Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
U.S. Attorney, Law Enforcement Officials Urge Residents to Help Prevent Gun Thefts from Vehicles During Holiday SeasonRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – As the holidays approach, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas wants to remind residents to properly secure their firearms when they are not in use. It is particularly important that gun owners do not leave any firearm insufficiently secured inside a vehicle when visiting shopping centers and malls. A locked car is not a secured car.
Nearly 2,300 firearms have been stolen from vehicles in San Antonio this year. Retail parking lots frequently serve as hot spots for burglaries, and thieves are capable of breaking into a vehicle, stealing a gun, and fleeing, all within 15 seconds or less. Furthermore, statistics show that car burglars target trucks and vehicles that display stickers, insignia, and license plates indicating military or law enforcement affiliation, as well as firearm ownership. Firearms stolen from vehicles are often used to commit violent crimes in San Antonio.
“While you are shopping for holiday gifts to give your friends and loved ones, it takes no time at all for a thief to steal an improperly secured gun from your locked car,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “That same gun, which was lawfully yours, is likely to be sold for profit and used in a violent crime—even killing a law enforcement officer or an innocent child. Do not make it these despicable acts any easier for criminals. Story your firearms properly and avoid becoming a victim of gun theft.”
“Remember, keeping your firearms secure is key to preventing theft and keeping our community safe,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the ATF Houston Field Division. “This holiday season, if firearms are not allowed in retail stores or venues that you are visiting, we urge you to store your firearms in a safe and secure gun storage. A little precaution goes a long way in keeping you and everyone around you safe.”
As part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program to combat violent crime, the Department of Justice has awarded funding to research partner University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. As a result of that funding, researcher Dr. Alex Testa studied the data surrounding firearm thefts from vehicles.
“Many gun owners are unaware of the serious risks that come with leaving firearms in vehicles,” said Testa. “Even locked cars and compartments are highly susceptible to break-ins, making firearms left in vehicles prime targets for theft. With San Antonio ranking fifth in the nation for firearm thefts from vehicles, raising awareness about these risks is essential to protect both gun owners and the broader community.”
"Each stolen firearm represents a potential weapon in the hands of a criminal, threatening the safety of our community," said Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales. "Preventing gun theft starts with responsible ownership by securing your firearms, please keep them out of the wrong hands and protect the lives of your family and neighbors this holiday season."
“I am sure the last thing anyone wants to do is contribute to violent crimes being committed through their own carelessness or neglect,” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. “It is incumbent upon every firearm owner to be cognizant of where weapons are kept at all times.”
“Stolen guns are used to commit violent crimes,” said Chief William McManus for the San Antonio Police Department. “We urge responsible gun ownership, including planning ahead and leaving your firearm at home if you know that you will be entering an establishment that prohibits the carrying of firearms.”
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Former Valentine ISD Employee Pleads Guilty for Stealing Federal FundsRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A former Valentine Independent School District employee pleaded guilty to charges related to his scheme to fraudulently misappropriate school district funds for personal expenses.
According to court records, Ernesto Villarreal Jr., 43, of Marfa, was employed as the Business Manager and served as the Tax Collector and Assessor for the Valentine ISD, in Valentine, TX. During his time as an agent of Valentine ISD, Villarreal schemed to defraud Valentine ISD by using two ISD credit cards to make hundreds of unauthorized personal purchases totaling thousands of dollars; issued over $10,000 in unauthorized checks to himself from Valentine ISD accounts; issued over $20,000 in unauthorized checks from Valentine ISD accounts to cover personal expenses owed to a credit card company; and changed the bank account information for certain current and former employees, and then generated over $100,000 in fraudulent payments to those current and former employees, for work that did not actually occur, which payments Villarreal routed to his own personal bank accounts, all without the knowledge or permission of the employees.
Villarreal used the ill-gotten funds for hundreds of personal purchases, including but not limited to purchases for travel, lodging, home improvements, hardware store purchases, personal cell phone bills, fuel, oil changes, convenience store purchases, Airbnb rentals, personal flight purchases, and various other unauthorized purchases. Villarreal is believed to have caused over $300,000 in losses to Valentine ISD.
Villarreal pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and eight counts of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 21, 2025. Villarreal faces up to 10 years in prison for the theft count and up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case, assisted by the Texas Rangers and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Fedock and Scott Greenbaum are prosecuting the case.
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San Antonio Woman Sentenced to Prison for Endangering SAPD Helicopter with LaserRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in federal court to 37 months in prison for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.
According to court documents, Sandra Roberson, 60, used a laser to persistently strike a San Antonio Police Department helicopter on Nov. 3, 2023, endangering the crew and people on the ground. The helicopter was forced to divert from investigating a shooting call due to Roberson's laser attack. Roberson was arrested Jan. 30, 2024 and pleaded guilty Sept. 5.
“Shooting lasers at aircraft is incredibly dangerous to the flight crew, passengers, and people on the ground,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This type of illegal behavior risks damaging the pilots’ lives and vision and increases the chances of a crash. My office, and our partner agencies, take this crime very seriously and we will prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and SAPD investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg prosecuted the case.
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Retired Combat Medic Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Two ChildrenRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A retired Army combat medic was sentenced in federal court to 50 years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Eric Scott McCants, 47, produced sexually explicit videos involving prepubescent children and shared them in a child exploitation group on a social networking application in July 2021. FBI agents seized his phone and discovered additional sexually explicit videos, some of which depicted a second minor female and dated back to as early as October 2018.
McCants was arrested on Aug. 13, 2021 and indicted Sept. 1, 2021 for four counts related to the production, possession and distribution of child pornography. He pleaded guilty Aug. 7, 2024 to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for each count. He will also pay $100,000 in restitution to the two victims.
“This 50-year sentence sends a clear message that the sexual exploitation of children has lasting traumatic effects on vulnerable victims and will not be tolerated in the Western District,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our federal law enforcement partners at the FBI for their diligence in this investigation and their dedication to protecting the children of our communities.”
“The details of this case and McCants’ exploitation of minors are horrific, and we hope this sentence will allow his victims some measure of comfort in knowing he will never be able to hurt another child,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI’s San Antonio field office. “We are dedicated to stopping predators who harm our most vulnerable citizens and want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued assistance in keeping our communities safe.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Lebanese Fraudster Posed as Dubai Prince, Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Lebanese man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 240 months in prison for wire fraud.
According to court documents, Alex Georges Tannous, 39, of Ain-Akrine, Lebanon, told his victims he was a prince from Dubai who was charged with bringing U.S.-based businesses to market in Dubai. He claimed millions were available, but that an initial payment from the victim was required to initiate the flow of funds. Once the funds were secured, he used the money to support his lavish lifestyle and the lifestyles of multiple family members. In total, Tannous stole approximately $2.5 million from his victims.
Tannous was arrested Feb. 9 and indicted on six counts of wire fraud. He pleaded guilty to one count on July 25. In addition to imprisonment, Tannous was ordered to pay $2.2 million in restitution.
“Alex Tannous was a serial con-artist who betrayed dozens of hard-working Americans in San Antonio and elsewhere, capitalizing on the trust he’d developed with them over years,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Fraudsters who see this nation and its citizens as targets for their illicit schemes should know that we will stop at nothing to find, prosecute and imprison you—and in the process, ensure you to pay back your victims every bit of what you stole.”
“Tannous convinced his victims that he was offering legitimate business opportunities, when in reality, he was simply lining his own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI’s San Antonio field office. “Many of his victims were small business owners trying to live the American dream, but instead they were pulled into a financial nightmare. Cases like this are a priority for the FBI, and we encourage anyone who has been a victim of a financial scam to report it at www.tips.fbi.gov."
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons prosecuted the case.
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Former Licensed Counselor Sentenced to 28 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man, who had served as the president of the Texas Counseling Association, was sentenced in federal court to 28 years in prison for one count of sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Adrian Scott Warren, 47, sent a private message over a dating application to an FBI-controlled undercover profile. The conversation transitioned to a messenger application where Warren stated he was interested in “young” and had been engaging in sexual contact with a minor male since the child was seven years old. Warren told the undercover agent that he wanted to meet up to engage in sexual activity and watch child sexual abuse material and offered to bring the child victim with him.
On Aug. 4, 2022, Warren traveled to a hotel where he believed he was going to meet a nine year old child and engage in sexual activity. He instead was met by FBI agents who seized his cellphone. The following day, a Child Protective Services Special Investigator interviewed Warren, who identified the child victim and admitted that he had sexually assaulted the child. He also admitted to possessing child pornography depicting various children between the ages of 0 and 17 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Warren was arrested Aug. 5, 2022, and indicted for one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to count one on Nov. 14, 2023. Following his 28 year imprisonment, Warren will serve a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $140,840 to the victim impacted by the sexual exploitation charge, and $100,000 to 20 additional victims, whose images Warren possessed.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Former Licensed Counselor Sentenced for Defrauding MedicaidRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to five years of probation and six months of home confinement for health care fraud.
According to court documents, Lucinda Perez, 57, had been a licensed professional counselor since 2003 and worked as a sole practitioner performing home visits beginning in 2011. From no later than April 2015 through at least January 2023, she defrauded the Texas Medicaid program by submitting claims for child counseling services she did not perform. In some cases, Perez was out of town or in other states visiting various casinos during the time periods she had claimed in Medicaid filings. Billing records show Perez fraudulently received approximately $267,400 from service claims from Aug. 1, 2015 to July 31, 2019.
Perez was indicted for five counts of health care fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft on Nov. 3, 2021. She was arrested Nov. 15, 2021. In addition to the probation, Perez was ordered to pay $267,402 in restitution.
“Not only did this defendant defraud the government out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, she also abused the trust of families to whom she provided services,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office will continue to pursue cases of fraud, waste, and abuse of public health systems.”
The Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Chung and Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case.
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Optometrist Settles Allegations That His Optometry Practices Submitted False Claims Using Incorrect National Provider IdentifiersRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – Dr. Tony Jacob, an optometrist who operated a network of optometry practices in Central Texas, has agreed to pay the United States and the State of Texas $1,055,379.96 to resolve allegations under the Federal False Claims Act and the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the United States will receive $922,071.59 and the State of Texas will receive $133,308.37.
The United States alleged that Dr. Jacob’s optometry practices submitted claims to TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid using the National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) of optometrists who did not perform the services billed. An NPI is a unique identification number used by healthcare providers in administrative and financial transactions, including enrolling in Federal healthcare programs and submitting claims for reimbursement. Dr. Jacob’s optometry practices allegedly submitted claims under the wrong NPI in circumstances where the optometrist who rendered services was not credentialed or enrolled in the Federal healthcare program billed.
“Providers who submit inaccurate billing information threaten the integrity of program funds,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that providers do not circumvent rules meant to ensure patients appropriate, quality services from physicians who are actually approved to participate in Federal healthcare programs.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General, is steadfastly committed to protecting the integrity of the TRICARE Program, which is vital to the health and well-being of our warfighters, retirees, and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle of DCIS’s Southwest Field Office. “DCIS and our prosecutorial partners will tirelessly pursue and prosecute individuals who seek to enrich themselves by jeopardizing the healthcare of TRICARE beneficiaries and defrauding American taxpayers.”
The civil settlement resolved a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit is captioned United States and Texas ex rel. Shealy v. Jacob, et al., No. 1:21-CV-1111 (W.D. Tex.).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the United States.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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San Antonio Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for tax evasion and aiding and abetting.
According to court documents, Rachel Olivia Markum, 41, and her husband, Robert Franklin Markum Jr., 47, prepared and signed a false and fraudulent form 1040 joint tax return for calendar year 2016, which was then submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. The fraudulent tax return reported the couple’s sole income as gross receipts or sales from the business Camping and Fishing Outlet as $3,530,473, while she was aware that the true amount of gross receipts exceeded $4 million.
Rachel pleaded guilty May 28, 2024, to one count of tax evasion and aiding and abetting. Robert pleaded guilty on April 1, to one count of tax evasion, and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on Aug. 28. The husband and wife were also ordered to pay $359,108 in restitution.
“This sentencing underscores the serious consequences of defrauding the federal government through false tax returns,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By concealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the IRS, this married couple betrayed the integrity of our tax system. We will continue to protect the financial interests of the United States with our IRS Criminal Investigation partners and hold accountable those who seek personal gain through deceptive, illegal means.”
“Robert and Rachel Markum created false identities and businesses to hide their income from the IRS, but they failed to realize that money always leaves a trail. Their years in prison will give them an opportunity to reflect on their actions,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “Prosecuting federal tax crimes remains a priority in Texas, and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas underscores our commitment to holding tax criminals accountable.”
IRS-CI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung prosecuted the case.
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New Braunfels Man Pleads Guilty After Planned Mass Murder Attacks Thwarted by Federal and Local Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A New Braunfels man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to one count of attempt to receive firearm to use to commit a felony.
According to court documents, Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, began planning mass shootings since November 2022. On Jan. 4, 2024, Peterson attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop. He completed the required background check and was denied due to his age and the type of firearm he was attempting to purchase. On May 31, he attempted to purchase an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun from the pawn shop and was denied a second time.
FBI agents obtained an arrest warrant on June 5, and Peterson was immediately taken into custody by the New Braunfels Police Department. During a search of his home, FBI agents found and seized an altered .22 caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds.
On June 6, as part of a federal search warrant, agents reviewed Peterson’s Instagram account, revealing statements Peterson had made about plans to attack a gas station. Also on June 6, Peterson was recorded from jail instructing a witness to hide or destroy a videotape he had made in which he surveilled a grocery store to plan a future attack.
On June 10, another search of Peterson’s home revealed a box that contained 11 aerosol containers and other ingredients to manufacture destructive devices. One of the containers was determined that it could be readily made operational and was categorized as an Improvised Explosive Device. The IED was not registered in the National Firearms Registry, nor could it be due to Peterson’s age.
Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 5, 2025 and faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, San Antonio Fire Department, New Braunfels Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Eric Yuen are prosecuting the case.
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Granbury Man Who Conspired to Import Meth through Del Rio Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Granbury man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 280 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to attempt to import 7.86 kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico and for felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, David Ray Coplin, 35, and other co-defendants were arrested at a hotel in Del Rio on Aug. 1, 2020, after an investigation revealed they were involved in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine from Mexico and distribute it in the United States. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 16 individual multilayered packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the door panels of codefendant Bibiana Ira Ortiz’s vehicle during a port of entry inspection.
On July 31, 2020, Coplin and codefendant Joshua Ruben Olivencia traveled to Del Rio together to meet Ortiz and another codefendant, Jimmie Troy Palmer III. The group had intended for Ortiz to leave the vehicle containing methamphetamine inside in the hotel parking lot, unlocked with the keys. She would then depart Del Rio with Palmer, while Coplin would become the driver of the drug-loaded vehicle.
Homeland Security Investigations agents approached Coplin immediately after he sat in the driver’s seat and ordered him to exit the vehicle and get on the ground. Coplin, who is a convicted felon sentenced to 12 years in state prison in 2015, reached into his waist band and began pulling on a concealed handgun, a loaded .40 caliber pistol. Coplin complied with the agents’ orders to drop the weapon, and he was taken into custody without further incident. Ortiz was also arrested on-site while Olivencia and Palmer fled. They later returned to the hotel, where they were taken into custody.
Coplin pleaded guilty on March 8, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Ortiz pleaded guilty on June 7, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. She was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. Palmer pleaded guilty on July 21, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine and was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison. Olivencia was sentenced Oct. 22, 2024, to 264 months in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
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Galeas Patriarch, HSO Leader Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Human Smuggling and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – The leader of a human smuggling organization (HSO) was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 360 months in federal prison on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Roberto Galeas-Mejia, 48, of Honduras, led a San Antonio-based HSO, overseeing activities that included the transportation and harboring of undocumented noncitizens and the coordination of payments. Funds were funneled through conspirators’ bank accounts and used to pay load drivers and stash house operators, as well as to rent stash houses and further aid the HSO. Funds were also used for personal expenses such as vehicle purchases. Over the course of the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations thwarted multiple smuggling loads and arrested numerous co-conspirators and undocumented noncitizens.
On July 27, 2022, a federal jury found Galeas-Mejia guilty of all three counts in a superseding indictment: conspiracy to transport illegal migrants, conspiracy to harbor illegal migrants, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. His wife Eva Maria Galeas and stepdaughter Lisa Marie Ortega, both of San Antonio, were also found guilty as co-conspirators. His sisters Sandra and Norma Galeas-Mejia, of Honduras, were also co-conspirators but pleaded guilty. The four women were sentenced in March.
During the March sentence hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered the forfeiture of $603,593.00, which was discovered in a safe during a search of Roberto’s home that he shared with Eva and Lisa Marie Ortega. On Wednesday, Roberto Galeas was also ordered to pay a money judgement of $1,008,000.
HSI investigated the case with valuable assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, Maverick County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Pass Police Department, Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Holly Pavlinski, Antonio Franco and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Joins International Action Against RedLine and META InfostealersRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – The Department of Justice joined the Netherlands, Belgium, Eurojust and other partners in announcing an international disruption effort against the current version of RedLine Infostealer, one of the most prevalent infostealers in the world that has targeted millions of victim computers, and the closely-related META Infostealer.
The Justice Department, FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division joined international partners in the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (“JCAT”) Operation Magnus (supported by Europol) to seize domains, servers, and Telegram accounts used by the RedLine and META administrators to disrupt the operations of the infostealers.
International authorities have created a website at www.operation-magnus.com with additional resources for the public and potential victims.
Infostealers are a prevalent form of malware used to steal sensitive information from victim’s computers including usernames and passwords, financial information, system information, cookies, and cryptocurrency accounts. The stolen information—referred to as “logs”—is sold on cybercrime forums and used for further fraudulent activity and other hacks. RedLine has been used to conduct intrusions against major corporations. RedLine and META infostealers can also enable cyber criminals to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) through the theft of authentication cookies and other system information.
RedLine and META are sold through a decentralized Malware as a Service (“MaaS”) model where affiliates purchase a license to use the malware, and then launch their own campaigns to infect their intended victims. The malware is distributed to victims using malvertising, e-mail phishing, fraudulent software downloads, and malicious software sideloading. Various schemes, including COVID-19 and Windows update related ruses have been used to trick victims into downloading the malware. The malware is advertised for sale on cybercrime forums and through Telegram channels that offer customer support and software updates. RedLine and META have infected millions of computers worldwide and, by some estimates, RedLine is one of the top malware variants in the world.
Through various investigative steps, law enforcement has collected victim log data stolen from computers infected with RedLine and META. While an exact number has not been finalized, agents have identified millions of unique credentials (usernames and passwords), email addresses, bank accounts, cryptocurrency addresses, credit card numbers, etc. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the stolen data and continues to investigate.
The Department has unsealed a warrant issued in the Western District of Texas that authorized law enforcement to seize two domains used by RedLine and META for command and control.
In conjunction with the disruption effort, the Justice Department unsealed charges against Maxim Rudometov, one of the developers and administrators of RedLine Infostealer. According to the complaint, Rudometov regularly accessed and managed the infrastructure of RedLine Infostealer, was associated with various cryptocurrency accounts used to receive and launder payments and was in possession of RedLine malware. For his actions, he has been charged with access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029, conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030 and 371, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956.
If convicted, Rudometov faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for access device fraud, five years in prison for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, and 20 years in prison for money laundering. The complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case. The Task Force participants include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division, among other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust and Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.
The disruption effort announced today was in conjunction with Operation Magnus, a JCAT law enforcement operation to investigate RedLine and META Infostealers. The participating agencies included the Dutch National Police, Belgian Federal Police, Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, United Kingdom National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police, Portuguese Federal Police, and Eurojust.
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redline_-_redacted_seizure_warrant.pdfFormer Border Patrol Agent Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for 10 Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A former Border Patrol agent was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 50 years in prison for 10 counts related to the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, Paul Casey Whipple, 41, of Hondo, was arrested Dec. 19, 2017, during a search warrant at his residence. Agents seized evidence showing Whipple had produced and distributed hundreds of image and video files depicting a child victim engaged in sexually explicit content. The law enforcement actions came after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information from a foreign law enforcement agency related to seven files depicting the sexual exploitation of a prepubescent female child. Agents with the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and IRS, worked to identify the child depicted in the images.
Whipple was indicted for four counts of production of child pornography, five counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to all 10 counts June 6. In addition to spending 50 years in federal prison, Whipple was ordered to pay $54,000 in restitution, forfeit the electronic items used to commit the offenses, pay a $1,000 special assessment, and serve a term of supervised release if he is released from prison.
“This significant 50-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Whipple’s heinous crimes and the devastating impact that child sexual abuse material has on its victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our federal agency partners for their thorough and dedicated investigative work in this case and were instrumental in securing this outcome. Together, we will continue to bring perpetrators to justice and strive to protect our children and our communities.”
“Whipple’s long-term exploitation of a minor is reprehensible, and we hope this sentence will grant the victim some measure of comfort in knowing he will never be able to hurt another child,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI’s San Antonio field office. “We want to thank our partners at the IRS for their continued assistance in keeping our communities safe.”
The FBI, HSI and IRS investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Former Eagle Pass Police Officer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Operating Human Smuggling Stash HousesRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – An Eagle Pass woman, who had served as a police detective, was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to harbor undocumented noncitizens for a human smuggling organization (HSO).
According to court documents, Hazel Eileen Diaz, 54, rented out multiple properties she owned in Eagle Pass to assist in harboring undocumented noncitizens between September 2020 and August 2021. Diaz would often travel to the properties where the migrants were being held to collect rent payments. An investigation revealed that, in total, nearly 200 migrants were smuggled by the HSO Diaz worked for, and that she had received approximately $36,916 in cash and money service business transfers, much of which were proceeds from human smuggling. At the time of her arrest, she was in possession of $23,522 in cash from the smuggling operation.
Co-defendant Tomas Alejandro Mendez pleaded guilty on July 11, 2022 to one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 13, 2025. Co-defendant Paola Nikole Cazares was sentenced Oct. 11, 2023 to 63 months in prison for the same offense with credit for time served since Aug. 26, 2021. Mendez and Cazares worked with Diaz to operate her properties as stash houses.
In addition to imprisonment, Diaz will serve three years of supervised release, pay a $10,000 fine and money judgement of $237,600, and she will forfeit three properties, a truck, and $23,522.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Pavlinski prosecuted the case.
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Killeen Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Import Meth through Del RioRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Killeen man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 264 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to attempt to import 7.86 kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico.
According to court documents, Joshua Ruben Olivencia, 34, and other co-defendants were arrested at a hotel in Del Rio on Aug. 1, 2020, after an investigation revealed they were involved in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine from Mexico and distribute it in the United States. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 16 individual multilayered packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the door panels of codefendant Bibiana Ira Ortiz’s vehicle during a port of entry inspection.
Olivencia had distributed methamphetamine in and around Austin, Killeen, Temple and Belton, and had employed a few distributors who worked in Austin and the surrounding areas. On July 31, 2020, he and codefendant David Ray Coplin traveled to Del Rio to meet Ortiz and another codefendant, Jimmie Troy Palmer III. Olivencia gave Palmer $18,500 to purchase methamphetamine in Mexico.
Ortiz pleaded guilty on June 7, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. She was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. Palmer pleaded guilty on July 21, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine and was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison. Coplin pleaded guilty on March 8, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 31.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
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Statement by U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza Regarding the November 2024 General ElectionRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – United States Attorney Jaime Esparza announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Matthew Devlin will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Devlin has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Texas, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Esparza. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Esparza. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Devlin will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at (512) 916-5858.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The San Antonio FBI field office can be reached at (210) 225-6741; the El Paso FBI field office can be reached at (915) 832-5000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Esparza. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation at or near a polling place, call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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La Pryor Man Convicted of Three Counts for Human Smuggling-related CrimesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal jury convicted a La Pryor man for one count of conspiracy to kidnap and two counts related to harboring illegal aliens causing serious bodily injury and placing the life of a person in jeopardy.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Joshua Lee Balderas, 33, and other conspirators transported and harbored a group of seven undocumented noncitizens in March 2022. Balderas initially transported the group from La Pryor to San Antonio, where the group was held captive in hotel rooms and ransomed to their families for thousands of dollars each. One of the migrant victims’ family members was forced to pay $7,000 for her release. Balderas and one of his co-conspirators frequently brandished guns in the hotel rooms to ensure compliance from the migrants, and Balderas sexually assaulted one of the migrants.
Balderas is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the harboring charges and up to life in prison for the kidnapping charge.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Brown and Adrian Rosales are prosecuting the case.
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Former Castroville Police Chief Convicted of Wire FraudRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal jury convicted former Castroville Police Chief, Christopher Filline, for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Filline, 58, developed a scheme in 2016 to defraud Farmers Insurance Group by destroying his vehicle that he insured through the company, and claiming it had been stolen. Filline arranged for two co-conspirators to take the vehicle and light it on fire using an accelerant. He subsequently filed a false report with the Lytle Police Department and an insurance claim with Farmers Insurance Group, declaring his vehicle had been stolen. The filing resulted in Filline receiving a $14,388.25 payment.
Filline was indicted in January 2020. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentence hearing has been set for Jan. 22, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Surovic and Christina Playton are prosecuting the case.
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Three Arrested, Facing up to 10 years in Federal Prison for Possession of Machinegun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A San Antonio man was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged possession of a machinegun conversion device.
According to court documents, Anethen Sergio Bruno aka “BIG A,” 21, possessed at least two handguns, each equipped with a machinegun conversion device, also known as a “switch.” The devices make a firearm capable of firing automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The possession, production, and/or use of such devices is in violation of federal law and violators are considered to be in possession of a machinegun.
Bruno made his initial appearance in federal court today and is charged with two counts of possession of a machinegun. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Codefendants Hector Elias aka “COCO,” 20, and Miguel Angel Reyes aka “ANGEL,” 22, of Del Rio were both arrested Sept. 27 and made their initial appearances Sept. 30. Elias is charged with one count of possession of a machinegun and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the machinegun charge and up to 15 years in prison for the felon in possession charge. Reyes is charged with one count of possession of a machinegun. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Warsame Galaydh and Matt Kass are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Ukrainian National Pleads Guilty to “Raccoon Infostealer” CybercrimeRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas– A Ukrainian national pleaded guilty in federal court in Austin today to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.
According to court documents, Mark Sokolovsky, 28, conspired to operate the Raccoon Infostealer as a malware-as-a-service or “MaaS.” Individuals who deployed Raccoon Infostealer to steal data from victims leased access to the malware for approximately $200 per month, paid for by cryptocurrency. These individuals used various ruses, such as email phishing, to install the malware onto the computers of unsuspecting victims. Raccoon Infostealer then stole personal data from victim computers, including log-in credentials, financial information, and other personal records. Stolen information was used to commit financial crimes or was sold to others on cybercrime forums.
In March 2022, concurrent with Sokolovsky’s arrest by Dutch authorities, the FBI and law enforcement partners in Italy and the Netherlands dismantled the digital infrastructure supporting the Raccoon Infostealer, taking its then existing version offline. Sokolovsky was extradited to the United States from the Netherlands in February 2024 after being indicted for crimes related to fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. As part of the plea, he agreed to a forfeiture money judgment of $23,975 and restitution of at least $910,844.61.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement of the defendant’s plea.
The FBI’s Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case with the assistance of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID), the Austin Police Department, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), the Round Rock Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case.
Victims of the Raccoon Infostealer can find more information at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/victim-assistance-raccoon-infostealer.
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Texas Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for COVID-Era PPP Loan FraudRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Georgetown couple was sentenced in federal court to a combined 32 years in federal prison for their roles in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme.
According to court documents, Michael Fullerton, 51, and Tiffany Fullerton, 48, along with two other co-conspirators, used one existing and three dormant and expired business names to submit six fraudulent PPP loan applications for a total exceeding $3.5 million. Five of those applications were funded, allowing the defendants to receive approximately $3 million in PPP funds. The funds were used in an attempt to start a business in Oklahoma consisting of a marijuana grow and dispensary, a bar and grill, and an auto/boat repair shop. Additionally, the funds were used to purchase a motor home, luxury watches, a boat, and other personal expenditures.
In March, Michael Fullerton pleaded guilty to 11 counts in a superseding indictment charging him with multiple counts related to bank and wire fraud, along with aggravated identity theft. The following month, on April 29, Tiffany Fullerton was found guilty in a federal jury trial for one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Michael Fullerton was sentenced to 286 months in federal prison for all 11 counts. Tiffany Fullerton was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison. The couple was also ordered to pay $3,027,526.11 in restitution.
“Michael and Tiffany Fullerton were convicted of defrauding our federal government and banks during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “They took advantage of a national emergency to enrich themselves. This U.S. Attorney’s Office will not hesitate to hold fraudsters who abuse public programs accountable.”
“The Fullertons and their co-conspirators created a complex scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans intended to help small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They falsified payroll records, banking details, and other financial documents to obtain the funds. The stolen money became their playground, purchasing luxury watches, cars and other goods,” said Lucy Tan, acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “Financial investigations follow the money, and it always leaves a trail. If you’re committing the crime, it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught and sent to prison.”
“The defendants undermined the integrity of the tax administration system, defrauding taxpayers of millions of dollars,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kyle Kuykendall for the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “Public confidence in our country’s tax administration system is essential, and TIGTA will continue wo work closely with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to vigorously investigate and pursue anyone who attempts to challenge it.”
IRS-CI and TIGTA investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Henneke and G. Karthik Srinivasan prosecuted the case.
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Former NISD Employee Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court in Del Rio today to 192 months in prison for distribution of child pornography.
According to court documents, Thomas Mckinley Koog Jr., 63, uploaded a one-minute video on a social media website of two minors engaged in sexual acts. The upload led to a report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline to Homeland Security Investigations agents on Aug. 6, 2020. The report also indicated that Koog had additionally distributed three videos of child pornography to six different recipients on multiple days in 2019.
During the investigation, HSI agents determined that Koog was employed as a guidance counselor at a Northside Independent School District (NISD) elementary school. Koog revealed he had been a guidance counselor with the district for more than 12 years and had also spent more than 20 years as an NISD teacher.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rex Beasley and Holly Pavlinski prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Department of Justice Awards More Than $172 Million in Grants to Western District of Texas RecipientsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza today announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs awarded a total of $172,686,219.00 in grant funds to agencies and services across the Western District of Texas. The funding, distributed among 53 applications, addresses priorities such as mental health response, law enforcement training, improving forensic service processes, supporting rural crime victims, and more. Recipients include the Texas Office of the Governor, the Attorney General of Texas, Texas State University, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Bexar County Auditor, the Council on At-Risk Youth, and various county and city offices along with universities and programs.
“The Justice Department’s OJP grants program is a testament to our federal government’s commitment to enhancing the safety, well-being and security of communities across the Western District of Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Esparza. “These grants provide crucial support to initiatives that ensure public safety, promote justice, provide support to crime victims, and improve the lives of Americans.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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El Paso Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Fentanyl, Causing DeathRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl, causing death or serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Adrian David Perez Jr., 21, sold counterfeit M-30 pills laced with fentanyl to an individual on Oct. 13, 2021. The individual consumed the pills and his mother found him deceased the following day. The El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the individual died from acute fentanyl toxicity.
In addition to imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Leon Schydlower sentenced Perez to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $3,800 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Countryman prosecuted the case.
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Eagle Pass Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – An Eagle Pass man involved with the violent criminal street gang, Partido Revolucionario Mexicano (PRM), was sentenced in Del Rio to 19.5 years in federal prison for his role in importing and possessing with the intent to distribute over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States.
According to court documents, Ines Adrian Guevara, 25, was subjected to a vehicle inspection at the U.S. Highway 57 checkpoint near Eagle Pass on April 16, 2021 after Border Patrol agents smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The search revealed 21 bundles containing 14.5 kgs of methamphetamine. Guevara had been instructed to transport the bundles from Piedras Negras, Mexico, to San Antonio.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney Esparza Announces $7.8 Million in Justice Department Grants to Support the Uvalde CommunityRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza today announced the award of $7,821,753 in a Department of Justice grant to help the Texas Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Victim Services Team (VOCA) by enabling them to serve victims of the May 24, 2022, shooting at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Program funds will support necessary and ongoing trauma-informed, evidence-based healing- and resiliency-related services connected to crisis response and consequence management support for victims of the attack. The grant was awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
“We are firmly committed to supporting Uvalde on its path toward healing and providing the tools for enduring resilience following the senseless, heartbreaking events at Robb Elementary in May 2022,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This funding is a vital step in addressing the trauma caused by those events, providing essential services to the community, and ensuring victims and their families have the appropriate resources to continue recovery in the face of unimaginable loss.”
The award announced above is being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about this and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Convicted CBP Officer Sentenced in El Paso for Use of Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of the falsification of a document in a federal investigation.
According to court documents, documents and evidence presented at trial, Miguel Angel Delgado Jr., 41, used excessive force in two incidents while he was on duty at the Bridge of Americas Port of Entry between October 2019 and June 2020. As a result of Delgado’s unlawful use of force, the victims suffered bodily injury. Following one of the incidents, Delgado submitted a CBP Incident Log Report, in which he falsely reported the occurrence.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Aguayo, Sarah Valenzuela and Debra Kanof prosecuted the case.
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Del Rio Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Coercing MinorRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man was sentenced in federal court to 120 months in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to court documents, Alejandro Zavala, 31, initiated contact with a 15-year-old on Snapchat. The two regularly communicated, holding conversations that were often sexual in nature. On two occasions, Zavala engaged in sexual acts with the child. The child was reported missing during one of the occasions, prompting investigators with the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office to locate and interview the child victim.
Zavala was arrested by federal authorities Oct. 29, 2021. He pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Two Convicted Gang Members Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for RICO, Hobbs Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas – Two Temple men were sentenced today to life in federal prison for crimes committed in violation of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and the Hobbs Act. In February, a federal jury found the men guilty of all charges.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Atorius Marquis Williams aka Lil Man, 27, and Trashawn Lamar Alexander aka Mad Max, 30, were members and associates of a criminal organization referred to as Killas With Aggression (KWA), an organization engaged in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce by, among other things, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to rob persons engaged in the distribution of controlled substances.
Williams and Alexander, along with codefendant Demonta Daniels aka Tado aka Tato, conspired to commit four murders, multiple violent assaults, extortion, drug trafficking and armed robberies in furtherance of the criminal enterprise. Specifically, the indictment alleges four overt acts to include murder—one committed by Williams on Sept. 30, 2017, in Belton; the second, committed by Williams and Alexander on Dec. 10, 2017, in Temple; the third, committed by Williams and Daniels on Jan. 16, 2018, in Temple; and the fourth, committed by Williams, Daniels and Alexander on Jan. 31, 2018, in Temple.
Additionally, the defendants conspired to affect commerce by robbery, committing acts of physical violence and threatening to commit acts of physical violence to steal controlled substances and proceeds from persons engaged in illegal drug distribution. Williams, Daniels and Alexander were also convicted of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, namely robbery. Alexander was convicted of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
On Monday, Alexander and Williams were each sentenced to life in prison for three counts and a concurrent 20 years in prison for three additional counts.
“The result in this case is a testament to this office's commitment to seek justice for our community members,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It reflects the hard work and interagency cooperation of our federal and state law enforcement partners, whose efforts brought this case to a successful conclusion. Violence in our communities will not be tolerated and justice will be served.”
“Texas citizens have the right to feel safe from violent crime. The drug and gang activity that fuels these acts in our communities is unacceptable,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio field office. “Our agents have put in years of hard work to bring these defendants - Atorius Williams and Trashawn Alexander - to justice, and today’s sentence is evidence of their dedication. We want to thank our partners for their continued dedication to keeping our communities safe from violent crime.”
Daniels will be sentenced at a later date. Seven other codefendants in the case had been sentenced prior to todays. Dominic Johnson was sentenced in January 2023 to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Desmond Wilkerson was sentenced in September 2023 to 71 months in prison for racketeering conspiracy; James Roy Whitfield Jr was sentenced on Feb. 13 to 102 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting; Jason Mayse was sentenced on Feb. 13 to 40 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; Jyaraciel Whitfield was sentenced in September 2023 to 144 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting; Christopher Meyers was sentenced in August 2022 to 144 months in prison for racketeering conspiracy; and Reginald Williams was sentenced in September 2023 to 96 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting.
The FBI, Temple Police Department, Belton Police Department, Bell County Organized Crime Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Cameron Police Department, and Hearne Police Department investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Killeen Police Department and Bell County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Blanton prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Hays County to Ensure Polling Place Access to Voters with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced today that the United States has reached a settlement agreement with Hays County to ensure that the county provides accessible polling places to voters with disabilities. The agreement resolves the United States’ investigation into Hays County’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by a state or local government in any of its programs or services.
Investigators from the Department of Justice surveyed the 14 polling places the county used during the 2023 Uniform Election. The United States observed that the polling places contained architectural or equipment barriers that rendered the facilities inaccessible to voters with disabilities, such as a lack of van accessible parking; excessively sloped ramps, some without handrails and edge protection; excessively sloped portions of parking spaces, access aisles, and exterior routes to the entrance; numerous gaps and level changes along exterior routes; and protruding objects. In addition, the observers documented a lack of knee and toe clearance at the accessible voting machines and at other voting stations at some locations.
“The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy and must not be diminished or restricted,” said U.S. Attorney Esparza. “People with disabilities are entitled to equal opportunity and full inclusion at the ballot box. Under this agreement, eligible voters with disabilities in Hays County will be able to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy. Our office will continue working to ensure that all eligible Americans have access to the ballot.”
Under the settlement agreement, the county will engage the technical assistance of an accessibility expert and use an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place based on ADA architectural standards. The agreement requires the county to make polling places more accessible through a variety of measures. In addition, Hays County will train its poll workers and other elections staff on the requirements of the ADA and how to use temporary measures to ensure each polling place is accessible during elections.
For more information about the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liane Noble, Matthew Mueller, and Robert Green represented the government in this investigation and resolution.
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San Antonio Woman Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Performance by a ChildRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in federal court to 325 months in prison followed by 30 years of supervised release for one count of sexual performance by a child.
According to court documents, Keisha Lyn Swarner, 42, induced a 13-year-old boy to engage in sexual conduct with a 12-year-old girl. Swarner, who was a fifth-grade teacher, facilitated meetings between the two children at her home on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Swarner induced sexual conduct between the children in various text messages she sent to the boy on a cell phone she had given him, instructing him not to tell his parents.
Swarner was arrested on April 14, 2022, and has remained in federal custody. She pleaded guilty on Jan. 9, 2024, to one count of sexual performance by a child, admitting that she had authorized and induced a child younger than 14 years of age to engage in sexual conduct.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Calve and Bettina Richardson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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San Antonio VA Official Sentenced for Accepting Bribe as Contracting ConsultantRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Veteran’s Affairs contracting officer in San Antonio was sentenced after a guilty plea to taking a bribe in return for contract.
According to court documents, Glenn Dartone Johnson, 50, identified himself as a “consultant” and was hired by codefendant Javor McCoy to help McCoy win bids for VA transportation contracts. Using his acquisition knowledge gained through his official position, Johnson helped McCoy improve his chances of winning two competitive awards. On or about Aug. 13, 2021 and Aug. 23, 2021, McCoy paid Johnson a total of approximately $100,000 by placing the U.S. currency into a gym locker for Johnson to collect, which he did.
Johnson pleaded guilty on Dec. 20, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official. In addition to the sentence, Johnson will forfeit $43,790, pay a $58,000 fine, and serve 1,500 hours of community service.
“Protecting the integrity of government funds is one of the most important functions of our office,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The public deserves to have confidence in how their tax dollars are spent, and this case demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those who abuse the contracting system will be held responsible.”
"The Department of Veterans Affairs is charged with serving those who served our country," said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio field office. "Any employee seeking to take advantage of their position to enrich themselves will be held accountable. The FBI remains committed to ensuring our veterans and the benefits they deserve are preserved, protected and honored.”
“This sentence should send a clear message that those who would defraud VA’s programs and services will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”
The FBI and VA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Chung and Jay Porier prosecuted the case.
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Los Angeles Man Pleads Guilty to Oil Royalty Wire FraudRead the Press Release
MIDLAND, Texas – A California man pleaded guilty in federal court in Midland to two counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Mitchell Vaughn Lee, of Los Angeles, acquired and utilized personal identifying information of a mineral rights owner to access the victim’s royalty account with Diamondback Energy, a Fortune 500 oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland. Lee’s scheme resulted in diverted royalty payments from bank accounts owned by the victim to the bank account controlled by Lee. On at least two occasions in February 2022, Lee worked to divert approximately $1.5 million dollars from the victim’s oil royalty account to a bank account in Lee’s control.
In February 2022, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Lee’s Los Angeles residence. Among other items, agents recovered a firearm and a direct deposit change form for Diamondback Energy with the victim’s name and unique non-public owner identification number for the victim’s Diamondback Energy oil royalty account.
Lee was initially prosecuted in the Central District of California for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. While awaiting trial, Lee absconded. He was located in late 2023 in Miami, Florida by federal agents, and was sentenced to 60 years imprisonment in the Central District of California for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
In the Western District of Texas wire fraud case, Lee faces up to 20 years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Lee remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Mahoney is prosecuting the case.
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Final Defendant in Child Smuggling Trio Sentenced in Del Rio to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Denton man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 36 months in prison with credit for time served for one count of bringing of an illegal alien to the United States.
According to court documents, Carlos Ortiz-Dena aka Carlos Ortiez-Dena, 28, along with codefendants Sara Adelina Rodriquez and Cecelia Gabriela Guerrero, approached the primary inspection area of the Camino Real International Bridge in Eagle Pass. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer (CBPO) observed three minor children sleeping in the backseat of the vehicle. The co-conspirators presented birth certificates for the children and stated that they were nieces and nephews who had crossed with them in the past. A search, however, revealed that the children did not have any crossing history.
The CBPO referred all of the vehicle occupants to passport control secondary, where the oldest child provided a different name than what was reflected on the birth certificate. The child also stated that he was not related to the others. Interviews revealed that the birth certificates did not belong to any of the three children and that they were, in fact, Mexican citizens in the United States illegally.
Ortiz-Dena and Guerrero had been recruited by Rodriguez to travel together to Coahuila, Mexico, and pick up the three children at a hotel. Rodriguez charged the children’s families $10,000 each to smuggle the children into the U.S. and intended to pay Ortiz-Dena and Guerrero $2,200 per child once she received the money.
Like Ortiz-Dena, Guerrero was sentenced in July to 36 months in prison with credit for time served. Rodriguez was sentenced in June to 36 months imprisonment to run consecutively to a state penalty.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Customs and Border Protection investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Markovits prosecuted the case.
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Readout of Assistant Attorneys General Kristen Clarke and Carlos Uriarte’s Trip to El Paso, TexasRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte of the Justice Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs traveled to El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 16 to engage with stakeholders in underserved communities and reaffirm the department’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans. U.S. Attorney Jamie Esparza for the Western District of Texas joined them for the meetings.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart that claimed the lives of 23 and wounded 22 more. In July 2023, the Justice Department secured 90 consecutive life sentences for the defendant responsible for these hate crime acts. The Assistant Attorneys General and the U.S. Attorney visited a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives and were injured that day.
In the morning, Assistant Attorney General Clarke and Assistant Attorney General Uriarte participated in a fireside chat with junior and senior students at Burges High School, which is predominantly Latino. The Assistant Attorneys General, along with U.S. Attorney Esparza, discussed their respective career paths and roles at the Justice Department and encouraged the students to pursue public service.
In the afternoon, Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney Esparza met with local leaders and community stakeholders for a listening session to hear the most pressing civil rights issues residents are facing in El Paso. They highlighted the Justice Department’s efforts to address predatory lending in communities of color; unconstitutional conditions inside juvenile detention facilities; improve language access; and ensure equal educational opportunity.
Following the listening session, Assistant Attorney General Clarke met with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. She thanked the office’s leadership and staff for their service and commitment to protecting civil rights.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke ended her trip at the El Paso Center for Children, a nonprofit organization founded in 1919 that is dedicated to providing universal care and development services for children and families in the greater El Paso area. The Center received a grant from the Justice Department’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention through their Children Exposed to Violence program. The staff described their work and the challenges they face as they assist hundreds of families impacted by violence, including the mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart.
Assistant Attorneys General Clarke and Uriarte view the memorial at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Assistant Attorneys General Clarke and Uriarte and U.S. Attorney Esparza speak at Burges High School.
Assistant Attorneys General Clarke and Uriarte and U.S. Attorney Esparza with students and staff from Burges High School. Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney Esparza with local leaders and stakeholders at the El Paso community meeting.Sixth Sentencing in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Case Sends Del Rio Man to Federal Prison for 9 YearsRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man was sentenced in federal court to nine years in prison for his role in a criminal conspiracy to import and distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Ray Nathan Garcia, 46, attempted to deliver methamphetamine to co-conspirator Rose Vasquez Baker on Feb. 12, 2020. Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Garcia and seized the drugs, which were verified to be 138 grams of methamphetamine and 6.11 grams of heroin. He also admitted to supplying Baker with methamphetamine on three previous occasions.
Garcia was indicted for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty June 17, 2021.
Co-defendants Oscar Ramirez, Carol Ann Dechaine, Ruben Reyes, Roberto Tovar and Melissa Villarreal, have been collectively sentenced to more than 58 years in federal prison. Baker and Bryan Alexander Gomez remain in federal custody as they await their sentence hearings.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
Human Smuggling Facilitator Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $52,000 in restitution for her role as a stash house operator and facilitator.
According to court documents, Dulce Maria Almaguer-Morquecho, 43, of Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico was registered as the owner of multiple vehicles and a cell phone involved in human smuggling attempts between May 14, 2021 and Jan. 17, 2022. Almaguer-Morquecho was identified as someone who harbored undocumented noncitizens and recruited load drivers for human smuggling operations, offering to pay the drivers $1,000 for every migrant they transported.
Almaguer-Morquecho was arrested July 5, 2022. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens, causing serious bodily injury or placing lives in jeopardy on Jan. 9, 2023.
Co-defendant Haley Yvonne Garrett was sentenced on Aug. 15 to six years in prison for her role as a load driver for the organization. Garrett led a law enforcement on high-speed chase through Del Rio, crashing into a Sonic restaurant and ejecting several undocumented noncitizens from her vehicle. Several other co-defendants have received between three and five years in prison for their roles in the human smuggling conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison Following Jury Conviction for Attempting to Meet Minor for SexRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court to 120 months in prison for one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor followed by 60 months in prison for one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
According to court documents, James Martin Shearer, 48, initiated contact with a social media user claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. Shearer asked the minor for her address and a photo of herself, saying he wanted to pick her up and take her for a ride in his car. Shearer continued to text her on a cell phone the next day, asking when they could meet. They agreed the minor would skip school the following day. Shearer then quickly turned the conversation to a sexual nature, telling the girl that her age excited him.
The next day, April 27, 2023, Shearer sent an image of himself via text message and arrived at their predetermined meeting spot. Rather than meeting the 15-year-old he believed he had been texting, Shearer was arrested by San Antonio Police officers. A search of his vehicle revealed methamphetamine, condoms, and other sexual paraphernalia.
Shearer was found guilty of both counts in trial by a federal jury March 5, 2024. In addition to the 15 years in prison, he was ordered 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and SAPD investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bettina Richardson and Sade Bogart prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Family Members Who Conspired to Defraud U.S. Sentenced in San AntonioRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Kenneth, Christopher, and Irma Flores, the three San Antonio family members who pleaded guilty to government fraud and gratuities charges in August 2023, were sentenced in federal court Friday.
According to court documents, Kenneth Flores, 51, Christopher Flores, 55, and Irma Flores, 75, conspired together to defraud the United States by eliminating competition and fixing contract awards and prices on Army contracts for the housekeeping and janitorial services at Army Hospitals and Medical Centers. Kenneth Flores pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government; Irma and Christopher Flores pleaded guilty to paying gratuities to government officials who helped in the scheme to defraud government contracts. The scheme involved a corrupt partnership between the three Flores family members and co-conspirator government employees. Karisa Waysepappy Kelley and John Jordan “Chip” Mathes. The scheme brought in millions of dollars in work on Army healthcare housekeeping and janitorial services contracts to the Flores family in return for bribes and kickbacks, which helped induce Kelley and Mathes to aid the Flores’ in eliminating competition in the process.
From Nov. 15, 2018, until June 25, 2020, Christopher Flores’s company, Alliance Supply, paid $216,710.46 to Mathes’ company, C & S Consulting. From Feb. 21, 2019, until July 17, 2020, Alliance Supply paid Kelley’s company Waysepappy Consulting $57,906.50. Irma Flores served as the bookkeeper for Allegiance Environmental Services, a company owned by Kenneth Flores, under which Alliance operated. Mathes and Kelley pleaded guilty in February 2023. Both are scheduled to sentenced in the coming weeks.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Kenneth Flores to four years in prison, Christopher Flores to two years in prison, and Irma Flores to five years of probation. As part of their plea agreements, they agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $3.7 million.
“The actions of these three family members—defrauding our institutions and corrupting the integrity of government contracts intended to support military facilities—were a betrayal of public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Our office remains committed to rooting out corruption and holding accountable those who seek to exploit government resources for personal gain.”
“The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, is committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD procurement process," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle for the DCIS Southwest Field Office, "Today's outcome represents the extraordinary efforts by our law enforcement partners, alongside the Department of Justice, to hold accountable those who seek to enrich themselves by fraudulent means and pilfer precious taxpayer resources.”
“Today’s sentencing illustrates Army CID’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the Army’s procurement process and ensuring that Department of the Army resources are safeguarded against unlawful and unfair practices,” said Special Agent in Charge Maria E. Thomas for the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Central Texas Field Office. “We’ll continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to expose fraudulent activity and hold individuals accountable who attempt to defraud the U.S. Army and government for services Soldiers and families rely on.”
“Government contracts support the missions of the United States and its military,” said Special Agent in Charge Jamie Willemin for the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General’s Southwest and Rocky Mountain Investigations Division. “Those who do business with the federal government are expected to engage in fair and honest business practices. GSA OIG will work diligently with investigative partners to investigate fraudulent activity and hold offenders accountable for their actions.”
“It is fitting that the sentences for these felons are handed down in Military City USA. Whether you’re from San Antonio or anywhere else in our country, defrauding our nation’s armed forces is a level of greed that shouldn’t be explored,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “Today’s sentences underscore our unwavering commitment to partner with other law enforcement agencies to bring to justice those who engage in bribery and corrupt practices, regardless of their position or influence.”
The DCIS, Army CID, GSA-OIG, and IRS-CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Stephenson, Joe Blackwell, former AUSA William Lewis, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jay Porier prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison After Sending Child Pornography to Australian Police OfficerRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court to 210 months in prison for distribution of child pornography.
According to court documents, Thomas Jeffrey McKissick V, 42, sent 18 images and four video files containing child pornography to an undercover police officer in Queensland, Australia on Feb. 6, 2022 and Feb. 7, 2022. Homeland Security Investigations executed a federal search warrant at McKissick’s San Antonio residence on March 10, 2022, seizing a cell phone that contained more than 10,000 images and nearly 800 video files of child sexual abuse material.
McKissick was arrested March 11, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty to one count March 5, 2024. In addition to the 210 month imprisonment, McKissick was ordered to serve lifetime supervised release and pay $15,000 restitution.
“This case demonstrates that our partnerships to combat criminal activity and prosecute child predators reach far beyond our state lines and our nation’s borders,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to this bilateral investigation and the collaboration between HSI San Antonio and the Queensland Police Service in Australia, this predator can no longer inflict harm on children.”
“While this significant sentence cannot repair the permanent damage done to the children depicted in these images, it should serve as a warning to those who engage in this behavior. HSI and our partners will be relentless in our pursuit of online predators," said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. "The collaboration between HSI and our international partners is critical in our mission to protect vulnerable children and bring perpetrators to justice.”
“This arrest is an excellent outcome, made possible through the exceptional collaboration between the Queensland Police Service and Homeland Security Investigations,” said Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson for the Queensland Police Service child exploitation unit Argos. “This joint effort underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in our shared mission to target high-harm offenders, enhance community safety and remove children from harm.”
HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Internet Crimes Against Children partners, and other federal, state and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. You can report suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 800-THE-LOST.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
HSI and the Queensland Police Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Former Mexican Police Officer and CJNG Cartel Member Sentenced in El Paso to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court to 300 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 180 months for one count of straw purchasing firearms and trafficking in firearms, and 60 months for one count of conspiracy to smuggle bulk cash. All sentences will run concurrently.
According to court documents, Rene Hernandez-Cordero, 52, of Ciudad Juarez was involved in an organization that smuggled firearms into Mexico and methamphetamine into the United States.
In August 2023, Hernandez-Cordero and codefendant Jesus Gerardo Ramos, 53, of El Paso, met at a gas station in El Paso with the purpose of obtaining 20 AK-47 type firearms and two Barrett .50 caliber rifles which would have been smuggled to Mexico. Evidence produced at trial showed that this particular group smuggled hundreds of firearms from the United States into Mexico from August 2022 to August 2023.
Ramos pleaded guilty in April to one count of trafficking in firearms. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26.
Codefendant, Brian Alexis Munoz Castro, 21, of El Paso, also pleaded guilty in April to one count of trafficking in firearms plus one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. His sentence hearing is set for Oct. 23.
A third codefendant, Maria Del Rosario Navarro Sanchez aka “Chayo,” aka “Fernanda,” 38, of Mexico, remains a fugitive. She’s indicted for two counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of straw purchasing firearms, and one count of trafficking in firearms.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces El Paso/Las Cruces Strike Force Enforcement Group 3 investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Myers and Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Shannon Holderfield from Customs and Border Protection Office of Chief Counsel prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
The OCDETF El Paso / Las Cruces Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations (CBP), the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), and the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas in conjunction with an attorney from Customs and Border Protection Office of Chief Counsel.
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Del Rio Man Who Posted Videos of Himself Using “Glock Switch” Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms.
According to court documents, Mark Anthony Jimenez aka M-Thang, 23, obtained a pistol attached with a machine gun conversion device, also known as a switch. The switch is designed to convert a semi-automatic weapon into a weapon that can be fired as a fully automatic weapon by a single function of the trigger. Jimenez then purchased two boxes of 9mm ammunition in Del Rio.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives discovered videos Jimenez had shared on Facebook depicting himself, a juvenile, and codefendant Alleena Nikole Soto, 20, of Del Rio, firing rounds from the pistol with the switch attached, in fully automatic mode. Jimenez knew that it was unlawful to possess a machine gun conversion device, and that it was unlawful for Soto to possess firearms because she was a convicted felon.
ATF canvassed the property where Jimenez was seen firing the automatic pistol and recovered multiple 9mm shell casings consistent with the ammunition that he purchased.
Jimenez faces up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Soto remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The ATF is investigating the case with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, the Del Rio Police Department, and Val Verde County Adult Probation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayvee Rhoda is prosecuting the case.
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21 Suspected El Paso Gang Affiliates Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking, Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – 21 individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Chuco Tango street gang were arrested Thursday in and around El Paso on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and/or the unlawful possession of firearms.
The following defendants were indicted in federal court for various charges that include conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
- Clarissa Inez Santana
- Daniel Baeza aka “Racoon”
- Hector Chamorro
- Angel Renee Corral aka “Happy”
- Antonio “Omar” Gamboa
- Robert Gurrola aka “Bobby Barker” aka “Bobby Baker”
- Ricardo Moreno
- Andrew Solorio aka “Tokes”
- Adam Vazquez
- Brandon Garcia
- Jacqueline Perez
- Aileen Gonzalez
- Byanka Sambrano
- Thomas Payan
- Steven Kuehn
- Cassandra Page Silva
- Tanya Campechano
- Alejandro Morrill
- Zoilo Romero
- Alexander Rangel
- Zulema Marin
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Four fugitives remain at-large following Thursday’s operation: Carlos Flores, Jessica Rodarte, Jonathan Blanco and Adriel Belmont. Tips can be submitted to the DEA by calling (915) 832-6000 or visiting their website https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip or to the FBI at (915) 832-5000.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, Acting Special Agent in Charge Britton Boyd for FBI El Paso Division, and Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division made the announcement.
The FBI and DEA are investigating the case with valuable support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the El Paso Police Department, the El Paso Sheriff’s Office, the Socorro Police Department, the Horizon Police Department, the El Paso Constables, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tigua Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Johnston is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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15 Arrested in Uvalde Gang TakedownRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – Five confirmed gang members and 10 other individuals with gang ties were arrested in Uvalde on criminal charges related to their alleged conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine.
The following 15 defendants were indicted Aug. 21 in a federal court in Del Rio for one count of conspiracy to distribute & possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distribution & possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
- Cesar Ramirez-Musquiz, 49
- Kasandra Nicole Gutierrez, 31
- Shawn Kyle Garza, 23
- Rosemary Flores-Lopez, 44
- Sammy Josephine Arellano, 35
- Consuelo Gutierrez-Rodriguez, 36
- Fidencio Garcia Jr., 29
- Christopher Lee Salazar, 36
- Elysia Armendariz, 27
- Osvaldo Ortiz-Sandoval, 32
- Tommy Hernandez-Rodriguez, 24
- James Pargas Ruiz, 40
- Raul Alberto Olivarez Jr., 35
- Edmundo Nicolas Garza, 27
- Anthony Rios-Orozco, 22
If convicted, they face 10 years to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine for each charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District for Texas and Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio made the announcement.
HSI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, and 38th Judicial District Attorney’s Office are investigating the case with valuable assistance from Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Garner is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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12 Arrested in San Antonio for Alleged Possession and Trafficking of Stolen Firearms, Machinegun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – 12 individuals were arrested Tuesday in San Antonio on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in trafficking firearms stolen from vehicles in and around San Antonio.
The following defendants were indicted in a federal court in San Antonio for various charges that include firearm trafficking, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a machine gun.
Jonathan Adrian Briseno aka “SaTone Slick,” 20
- One count of firearm trafficking
- One count of possession of a stolen firearm
- One count of possession of a machine gun
- One count of possession of unregistered machine gun
Ruben Gonzalez Jr., aka “Roman Hernandez,” 29
- Two counts of possession of a machine gun
Joel Alejandro Martinez aka “Bo Jackson,” 25
- Three counts of firearm trafficking
- Three counts of possession of a stolen firearm
Margarita Hernandez Martinez, 43
- Two counts of firearm trafficking
- One count of possession of a stolen firearm
Julio Alejandro Sanchez, 27
- One count of firearms trafficking
- One count of dealing in firearms without a license
- One count of possession of a stolen firearm
Arnulfo Javier Maldonado, 21
- One count of firearm trafficking conspiracy
- One count of possession of a machine gun
- One count of dealing in firearms without a license
Darius Springs aka “Dee STN,” 21
- One count of firearm trafficking conspiracy
- Two counts of possession of a machine gun
- Two counts of firearms trafficking
- One count of possession of a stolen firearm
- One count of dealing in firearms without a license
Giovanni Martinez Larios, 18
- One count of firearm trafficking
- One count of dealing in firearms without a license
- Two counts of possession of a stolen firearm
- Two counts of possession of a machine gun
- Two counts of unregistered machine gun
Jesus Hernandez Jr. aka “Chuy,” 22
- One count of possession of a machine gun, aiding and abetting
- One count of possession of unregistered firearm
Bernardo Melendez Jr., 25
- One count of possession of a machine gun, aiding and abetting
Joe Randy Cano, 34
- One count of felon in possession of a firearm
Patrick Michael Cuellar, 23
- One count of possession of unregistered firearm
- One count of possession of a machine gun
Defendants indicted on charges related to machine gun possession allegedly possessed machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as “switches” or “auto sears,” which are designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a semi-automatic weapon into a weapon that can be fired as a fully automatic weapon by a single function of the trigger.
Penalties in the indictments range from up to five years in prison for dealing in firearms without a license, to a maximum of 10 years in prison for the possession charges, and up to 15 years in prison for the firearm trafficking and felon in possession charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the case with valuable support from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Wannarka and Zachary Parsons are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Georgia Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Georgia man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 60 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography.
According to court documents, Jacob Adam Waldroup, 32, of LaGrange, Ga. had been communicating with a 14-year-old female using an online instant messaging program from on or about April 1, 2020 through about June 15, 2020. The chats were sexual in nature, with Waldroup repeatedly referencing sexually explicit acts he desired to perform with the child victim, sending sexually graphic photos of himself, and repeatedly asking the child victim for sexually explicit photos and videos of herself in return. In response, the child victim sent three videos to Waldroup that contained child pornography.
Additionally, the child victim reminded Waldroup of her age, to which Waldroup advised her to not tell her mother and asked the child victim to mail items to his address in Georgia.
Waldroup was arrested Oct. 14, 2020. He pleaded guilty May 11, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District for Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Del Rio Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case with valuable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Tonkin and Katy Garner.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Major Enforcement Operation in Guatemala Secures Arrest of Human Smuggler Indicted by Joint Task Force Alpha for Links to 2022 Mass Casualty Event in TexasRead the Press Release
Remote video URLOn Wednesday, extensive coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department and its domestic and international partners resulted in a major enforcement operation that dismantled a human smuggling network based in Guatemala. In June 2022, this network smuggled people into the United States on a journey that ended with the deaths of 53 migrants in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas. Twenty-one of the deceased migrants were Guatemalan.
This case is part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), created by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen U.S. enforcement efforts against human smuggling emanating from Central America.
On Aug. 21, Guatemalan law enforcement executed multiple search and arrest warrants across Guatemala, working together with United States law enforcement agents. At the request of the United States, Guatemalan authorities arrested Guatemalan national Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, who has been indicted in the Western District of Texas in connection with the investigation. Six individuals arrested as part of the operation will be charged locally in Guatemala.
Miranda-Orozco, 47, whose indictment was unsealed today, allegedly conspired with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of four migrants from Guatemala through Mexico, and ultimately, to the United States. He allegedly charged the migrants, or their families and friends, approximately $12,000 to $15,000 for the journey. The indictment alleges that three of these migrants perished in the tractor-trailer, and the fourth suffered serious bodily injury. Miranda-Orozco is charged with six counts related to migrant smuggling resulting in death or serious bodily injury. He faces maximum penalties of life in prison.
“Over the past two years, the Justice Department has worked methodically to hold accountable those responsible for the horrific tragedy in San Antonio that killed 53 people who had been preyed on by human smugglers,” said Attorney General Garland. “With these arrests, the Justice Department and our partners in Guatemala have now arrested a total of 14 people for their alleged involvement in this tragedy. We are committed to continuing to work with our partners both in the United States and abroad to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, and Panama.”
“Smugglers prey on migrants and seek profits with complete disregard for human life, as we saw in this tragic incident that killed 53 people,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The men and women at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) work every day to disrupt these sophisticated smuggling networks, and we will continue to work alongside our federal and international partners to dismantle them at every level of operation.”
“In launching Joint Task Force Alpha three years ago, the Department of Justice directed every tool at our disposal to the dismantling of human smuggling networks across the continent. And after the tragic deaths of 53 migrants in June 2022, we pledged to hold accountable those responsible, no matter where they live or operate,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s arrests in Guatemala are a continued fulfillment of that pledge. We will not rest in our efforts to disrupt the smuggling networks that capitalize on desperation and foster misery throughout the Western Hemisphere.”
“As alleged in the indictment, Miranda-Orozco recruited some of the migrants who died in the back of a tractor-trailer near San Antonio, Texas, in June 2022, and worked with a network of smugglers to transport them from Guatemala through Mexico into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This tragedy is a dire warning of the dangers that human smugglers cause by exposing migrants to life-threatening conditions for the smugglers’ financial gain. Dismantling human smuggling networks is a critical priority for the Criminal Division, and we will continue to work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these cases, no matter where the offenders may be found.”
“This was a complex operation and a major success for the progression of this case — apprehending a key orchestrator of the horrendous smuggling operations in which families were charged thousands of dollars for trusted transport across the U.S. border from Guatemala and other countries,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This significant development in the case demonstrates the commitment of this office, the Department of Justice, and our partners at all necessary levels, to ensure all 53 migrants who died in the 2022 tractor-trailer tragedy get their justice.”
“HSI is deeply immersed in the global fight against human smuggling that includes our international operations within Central and South America. These arrests reflect the disruption of Central American human smuggling organizations that recruit, organize and transport people,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger. “Combating this prolific, transnational crime is one of our top priorities. Our special agents and criminal analysts are actively engaged with law enforcement partners and task forces around the globe working to dismantle criminal networks that treat human life like a commodity. HSI will keep exhausting every resource available to bring human smugglers to justice.”
“The men and women of CBP are unwavering in their commitment to combat and dismantle the human smuggling networks that ruthlessly exploit and endanger the lives of migrants — from the time of this tragic incident in San Antonio, to today’s important step in bringing those responsible to justice,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller of the CBP. “Our collective work through Joint Task Force Alpha remains critical to our ongoing efforts at disrupting smuggling operations across the hemisphere and the world.”
The human smuggling organization allegedly loaded 65 migrants into a tractor-trailer, which court documents allege lacked functioning air conditioning as it drove north on a Texas interstate. As temperatures rose, some of the migrants inside the trailer allegedly lost consciousness, while others clawed at the walls, trying to escape. By the time the tractor-trailer reached San Antonio, the indictment alleges, 48 migrants had already died. Another five migrants died after being transported to local hospitals. Six children and a pregnant woman were among the deceased.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas has previously charged seven other defendants for their alleged involvement in this smuggling event, including through indictments filed in 2022 and 2023. Four of these seven defendants have pleaded guilty.
The indictment against Miranda-Orozco and the cooperation between U.S. and Guatemalan authorities were spearheaded by JTFA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. Given the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America with effects in the United States, JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, and Panama with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime.
Since its creation, JTFA has successfully increased coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and other interagency law enforcement participants, and with foreign law enforcement partners, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, and Panama; targeted those organizations who have the most impact on the United States; and coordinated significant smuggling indictments and extradition efforts in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. JTFA is comprised of detailees from southwest border U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, including the Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Arizona, and Southern District of California, and dedicated support for the program is also provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division that are part of JTFA — led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Office of Enforcement Operations, Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), and Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA is made possible by substantial law enforcement investment from Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners.
HSI San Antonio investigated the case, with valuable assistance from HSI Guatemala and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. CBP’s National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel; U.S. Border Patrol; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; San Antonio Police Department; San Antonio Fire Department; Palestine Police Department, OIA, and OPDAT provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department thanks Guatemalan law enforcement, who were instrumental in furthering this investigation.
HRSP Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Luis Acosta, Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears, and Amanda Brown for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gran operación de las fuerzas del orden en Guatemala asegura la detención de un traficante de personas acusado por la Fuerza de Tarea Operativa Conjunta Alpha por sus vínculos con el suceso de víctimas masivas en Texas en 2022Read the Press Release
Remote video URLEl miércoles, una extensa coordinación y colaboración entre el Departamento de Justicia y sus socios nacionales e internacionales resultó en una gran operación de las fuerzas del orden que desmanteló un red de tráfico de personas basada en Guatemala. En un viaje en junio de 2022, esta red introdujo ilegalmente a los Estados Unidos a 53 migrantes en un camión de remolque que terminó con su muerte en San Antonio, Texas. Veintiuno de los fallecidos eran guatemaltecos.
Este caso es parte de la Fuerza de Tarea Operativa Conjunta Alpha (JTFA, por sus siglas en inglés), creada por el fiscal general Merrick B. Garland en junio de 2021, en asociación con el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, con el objetivo de fortalecer los esfuerzos de las fuerzas del orden de los EE. UU. contra el tráfico de personas que proviene de Centroamérica.
El 21 de agosto, las fuerzas del orden guatemaltecas ejecutaron múltiples órdenes de cateo y detención en toda Guatemala, trabajando conjuntamente con agentes de las fuerzas del orden de los Estados Unidos. A solicitud de los Estados Unidos, las autoridades guatemaltecas arrestaron al ciudadano guatemalteco Rigoberto Ramón Miranda-Orozco, imputado por el Distrito Oeste de Texas, en conexión con la investigación. Seis personas arrestadas como parte de la operación serán imputadas en Guatemala.
Miranda-Orozco, 47, cuya acusación formal se hizo pública hoy, presuntamente conspiró con otros traficantes para facilitar el viaje de cuatro migrantes de Guatemala a través de México con destino final a los Estados Unidos. Presuntamente cobró a los migrantes, o sus familias y amigos, aproximadamente entre $12,000 y $15,000 dólares estadounidenses por el viaje. La acusación formal alega que tres de estos migrantes fallecieron en el camión de remolque, y el cuarto sufrió graves lesiones corporales. Miranda-Orozco está imputado por seis cargos relacionados con el tráfico de personas migrantes que resultó en muertes o graves lesiones corporales. Enfrenta una pena máxima de cadena perpetua.
“En los últimos dos años, el Departamento de Justicia ha trabajado metódicamente para que los responsables paguen por la horrible tragedia en San Antonio que mató a 53 personas víctimas de los traficantes de personas”, dijo el fiscal general Garland. “Con estas detenciones, el Departamento de Justicia y nuestros socios en Guatemala hemos llegado a un total de 14 detenidos por su presunta participación en esta tragedia. Estamos comprometidos a continuar el trabajo con nuestros socios tanto aquí en los Estados Unidos como en el extranjero para identificar a los más prolíficos y peligrosos grupos de traficantes de personas que operan en México, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia y Panamá”.
“Los traficantes abusan de los migrantes y buscan ganancias con total desprecio por la vida humana, como vimos en el trágico incidente que mató a 53 personas”, dijo el secretario de Seguridad Nacional Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Los hombres y mujeres de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Servicio de Control de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los EE. UU. (CBP, por sus siglas en inglés) trabajan cada día para desmantelar esas redes sofisticadas de traficantes, y seguiremos trabajando junto con nuestros socios federales e internacionales para desmantelarlas a todo nivel de operación”.
“Al lanzar la Fuerza de Tarea Operativa Conjunta Alpha hace tres años, el Departamento de Justicia organizó todas las herramientas a nuestra disposición para desmantelar las redes de traficantes de personas en todo el continente. Después de la trágica muerte de 53 migrantes en junio de 22, prometimos llevar ante la justicia a los responsables, sin importar dónde viven o dónde operan”, dijo la fiscal general adjunta Lisa Mónaco. “Las detenciones de hoy en Guatemala son la culminación continua de esa promesa. No descansaremos en nuestros esfuerzos para desbaratar las redes que se aprovechan de la desesperación y fomentan la miseria en el Hemisferio Occidental”.
“Como se alega en la acusación formal, Miranda-Orozco reclutó algunos migrantes que murieron en la parte trasera del camión con remolque cerca de San Antonio, Texas, en junio de 2022. Él trabajo con una red de traficantes para transportar a los migrantes desde Guatemala a través de México con destino final a los Estados Unidos”, dijo la fiscal general adjunta principal Nicole Argentieri, jefa la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia. “Esta tragedia es una funesta advertencia de los peligros que causan los traficantes de personan al exponer a los migrantes a condiciones que ponen en peligro sus vidas a cambio de ganancias para los traficantes. Desmantelar las redes de tráfico de personas es una prioridad principal de la División Penal y seguiremos trabajando con nuestros socios de las fuerzas del orden nacionales e internacionales para investigar y enjuiciar estos casos, independientemente de dónde se encuentren los delincuentes”.
“Esta fue una operación compleja y un gran éxito para el progreso de este caso. Detuvimos a un organizador clave de esta horrible operación de tráfico de personas en la que se cobraba miles de dólares a las familias por un transporte seguro a través de la frontera de los EE. UU., desde Guatemala y otros países”, dijo el fiscal de los EE. UU., Jaime Esparza, del Distrito Oeste de Texas. “Este significativo desarrollo del caso demuestra el compromiso de este oficina, el Departamento de Justicia y nuestros socios a todos los niveles necesarios, para garantizar que los 53 migrantes fallecidos en la tragedia del camión con remolque en el 2022 reciban justicia”.
“HSI se ha comprometido profundamente en la lucha global contra el tráfico de personas que incluye nuestras operaciones internacionales en Centroamérica y Sudamérica. Estas detenciones reflejan el desmantelamiento de organizaciones centroamericanas de tráfico de personas que reclutan, organizan y transportan personas”, dijo la subdirectora ejecutiva de HSI Katrina W. Berger. “Combatir este prolífico crimen transnacional es una de nuestras principales prioridades. Nuestros agentes especiales y analistas penales están activamente en comunicación con nuestros socios de las fuerzas del orden y las fuerzas de tarea operativa en todo el mundo que trabajan para desmantelar las redes criminales que tratan la vida humana como una mercancía. HSI seguirá utilizando todos nuestros recursos disponibles para llevar a los traficantes de personas ante la justicia”.
“Los hombres y mujeres del CBP son firmes en su compromiso de combatir y desbaratar las redes de traficantes de personas que inescrupulosamente explotan y ponen en peligro la vida de los migrantes, desde el momento de este trágico incidente en San Antonio hasta el importante paso dado hoy de llevar a los responsables ante la justicia”, dijo el oficial sénior ejerciendo los deberes del comisionado Troy A. Miller del CBP. “Nuestro trabajo colectivo a través de la Fuerza de Tarea Operativa Conjunta Alpha sigue siendo crítico a nuestros esfuerzos continuos para desbaratar las operaciones de tráfico de personas en todo el hemisferio y en el mundo”.
La organización de tráfico de personas presuntamente cargó a 65 migrantes en un camión con remolque que, se alega en los documentos del tribunal, no tenía un sistema funcional de aire acondicionado mientras conducía hacia el norte por una carretera interestatal de Texas. Al aumentar la temperatura, algunos de los migrantes dentro del remolque presuntamente se desmayaron, mientras que otros arañaban las paredes intentando escapar. Al momento que el camión con remolque llegó a San Antonio, alega la acusación formal, 48 de los migrantes ya habían fallecido. Otros cinco migrantes murieron después de ser transportados a hospitales locales. Seis niños y una mujer embarazada estaban entre los fallecidos.
La fiscalía de los EE. UU. para el Distrito Oeste de Texas, ya imputó a otros siete acusados por su presunta participación en esta operación de tráfico de personas, lo cual incluye acusaciones formales presentadas en el 2022 y 2023. Cuatro de estos acusados se han declarado culpables.
La acusación formal contra Miranda-Orozco y la cooperación entre las autoridades de los EE. UU. y Guatemala fueron lideradas por la JTFA y la Fiscalía de los EE. UU. para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. Dado el aumento en las prolíficas y peligrosas operaciones de tráfico de personas desde Centroamérica con efectos en los Estados Unidos, el objetivo de la JTFA es interrumpir y desmantelar las redes de tráfico de personas que operan en El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Colombia y Panamá, centrándose en redes que ponen en peligro, abusan y explotan a los migrantes, presentan riesgos a la seguridad nacional o participan en otros tipos de delincuencia organizada transnacional.
Desde su creación, la JTFA ha aumentado la coordinación y colaboración entre el Departamento de Justicia, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y otros organismos encargados del orden público, además de los socios de las fuerzas del orden extranjeras de El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Colombia y Panamá; se ha enfocado en aquellas organizaciones con mayor impacto en los Estados Unidos; y ha coordinado esfuerzos significativos para presentar acusaciones formales y lograr la extradiciones de traficantes de personas en las fiscalías de los EE. UU. La JTFA está compuesta por agentes de las fiscalías de los EE. UU. de la frontera suroeste, incluidos el Distrito Sur de Texas, el Distrito Oeste de Texas, el Distrito de Arizona y el Distrito Sur de California. También prestan apoyo específico al programa numerosos componentes de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia que forman parte de la JTFA, dirigidos por la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesamientos Especiales (HRSP, por sus siglas en inglés), y con el apoyo de la Oficina para el Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación, la Sección de Estupefacientes y Drogas Peligrosas, la Sección de Lavado de Dinero y Recuperación de Activos, la Oficina de Operaciones de Aplicación de la Ley, la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales (OIA, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Justicia y la Sección de Delitos Violentos y Delincuencia Organizada. La JTFA es posible por la gran inversión en las fuerzas del orden que realizan el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, el FBI, la Administración para el Control de Drogas y otros socios,
HSI de San Antonio investigó el caso, con la valiosa ayuda de HSI de Guatemala y la Unidad de Tráfico de Personas de HSI en Washington, D.C. El Centro Nacional de Objetivos/Operación Centinela de CBP; la Patrulla Fronteriza de los EE. UU.; la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos; el Departamento de Policía de San Antonio; el Departamento de Bomberos de San Antonio; el Departamento de Policía de Palestine, la OIA y la OPDAT proporcionaron una valiosa ayuda. El Departamento de Justicia agradece a las fuerzas del orden guatemaltecas que fueron instrumentales en el avance de esta investigación.
La abogada litigante de HRSP, Alexandra Skinnion, y los fiscales auxiliares de los EE. UU., José Luis Acosta, Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears y Amanda Brown del Distrito Oeste de Texas están procesando el caso, con la ayuda de la historiadora y especialista en Latinoamérica de HRSP, Joanna Crandall.
Una acusación formal es solamente una alegación. A los acusados se les presume inocentes hasta que se demuestre que son culpables más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia
Recruiter for Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in El Paso to 245 months in prison for two counts related to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, Karla Adriana Votta-Cardenas aka “Adriana,” aka “Samantha,” aka “Sophia,” 43, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, worked for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Jorge Sanchez-Morales, primarily trafficking methamphetamine. The organization imported liquid methamphetamine from Juarez, Mexico into El Paso, and then transported it to Atlanta concealed in the fuel tanks of semi tractors. In Atlanta, the liquid methamphetamine was converted to a crystalline form and distributed. Sanchez Morales oversaw the operation on behalf of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, otherwise known as CJNG.
Votta-Cardenas served as a large scale recruiter for the DTO, recruiting drivers through “help wanted” ads on social media. Votta-Cardenas recruited more than 20 drivers using this method, withholding the fact that they would be trafficking drugs.
Votta-Cardenas was arrested by Mexican authorities and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on Nov. 1, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Spitzer and Nathan Brown prosecuted the case.
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