Cardenas as well as 57 others, two of whom were unaccompanied minors. De Leon-Cardenas hid them in a single one-bedroom hotel room with little ventilation.
De Leon-Cardenas will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Cameron County Precinct 2 Constables Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Native New Yorker convicted in human transporting conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 53-year-old man has entered a guilty plea to conspiring to transport people unlawfully in the country, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery
Carl Bernstein, Plainview, New York, admitted to his role in the transportation of 42 undocumented individuals in a commercial trailer out of Laredo to a northern U.S. location.
On June 6, 2021, local authorities stopped Bernstein for a traffic violation as he was driving a tractor-trailer on State Highway 16 near Tilden. They took him into custody upon learning of active arrest warrants.
He exited the tractor, at which time authorities opened the doors and noticed multiple people inside the trailer. All were identified as non-U.S. citizens unlawfully in the country.
Bernstein admitted he expected to be paid for driving the vehicle.
“This case was just good work by law enforcement boots on the ground from beginning to end - with great cooperation and coordination at the local and federal levels,” said sheriff Emmet Shelton of the McMullen County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). “This is how it is supposed to work. We would like to thank and recognize our federal partners for their support, work and dedication to helping keep Texas safe.”
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo set sentencing for Dec. 7. At that time, Bernstein faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
MCSO conducted the investigation along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.
Transporting over 100 undocumented aliens lands Texan in prisonRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 46-year-old Dallas resident has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to transport 126 undocumented aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jose Luis Ramos Jr. pleaded guilty March 15.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Ramos to serve a 80-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including his prior involvement with the smuggling organization, details of the dangerous and reckless nature of the transportation and the number of aliens he attempted to transport. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo also noted his extensive criminal history and that he was not a minor participant in the conspiracy.
On Jan. 6, Ramos drove a tractor-trailer from Laredo and stopped at a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint when a service K-9 alerted to the vehicle. Ramos ignored instruction and exited the inspection area, but authorities soon caught and escorted him back to the checkpoint.
A physical inspection revealed a total of 126 individuals inside the trailer, including one unaccompanied minor, from various countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and El Salvador. Ramos admitted he was hired to drive the tractor trailer from Laredo to San Antonio. During the inspection of the trailer, authorities discovered that the aliens were kept in the sealed trailer with the temperature of 50.7 degrees.
Ramos has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yoona Lim is prosecuting the case.
Tax preparer convicted for tax fraud…againRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A woman has entered a guilty plea to falsely preparing tax returns following a prior order not to engage in that business, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Marcia Angella Johnson admitted that since 2016, she had been preparing income tax returns for clients even though she had been prohibited from doing so. During this time, she prepared numerous false returns which claimed various false items on her clients’ behalf. These included false wages, salaries, tips and tax credits such as earned income credit, child tax credits and American opportunity credits.
As a result of her criminal acts, the United States suffered a loss of at least $54,545 in tax revenue. Johnson herself admitted to pocketing between $13,000 and $15,000 after preparing tax returns each year from 2016 through 2019.
Johnson previously admitted to preparing or assisting to prepare approximately 200 false tax returns. In 2011, the court banned her from conducting a tax preparation business.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 16. At that time, Johnson faces up to three years in prison and a possible $100,000 maximum fine. She has also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman is prosecuting the case.
Last defendant convicted in nationwide synthetic narcotics distributionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 47-year-old man will forfeit three real properties and pay a $5 million money judgement for running a multi-million dollar synthetic narcotics distribution network, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Daniel Bowles, Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and analogues. He admitted to overseeing call-takers and the operation’s business finances as well as using multiple business entities to conceal the significant amount of its illegal proceeds.
In 2015, authorities began investigating a smoke shop in Laredo. During that time, they discovered a nationwide mail order business that supplied the shop with illegal synthetic cannabinoid products. Call-takers in several states took orders for the products with names such as “Brain Freeze” and “Death Grip” which was delivered to shop owners from California. Payment was set to Arizona, often into accounts Bowles controlled.
During the investigation, authorities tracked payments from multiple retail smoke shops throughout the United States and identified several bank accounts involved in the scheme. Financial records show that from February 2012 through 2019, the network received over $15.4 million in illicit proceeds.
As part of his plea agreement, Bowles also agreed to a money judgment in the amount of $5 million and the forfeiture of three real properties.
U.S. District Judge George Hanks Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 16. At that time, Bowles faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
Six others have also pleaded guilty to their involvement in the organization. Ratchanee McAuley, 50, also of Phoenix; Thirawat Athikulrat, 42, and Chuanphit Srithongrung, 44, both of Downey, California; Frank Gonzalez, 60, and Ernesto Salazar, 34, both of Mesa, Arizona; and Don Jessop, 52, Salt lake City, Utah.
McAuley, Athikulrat and Srithongrung each admitted to maintaining warehouses to manufacture the synthetic cannabinoid products. As part of their pleas, Gonzalez and Jessop acknowledged being call-takers, while Salazar admitted to assisting with manufacturing the products and travelling across the county to pick up the proceeds.
Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. These chemical compounds can be applied to carrier mediums such as plant material and ingested using rolling papers, pipes, vaporizers or otherwise taken orally. Synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold in small, foil or plastic bags containing dried leaves (resembling potpourri) and are marketed as incense that can be smoked. It is commonly sold and known on the street as synthetic marijuana, fake weed, legal and by its popular brand names such as Spice, K2, Kush, Klimaxx and many others.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Brain Freeze with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s offices in Zapata County and Maricopa County, Arizona. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graciela Lindberg and Lance Watt are prosecuting the case.
- Last defendant convicted in nationwide synthetic narcotics distribution
Woman sentenced for tax fraud on behalf of herself and many othersRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A Texas tax preparer has been ordered to federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Tiffany Phenix pleaded guilty April 22.
Judge Morales sentenced her to 15 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. She was further ordered to pay $284,826 in restitution.
“Today’s sentencing is a reminder that honest taxpayers need to be careful when choosing a tax return preparer,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Goss of IRS - Criminal Investigation (CI). “Phenix Tax Service was in the business of exploiting their clients’ tax returns to defraud the IRS and by extension the tax paying public. Putting abusive return preparers out of business is a top priority for IRS-CI.”
Phenix prepared income tax returns for others at Phenix Tax Service in Alice. As part of her plea, she stipulated she prepared a total of 37 false income tax returns for clients and four false income tax returns for herself, resulting in an intended tax harm to the IRS of over $284,000.
Specifically, Phenix admitted preparing a false 2015 income tax return for a taxpayer which included creating a false form W-2. She also claimed on the return false wage amounts, a false Earned income Tax Credit and a false income tax refund.
Phenix was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher prosecuted the case.
Valley couple admits to smuggling nearly 100 peopleRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A San Juan man and woman man have entered a guilty plea to conspiring to harbor nearly 100 individuals illegally in the country, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The investigation revealed Isaac Livan Martinez, 23, and Gina Alexandria Guzman, 26, had rented rooms at the Krystal Hotel in Pharr.
On May 13, authorities came to the location for an unrelated investigation. However, hotel staff informed them that they suspected several non-citizens were being housed in various hotel rooms.
Upon investigation, law enforcement discovered 50 illegal aliens, some of whom were unaccompanied minors. Authorities later reviewed hotel surveillance footage and observed Martinez and Guzman picking up and dropping off the non-citizens at the hotel in a stolen U-Haul truck.
On June 28, authorities apprehended Martinez after a traffic stop. At that time, they observed bulk food and water commonly used during smuggling activity. Martinez provided consent to search his residence in San Juan where authorities discovered 45 undocumented aliens in the residence, also including several unaccompanied minors.
Some of the harbored individuals identified both Martinez and Guzman as caretakers at the Pharr hotel and the house in San Juan.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 30. At that time, Martinez and Guzman face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Both have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of police departments in Pharr and San Juan. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid is prosecuting the case.
Local repeat felon headed to prison for firearms convictionRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 39-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Francisco Campos pleaded guilty July 21.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered him to serve a 65-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Campos was found in possession of meth, scales and $900 cash at the time of his arrest.
Campos apologized for “wasting everyone’s time,” explaining that he has spent most of his adult life behind bars. He added that he did not want to be locked up any longer and did not understand why it is illegal for a felon to possess firearms to protect themselves against non-felons who have firearms.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Morales noted his eight felony convictions, 13 misdemeanors and 10 additional arrests. The court further commented that Campos will eventually get out of prison and it would be up to him to better himself and get the help he needs while incarcerated.
As a convicted felon, Campos is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.
However, on Aug. 3, 2020, Campos accidentally shot himself with a firearm while cleaning it at his dining room table. Law enforcement responded to the scene and noted blood splatter on the carpet, walls and curtains of the room. They also saw a gunshot hole that went through a curtain, blinds and a window.
Campos was found with a 2nd firearm as the result of a traffic stop that occurred Aug. 22, 2020. This incident also involved the seizure of meth, morphine sulfate pills, meth pipes containing residue, two electronic scales and a butane torch.
He was found again Sept. 24, 2020, in a stolen vehicle. Authorities discovered a firearm under Campos in the passenger seat. It had one round loaded in the chamber.
Campos has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Gould prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In late 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Mexican national stopped at border sentenced for possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 29-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for possessing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Luis Felipe Salazar-Sanchez pleaded guilty May 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 70-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. The court considered statements from seven victims describing the trauma they have endured. In handing down the prison term, Judge Olvera additionally ordered Salazar-Sanchez to pay $9,000 in restitution which will be divided equally amongst victims who requested restitution.
The investigation revealed Salazar-Sanchez had been purchasing child pornography. On Oct. 20, 2019, authorities suspected he was going to attempt to enter the United States from Mexico.
As he approached the Gateway Port of Entry in Brownsville, law enforcement identified him and referred him to secondary inspection. There, they conducted a search of his cellphone. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of nearly 600 images and videos of child pornography including numerous images depicting prepubescent minors and sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Salazar-Sanchez 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 Investigation Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette 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.
Local woman convicted of narcotics conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Laredo woman has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Between March 1 and April 1, 2019, in Laredo, Karla Yvonne Lozano conspired with others to deliver cocaine totaling approximately 21 kilograms.
On March 1, 2019, Lozano delivered 10 bundles of cocaine weighing approximately 10.55 kilograms at a parking lot near Kohl’s in Laredo. The following month, she again delivered more bundles of cocaine then at a local Wal-Mart. The second set weighed approximately 11.25 kilograms.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 7. At that time, Lozano faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Local man sentenced for possession of $5 million in methRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 21-year-old Penitas man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 150 pounds of pure meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Kevin Rangel-Sanchez pleaded guilty April 1.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered him to serve a 90-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Tipton noted Rangel-Sanchez’s youth and lack of criminal history, while noting the need for a significant prison sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense.
On Nov. 30, 2020, Rangel-Sanchez drove a truck into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Falfurrias. Authorities noticed that he appeared to be nervous and referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area for an X-ray examination.
There, they observed anomalies in the vehicle’s tires and cut into them. That resulted in the discovery of steel boxes that had been welded around the rims inside the tires. Those boxes were found to contain 24 foil-wrapped packages of meth weighing a total of 71 kilograms.
The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $5.2 million.
Rangel-Sanchez 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 Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. prosecuted the case.
Laredo residents admit to weapons violationsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two men who resided in Laredo, one illegally, have entered guilty pleas to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Hector Fernando Rodriguez-Neri, 20, is a Mexican citizen unlawfully in the United States. Gaona, 26, is a convicted felon. As such, they are both prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.
However, on March 31, Rodriguez-Neri and Gaona were in possession of a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition which they sold to undercover authorities for $1,300. Rodriguez-Neri also admitted to selling two machine guns, one of which had an obliterated serial number on April 27 and May 7 for a total of $5,600.
Both pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. Rodriguez-Neri also admitted to five additional counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of transferring a machine gun and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has set sentencing for Dec. 7. At that time, Both men face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Rodriguez-Neri’s other convictions carry the same penalties, but he also faces up to five years for the possession count involving an obliterated serial number.
They have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Woman sentenced for smuggling over five kilograms of methRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 51-year-old resident of Hendersonville, North Carolina, has been ordered to federal prison for importing meth through Laredo, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Deanne Burkhart Bautista pleaded guilty Aug. 4.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered her to serve a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On June 3, 2020, Bautista attempted to enter the United States at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo. Upon her arrival, a law enforcement query resulted in the discovery that she might be transporting narcotics. A follow-up X-ray examination yielded anomalies in her luggage.
Authorities ultimately found a total of 5.5 kilograms of meth with an estimated street value of $27,000
Bautista admitted she was aware there were drugs in her luggage. She expected to be paid in cash, drugs or both upon final delivery to Atlanta, Georgia.
Bautista will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew prosecuted the case.
Drug trafficker sent to prison for trafficking meth via FedExRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 20-year-old McAllen resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a meth conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jose Edmundo Corona pleaded guilty June 3.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered him to serve a 168-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted Corona’s role in the conspiracy.
Between September and October 2020, authorities intercepted multiple FedEx packages destined for Houston, Dallas and Atlanta at their shipping center in Pharr. All of the parcels packages were shipped in identical boxes with similar packaging styles. A search ultimately revealed a total of 45 kilograms of crystal meth.
Surveillance footage determined Corona was the individual who placed the packages for delivery at various mailing centers throughout the Rio Grande Valley as well as paid for the shipping costs. Fingerprint analysis helped to determine Corona not only mailed the packages but also prepared the narcotics within the packages.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $300,000.
Corona 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 Laura M. Garcia prosecuted the case.
Panama child pornography investigation leads to sentencing of young manRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – An 18-year-old Brownsville man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing nearly 10,000 of images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Irbenis Mederos Jr. pleaded guilty April 27.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez ordered him to serve a 168-month sentence to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. The court considered statements from many victims describing the trauma they’ve endured. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rodriguez additionally ordered that $36,000 in restitution be paid and divided equally amongst the 12 victims who requested restitution.
On Sep. 28, 2020, authorities discovered the sexual exploitation of a minor child via social media. It was determined she was an eight-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Panama.
The investigation led to an IP address in Brownsville belonging to Mederos. Law enforcement conducted a search at his residence and seized a cellphone. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 1,229 images and 110 videos of child pornography, approximately 55 of which were of the minor female in Panama. Several others also depicted child pornography involving infants and toddlers.
Mederos will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Panama conducted the investigation along with HSI-Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigation Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette 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 tab on that page.
Houston man charged in Memorial Drive theftsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year old Houston man has been arrested in connection with a string of mail thefts occurring recently in the Memorial Drive area of the city, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A criminal complaint charges Tony Morris Jr. with theft of mail and bank fraud. Authorities took him into custody today. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray.
Checks worth $497,335.53 had allegedly been stolen from a U.S. Postal Service collection box located on the 12500 block of Memorial Drive in Houston. The charges allege vehicles linked to Morris were observed at the location on approximately nine occasions and believed to be associated with the thefts.
Morris allegedly cashed checks stolen from the collection box on three occasions.
If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million maximum.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of police departments in Memorial Village Hedwig Village.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
South Padre Island man heads to prison following the discovery of more than 22K pornographic imagesRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 68-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Robert Andrew Riley pleaded guilty June 25, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. imposed a 168-month term of imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the amount of child pornography Riley possessed and further ordered he pay $78,000 in restitution to 26 victims. He must also serve 10 years 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. Riley will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In January 2018, authorities initiated an investigation into child pornography sharing on the internet. This led them to Riley’s address on South Padre Island.
Law enforcement later executed a search at his residence and seized several electronic and digital devices. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 22,628 unique images and 6,097 unique videos of child pornography.
Riley 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 tab on that page.
Mexican man sentenced for role in conspiracy to import heroin and methRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 41-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for 20 years for arranging the importation of 148 kilograms of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Hermenegildo Espino-Trejo pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Espino-Trejo to serve a 240-month sentence. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including how Espino-Trejo recruited an unwitting truck driver to import a multi-million dollar load of narcotics into the United States. In handing down the sentence, Judge Alvarez enhanced Espino-Trejo’s sentence and found he was an organizer and supervisor of the drug conspiracy. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence.
“As drug dealers prey on communities, they often ignore the laws of this nation. It’s great to have the cooperation of our federal partners to aid in the arrest and prosecution of these drug traffickers,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Timothy Tubbs of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Hopefully, Espino-Trejo’s arrest and incarceration will be a deterrent to current and/or future drug traffickers.”
On Sept. 11, 2020, Espino-Trejo drove a tractor-trailer from Michoacan to Reynosa, Mexico. He gave the vehicle to another driver and instructed him to cross the border, then deliver it to a gas station in Pharr where Espino-Trejo would then re-take possession.
However, at the Pharr point of entry, law enforcement discovered 148 kilograms of meth and one kilogram of heroin concealed within the trailer. They ultimately identified Espino-Trejo as the one who arranged the transportation and took him into custody.
Espino-Trejo admitted he knew controlled substances were in the trailer and directing the driver to cross it into the United State where he planned further distribution.
The drugs had an estimated street value of approximately $2.4 million.
Espino-Trejo has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Redavid and Scott Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
Gang member with over a dozen felonies convicted again of firearms offenseRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 40-year-old Houston resident has admitted to being a felon in possession of a firearm while on supervised release from a previous conviction of the same crime, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
John Christopher Wolford is a documented member of the Gangster Disciples street gang. He has 18 prior convictions. As such he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.
On March 28, an employee of a convenience store on the 8400 block of Main Street in Houston noticed Wolford pacing back and forth outside the building with a gun in his hand. He contacted authorities. Upon their arrival, law enforcement confronted Wolford and discovered a loaded 9-mm, semi-automatic pistol in his pants.
Wolford’s prior convictions include drug trafficking, tampering with physical evidence, assault causing bodily injury and assault of a family member. The most recent was in 2019 when he pleaded guilty to another felon in possession charge. He received a 37-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release.
As part of his plea today, Wolford also admitted to violating the terms of that supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 10. At that time, Wolford faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He also faces up to an additional two years for supervised release violation.
Wolford was taken into custody pending that hearing.
The Houston Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman is prosecuting the case.
Foreign national found guilty of smuggling over $1M in methRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A Laredo federal jury has convicted a 32-year-old Mexican citizen for conspiracy to import and importation of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before convicting Juan Victor Larraga-Solano following a two-day trial.
On March 8, 2020, Larraga-Solano attempted to enter the United States through the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge in Laredo. He claimed he was importing glass beer bottles, juice boxes and meat contained in coolers from Mexico.
Law enforcement inspected the items and noticed that, when shaken, the juice boxes sounded as if they contained rocks. Further, the alleged beer did not have any bubbles. A follow up X-ray examination also revealed anomalies in the walls of the coolers. Authorities conducted a thorough inspection and found 56 packages of meth and 12 beer bottles containing liquid meth.
Overall, authorities seized a total of 44.56 kilograms of meth from Larraga-Solano. During trial, the jury heard the total estimated street value was in excess of $1.1 million.
Testimony also revealed that Mexican cartels have increased the price of meth to raise demand for less expensive drugs like cocaine and marijuana.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo presided over trial and set sentencing for Nov. 30. At that time, Larraga-Solano faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Larraga-Solano will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam E. Harper and Brandon S. Bowling are prosecuting the case.
Valley resident sentenced for meth chargesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 49-year-old Mission resident has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately 40 minutes before convicting Eugenio Perez Jr. following a two-day trial which included three witnesses.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane, who presided over the trial and sentencing, ordered Perez to serve 135 months in federal prison.
According to the testimony, authorities discovered 1.6 kilograms of meth while investigating a drag racing incident that resulted in a two-car collision.
At trial, the jury heard from a local police officer who explained how Perez crashed into an SUV pulling out of a parking lot. The officer approached Perez after observing him pull a bag from his truck’s cab and place it into the bed of the truck. He instructed Perez to not take anything from the vehicle.
Perez’s daughter arrived on the scene. At that time, she took the bag from the bed of the truck and placed it in her car, according to testimony.
The officer further testified that he stopped her from leaving the area and asked her to show him what was inside the bag. The daughter opened the bag which was found to contain approximately 1.6 kilograms of meth.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that law enforcement had rushed to judgment and did not perform an adequate and thorough enough investigation to convict Perez. The jury disagreed and found him guilty as charged.
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 with the assistance of Palmview Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Mitchell and M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.
San Benito man sent to prison for robbing bank via threatening messageRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 26-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for bank robbery, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gustavo Guadalupe Guevara pleaded guilty May 20.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered him to serve a 42-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard from the victim and noted the seriousness and nature of the offense.
On the morning of Nov. 3, 2020, Guevarra approached a teller at a Lone Star National Bank in Harlingen and handed her a piece of paper with a threatening message. In it, Guevarra also demanded money. The teller feared for her safety and complied. Guevarra then fled the bank.
The investigation led to Guevarra. Law enforcement ultimately found a large amount of U.S. currency at his residence.
Guevara will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI and Harlingen Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.
Leader of drug trafficking organization headed to prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 47-year-old Mexican citizen has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Dimas DeLeon Rios pleaded guilty Nov. 9, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison imposed a total 15-year sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court found DeLeon was the leader of the drug trafficking organization and tampered with three witnesses during the course of the investigation. Judge Ellison found that firearms were used during the commission of the offense and noted a kidnapping of a U.S. citizen at the hands of members of the Gulf Cartel was part of the case.
The investigation began in 2011 when authorities targeted a drug trafficking organization involved in the transportation and distribution of cocaine and marijuana. Authorities soon found the organization was also stealing loads of cocaine and marijuana from its sources of supply. As part of the scheme, the organization had created fake bundles of drugs and used law enforcement officers to seize them in order to cover up the theft.
DeLeon helped facilitate the distribution of more than 194 kilograms of cocaine during the course of the conspiracy. He and others were hired to transport the cocaine, but instead stole and sold it for profit. To cover up the theft, co-conspirators created fake drug bundles that were placed in an abandoned vehicle. DeLeon paid corrupt law enforcement officers for their participation in the scheme to seize the fake drugs.
This drug trafficking investigation has led to the arrest and prosecution of 20 individuals including six law enforcement officers, one of whom has already received a 10-year prison term. The court found another had played an integral role in the drug trafficking conspiracy, abused and exploited his position of trust and ordered him to serve 166 months in federal prison.
DeLeon will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Blue Shame. 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 Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz prosecuted the case.
“Cocaine Pepe” faces up to life in prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 32-year-old Alice resident has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 112 grams of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
On April 9, authorities found Jose Francisco Arredondo aka Cocaine Pepe in a vehicle with currency, drugs and a scale as well as a firearm.
Law enforcement had arrived at a local hotel in response to a potential disturbance. They soon observed a vehicle with its lights on and engine running. Arredondo was driving. As they approached, they immediately noticed a firearm in the center console. Knowing he was a convicted felon, authorities conducted a thorough search of the vehicle.
They ultimately uncovered $10,000 as well as four bags of narcotics, one with 112 grams of meth, two containing a total of 56 grams of cocaine and another with 13 grams of marijuana. Law enforcement also discovered a digital scale and a defaced firearm.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 17. At that time, Arredondo faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office and the Alice Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin is prosecuting the case.
Groundbreaking extradition lands ELN members in Texas for narco-terrorism and international cocaine distributionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Two alleged members of one of the most serious transnational criminal organizations will make their initial appearances in U.S. federal court on charges of narco-terrorism and distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Colombia.
This is the first time believed members of the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional aka ELN) have been extradited to the United States in their nearly 60-year history to face both narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. ELN is a Colombian guerrilla group officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization Oct. 8, 1997. It continues to operate as one of the largest narco-terrorism organizations in the world.
Yamit Picon-Rodriguez aka Choncha, 36, and Henry Trigos-Celon aka Moncho Picada, 44, were extradited and landed in Houston just moments ago. They are set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Picon-Rodriguez, Trigos-Celon and others Feb. 12, 2020. Colombian authorities took them into custody at the request of the United States in September 2020.
Picon-Rodriguez is charged with international cocaine distribution conspiracy along with five others. Those six are also charged with distribution of a controlled substance and knowing or intending to provide anything of pecuniary value to a person or organization that engages in terrorism or terrorist activity (narco-terrorism).
According to the indictment, Picon-Rodriguez, Trigos-Celon and others were involved in an ongoing 20-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine from Colombia to the United States knowing or intending to provide pecuniary support to the ELN.
In early 2019, Trigos-Celon and four others allegedly participated in distributing approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine in Colombia, knowing it would be imported into the United States.
Suspected ELN leader Villegas-Palomino aka Carlos El Puerco, 38, is also charged but not yet in custody. He is considered a fugitive as are Jaime Miguel Picon-Rodriguez aka Chencho and Jairo, 38, and Diomedes Barbosa-Montaño aka El Burro, 38. A warrant remains outstanding for their arrests. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. The U.S. Department of State, through its narcotics rewards program, is offering up to a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Villegas-Palomino.
The Houston Divisions of the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). FBI and DEA agents in Bogota provided substantial support as did the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) multi-agency Special Operations Division, including assigned attorneys from the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and National Security Division, as well as DOJ Judicial Attaches in Colombia with the cooperation of Colombian authorities. DOJ – Office of International Affairs, Houston Police Department, U.S. Southern Command and international partners including the Colombian Army, National Police, National Prosecutor's Office and Technical Body of Investigation also provided critical assistance.
The operation, dubbed Operation Catatumbo Lightning, is part of an OCDETF Strike Forces initiative which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Houston Strike Force is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute the drug trafficking organizations that are designated Consolidated Priority Organization or Regional Priority Organization Target heads with their affiliates that impact Houston and south Texas.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal Alaniz of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former employee sentenced for stealing over $400,000Read the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - The former controlling manager of Lone Star Shredding’s parent company has been ordered to federal prison for defrauding his employer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Brian Janish, 44, pleaded guilty June 10.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered him to serve a 24-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The court further ordered Janish to pay $340,293.19 in restitution. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony from a representative of the company that described the impact the crime had on the business.
Lone Star Shredding is a local subsidiary in Mercedes. Its parent company is located in Tennessee.
At the time of his plea, Janish admitted to using an unauthorized access device and engaging in other fraudulent activity to steal $403,293.19 between July 2013 and December 2017.
As part of his responsibilities, Janish was in charge of establishing bank accounts and approving expenses for the company. When the company switched banks, Janish failed to close the company’s previous bank account or destroy the corporate credit card issued in his name.
In fact, he charged personal expenses on the company credit card, including travel and online goods. Janish also wrote checks from the company account and withdrew cash for personal use. He attempted to cover his fraud by emailing fake bank statements to the company.
The Morristown, Tennessee, resident also increased his payroll without authorization.
Janish was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez and Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case.
Former coach charged with distributing pornographic images of childrenRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 44-year-old Rockport man has surrendered to authorities following the return of an indictment alleging charges of distributing and possessing images of sexually-exploited children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Aug. 11 against Mark Daniel Malone. He is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby tomorrow at 10:15 a.m.
The investigation allegedly revealed Malone was a former high school basketball coach.
According to the indictment, Malone uploaded images of sexually-exploited children onto the internet. The investigation later revealed he had possessed photos of similar victimized children on his cell phone, according to the charges. Those images allegedly included children under the age of 12.
If convicted, Malone faces up to 20 in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Attorney General’s Office - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Dennis E. Robinson are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Extradición histórica lleva a miembros del ELN a Texas por narcoterrorismo y distribución internacional de cocaínaRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Dos presuntos miembros de una de las organizaciones delictivas transnacionales más temerarias tendrán una audiencia inicial en una corte federal de EE. UU. por cargos de narcoterrorismo y distribución de cocaína en cantidades superiores a un kilogramo desde Colombia.
Es la primera vez que se extradita a Estados Unidos a presuntos miembros del Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) en los casi 60 años de existencia de la organización para enfrentar cargos por narcoterrorismo y narcotráfico. El ELN es una organización guerrillera colombiana que fue designada oficialmente como organización terrorista extranjera el 8 de octubre de 1997. Sigue operando como una de las organizaciones de narcoterrorismo más extensas del mundo.
Yamit Picón-Rodríguez, alias Choncha, de 36 años, y Henry Trigos-Celón, alias Moncho Picada, de 44, fueron extraditados y llegaron a Houston por vía aérea hace instantes. Está previsto que comparezcan ante el juez federal Sam Sheldon mañana a las 10 a.m.
Un jurado federal de acusación dispuso el procesamiento de Picón-Rodríguez, Trigos-Celón y otras personas el 12 de febrero de 2020. Las autoridades colombianas aprehendieron a estas personas a pedido de Estados Unidos en septiembre de 2020.
Picón-Rodríguez está acusado de conspiración con fines de distribución internacional de cocaína junto a otras cinco personas. A los seis se los acusó también de distribución de sustancia controlada y de realizar actos orientados a proporcionar elementos de valor pecuniario, o a sabiendas de que serían proporcionados, a una persona o una organización que participa en terrorismo o actividades terroristas (narcoterrorismo).
Según la acusación, Picón-Rodríguez, Trigos-Celón y otras personas estuvieron implicadas en una conspiración por un lapso de 20 años para distribuir cocaína desde Colombia hacia Estados Unidos con la intención de proporcionar apoyo económico al ELN o a sabiendas de que tal apoyo se brindaría.
A comienzos de 2019, Trigos-Celón y otras cuatro personas presuntamente participaron en la distribución de cerca de 30 kilogramos de cocaína en Colombia, con conocimiento de que se importaría a Estados Unidos.
Villegas-Palomino, alias Carlos El Puerco, de 38 años, presunto líder del ELN, también fue acusado pero todavía no ha sido detenido. Se lo considera fugitivo, al igual que Jaime Miguel Picón-Rodríguez, alias Chencho y Jairo, de 38 años, y Diomedes Barbosa-Montaño, alias El Burro, de 38. Se ha librado una orden para su detención. Se pide a quienes tengan información sobre sus paraderos que se contacten con el FBI llamando al 1-800-CALL-FBI o enviando cualquier dato valioso a tips.fbi.gov. El Departamento de Estado de EE. UU., a través de su programa de recompensas relacionadas con narcóticos, ofrece hasta $ 5 millones a cambio de información que posibilite que se detenga o condene a Villegas-Palomino.
Las Divisiones de Houston del FBI y de la Administración para el Control de Drogas (Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA) llevaron a cabo la investigación como parte de los Grupos de Tareas contra la Narcodelincuencia Organizada (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, OCDETF). Los agentes del FBI y la DEA en Bogotá brindaron un apoyo sustancial, al igual que la División de Operaciones Especiales, un organismo de carácter interinstitucional dentro del ámbito del Departamento de Justicia (DOJ), incluidos abogados asignados desde la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas, así como agregados judiciales del DOJ en Colombia, con la cooperación de las autoridades colombianas. También prestaron asistencia esencial la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del DOJ, el Departamento de Policía de Houston, el Comando Sur de EE. UU. y varios socios internacionales, entre ellos el Ejército, la Policía Nacional, la Fiscalía General de la Nación y el Cuerpo Técnico de Investigación de Colombia.
La operación, que recibió el nombre de Relámpago de Catatumbo (Catatumbo Lightning), forma parte de una iniciativa del Grupo de Ataque de OCDETF que prevé la conformación de equipos de tareas interinstitucionales permanentes que trabajen codo a codo en un mismo lugar. Este modelo de emplazamiento conjunto permite que agentes de distintos organismos colaboren en operaciones basadas en datos de inteligencia en múltiples jurisdicciones para interceptar y desarticular el accionar de los narcotraficantes, responsables de blanqueo de capitales, pandillas y organizaciones delictivas transnacionales de mayor envergadura. La misión específica del Grupo de Ataque de Houston es interceptar, desbaratar y enjuiciar a las organizaciones de narcotráfico que han sido designadas como Organización Identificada de Prioridad Consolidada u Organización Identificada de Prioridad Regional y sus organizaciones afiliadas que tienen impacto en Houston y el sur de Texas.
Los fiscales federales auxiliares Casey N. MacDonald y Aníbal Alaniz del Distrito Sur de Texas impulsan la acusación.
El escrito de procesamiento es una acusación formal de una conducta delictiva y no constituye prueba de esta. Se presume la inocencia de los acusados hasta tanto se demuestre su culpabilidad sin lugar a duda racional en un tribunal de justicia.
Brownsville woman sentenced for attempting to smuggle methRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 21-year old local woman has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 94.18 kilograms of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jennifer Santamaria pleaded guilty May 13.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered her to serve a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rodriguez noted the seriousness of the offense.
On Jan. 22, Santamaria attempted to make entry into the United States through the Gateway International Bridge Port of Entry in Brownsville. During inspection, law enforcement discovered anomalies in the vehicle. Further examination lead authorities to find approximately 22 foil-wrapped packages weighing a total of 94.18 kilograms that tested positive for the characteristics of meth.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $500,000.
Santamaria will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.
Texas woman admits to smuggling cocaineRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A resident of San Antonio has entered a guilty plea to importing almost 17 kilograms of cocaine into the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
On May 20, Alessandra Olivares attempted to enter the United States at the Juarez–Lincoln Bridge in Laredo. After a service K-9 alerted to her SUV, law enforcement conducted an X-ray inspection of the vehicle and discovered anomalies. They drilled into that area and discovered a compartment containing 15 bundles of cocaine weighing 16.84 kilograms.
The drugs had an estimated street value of over $400,000.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana accepted the plea and will set sentencing for a later date. At that time, Olivares faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine. She has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett is prosecuting the case.
Immigrant gets lengthy prison sentence for drug convictionRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 35 year-old Mexican citizen from Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jesus Ivan Resendez-Gomez pleaded guilty Oct. 7, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered him to serve a 170-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the prison term. In handing down the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted Resendez-Gomez’s prior 2014 federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute 307 kilograms of marijuana. Judge Alvarez also held him responsible for two additional drug transactions involving meth. The total weight of all three transactions was 2.9 kilograms.
At the sentencing hearing, Resendez-Gomez admitted that on March 13, 2019, he provided a kilogram of meth to a co-conspirator who had transported the drugs to a location in Palmhurst.
Resendez-Gomez 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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) “Operation Hold My Beer.” OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Wells Jr. prosecuted the case.
Corrections officer indicted for providing meth and sex to an inmateRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 38-year-old Beeville woman has been arrested on charges of attempting to bring meth to an inmate with whom she also had a sexual relationship, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Aug. 11 against Jolienne Salinas. Yesterday, law enforcement took her into custody. She is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow.
Salinas is a correctional officer at FCI Three Rivers, a medium security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp.
The indictment alleges that in early May 2020, Salinas provided or attempted to provide meth to an inmate. Additionally, she allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with the inmate from approximately September 2019 to May 2020.
If convicted, Salinas faces up to 20 years in prison for providing narcotics for an inmate, while the sexual relations charge carries a possible 15-year-term of imprisonment. She also faces a $250,000 possible fine on each count of conviction.
Department of Justice-Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Pena 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.
Young soldiers admit to transporting undocumented citizensRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two military men stationed at Fort Hood have entered guilty pleas to conspiring to transport undocumented aliens within the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Ralph Gregory Saint-Joie, 18, pleaded guilty today, while Emmanuel Oppongagyare, 21, entered his plea Aug. 11.
Saint-Joie has been identified as an active duty member of the U.S. Army while Oppongagyare is from the Pennsylvania National Guard. At the time of arrest, each noted they were stationed at Fort Hood.
On June 13, Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie attempted to go through the Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint in Hebbronville wearing their army-issued uniforms. Upon inspection, authorities discovered two individuals hidden in the trunk who were determined to be in the country illegally. Authorities promptly took them and the soldiers into custody.
At the time of his plea, Oppongagyare admitted a person he met through Saint-Joie recruited him to pick up the aliens from McAllen and drive them to San Antonio. They expected to be paid once they arrived the destination.
The man who hired them had instructed the soldiers to wear their Army-issued uniforms to avoid questioning at the checkpoint.
The two Mexican nationals hidden in the vehicle admitted to paying Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie a fee in exchange for passage into the United States. They also identified Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie as the driver and the passenger, respectively, of that vehicle.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana accepted the plea and will set sentencing for a later date. At that time, Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. They were permitted release upon posting bond. Oppongagyare remains in custody, while Saint-Joie is on bond pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.
Houstonian sentenced for firearm smugglingRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 50-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for smuggling goods from the United States and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Leonel Avalos-Santoyo pleaded guilty June 6.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered him to serve a 46-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
On April 25, 2020, Avalos-Santoyo traveled as a passenger in a commercial van from the United States into Mexico at the Lincoln Juarez Bridge in Laredo. Law enforcement stopped the vehicle and performed an inspection. During the search, they discovered five firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories inside Avalos-Santoyo’s luggage.
Upon further investigation, authorities determined that between Sept. 21, 2019, and Nov. 5, 2020, Avalos-Santoyo purchased 41 firearms at three federal firearms dealers in Harris County. During each transaction, he falsely claimed he was the actual buyer.
Previously released on bond, Avalos-Santoyo was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Bowling prosecuted the case.
Jury convicts man for smuggling 105 in trailerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A Laredo federal jury has convicted a 32-year-old out-of-state man for conspiring to transport and transporting undocumented aliens within the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for less than four hours before convicting Christopher Faust, Sacramento, California, following a two-day trial.
On May 5, law enforcement stopped Faust for a traffic violation, at which time he claimed to be transporting green bananas. However, authorities quickly noticed the temperature on the refrigerated trailer was too high for produce. A K-9 then alerted to an odor emanating from inside the vehicle. Authorities opened the trailer and found 105 undocumented aliens.
The jury heard from a representative of the storage facility who Faust claimed had given him the load. He told the jury they do not ship green bananas and that Faust never picked up a load of produce from their facility.
The defense attempted to convince the jury Faust did not know that the people, all 105 of them, were in his trailer. The jury did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo presided over trial and will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, Faust faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Faust was permitted to remain on bond pending his that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Fawcett and Aaron Petters are prosecuting the case.
Jury convicts trucker for human smugglingRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Corpus Christi federal jury has convicted a 44-year-old man from Missouri City for smuggling illegal aliens in the tractor and cab of his truck, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for 20 minutes before convicting Michael Dashun Howard following a two-day trial.
On Dec. 11, 2020, Howard drove his tractor-trailer to the primary inspection lane of the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint near Sarita. A K-9 named Gaz alerted to the vehicle, prompting authorities to send it to secondary inspection. There, law enforcement conducted a thorough inspection and located six people hidden between pallets of boxes. They also found four more in the cab. All were determined to be illegally present in the United States.
The jury heard from several agents who testified about their inspection of the vehicle and the discovery of the illegal citizens. They also heard recorded testimony of one of the smuggled individuals.
The defense attempted to convince the jury the aliens had assaulted and kidnapped Howard. However, he was the driver of the vehicle. The individuals held inside were restricted to compartments or otherwise locked in the tractor.
The jury did not believe Howard’s defense and found him guilty as charged
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over trial and set sentencing for Nov. 12. At that time, Howard faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending the hearing.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roland Swanson and Dennis Robinson are prosecuting the case.
Drug trafficker sent to prison for smuggling meth via UPSRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 31-year-old San Antonio resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a meth conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jose Ramiro Acevedo Jr. pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered him to serve a 130-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard evidence noting Acevedo’s criminal history including 2017 felony convictions for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and evading arrest with a motor vehicle.
In June 2020, authorities began an investigation into parcels containing narcotics mailed from the Texas area of the Rio Grande Valley. Law enforcement intercepted two parcels containing meth mailed utilizing UPS, both destined for San Antonio. Acevedo, in San Antonio, coordinated with drug traffickers in the Rio Grande Valley to receive the two parcels containing a total of one kilogram of meth.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $5,500.
Acevedo 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 Laura M. Garcia prosecuted the case.
Local man who attempted to smuggle 13,000 rounds of ammunition sent to prisonRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 40-year old Laredo man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for attempting to smuggle ammunition out of the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Obed Rafael Cuevas-Serratos pleaded guilty Oct. 28, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered him to serve a 30-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
“One of our top enforcement priorities is preventing ammunition from falling into the hands of those who might seek to harm innocent people,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Timothy Tubbs of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat this threat and hold the perpetrators accountable for putting our communities at risk.”
Cuevas-Serratos admitted that on Aug. 24, 2020, he purchased 13,000 rounds of 7.62x39 millimeter ammunition in San Antonio. The following day, his car attempted to cross into Mexico.
As part of his plea, he admitted he hired a juvenile to cross the ammunition into Mexico for him.
Cuevas-Serratos was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Makens and April Ayers-Perez prosecuted the case.
Laredo man sentenced for undocumented alien death due to car wreckRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 28-year-old Laredoan has been ordered to federal prison for a conspiracy which resulted in the death of an undocumented alien, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
David Valadaz pleaded guilty March 11.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Valadaz to serve a 97-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On Nov. 5, 2020, law enforcement attempted to pull over Valadaz, but he fled. He then crashed into the fence of a local business before fleeing on foot. Three undocumented aliens were in the vehicle, one of whom was in the trunk.
The individual in the truck of the vehicle was deceased when authorities found him. Another had suffered serious bodily injury requiring surgery to his elbow.
Valadaz 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 the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Brown and April Ayers-Perez prosecuted the case.
Human smuggling recruiter sentenced for conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 58-year-old Chandler woman has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Maria Rivera-Maldonado pleaded guilty Sept. 18, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered her to serve a 60-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted Rivera-Maldonado played an active role in recruiting the truck drivers to help carry out the scheme.
On July 3, 2020, law enforcement discovered 52 undocumented non-citizens after stopping a tractor trailer in Laredo. Authorities arrested Rivera-Maldonado as the driver of a scout vehicle for the tractor trailer.
Further investigation revealed Rivera-Maldonado recruited truck drivers to travel to Laredo to smuggle undocumented non-citizens. The investigation revealed that from March 2019 to July 2020, drivers Rivera-Maldonado recruited smuggled over 100 undocumented non-citizens in their vehicles.
Rivera-Maldonado 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 Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Garrie Brown prosecuted the case.
Gang “enforcer” sentenced for trafficking a large amount of stolen marijuanaRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – A Rio Grande City man and ranking member of the Texas Chicano Brotherhood (TxCB) organization has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Hector Guerra pleaded guilty May 3.
Today, U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey ordered him to serve a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rainey noted how Guerra changed during the prosecution in that he earnestly appeared to be accepting responsibility for his criminal actions.
The TxCB is a violent criminal organization operating primarily in Starr County and Hidalgo Counties. Members have been involved in numerous crimes to include drug, firearm and human trafficking; kidnappings; home invasions; aggravated assaults; murders and other major crimes.
In May 2016, law enforcement at federal, state and local levels launched a multi-agency investigation in an effort to disrupt the organization’s violent acts. To date, 15 members and criminal associates have been charged.
Authorities identified Guerra and at least four other TxCB members as part of a “rip crew.” At times, they used force and intimidation to steal marijuana and re-sold it to other traffickers in the Rio Grande Valley area. The investigation involved the trafficking and distribution of at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between February 2017 and February 2018.
Law enforcement arrested Guerra at his home in October 2018 for his role in the conspiracy. At that time, they also executed a search warrant which led to the discovery of a .45 caliber pistol in his bedroom with approximately 123 rounds of ammunition.
Guerra will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations; Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; District Attorney’s Offices in Starr and Hidalgo Counties; and the Texas Attorney General’s Office conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patti Hubert Booth prosecuted the case.
20 arrested for conspiracy to distribute thousands of pounds of marijuanaRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A total of 16 Laredoans are now in custody following the return of two separate, but related indictments related to the distribution of large quantities of marijuana, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Most are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo as early as 1:30 p.m. today.
Among those taken into custody were Jose Guadalupe Alaniz and Fernando Garcia, both 39; 21-year-olds Eduardo Javier Vazquez, Carlos Alejo Soliz and Carlos Erik Lopez; Arturo Villarreal and Francisco Arturo Neri, both 22; Edgar Alejandro Mashuca and Gustavo Alberto Duenes-Perez, both 34; Gavino Cadena, 33, Eduardo Gutierrez, 27, Jose Gerardo Gutierrez-Gonzalez, 23, Jesus Hernandez, 20, Jesus Rodriguez, 37, Leonardo Garza, 40, and Juan Lopez, 30. Also arrested were Alberto Castro, 40, Austin, and Mexican nationals Sergio Rodriguez and Jose Hernandez-Vazquez, both 37; and Jonathan Guadalupe Rodriguez-Rivera, 29.
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment under seal June 29 charging Cadena, Sergio Rodriguez, Gutierrez, Villarreal and Mashuca. It alleges they conspired to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana Feb. 5-21, 2019.
A separate, but related six-count sealed indictment was also returned June 29. It alleges Gutierrez-Gonzalez, Duenes-Perez, Hernandez, Castro, Garza, Juan Lopez, Hernandez-Vazquez, Jesus Rodriguez, Neri, Vazquez, Soliz, Carlos Lopez and Rodriguez-Rivera conspired to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana between March 28, 2019 and April 23, 2020. Some are also charged with substantive counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana on varying dates during that time.
Alaniz and Garcia were charged via a related criminal complaint, alleging they conspired to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana March 28-May 15, 2019.
All men face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine, upon conviction. Those charged in the substantive possession counts could also face additional maximum terms ranging from 40 years to life.
The investigation was part of the Blue Indigo Task Force and brought as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Noreste. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States through prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task forces that leverage the authorities and expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Border Patrol; Customs and Border Protection; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. National Guard; Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Constable's Office, Precincts 1 and 4; and Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Three charged in conspiracy to purchase $500,000 in weapons for cartelRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Three men are now facing federal charges for their roles in a conspiracy on behalf of Cartel del Noreste (CDN), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Luis Ramos, 43, Rio Bravo, is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Dos Santos in Laredo today at 1:30 p.m. Authorities took him into custody Tuesday, July 27. Also charged and previously arrested are Mexican national Manuel Perez-Ortiz, 39, and Arturo Mata Jr., 55, Rio Bravo. They are expected again in federal court Aug. 12. A federal grand jury retuned the five-count indictment May 18.
The charges allege that negotiations to purchase $500,000 worth of high-powered weapons occurred in May 2020. The weapons allegedly included machine guns, grenades, military-style rifles and rocket-propelled launchers. According to the indictment, the plan was for the weapons to be purchased in the United States and then smuggled into Mexico. There, those associated with CDN planned to use them in battles against rival cartels to further their drug smuggling activities, according to the charges.
CDN allegedly sent Perez-Ortiz to conduct the transaction in Laredo. On June 19, 2020, Ramos and Mata drove Perez-Ortiz to and from the meetings discussing the exchange, according to the indictment. Mata also allegedly assisted in providing counter-surveillance during the operation.
Law enforcement apprehended Ramos and Perez-Ortiz June 19, 2020. At that time, authorities seized $500,000, according to the charges.
All men are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to export firearms to Mexico. Upon conviction, they face up to 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy as well as a maximum $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. The indictment also alleges three substantive money laundering counts, including international money laundering, which carry the same potential penalty. The conspiracy to export firearms charge carries a potential punishment of five years and a maximum $250,000 fine.
The investigation was part of the Blue Indigo task force and brought as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Noreste. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States through prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task forces that leverage the authorities and expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation of this case with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Marshals Service. The Blue Indigo task force also includes Border Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting this 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 Padre Island man sentenced for child pornography convictionsRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 25-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography and transferring obscene material to a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Miguel Angel Lopez pleaded guilty Oct. 24, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. sentenced Lopez to a total of 180 months in federal prison. Lopez was further ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve 15 years 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. Lopez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In January 2018, authorities initiated an investigation into child pornography sharing on the internet. This led them to the address of Lopez in Brownsville.
Law enforcement later executed a search at his residence and seized several electronic and digital devices. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 63,975 unique images and 853 unique videos of child pornography.
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 - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano and Jason Corley are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Trafficking meth with firearm lands felon back in prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Texas Syndicate gang member has been ordered to federal prison for possessing a semi-automatic handgun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Benjamin Govella, 42, Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty May 4.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered him to serve a 72-month sentence for the meth trafficking. He also received an additional 60 months for the firearms charge which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. Following the 132-month term of imprisonment, Govella must also serve three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how authorities had originally conducted a traffic stop in early 2020. They subsequently arrested him on a parole violation and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The investigation revealed the Sig Sauer 9mm semi-automatic pistol had been stolen. Govella had also discussed drug trafficking while he was in jail.
On Nov. 18, 2020, authorities executed a federal arrest warrant on Govella, who was riding a bicycle near an apartment complex in Corpus Christi. At that time, he possessed a backpack containing a Ruger SR9C 9mm pistol and nearly 50 grams of pure meth as well as two loaded magazines and a scale.
Govella 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 and Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) conducted the investigation with the assistance of the CCPD Narcotics Vice Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning prosecuted the case.
Corpus Christi woman gets 30 years for sexual exploitation of a childRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 55-year-old local woman has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to entice a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.
Diana Martinez pleaded guilty March 2. At that time, she admitted to conspiring with Santos Gonzalez, 53, Robstown, to produce and send illicit photographs of a minor victim. In exchange, Gonzalez provided her money for groceries and medication.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton handed Martinez a sentence of 360 months. Following her incarceration, she will serve 10 years of supervised release, during which time she will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her access to children and the internet. Martinez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Martinez came to the attention of law enforcement in May 2020. Authorities learned about the suspected abuse and discovered a tablet used to commit the crimes.The Facebook accounts of Gonzalez and Martinez revealed they had been communicating since at least January 2016 which continued through May 2020. Throughout the thousands of pages of interaction, Gonzalez wrote of wanting to have sexual intercourse with the minor victim. Martinez would then take nude photographs of the minor victim and send them to Gonzalez in exchange for money.
Martinez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.Judge Tipton previously sentenced Gonzalez to a total term of 420 months in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations, Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Popejoy and Dennis Robinson are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.