Southern District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Third Ward man, girlfriend and grandmother head to prison for cocaine traffickingRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 31-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for obtaining kilogram quantities of cocaine from Mexican suppliers and distributing them to various customers in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Chardrell Murphy pleaded guilty July 1, 2019, to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Today, U.S. District Judge David Hittner sentenced Murphy to 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
Also sentenced today was Murphy’s girlfriend - Alexis Moten, 25, and her grandmother - Loretha Moten, 60, both of Houston. Both had previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Alexis Moten received a 27-month-term of imprisonment, while her grandmother, who stored the cocaine for Murphy, was ordered to serve 36 months.
At the hearings, the court heard additional testimony that detailed Murphy’s violent nature and long-term drug dealing.
Co-defendants Mark Anthony Johnson, 54, and Herberth Mauricio Torres, 24, both also of Houston, will be sentenced March 6 and 31, respectively.
On Sept. 15, 2018, authorities learned Murphy received four kilograms of cocaine from a Mexican supplier. Torres then delivered it to Loretha Moten’s house. Later, Murphy put a package into Johnson’s car.
Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, at which time they found two kilograms of cocaine from the package Murphy had placed in the car.
Murphy has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Houston Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Basile and John M. Lewis prosecuted the case.
The case is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and enhancing training, public awareness and education.
Previous sex offender convicted againRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 45-year-old Southwest Houston man has been convicted of sexual exploitation of a child aka production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Reginald Desean Love aka Tru admitted he recorded a video of a minor female performing oral sex on him.
In September 2017, a 15-year-old girl contacted authorities and gave them a cell phone that contained the video Love made depicting the sex act. Law enforcement conducted a search on two rooms at a local Motel 6 where they discovered another juvenile girl performing oral sex on an adult male.
Love was previously convicted in 2010 of felony indecency with a 14-year-old girl. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake accepted Love’s guilty plea today and set sentencing for April 24, 2020. At that time, he faces a minimum of 25 and up to 50 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Love also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which time the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit the use of the internet. He is also expected to have to again register as a sex offender.
Love has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing hearing.
The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Wirsing and Jill J. Stotts 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.
Jury convicts head of drug trafficking groupRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A federal jury has returned guilty verdicts on all counts against a 40-year-old Brownsville man for his role in trafficking more than 1000 kilograms of cocaine involving $26 million in drug proceeds, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours before convicting Rafael Villanueva following a six-day trial.
During trial, the jury heard from approximately 21 witnesses. They detailed Villanueva’s role as head of a drug transportation group that moved cocaine from the Rio Grande Valley and on to cities throughout the United States. He had customers in Mexico who needed transportation for cocaine to areas throughout the United States, including Houston; Chicago, Illinois; Jackson, Mississippi; as well as locations in South and North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.
He also provided transportation for drug proceeds sold throughout the United States back to the Rio Grande Valley. The commercial vehicles were outfitted with special compartments to hide the cocaine and drug proceeds.
Several witnesses testified Villanueva hired them to move the cocaine north and the drug proceeds south. Villanueva paid them by the kilogram to transport the drugs and a percentage of the drug money coming south. Fellow drug traffickers also testified Villanueva borrowed their line of transport for the cocaine when commercial drivers Villanueva hired got arrested with loads of cocaine.
One of the witnesses was a young male who was only 16 when he started working for Villanueva.
The jury also heard about the search of Villanueva’s house where authorities found five guns and numerous documents showing his lavish lifestyle as well as several Lone Star cards.
The defense attempted to convince the jury the witnesses were all liars and authorities did poor work.
The jury ultimately found him guilty as charged for possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to do so, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, bulk cash smuggling and international money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. presided over the trial and set sentencing for May 4, 2020. At that time, Villanueva faces up to life in prison. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Several others have also been convicted for their respective roles.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation known as La Camelia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Betancourt, Jody Young and Paul Marian are prosecuting the case.
4 charged in 2 cases involving assaults on officersRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A Laredo grand jury has charged three Honduran nationals and a young Guatamalan man for assaulting Border Patrol (BP) agents, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The first indictment charges Walter Yobani Ordones-Chavez, 32, Jose Manuael Zapata-Suazo, 28, and Kelvin Midencio Benedict-Garcia, 32, with forcible assault on an officer Dec. 31, 2019. Two days prior, Juan Jehovany. 19, was allegedly involved in a similar violent attack.
The New Year’s Eve incident began at approximately 6:45 a.m. after BP agents discovered a group entering the United States from Mexico by illegally crossing the Rio Grande River, according to the charges. The agents then allegedly followed their tracks, leading them to a storage shed located at a private residence.
There, the three illegal aliens violently resisted three separate agents who were attempting to apprehend them, according to the charges. The three Honduran men allegedly struck the agents, attempted to flee and ignored multiple commands to halt before authorities were ultimately able to detain them.
In a separate incident and case, a BP agent was investigating a pickup truck believed to be involved in an alien smuggling attempt Dec. 29, 2019, according to the charges. The agent allegedly heard noises from the truck bed and noticed several people hiding underneath a blanket. They allegedly attempted to flee, during which time the agent was knocked to the ground.
The charges allege Cac-Calel was one of the illegal aliens in the truck and actively resisted and pushed the agent as he attempted to detain him. The agent attempted to handcuff him, but Cac-Calel continued to violently struggle, according to the charges. Cac-Calel allegedly grabbed the agent’s handcuffs and swung them at his face. He also struck his hand as the agent attempted to use his pepper spray, according to the charges.
Three of the agents sustained injuries which required treatment at a medical facility.
If convicted, Ordones-Chavez, and Benedict-Garcia face up to 20 years in prison, while Cac-Calel and Zapata face a possible eight-year-term.
The FBI and Border Patrol conducted both investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Jennifer Day is prosecuting the Cac-Calel case, while AUSA Francisco J. Rodriguez is handling the other matter.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
2 men guilty of trafficking troubled teenagerRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Two Houstonians have admitted to recruiting a teenager on social media and trafficking her for sex, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
In 2017, Demetrius Delaan White, 28, and Deonte Danquise Bailey-Roach, 27, recruited a troubled teenager on social media. They then brought her from her home in Stephenville to Houston to engage in commercial sex acts.
For three days, they posted the minor victim on internet advertisements for commercial sex, during which time more than 300 people expressed an interest. They rented motel rooms for the sex acts, drove her to clients’ homes and took her to a truck stop. They also had her walk on Bissonnet Street, an area commonly known for an open and rampant sex trade.
To induce the minor victim into continuing to engage in the activity, both men gave her ecstasy drugs before the commercial sex acts. They also kept all the cash proceeds.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt accepted the pleas and will impose sentencing April 13. At that time, White and Bailey-Roach faces up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
They have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The FBI and the Houston Police Department, both part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA), conducted the investigation.
HTRA law enforcement includes members of the Houston Police Department, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and Sebastian Edwards are prosecuting the case.
Wrestler sent to prison for running drug smuggling conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 32-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison after admitting he conspired to import over 50 kilograms of meth into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Jose Ramos-Delgadillo pleaded guilty Oct. 3, 2019, to two counts – conspiracy to import and importation of meth.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana handed him a 46-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, Ramos-Delgadillo is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.
On Aug. 4, 2019, Ramos-Delgadillo arrived in Laredo at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge driving a Ford Escape. An initial search yielded 24 bundles of meth concealed within the tires. However, authorities also discovered an additional 19 bundles in the vehicle’s firewall.
Upon questioning, Ramos-Delgadillo claimed he was a wrestler from Guadalajara, Mexico, who was traveling to Dallas to visit a friend.
He soon admitted he knew there were narcotics in the vehicle. He expected to be paid $5,000 for transporting the drugs.
The drugs weighed a total of 53.56 kilograms with an approximate value of more than $300,000.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting the case.
Mexican national sentenced for trafficking $5 million in methRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 51-year-old resident of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been handed a significant sentence for possession with intent to distribute 69 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Mario Gabriel Sorcia-Quintana pleaded guilty Jan. 8, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez sentenced Sorcia-Quintana to a total of 100 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the prison sentence.
On July 20, 2018, Quintana arrived at the Gateway port of entry in Brownsville driving a Nissan Xterra. At the time, he claimed to be en route to San Antonio with his family, including his four-year-old child, and presented travel permits for all three occupants.
He was referred to secondary inspection where authorities then discovered an unusually high-density reading of all four tires. Further investigation revealed an anomaly, resulting in the discovery of a rectangular metal compartment found inside the tire. Authorities then drilled a hole in it and found a white powdery substance which tested positive for the properties of meth.
The packages were not properly sealed. Therefore, authorities called a hazmat team for assistance in extracting the narcotics due to the potential exposure of the contents in the metal compartments.
They removed a total of 69.10 kilograms from all four tires which was found to have an approximate value of $5 million.
Quintana 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 the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Llanos-Salinas prosecuted the case.
Head of human smuggling ring sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – The 41-year-old female leader of an alien smuggling organization has been ordered to prison in a conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens and for illegally re-entering the country, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Brenda Yadira Gamez-Castaneda aka Guera La Trailera, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Oct. 8, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez handed Gamez-Castaneda a 120- month term of imprisonment for the conspiracy. She also received 24 months for illegal re-entry to run concurrently for a total of 10 years. Not a U.S. citizen, she is expected to face removal proceedings following her incarceration.
The court enhanced her sentence, finding she obstructed or impeded the administration of justice. Gamez-Castaneda had destroyed evidence, demanded others to do the same and instructed a co-defendant on what to say to authorities. She also attempted to flee from the country after realizing she was a target of the investigation.
While imposing the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted Gamez-Castaneda was the leader or organizer of a criminal activity that involved five or more participants or that was otherwise extensive and at least two alien smuggling cells.
Beginning on approximately May 17, 2019, Roberto Flores-Brewster utilized his property in Donna known as “the Brewster Compound” to harbor and transport undocumented aliens with Adolfo Medina-Cervantez. Flores-Brewster then transported the aliens to Gamez-Castaneda. From there, she and Silber Vazquez-Mireles would transport the undocumented aliens to additional stash houses and hotel locations where other members of the criminal enterprise would harbor them. The aliens remained there while Gamez-Castaneda coordinated with tractor trailer drivers to smuggle them beyond the South Texas Border Patrol (BP) checkpoints.
Gamez-Castaneda was found responsible for smuggling at least 25 undocumented aliens. At least one of them was an accompanied minor, while another had been involuntarily detained. Another alien was held by coercion, threat or in connection with a demand for payment. The court also noted that she had utilized a 10-year old child to assist in the alien smuggling conspiracy at a hotel where undocumented aliens, including an unaccompanied juvenile, were being harbored.
On Oct. 9, 2019, Vazquez-Mireles, 32, of Mexico, was ordered to serve 40 months in federal prison for his role in the smuggling ring. At the time of his sentencing, Vazquez-Mireles also received an enhancement for obstruction of justice. The court found he had placed jail calls during which he informed Gamez-Castaneda, then unindicted, to destroy evidence related to the conspiracy.
Flores-Brewster, 60, and Medina-Cervantez, 29, are set for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Alvarez March 25.
Gamez-Castaneda 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 and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case.
Felon sentenced for transporting cocaineRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of importing a large quantity of cocaine into the United States via Laredo, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Willie Earl Rucker Jr., of Memphis, Tennessee, pleaded guilty Aug. 6, 2019, to importing 500 grams or more of cocaine and conspiracy to do so.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Rucker to serve 72 months in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court cited Rucker’s extensive criminal record, which included prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, sale of cocaine and assault with intent to commit robbery with a deadly weapon. The court also noted that Rucker admitted he had transported drugs From Mexico on three prior occasions and had been working for a drug trafficking organization for a year.
On May 12, 2019, Rucker attempted to enter the United States at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge #1 in Laredo. After a positive K-9 alert and an x-ray examination, authorities located six bundles of cocaine concealed within his vehicle’s battery. The cocaine weighed 3.421 kilograms and was valued at more than $80,000.
Rucker admitted that he planned to transport the drugs from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to his residence in Memphis. He expected to receive approximately 30 pounds of marijuana as payment for the job.
He was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day prosecuted the case.
Convicted smuggler sentenced again after admitting he sexually abused womanRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A Mexican national and convicted felon has been ordered to federal prison, again, after violating the terms of his supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
On Feb. 23, 2016, Jose Arrecis-Andrade, 28, was sentenced to federal prison for alien smuggling and given a three-year-term of supervised release. He was removed from the country in 2017. However, authorities found him in the United States illegally in September 2018. At that time, he was arrested on charges of aggravated sexual assault, illegally re-entering the country and for violating his supervise release. He pleaded guilty to the illegal re-entry charge March 1, 2019.
Today, Arrecis-Andrade admitted he committed the sexual assault, thereby violating the terms of his federal supervised release.
At the hearing, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo then sentenced him to 27 months for the illegal re-entry conviction. The court also revoked his supervised release and ordered he serve an additional 24 months in prison. The sentences will run consecutively for a total 51-month-term of imprisonment. Not a U.S. citizen, he again expected to face removal proceedings following his incarceration.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol and Laredo Police Department conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Day and David Fawcett prosecuted the case.
Couple who smuggled cocaine with kids in the car ordered to prisonRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A husband and wife from Monterrey, Mexico, have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy and importing nearly $1 million in cocaine into the country, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Mario Ramirez-Gomez, 49, and his wife, Maria Gonzalez-Esparza, 42, pleaded guilty Oct. 1, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña, who presided over the sentencing, ordered Ramirez-Gomez and Gonzalez-Esparza to serve 63 and 24 months in prison, respectively. Not U.S. citizens, they are both expected to face removal proceedings following their incarceration. At the hearing, the court heard that they had agreed to smuggle the drugs because they had both lost their jobs and were in debt.
On Aug. 3, 2019, the couple attempted to enter the United States at the Juarez–Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo. After an X-ray of their vehicle revealed anomalies, law enforcement officers searched the car and found 30 cocaine bundles hidden in secret compartments within the vehicle’s seats.
The cocaine weighed a total of 30 kilograms and had a street value of approximately $960,000.
The couple’s two minor children were riding in the car with them during the smuggling attempt.
Ramirez-Gomez and Gonzalez-Esparza both have 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett prosecuted the case.
Woman sent to federal prison for smuggling pure methRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old Huntsville, Alabama, woman has been ordered to prison following her conviction for knowingly attempting to smuggle 20 pounds of pure meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Guadalupe Inostroza-Diaz pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2019.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack handed Inostroza-Diaz a 70-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted that even though Inostroza-Diaz had no prior criminal history and only played a minor role in the drug distribution scheme, a sentence of more than five years was appropriate for trafficking meth.
On June 21, 2019, Inostroza-Diaz drove a white Nissan Altima into the primary inspection area of the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Falfurrias. An X-ray search of the vehicle revealed bundles of meth concealed within the walls of an ice chest located in the car’s trunk.
Laboratory analysis later confirmed the substance in the bundles was 100% pure meth totaling 12 kilograms with a street value of more than $919,000.
She has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Robert D. Thorpe Jr. and former AUSA Julie K. Hampton prosecuted the case.
Jury convicts Texas man for illegally transporting aliensRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A Laredo federal jury has convicted a 60-year-old San Antonio man for transporting two dozen illegal aliens in a hidden compartment within a moving truck, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
They deliberated for eight hours before returning the verdicts against Clarence James Lee following a one-day trial on two counts of transporting an alien.
On Sept. 26, 2019, authorities at the Bruni immigration checkpoint on Texas Highway 359 stopped a Penske truck. Lee was driving. He said he lived in San Antonio and was moving furniture to Kingsville. During the initial inspection, a K-9 detected contraband in the cargo area of the truck.
The jury heard Lee had consented to a search a search of the truck. Soon after, law enforcement discovered 24 illegal aliens hidden behind a false wall built into the truck. Furniture and appliances were blocking the door, leaving those inside with no means of escape. Upon their release, the aliens were sweating profusely, gasping for air and immediately asked for water.
A temperature reading inside the truck measured 94 degrees.
At trial, the jury heard Lee was to be paid cash and narcotics to drive the truck from Laredo to Kingsville. Testimony revealed he admitted he thought it contained contraband. However, Lee claimed he did not know people were in the back of the truck until he received a call about eight minutes prior to arriving at the checkpoint. He still decided to continue his trip.
The defense attempted to argue that Lee thought he was smuggling narcotics. Therefore, he did not have the required intent to be convicted of alien smuggling. The jury was not convinced and found him guilty.
Two others in a scout car pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaňa presided over the trial and will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, Lee faces up to five years in prison and well as a maximum $250,000 fine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Harrison and Jennifer Day are prosecuting the case.
Texas doctor convicted in $325 million health care fraud schemeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury found a Texas rheumatologist guilty today for his role in a $325 million health care fraud scheme in which he falsely diagnosed patients with life-long diseases and treated them with toxic medications on the basis of that false diagnosis.
Following a 25-day trial, Jorge Zamora-Quezada M.D., 63, of Mission, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
“The conduct in this case was heinous. Dr. Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed vulnerable patients, including the young, elderly and disabled, with life-long diseases requiring invasive treatments that those patients did not in fact need,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s guilty verdict shows that the Department of Justice will work tirelessly to protect the public from unscrupulous medical professionals who greedily line their own pockets at the expense of their patients’ health and safety.”
“As evidenced by the length of trial, this was a massive investigation into one of the worst medical fraudsters,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. “Unnecessary medical tests to create millions of dollars of false billing is as bad as it gets. Patients were put through unneeded anxiety and pain so the doctor could make millions. He won’t need it where he’s headed.”
“The guilty verdict against Dr. Zamora-Quezada ensures he will pay a steep price for his unthinkably callous and cruel criminal conduct, committed for the sheer sake of greed,” said Special Agent in Charge CJ Porter of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). “The abhorrent conduct in this case, which resulted in harm to unsuspecting patients, only serves to deepen the dedication of HHS-OIG agents and our law enforcement partners to pursue, prosecute and exclude bad actors in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“Rarely do we see such an egregious case of health care fraud, where so many patients received years of unnecessary and debilitating treatments, which were rendered out of sheer greed,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI is committed to seeking justice for each and every victim who suffered immeasurable harm at the hands of these defendants. The public deserves to be able to seek medical care without fear of being falsely diagnosed and given toxic medications they don’t need. We will relentlessly pursue those who would enrich themselves at the expense of those most vulnerable in our community.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed a large number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis - a lifelong, incurable disease - and treated them with toxic, medically unnecessary medications like chemotherapy drugs on the basis of that false diagnosis. Many patients, including patients as young as 13, suffered physical and emotional harm as a result of the false diagnoses, chemotherapy injections, hours’ long intravenous infusions and other excessive, repetitive and profit-driven medical procedures. The evidence further showed that to obstruct and mislead a federal grand jury investigation, Zamora-Quezada falsified medical records. Zamora-Quezada operated medical practices throughout South Texas and San Antonio. He traveled to his various offices on his private jet and in his Maserati.
U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa presided over the trial and set sentencing for March 27.
The Rio Grande Valley Health Care Fraud Task Force, which includes the FBI, HHS-OIG, Texas HHS-OIG and Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, conducted the investigation with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant Chiefs Adrienne Frazior and Jacob Foster and Trial Attorneys Rebecca Yuan and Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Villanueva of the Southern District of Texas. Trial Attorney Kevin Lowell of the Fraud Section initially handled the prosecution.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Texas Doctor Found Guilty for Role in $325 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving False Diagnoses of Life-Long DiseasesRead the Press Release
A federal jury found a Texas rheumatologist guilty today for his role in a $325 million health care fraud scheme in which he falsely diagnosed patients with life-long diseases and treated them with toxic medications on the basis of that false diagnosis.
Following a 25-day trial, Jorge Zamora-Quezada, M.D., 63, of Mission, Texas, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. Zamora-Quezada is expected to be sentenced on March 27, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa of the Southern District of Texas, who presided over the trial.
“The conduct in this case was heinous. Dr. Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed vulnerable patients, including the young, elderly, and disabled, with life-long diseases requiring invasive treatments that those patients did not in fact need,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s guilty verdict shows that the Department of Justice will work tirelessly to protect the public from unscrupulous medical professionals who greedily line their own pockets at the expense of their patients’ health and safety.”
“As evidenced by the length of trial, this was a massive investigation into one of the worst medical fraudsters,” said. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas. “Unnecessary medical tests to create millions of dollars of false billing is as bad as it gets. Patients were put through unneeded anxiety and pain so the doctor could make millions. He won’t need it where he’s headed.”
“The guilty verdict against Dr. Zamora-Quezada ensures he will pay a steep price for his unthinkably callous and cruel criminal conduct, committed for the sheer sake of greed,” said Special Agent in Charge CJ Porter of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). “The abhorrent conduct in this case, which resulted in harm to unsuspecting patients, only serves to deepen the dedication of HHS-OIG agents and our law enforcement partners to pursue, prosecute, and exclude bad actors in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“Rarely do we see such an egregious case of health care fraud, where so many patients received years of unnecessary and debilitating treatments, which were rendered out of sheer greed,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI is committed to seeking justice for each and every victim who suffered immeasurable harm at the hands of these defendants. The public deserves to be able to seek medical care without fear of being falsely diagnosed and given toxic medications they don’t need. We will relentlessly pursue those who would enrich themselves at the expense of those most vulnerable in our community.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed a large number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a life-long, incurable disease – and treated them with toxic, medically unnecessary medications like chemotherapy drugs on the basis of that false diagnosis. Many patients, including patients as young as 13, suffered physical and emotional harm as a result of the false diagnoses, chemotherapy injections, hours’ long intravenous infusions, and other excessive, repetitive and profit-driven medical procedures. The evidence further showed that to obstruct and mislead a federal grand jury investigation, Zamora-Quezada falsified medical records. Zamora-Quezada operated medical practices throughout South Texas and San Antonio. He traveled to his various offices on his private jet and in his Maserati.
The Rio Grande Valley Health Care Fraud Task Force, which includes the FBI, HHS-OIG, Texas HHS-OIG and Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, investigated the case with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant Chiefs Adrienne Frazior and Jacob Foster and Trial Attorneys Rebecca Yuan and Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Villanueva of the Southern District of Texas. Trial Attorney Kevin Lowell of the Fraud Section initially handled the prosecution.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Mexican national heads to prison for child porn convictionRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 24 year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in San Juan has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Ernesto Vitela pleaded guilty May 23, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. ordered Vitela to serve 78 months in federal prison and ordered he pay $27,000 in restitution for the victims. He will also serve 20 years on supervised release, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
On or about May 9, 2018, law enforcement initiated an investigation of an IP address that was identified as sharing child pornography. That investigation led them to Vitela’s address in San Juan. On Nov. 29, 2018, agents executed a search warrant at that location and seized a cell phone and other digital devices belonging to Vitela. A forensic analysis later yielded approximately 7,844 images and 582 videos of child pornography.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations-Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Mexican national headed to prison for attempting to smuggle methRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 42-year-old resident of Monterrey, Mexico, has been sentenced to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Juan Carlos Castillo-Cantu pleaded guilty Oct. 2, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered him to prison for a total of 96 months. Not a U.S. citizen, Castillo-Cantu is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.
On July 17, 2019, Castillo-Cantu drove a Dodge Ram pickup truck to the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo. A K-9 then alerted to the presence of narcotics, after which an x-ray examination revealed anomalies in all four tires.
Ultimately, authorities removed a total of 24 bundles from aftermarket compartments in the wheels. They all tested positive for meth at a purity level of 98%. The drugs had a net weight of 69.7 kilograms.
Castillo-Cantu was to be paid $5,000 to drive the narcotics-laden truck to Dallas. There, he expected to receive specific instructions where to make final delivery of the vehicle. Someone would then remove the drugs, after which Castillo-Cantu would then drive the truck back to Mexico.
Castillo-Cantu was also supposed to recruit other drivers. However, they decided to back-out at the last minute.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Bukiewicz prosecuted the case.
Jury convicts local man on cocaine chargesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against a 45-year-old Alton man for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The jury deliberated for approximately six hours before convicting Rosbel Garcia following a one-day trial which included seven witnesses.
According to the testimony, authorities learned of a possible 20-kilogram cocaine transaction that would be occurring in the Houston area in January 2018.
At trial, the jury heard from Rene Ramos III who explained that he had been previously arrested in Houston while in possession of approximately 60 pounds of marijuana belonging to Garcia in 2012. He claimed that at the time of that arrest, he was also in possession of approximately $90,000 of Garcia’s drug trafficking proceeds.
In early January 2018, Ramos claimed Garcia contacted him and told him he had to begin working for him in order to reduce that drug debt. As part of that involvement, Ramos testified he directed his wife, Christy Leigh Wells, to deliver cocaine to individuals in Houston.
Testimony revealed Garcia traveled to Houston from the Rio Grande Valley in January 2018 along with Luby Janet Luna. Wells also testified and admitted she delivered 10 kilograms of cocaine to Luna and others Jan. 30, 2018.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that all involved were just cons who fabricated Garcia’s involvement in the scheme. The jury disagreed and found him guilty as charged.
Wells, 42, of Cypress, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine Nov. 28, 2018.
Luna, 33, of Mission, is a fugitive and a warrant remains outstanding for her arrest. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the United States Marshals at (956) 618-8025.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez presided over the trial and set sentencing for March 26 at 2 p.m. At that time, Garcia faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million fine.
Previously released on bond, Garcia was ordered into custody pending that hearing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr. and M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case
Final defendant gets life for meth distributionRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 64-year-old Brownsville resident has been ordered to federal prison after admitting to running a drug distribution ring over a two-year period, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Roberto Rosales Jr. pleaded guilty Feb. 21, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered Rosales to serve the rest of his life in prison. At the hearing, the court noted his prior lengthy criminal history and that his is still involved in narcotics distribution at his age. Judge Rodriguez further stated that even after serving prior prison sentences, he reoffends and continues to sell narcotics as soon as he is released. He further noted Rosales is a danger to society, has large quantity Narcotics sales which indicates dangerous sources in Mexico and sees no chance of rehabilitation.
The court previously sentenced co-defendants Sarahi Hernandez, 22, and Mariella Ramirez, 25, both of Brownsville, to 87 and 60 months, respectively. They had admitted to possession and assisting in the sale of multiple narcotics and mailing them throughout the United States and Virgin Islands over a two-year-period.
At the time of his plea, Rosales admitted that for more than two years he would coordinate with individuals in Mexico to pick up methamphetamine smuggled through port of entries into the United States.
He ran the conspiracy from his residence in Brownsville, which served as a staging area for shipping methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana via FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Once the narcotics were at his house, he would package and produce labels in order to ship the methamphetamine to co-conspirators throughout the country.
Rosales would then drop off the parcels at the U.S. Post Office or UPS store. He utilized the unknowing services of UPS and USPS to ship narcotics-laden packages to multiple destinations in the U.S. and Virgin Islands.
Rosales would also sell methamphetamine and other narcotics in person to individuals he trusted which were taken to locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi for street distribution. During the course of the conspiracy, Rosales recruited multiple young women whom he paid with cash and narcotics and allowed them to socialize at his house for assisting in his distribution scheme.
During the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at his residence, discovered evidence of a complex shipping organization and seized more than four kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of heroin and 30 kilograms of marijuana as well as multiple different pills including Xanax and Ecstasy.
Present at his house at that time was Hernandez, who was in charge of the house and in possession of the narcotics.
Rosales has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin S. Dinsdale prosecuted the case.
Three admit to attempting to smuggle children into U.S.Read the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Three people in their twenties have entered guilty pleas in separate but similar cases involving the smuggling of minor children in October 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Amelia Batres, 22, admitted in federal court today that she attempted to enter the United States with a minor child she falsely claimed was her son, while Maria Elena Chavez-Valenzuela, 29, pleaded guilty earlier this week and admitted to attempting to enter with a minor child she falsely claimed was her daughter. On Monday, Michael Dimas Tibursio, 22, admitted to similar facts – that he attempted to bring a young child into the country, claiming he was his nephew.
On Oct. 13, 2019, Batres, of Laredo, attempted to enter the United States at the Juarez–Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo. Batres had presented her real son’s birth certificate in an attempt to pass a 6-year-old who was accompanying her as her child. Authorities questioned the boy who then admitted Batres was not his mother. Batres ultimately admitted the child’s family was going to pay her to smuggle the minor into the United States.
The day prior, Maria Elena Chavez-Valenzuela, of Indianapolis, Indiana, also attempted to enter the United States with a minor, this time via the Gateway to the Americas Bridge in Laredo. She claimed that the 10-year-old female was her daughter. However, Chavez-Valenzuela eventually admitted she had been hired to smuggle the girl into the United States and was going to be paid $5,000 if successful.
In a third, yet similar case, Michael Dimas Tibursio, also of Indianapolis, arrived at the Juarez–Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo on a passenger bus Oct. 25. A 5-year-old boy was accompanying him. Tibursio told authorities that the boy was his nephew and presented a document he claimed was the boy’s birth certificate. Authorities soon determined the boy was actually a Mexican citizen and was not related to Tibursio. Tibursio later admitted he was being paid to smuggle the boy to family members in Indianapolis.
All will remain in custody pending sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose Chavez-Valenzuela’s sentencing April 22, while Tibursio and Batres will be sentenced at a date to be determined before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted all three investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett is prosecuting the cases.
Indian national convicted of role in call center scam that victimized thousands in the U.S.Read the Press Release
HOUSTON - An Indian national has entered a guilty plea for his role in operating and funding India-based call centers which defrauded thousands of victims out of millions of dollars between 2013 and 2016.
Hitesh Madhubhai Patel aka Hitesh Hinglaj, 43, of Ahmedabad, India, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as well as a general conspiracy to commit identification fraud, access device fraud, money laundering and to impersonate a federal officer or employee.
“Hitesh Patel played a prominent role in this massive, India-based fraud scheme that bilked vulnerable Americans out of millions of dollars,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This important resolution would not have occurred without the assistance of our Singaporean colleagues, to whom we extend our deep appreciation.”
Patel and his conspirators perpetrated a complex scheme in which employees from call centers in Ahmedabad, India, impersonated officials from the IRS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They also engaged in other telephone call scams designed to defraud victims throughout the United States. U.S. victims were threatened with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay alleged monies owed to the government. Those who fell victim to the scammers were instructed how to provide payment, including by purchasing general purpose reloadable (GPR) cards or wiring money. Upon payment, the call centers would immediately turn to a network of “runners” based in the United States to liquidate and launder the fraudulently-obtained funds.
In his plea, Patel admitted to operating and funding several India-based call centers from which the fraud schemes were perpetrated, including organizational co-defendant call center HGLOBAL. Patel frequently corresponded by email and WhatsApp messaging with co-defendants to exchange credit card numbers, telephone scam scripts, deposit slips, payment information, call center operations information, instructions and bank account information. The scripts included impersonation of IRS, USCIS, Canada Revenue Agency and Australian Tax Office personnel as well as payday loan, U.S. government grant and debt collection fraud schemes.
Patel also received monthly income and expense reports to his personal email from the call centers and used his Indian cell phone number to access GPR cards through automated telephone systems on many occasions.
A co-defendant described Patel as “the top person in India and the boss for whom most of the other defendants worked.” Another co-defendant claimed Patel was arrested in India in 2016, but paid a bribe and was released. Additionally, Patel admitted he was accountable for approximately $25-65 million.
Patel was extradited from Singapore in April 2019 to face charges in this large-scale telefraud and money laundering scheme. Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the United States pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant in September 2018 after Patel flew there from India.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted the plea today and set sentencing for April 3. At that time, Patel faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy and five years for the general conspiracy. Both counts also carry the possibility of a fine of up $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have already been convicted and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. They were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were removed from the country based on their illegal immigration status, while another defendant had his U.S. citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. Charges remain pending for other India-based defendants. They are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration conducted the investigation. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and HSI Singapore provided significant support in securing and coordinating Patel’s arrest and extradition, working in concert with their counterparts at the Singapore Attorney General’s-Chambers and the Singapore Police Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and Craig Feazel of are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Mona Sahaf of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Amanda Wick of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
Indian National Pleads Guilty to Owning, Funding, and Operating India-Based Call Centers That Scammed U.S. Victims Out of Millions of DollarsRead the Press Release
An Indian national pleaded guilty today in the Southern District of Texas for his role in operating and funding India-based call centers whose callers, and U.S.-based conspirators, defrauded U.S. victims out of millions of dollars between 2013 and 2016.
Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, also known as Hitesh Hinglaj, 43, of Ahmedabad, India, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and general conspiracy to commit identification fraud, access device fraud, money laundering, and impersonation of a federal officer or employee.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Inspector General J. Russell George of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) made the announcement today.
"Hitesh Patel played a prominent role in this massive, India-based fraud scheme that bilked vulnerable Americans out of millions of dollars," said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. "This important resolution would not have occurred without the assistance of our Singaporean colleagues, to whom we extend our deep appreciation."
According to admissions that he made as part of his plea, Patel and his co-conspirators perpetrated a complex scheme in which employees from call centers in Ahmedabad, India, impersonated officials from the IRS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and engaged in other telephone call scams designed to defraud victims throughout the United States. U.S. victims were threatened with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay alleged monies owed to the government. Those who fell victim to the scammers were instructed how to provide payment, including by purchasing general purpose reloadable (GPR) cards or wiring money. Upon payment, the call centers would immediately turn to a network of “runners” based in the United States to liquidate and launder the fraudulently obtained funds.
In his plea, Patel admitted to operating and funding several India-based call centers from which the fraud schemes were perpetrated, including the call center HGLOBAL. Patel corresponded by email and WhatsApp messaging frequently with his co-defendants to exchange credit card numbers, telephone scam scripts, deposit slips, payment information, call center operations information and instructions, and bank account information. The scripts included IRS impersonation, USCIS impersonation, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) impersonation, Australian Tax Office (ATO) impersonation, payday loan fraud, U.S. Government grant fraud, and debt collection fraud.
Patel also received monthly income and expense reports to his personal email from the call centers, and used his Indian cell phone number to access GPR cards through automated telephone systems on many occasions.
A co-defendant described Patel as “the top person in India and the boss for whom most of the other defendants worked,” and the owner of multiple call centers. Another co-defendant stated that Patel was arrested in India in 2016, but then paid a bribe and was released. Additionally, Patel admitted that a reasonably foreseeable loss of more than $25 million but less than $65 million was attributable to him, based on the government’s evidence against him.
Patel was prosecuted in the United States after being extradited from Singapore in April 2019 to face charges in this large-scale telefraud and money laundering scheme. Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the United States pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant in September 2018, after Patel flew there from India.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner of the Southern District of Texas accepted the plea today and set sentencing for April 3, 2020. At that time, Patel faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy and five years for the general conspiracy. Both counts also carry the possibility of a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have previously been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. The defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were ordered to be deported based on their illegal immigration status, with another defendant having his U.S. citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. Charges remain pending for other India-based defendants. They are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
HSI, DHS-OIG and TIGTA conducted the investigation. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and HSI Singapore provided significant support in securing and coordinating Patel’s arrest and extradition, working in concert with their counterparts at the Singapore Attorney General’s-Chambers and the Singapore Police Force.
Trial Attorney Mona Sahaf of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Amanda Wick of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and Craig Feazel of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
A Department of Justice website has been established to provide information about the case to victims and the public. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud or identity theft in relation to this investigation or other telefraud scam phone calls may contact the FTC via this website.
Anyone seeking additional information about telefraud scams generally, or preventing identity theft or fraudulent use of their identity information, may find helpful information on the IRS tax scams website, the FTC phone scam website, and the FTC identity theft website.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Houston Man gets significant time for sexually exploiting young childrenRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year-old man from Houston has received a 30-year prison term following his convictions of producing and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Stephen Edward Torres pleaded guilty June 7, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ordered Torres to serve 360 months for each count of the sexual exploitation of a child, otherwise known as production of child pornography. He also received another 120 months for the possession charge which were all ordered to be served concurrently for a total of 360 months in federal prison.
At the hearing, the court heard evidence regarding a pattern of abuse which rendered Torres a repeat and dangerous sex offender. The abuse included oral and vaginal penetration of the minors who were under the age of 5.
The defense asked Judge Lake to consider the fact that he is “slow,” suffers from substance abuse and has suffered head trauma. However, the government implored asked that Torres be held accountable for the pain and trauma he caused to the young victims - still too young to understand the magnitude of how he has impacted them. The court also heard that what he stole from the children cannot be replaced. Torres not only produced photos documenting the rapes of these minors, but he shared these images via the internet with others who share this sexually-deviant interest in children.
The victims’ mother also provided testimony who detailed the children’s suffering. She told the court how she and the children experience anxiety because of the trauma they endured and how scared the children are to be away from her. “We are thankful for being away from that HEARTLESS DECIEVING SOUL,” she said.
Following the 30-year prison term, Torres will be on supervised release for the rest of his life, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender and must pay restitution.
Torres came to the attention of law enforcement after a he communicated online with an undercover law enforcement officer and sent child pornography images he created of one of his molestation victims.
Authorities executed a search warrant, at which time they seized a cellular phone and children’s clothes from his residence. Forensic analysis yielded 17 image files and 56 videos that constituted child pornography. Torres produced 16 of the videos himself, some of them which depict Torres violating the minors via oral penetration.
Torres has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood(PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Former Gulf Cartel leader convicted of international drug traffickingRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Jorge Costilla-Sanchez has pleaded guilty to an international drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana into the United States.
Costilla-Sanchez, 48, was an active member of the “Cartel Del Golfo” (CDG or Gulf Cartel). CDG is a violent Mexican criminal organization engaged in the manufacture, distribution and importation of ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. In the late 1990s, the Gulf Cartel recruited an elite group of former Mexican military personnel to join their ranks as security and enforcers who became known as Los Zetas. The Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas operated under the name of “The Company.” Costilla-Sanchez became the leader of The Company for several years following the arrest of Osiel Cardenas in 2003 and before Costilla-Sanchez’s arrest in September 2012.
During his association with The Company, Costilla-Sanchez was responsible for overseeing all operations and providing leadership that resulted in the importation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Under Costilla-Sanchez’s leadership, The Company controlled numerous plazas along the United States and Mexico border including Matamoros, Rio Bravo, Reynosa, Miguel Aleman and Nuevo Laredo. Costilla-Sanchez used these strategically important locations to distribute cocaine and marijuana into the United States and to return bulk U.S. currency to himself and other members of CDG in Mexico.
During the course of his involvement in the conspiracy, law enforcement in Mexico and Panama seized ton quantities of cocaine that were intended for Costilla-Sanchez and other members of CDG to distribute in Mexico and the United States. Specifically, on Oct. 5, 2007, Mexican law enforcement seized 11,700 kilograms of cocaine from a warehouse in Tampico, Mexico, and on Nov. 30, 2007, the Panamanian National Police seized approximately 2,400 kilograms of cocaine in Colon, Panama.
During his guilty plea today, Costilla-Sanchez acknowledged his participation in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 450 kilograms of cocaine and over 90,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Costilla-Sanchez previously pleaded guilty in 2017 to a separate conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana as well as two counts of assault on a federal officer. He has not yet been sentenced for those offenses.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. will impose sentencing April 14. At that time, Costilla-Sanchez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration - Houston Field Division conducted the investigation.
Trial Attorneys Cole Radovich and Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted this case with significant assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody Young of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations.
Former Gulf Cartel Leader Convicted of International Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jorge Costilla-Sanchez pleaded guilty to an international drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana into the United States.
Costilla-Sanchez, 48, was an active member of the “Cartel Del Golfo” (CDG or Gulf Cartel). CDG is a violent Mexican criminal organization engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and importation of ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. In the late 1990s, the Gulf Cartel recruited an elite group of former Mexican military personnel to join their ranks as security and enforcers who became known as Los Zetas. The Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas operated under the name of “The Company.” Costilla-Sanchez became the leader of The Company for several years following the arrest of Osiel Cardenas in 2003 and before Costilla-Sanchez’s arrest in September 2012.
During his association with The Company, Costilla-Sanchez was responsible for overseeing all operations and providing leadership that resulted in the importation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Under Costilla-Sanchez’s leadership, The Company controlled numerous plazas along the United States and Mexico border including Matamoros, Rio Bravo, Reynosa, Miguel Aleman and Nuevo Laredo. Costilla-Sanchez used these strategically important locations to distribute cocaine and marijuana into the United States and to return bulk U.S. currency to himself and other members of CDG in Mexico.
During the course of his involvement in the conspiracy, law enforcement in Mexico and Panama seized ton quantities of cocaine that were intended for Costilla-Sanchez and other members of CDG to distribute in Mexico and the United States. Specifically, on Oct. 5, 2007, Mexican law enforcement seized 11,700 kilograms of cocaine from a warehouse in Tampico, Mexico, and on Nov. 30, 2007, the Panamanian National Police seized approximately 2,400 kilograms of cocaine in Colon, Panama.
The Defendant oversaw a vast network of other individuals including local plaza bosses, drug couriers, security personnel, scouts, hitmen and others to facilitate The Company’s drug trafficking operations. In the performance of his duties for The Company, the Defendant and others under his charge possessed and used dangerous weapons, including firearms. Further, the Defendant organized, directed, and carried out numerous acts of violence against rival drug trafficking groups, Mexican law enforcement and others who The Company perceived as threats to their drug trafficking activities.
During his guilty plea today, Costilla-Sanchez acknowledged his participation in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 450 kilograms of cocaine and over 90,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Costilla-Sanchez’s sentencing has been set for April 14, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. At that time Costilla-Sanchez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration - Houston Field Division conducted the investigation.
Trial Attorneys Cole Radovich and Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted this case, with significant assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody Young of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations.
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Texas man sentenced for trafficking methRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 40-year-old resident of San Antonio has been ordered to prison following his conviction of conspiring to import approximately two kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Santos Rene Deleon pleaded guilty July 3, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Deleon a 87-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted Deleon had a lengthy criminal history and had stated he was trafficking drugs to pay off a debt.
On April 17, 2019, Deleon entered the United States through the Laredo port of entry as the passenger in a 2000 red Dodge Durango. Authorities soon discovered approximately 1.98 kilograms of meth inside the vehicle’s driveshaft.
Deleon admitted he knowingly imported the drugs into the United States from Mexico with the intent to deliver them to San Antonio. He expected to be paid $3,000.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $14,000.
Deleon 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 and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Ranking gang member sentenced for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – A ranking member of the Texas Chicano Brotherhood (TxCB) has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to possess and distribution of more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Rafael Diaz, 31, Rio Grande City, pleaded guilty Feb. 4, 2019.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey handed Diaz 145-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
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, firearms and human trafficking; kidnappings; home invasions; aggravated assaults; murders and other major crimes.
As a result, law enforcement launched a multi-agency investigation in May 2016. The investigation resulted in the identification of at least 70 members and criminal associates of the TxCB to include their leadership.
Authorities had identified Diaz and other TxCB members as part of a “rip crew.” The crew used force and intimidation to steal marijuana from drug smugglers and traffickers along the Rio Grande Valley area and re-sell it at discounted prices.
The investigation involved the smuggling and distribution of at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between February 2017 and February 2018. During that time, Diaz and other TxCB members were responsible for smuggling and/or stealing multiple loads of marijuana in and around Rio Grande City. Law enforcement interdicted at least five loads linked to Diaz and other members of the TxCB.
Diaz will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prison facility to be determined in the near future.
The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation along with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; District Attorney’s Offices in Starr and Hidalgo Counties; and the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patti Hubert Booth and David Paxton prosecuted the case.
Mexican national sent to prison for assaulting federal officerRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 41-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to prison after admitting he injured a Border Patrol (BP) agent by hitting him with arm shackles, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Salvador Ramirez-Olvera pleaded guilty June 4, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera handed Ramirez-Olvera an 18-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.
On April 1, 2019, Ramirez-Olvera was in custody at the Brownsville BP station for illegal entry. While awaiting transfer to federal court, he slipped out of his arm shackles and hit the agent with them. The agent was hit on his shoulder area, thus causing bodily injury.
After a brief struggle, officers had to use a Taser to control Ramirez-Olvera.
He was then arrested and charged with assaulting a federal agent who was engaged in the performance of his official duties.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Esquivel and Ana Cano prosecuted the case.
Local man sentenced for attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activityRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 29-year old McAllen man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Dassahed Marines pleaded guilty Oct. 16, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. ordered him to serve 120 months in federal prison. Marines will also serve 20 years on supervised released following completion of his prison term, during which he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He must also register as a sex offender.
Between Dec. 6-7, 2018, Marines utilized a cell phone as well as the social media app called Whisper and KIK messaging app to attempt to persuade and entice a 13-year-old girl to engage in unlawful sexual activity. He made initial contact through Whisper, but continued messaging the minor explicit messages via KIK. In those conversations, he attempted to persuade the minor to meet at a local park for a sexual encounter. Marines was arrested once he arrived at the location.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ana C. Cano and Jose Esquivel Jr. 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.
Former official to serve prison time for child porn convictionsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 65-year-old resident of Seabrook has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Ocal John Miller is a former law enforcement officer, having served as chief of police in Martinsville, West Virginia; and city councilman and mayor pro tem for Seabrook. He pleaded guilty Oct. 3, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered Miller to serve 120 months on each count to run concurrently. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that it should send a message to society. Judge Bennett further commented that unfortunately Miller is not the first nor will he be the last to stand before him having committed child pornography-related offenses. The court imposed a $50,000 fine as well as a $10,000 special assessment per the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Miller will also be required to pay restitution in an amount to be determined later and will 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. He must also register as a sex offender.
Miller came to the attention of law enforcement in June 2016 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) sent multiple cybertips to the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The investigation revealed Miller was using Skype to receive and distribute child pornography images to others via the internet. Miller also used Dropbox and Kik Messenger to obtain and store child pornography. Based on information gathered during the investigation, authorities executed a federal search warrant for Miller’s home in Seabrook March 30, 2017. At that time, they seized a computer, iPhone and several digital storage devices. Forensic examination resulted in the discovery of more than 1,300 images and 1,000 videos containing child pornography.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and police departments in Webster and Pearland conducted the investigation as part of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood(PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Florida businessman sentenced for role in Venezuela bribery schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A former general manager and partial owner of a Florida-based energy company was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for his role in a scheme to corruptly secure contracts from Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
Juan Jose Hernandez Comerma (Hernandez), 54, of Weston, Florida, pleaded guilty Jan. 10, 2017, to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and one count of violating the FCPA.
Today, U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller of the Southern District of Texas imposed the four-year term and further ordered Hernandez to pay a fine of $127,000 and forfeit $3 million.
According to admissions made in connection with Hernandez’s plea, Hernandez conspired with U.S.-based businessmen Abraham Jose Shiera Bastidas (Shiera) and Roberto Enrique Rincon Fernandez (Rincon) to pay bribes and other things of value to PDVSA purchasing analysts. This ensured that Shiera’s and Rincon’s companies were placed on PDVSA bidding panels, which enabled the companies to win lucrative energy contracts with PDVSA. From 2008 until 2012, while general manager and, later, partial owner of one of Shiera’s companies, Hernandez provided recreational travel and entertainment and offered bribes to PDVSA officials, including Alfonzo Eliezer Gravina Munoz (Gravina), based on a percentage of contracts the officials helped to award to Shiera’s companies.
Rincon, Shiera and Gravina have all also pleaded guilty in the case and await sentencing.
Hernandez is the sixth defendant to be sentenced as part of a larger, ongoing U.S. government investigation into bribery at PDVSA. Including Hernandez, Rincon, Shiera and Gravina, to date, the Justice Department has announced charges against 25 individuals, 19 of whom have pleaded guilty in connection with the investigation.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Houston is conducting the ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI in Boston. Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) John Pearson and Robert S. Johnson of the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorneys Jeremy R. Sanders, Sarah E. Edwards and Sonali D. Patel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. SDTX AUSA Kristine Rollinson is handling the forfeiture aspects of the case.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the Swiss Federal Office of Justice also provided assistance.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Please see the Justice Department’s FCPA page for more information.
Florida Businessman Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Role in Venezuela Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A former general manager and partial owner of a Florida-based energy company was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for his role in a scheme to corruptly secure contracts from Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
Juan Jose Hernandez Comerma (Hernandez), 54, of Weston, Florida, pleaded guilty Jan. 10, 2017, to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and one count of violating the FCPA.
Today, U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller of the Southern District of Texas imposed the four-year term and further ordered Hernandez to pay a fine of $127,000 and forfeit $3 million.
According to admissions made in connection with Hernandez’s plea, Hernandez conspired with U.S.-based businessmen Abraham Jose Shiera Bastidas (Shiera) and Roberto Enrique Rincon Fernandez (Rincon) to pay bribes and other things of value to PDVSA purchasing analysts. This ensured that Shiera’s and Rincon’s companies were placed on PDVSA bidding panels, which enabled the companies to win lucrative energy contracts with PDVSA. From 2008 until 2012, while employee, and later, partial owner, of one of Shiera’s companies, Hernandez provided recreational travel and entertainment and offered bribes to PDVSA officials, including Alfonzo Eliezer Gravina Munoz (Gravina), based on a percentage of contracts the officials helped to award to Shiera’s companies.
Rincon, Shiera and Gravina have all also pleaded guilty in the case and await sentencing.
Hernandez is the sixth defendant to be sentenced by Judge Miller as part of a larger, ongoing U.S. government investigation into bribery at PDVSA. Including Hernandez, Rincon, Shiera, and Gravina, to date, the Justice Department has announced charges against 25 individuals, 19 of whom have pleaded guilty in connection with the investigation.
HSI in Houston is conducting the ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI in Boston. Trial Attorneys Jeremy R. Sanders, Sarah E. Edwards and Sonali D. Patel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Pearson and Robert S. Johnson of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristine Rollinson of the Southern District of Texas is handling the forfeiture aspects of the case.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the Swiss Federal Office of Justice also provided assistance.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Mexican man convicted of trafficking cocaineRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 22-year-old resident of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to import approximately nine kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Leonardo Baltazar Martinez-Garza entered to entered the United States through the Lincoln-Juarez Port of Entry in Laredo Oct. 28, 2019, driving a 2009 black Chevrolet Optra. At initial inspection, he presented a border crossing card as a Mexican national and denied having any contraband.
Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where another officer with a trained service K-9 alerted to the possible presence of narcotics. A subsequent X-ray inspection revealed numerous anomalies within the dashboard behind a firewall. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and eventually discovered eight bundles weighing approximately 9.20 kilograms of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.
Martinez-Garza admitted he had been hired to illegally import narcotics into the United States from Mexico. He expected to be paid $1,000 after he successfully dropped off his vehicle at the Mall Del Norte in Laredo with the narcotics.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the guilty plea and set sentencing for April 22, 2020. At that time, he faces up to life in federal prison.
Martinez-Garza has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’ s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Man admits to smuggling attempt that led to rollover accidentRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 30-year-old Mexican national has pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to transport aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
On Oct. 7, 2019, authorities spotted a group of individuals crossing from the Mexican side of Falcon Lake via a boat and entering a red Ford Explorer in the United States. They located the SUV and attempted to get behind it. However, the driver – later identified Ruben Ernesto Mendoza-Zapata – fled the scene at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit, Mendoza-Zapata tried rounding a curve, but rolled the vehicle several times.
Law enforcement secured the scene and rescued the occupants, one of whom was pinned underneath the vehicle. At the time of the rollover, a 6-year-old boy was also in the SUV.
Mendoza-Zapata and two others were taken to the hospital but have since recovered.
Mendoza-Zapata, also in the United States illegally, claimed a man in Zapata approached him and offered to pay him to transport the undocumented aliens.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the plea and will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, Mendoza-Zapata faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.
He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett is prosecuting the case.
Man sentenced for role in fentanyl trafficking operationRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 27-year-old resident of Laredo has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute nearly eight kilograms of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Jesus Homero Ortiz pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Ortiz to prison for 72 months to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard testimony that Ortiz transported the fentanyl hidden inside a speaker box he later delivered to the Mall Del Norte in Laredo.
On March 2, 2018, authorities intercepted a delivery Ortiz transported. The delivery consisted of approximately eight kilograms of a highly dangerous synthetic painkiller called fentanyl. It has morphine-like effects, but works at a mere 100th of the dosage. Inadvertent exposure can result in overdose, respiratory failure and even death.
Authorities ultimately learned the fentanyl was on the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ortiz 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 Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Longtime gang member sentenced for drug and gun crimesRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 42-year-old veteran member of the Homietos outlaw motorcycle gang has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Larry Torres, 42, of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty Sept. 27, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales sentenced Torres to serve 121 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard evidence including that Torres sold multiple ounces of meth to undercover agent and was a member of the Homietos outlaw motorcycle gang.
In June 2019, authorities were conducting investigations into drug trafficking organizations that distributed meth throughout the area. This led them to Torres’ residence on Old Brownsville Road in Corpus Christi where he was believed to be involved in the distribution of drugs.
The investigation involved the controlled purchases of more than 160 grams of high potency meth known as “ice.”
A search warrant at the residence resulted in the discovery of a firearm, ammunition, large capacity magazines, cocaine, narcotics packaging materials and other indicia of drug sales. Law enforcement also discovered Homietos gang paraphernalia and clothing.
Per federal law, Torres is prohibited from possessing firearms based on a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance and for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2009.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; FBI; Corpus Christi Police Department Gang Unit and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Paxton prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative that brings together federal and local law enforcement officials, prosecutors and community leaders to stop violent crime.
Local man guilty of tax evasionRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – A Texas man has admitted he knew he had received significantly more income what he claimed on his 2015 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Corey Campbell Boucher pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.
As part of his plea, he admitted receiving significant income from illegal sports gambling in addition to his employment income. Boucher received his gambling winnings in cash which he deposited into his Wells Fargo bank accounts. Between 2012 and 2016, Boucher made cash deposits totaling $1,743,346. In 2015 alone, he deposited $493,935 in cash into his bank accounts but admitted he reported total income of only $128,066 on his Form 1040 United States Individual Income Tax Return for that year. His unreported income in 2015 resulted in $165,735 in unpaid taxes.
Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey accepted the plea and set sentencing for April 6, 2020. At that time, Boucher faces up to three years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
Boucher was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Local man indicted in $1 million identity theft schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Nigerian man who resided in Houston has been charged with conspiracy, bank fraud and aggravated identify theft, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Julius Joachim Ohumole is set to appear at 10 a.m. today before U.S. District Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo. A Houston grand jury returned the seven-count indictment Dec. 19. He was originally charged by criminal complaint Nov. 8 and later taken into custody.
Ohumole is charged with one count of conspiracy, four counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identify theft.
The charges allege Ohumole opened a bank account in the name of Mars Construction (MARS) Dec. 5, 2018, at Regions Bank in Houston. At that time, he allegedly used false identification documents which identified him as someone else.
Later than month, Ohumole accompanied another individual to Regions who used false identification documents to appear as an actual accountholder with the bank, according to the allegations. Ohumole allegedly requested that person be added as a co-signor to the MARS account which then allowed it to be linked to the real accountholder.
According to the allegations, an unknown individual transferred $274,000 from the real Regions account to the MARS account without the true person’s consent, knowledge or authorization. The same day, all but $1,000 of those funds were allegedly wired transferred to a bank account in New York and subsequently out of the country. A similar set of transactions involving approximately $200,000 occurred a few days later, according to the charges.
The allegations also state Ohumole allegedly went to another Regions Bank and again used false identification documents to open a separate account, this time in the name of JMW Holt Constructions (JMW). Similarly, he allegedly accompanied another person who used fake documents to appear as a bank accountholder and requested their addition as a co-signor. Again, the scheme involved the transfer of thousands of dollars – approximately $805,000 – from the real account to the JMW account, then to an account in New York and out of the United States, according to the charges.
Each count of conspiracy and bank fraud carries a possible sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison and the aggravated identify theft charge carries up to two years, upon conviction. Each conviction also carries a possible $1 million maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.Houston-area couple arrested in failed attempt to smuggle woman and childRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A legal permanent resident and her U.S. citizen husband are set to make their initial appearances in Laredo federal court on charges of alien smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The criminal complaint, filed over the weekend, charges Conroe residents Maria Guadalupe Cofraida-Pantoja and Amador Garcia-Canada, both 33, with alien smuggling. They are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon in Laredo at 11:00 a.m. today.
The charges allege the couple attempted to bring a Mexican woman and her minor child into the United States illegally.
On Dec. 28, 2019, Cofraida-Pantoja allegedly arrived at the Juarez-Lincoln bridge driving a 2004 white Cadillac Escalade with her husband as a passenger along with a 22-year-old woman and her minor son.
The woman presented an authentic U.S. passport with the name of Garcia-Canada’s relative as her own, according to the allegations. At secondary inspection, she also allegedly presented an Illinois birth certificate for her five-year old son, falsely claiming she and her son were U.S. citizens.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered a Mexican voter registration card identifying her actual identity, according to the complaint.
The charges allege the woman had made arrangements to pay $6,000 Garcia-Canada to bring them into the country and to be transported to Houston. Garcia-Canada allegedly provided her with the documents she had presented to authorities.
Cofraida-Pantoja and Garcia-Canada were aware both individuals were Mexican citizens not authorized entry into the United States, according the allegations.
If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in federal prison along with a possible $250,000 fine.
Customs and Border Protection is conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.Ex-housing authority official faces fraud chargesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – The former interim executive director for the La Joya Housing Authority is now in custody on charges of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Frances Salinas De Leon, 52, La Joya, is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney in San Antonio tomorrow morning.
The criminal complaint was filed Dec. 12 and unsealed upon her arrest earlier this week. It alleges that from June 2018 to approximately November 2018, De Leon acted as an intermediary between Sylvia Garces Valdez and a local elected official. De Leon allegedly helped secure a public relations contract for Valdez.
The charges also detail text conversations between Valdez and De Leon in which De Leon claimed to have a direct connection with a La Joya official. That individual would allegedly ensure the contract’s approval and any necessary amendments, according to the complaint. De Leon also allegedly set the amount of payment under the contract. The charges further allege Valdez would have to give money to DeLeon after the contract’s approval.
The complaint further alleges the women emailed each other about the contract and that Valdez had sent additional ones at DeLeon’s direction.
If convicted, De Leon faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Valdez, 38, La Joya, is also charged in a related case. If convicted if federal program bribery, she faces up to 10 years and a possible $250,000 fine.
The FBI and Department of Housing and Urban Development—Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarina S. DiPiazza and Roberto Lopez Jr. are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.Pearland man heads to prison for sex trafficking of a minorRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison after admitting he recruited a high school girl and trafficked her for sex, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Dihlon Lee Davis pleaded guilty Aug. 1, 2o19.
Today, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. noted there were consequences for his actions and sentenced Davis to 192 months in prison. He was further ordered to 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. Davis will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
On several consecutive weekends in late February and early March 2016, Davis used online advertisements for the victim’s services and rented hotel rooms where some of the commercial sex acts occurred. The victim attended Manvil high school during the week and engaged in the sexual activity on the weekends.
On multiple occasions, Davis provided illegal drugs to the minor victim. He used the money the victim earned to purchase the drugs which he consumed with his girlfriend - also a minor - and the victim.
Davis has been detained since his arrest and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and FBI – Texas City, both part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA), conducted the investigation.
HTRA law enforcement includes members of the Houston Police Department, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, DPS, Coast Guard, sheriff’s offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherri L. Zack and Kimberly A. Leo are prosecuting the case.
Houston man learns fate for kidnapping and killing postal employeeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 32-year-old resident of Houston has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of kidnapping in connection with the death of a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Don Gaines pleaded guilty April 26, admitting he choked the victim and drove her to Louisiana, ultimately shooting her in the head.
Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett granted the government’s request for an upward departure of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and ordered Gaines to serve a 540-month sentence.
The court called the crime one of the most gruesome he has had to deal with in his 11 years on the bench. He considered the manner in which the victim died and her last moments of life as well as the defendant’s need for self-preservation over the life of the mother of his children. In imposing the sentence, the court remarked that if the crime had been a mistake, an argument gone horribly wrong, Gaines had the option of calling it off and turning around. “Instead, you doubled down,” he said, noting he then walked her into the woods and shot her.
The defense tried to argue the facts did not warrant a sentence applicable to 1st degree murder. The government disagreed, contending Gaines deliberately decided the victim would die Sept. 11, 2017.
At the hearing, the court heard from Gaines’ former girlfriend who became emotional, describing how Gaines had also choked her in June 2017. He had threatened her after she denied his sexual advances and said he would kill her. The victim’s father also took the stand and described his wonderful and loving daughter and mother to her children.
The defense attempted to portray Gaines as a troubled person who had a difficult life.
The government asked the court to consider what the victim endured at the hands of the defendant and called Gaines a cold-blooded killer.
“Postal inspectors’ duties include protecting employees and investigating violent crimes committed against them,” said Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). “While these types of crimes are rare, when they do occur, we will aggressively investigate to find those responsible and bring them to justice. This investigation was a partnership between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies who worked together tirelessly to bring justice to the victim and her family.”
The investigation identified Gaines, also a postal employee, as the person who abducted the victim as she left from the U.S. Postal Station - Houston distribution Center on Aldine Bender Road Sept. 11, 2017. The victim’s family reported her missing shortly thereafter. Gaines and the victim had previously been in a relationship and had two children together.
At the time of his plea, Gaines admitted he choked the woman in her car near his residence in Houston. After he strangled her, Gaines believed she was dead and transported her to Louisiana. However, during the trip, she regained consciousness, and Gaines drove her to a secluded area off the highway. At that time, he parked the car and walked the victim into the woods where he shot her in the head with a firearm. He abandoned her body and drove back to Houston in her car the same day.
Investigators identified location data on the victim’s car through a GPS device.
Evidence mirrored Gaines’ statements. Authorities located the victim’s car at his residence the same date he claimed to have choked her. Her car also traveled along Interstate 10 through Louisiana and returned to Houston. A video further showed Gaines purchased gas on the return drive to Houston after he disposed of the victim’s body.
Ultimately, the investigation led to the remote location in Louisiana where authorities discovered skeletal remains Oct. 12, 2017. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed those remains were of the victim.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
USPIS led the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Davis Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Calcasieu Parish (Louisiana) Coroner’s Office, Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services Laboratory at Louisiana State University and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Jocher and James McAlister prosecuted the case.
Former felons imprisoned after Lakewood Park rap video shootRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The last of 11 Houston men convicted in a conspiracy to unlawfully possess a firearm by a felon has been sent to prison, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick.
Joshua Amos, 31, pleaded guilty July 11. Today, U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas ordered him to prison for 30 months. Also sentenced this week were the remaining 10 defendants who had also pleaded guilty to the federal charges that resulted from a rap video filmed in Northeast Houston’s Lakewood Park March 28, 2018.
The lead rapper in that video - Warren Brown II aka NFL Cartel Bo, 30 - received a 78-month term of imprisonment. Ivory Vershone Brown, 31, was the last to plead guilty and was also sentenced yesterday, receiving 36 months in prison, while Keithric Lewis, 30, was ordered to serve a 60-month sentence.
Roland Labome, 34, Garrett Winn, 30, and Devonte Haynes, 26, all received 30 months, while Kenneth Fontenot 22, and Marces Randolph, 30, were both ordered to serve 24-month terms of imprisonment.
Jerrell Grant, 37, and Frenton Price, 33, received respective terms of 36 months and 20 months.
At the hearings that began Dec. 16 and concluded today, the court heard additional evidence that detailed the unlawful possession of eight loaded firearms by convicted felons during the filming of a rap video.
During the video shoot, numerous criminal street gang members – all convicted felons - gathered in the park to film a music video promoting gangs in Houston. All brandished firearms on the basketball court. After receiving a 911 call, authorities responded to the scene to find that a majority of the group had fled the area. Law enforcement subsequently located eight loaded firearms abandoned at the park. The music video was released May 20, 2018, via YouTube which WorldStarHipHop.com promoted. From the video, authorities were able to identify each person who was in possession of a firearm by comparing each gun recovered at the scene to the ones they held in the video.
With the exception of Winn, Amos, Price, Randolph and Labome, all have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The others had been previously released but were permitted to voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Houston Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Britni Cooper and Lisa Collins are prosecuting the case.
South Texas woman sent to prison for trafficking minor femaleRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 57-year-old Brownsville woman has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction of sex trafficking of a 10-year-old girl, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Maria Candelaria Losoya pleaded guilty Aug. 1, 2017, in Corpus Christi federal court.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Losoya to serve the mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard a statement from the minor victim and her guardian detailing the impact the crime had on the victim’s life. In handing down the sentence, Judge Ramos noted that Losoya provided valuable testimony at the trial of co-defendant David Keith Wills. Losoya will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim and will serve five years of supervised release following completion of her prison term, during which time she will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her access to children and the internet. She will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
At the time of her plea, Losoya admitted she was responsible for the continued sexual assault of a then 10-year-old victim which began in Brownsville in 2012. Later, she traveled with the victim so that the assault could continue. She further admitted she did so in exchange for money.
Wills, a 67-year-old businessman previously from Rockport and South Padre Island, went to trial in October. The federal jury convicted the aquaculture company owner following the 10-day-trial.
The jury heard that from 2012 to 2015, Losoya conspired with Wills to traffic the minor female for sex until the victim reported it in April 2015. Losoya and Wills used their cell phones to arrange meetings at several different locations where Wills would sexually assault the girl. These included Wills and Losoya’s respective residences as well as hotels and motels in the greater Corpus Christi area.
The jury heard testimony from Losoya and others that Wills promised to provide financial support if he was allowed to sexually assault the young girl. Wills also reimbursed Losoya for gifts to the victim and expenditures she would otherwise not have been able to afford. These included an iPad, Bose headphones, a flatscreen TV, Apple laptop, trampoline, swimming pool and a school trip to Washington D.C.
Losoya was allowed to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The court has not yet set a sentencing date for Wills. At that time, he faces up life in prison.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Brownsville Police Department and the Texas Rangers conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zahra Jivani Fenelon, Richard Bennett and Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood(PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Educational agency leader charged in financial conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has returned an 18-count indictment against the founding superintendent of Zoe Learning Academy on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, theft of government funds, money laundering and false bankruptcy declarations, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick.
Authorities took Richard S. Rose into custody this morning. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2:00 p.m. today. The Houston grand jury returned the indictment under seal Dec. 11, which was unsealed per his arrest.
The charges allege Rose was the founder of Zoe Learning Academy and served in various capacities to include superintendent, CEO and chief financial officer during its operations from 2001 until it closed in September 2019.
Rose allegedly embezzled funds intended for the charter school’s operation and used them for his personal expenses such as legal fees, a lawsuit settlement and for the purchase of a timeshare. The indictment also alleges that after Zoe ceased operations, Rose, as Zoe’s agent, filed for bankruptcy and made various false statements under penalty of perjury in documents regarding payments to insiders, creditors and other matters.
If convicted of mail fraud, Rose faces up to 20 years imprisonment. The money laundering and theft of government funds allegations carry a possible sentence of up to 10 years, while he faces additional five-year-terms for the conspiracy and false bankruptcy declarations, upon conviction. All charges could also result in a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
IRS-Criminal Investigation, Secret Service, Department of Education-Office of Inspector General and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Former school employee sentenced on child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 43-year-old Roma man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Jesus Amado Garcia pleaded guilty Oct. 4.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced him to 84 months of federal imprisonment and further ordered him to pay $40,000 in restitution to known victims. He will also serve five 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. Garcia will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In January, law enforcement initiated an investigation into the sharing of child pornography which led them to Garcia’s address in Roma. At the time, the Roma Independent School District employed him as a maintenance worker.
On April 23, authorities executed a search warrant at Garcia’s home, at which time they seized multiple digital devices. The investigation resulted in the discovery of approximately 236 images and 27 videos of child pornography.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Garcia prosecuted the case which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood(PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
“Sovereign citizen” now behind federal prison bars for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 57-year-old resident of Galveston who claimed the judicial system had no jurisdiction over him is headed to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. found John David Knowlton guilty of receipt and possession of child pornography following a two-day bench trial that concluded June 18.
Today, Judge Hanks ordered him to serve 144 and 120 months for the receipt and possession convictions, respectively. The sentences will run concurrently for a total 12-year-term of imprisonment. The court took into consideration victim impact statements and arguments detailing Knowlton’s extensive child pornography collection. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Knowlton’s military service and age, but also considered the seriousness of the offenses, the community and justice for the child victims. Knowlton will also 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. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
During trial, the court heard testimony from multiple law enforcement officers and a Comcast custodian of records.
In February 2016, law enforcement conducted an online session using a publicly available peer-to-peer file-sharing network and located an IP address whose shared folder contained images of child pornography. The IP address was associated with Knowlton’s residence.
When law enforcement searched his home, they discovered more than a dozen electronic devices belonging to him that contained child pornography. Forensic analysis found that 18 electronic devices contained thousands of images and hundreds of videos of child pornography.
Knowlton had opted to represent himself at the trial with the court-appointed shadow defense counsel. Knowlton, identifying as a sovereign citizen, argued that the federal judicial system had no jurisdiction over him. The court was not persuaded by his arguments and found him guilty as charged.
Previously released on bond, Knowlton was taken into custody after the guilty verdict where has remained 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, Pearland Police Department and Galveston Police Department’s - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zahra Jivani Fenelon and Kimberly Leo prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Smuggler learns fate for transporting Chinese nationalsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old legal permanent resident from Donna has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for knowingly and intentionally conspiring to unlawfully transporting undocumented illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The jury deliberated for approximately one hour before convicting Federico Espinosa-Flores following a two-day trial Sept. 11.
Today, U.S. District Judge John Rainey ordered him to prison for 21 months to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the overwhelming amount of evidence against the defendant.
On Dec. 21, 2018, at approximately 7:40 a.m., Espinosa-Flores entered the primary inspection lane of the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint in Sarita driving a white Ford cargo van disguised as an adult daycare business. At that time, authorities noticed him exhibiting signs of nervousness, such as avoiding eye contact and having trembling hands. He consented to a vehicle search which resulted in the discovery of 10 undocumented aliens in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Six were Chinese nationals and two others were from Mexico and Colombia.
During trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury that authorities coached Espinosa-Flores on what to say in his recorded and detailed confession. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
Espinosa-Flores 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neel Kapur and Lance Watt are prosecuting the case.
Felon heads back to prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 34-year-old Corpus Christi man with a prior felony conviction has been ordered to federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jacob Winkler pleaded guilty June 17.
Today, U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey handed Winkler a 41-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court ordered a probation against gang-related activity and noted his failure to learn from his previous convictions.
On Jan. 31, law enforcement learned there was a man believed to be under the influence of drugs and carrying a gun at at a convenience store. They responded to the scene and found that man – Winkler. They immediately took him into custody and discovered a loaded handgun located in the cargo pocket of his shorts.
In 2015, Winkler was convicted for the manufacture and possession of a pipe bomb and, therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn prosecuted the case.
Two convicted of stealing from labor unionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Two 67-year-old Houston women pleaded guilty today for their roles in an embezzlement scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Beverly Davis and Evelyn Smith were each employed with the Communications Workers of America Local 6222 in Houston. Davis was employed from 2010 to 2017, while Smith served as secretary/treasurer from 2005 to 2018.
At the plea today, Davis admitted she used union funds to pay for personal expenses and other unauthorized charges. By the time she ceased doing so in 2017, she had embezzled union funds in the amount of $85,536.77.
Smith began using union funds to pay for personal expenses in 2011. She stopped in 2018, but had taken $50,967.76 during that time.
According to the plea agreement, Davis administered a fund intended to help union members in financial hardships. As part of the scheme, she falsified reports to hide her activity. Smith had control over the general fund at the time she made the unauthorized transactions.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison accepted the pleas today and set sentencing for Feb. 28, 2020. At that time, each woman faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $10,000 maximum fine.
They were permitted to remain on bond pending those hearings.
The U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Labor Management Standards conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez is prosecuting the case.