Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Mexican Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Meth into U.S.Read the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national, formerly a Mexican police officer, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Alpine to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Cesar Alonzo Lopez Ruiz, 34, of Rosales, Mexico, attempted to enter the United States from Mexico at the Presidio Point of Entry. A search revealed 50 packages of methamphetamine hidden inside the gas tank of his vehicle. The total weight of the meth was approximately 27.8 kilograms.
Lopez Ruiz pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26 and faces a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. 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.
Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Greenbaum and Amy Greenbaum are prosecuting the case.
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El Paso Man Arrested for Firearm Trafficking, Dealing Without a LicenseRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was arrested in El Paso for alleged crimes related to trafficking and selling firearms without a license.
According to court documents, Jesse Garay, 26, allegedly purchased numerous firearms between Sept. 7, 2022 and March 24, 2023, answering on each Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473 that he was “the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form.” Private messages obtained in a search warrant allegedly revealed that Garay sold the firearms to other individuals, including a minor. Additionally, at least three of the firearms purchased by Garay are alleged to have been recovered at either crime scenes or in Mexico.
Garay is charged with one count of trafficking in firearms, one count of dealing firearms without a license, and two counts of false statement during a firearm acquisition. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for the trafficking charge, five years for the dealing without a license charge, and 10 years for each false statement 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 of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II for the ATF Dallas Field Division made the announcement.
ATF is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mathew Engelbaum 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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Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 121 months in prison for access with intent to view child pornography.
According to court documents, Felipe De Jesus Solis-Rivera, 32, of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico was reported for taking photos of a man in the restroom of an Eagle Pass store on July 14, 2019. Solis-Rivera voluntarily allowed authorities to look at the contents of his phone. Eagle Pass Police discovered videos and photos depicting child sexual abuse material.
Solis-Rivera was arrested July 14, 2019 and transferred into federal custody July 23, 2019. He pleaded guilty July 10, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The HSI and Eagle Pass Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Spears, Rex Beasley and Antonio Franco Jr. 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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U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The week is observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.
“As our country recognizes National Police Week, the Justice Department joins families and communities in remembering the members of the law enforcement community who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the public,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Policing is difficult and dangerous, yet time and time again, law enforcement officers answer the call, showing up for their communities when they are needed the most. Their devotion to duty is matched only by that of their loved ones who make daily sacrifices to support them. The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to help provide our law enforcement partners with the resources they need to carry out their noble work on behalf of the public.”
“As U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, I am grateful to our federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners for their daily commitment to protecting our citizens and upholding the rule of law,” said Esparza. “We see in our communities across the United States each and every day, law enforcement officers place their lives on the line to prioritize the safety and security of our neighbors, our friends, and our loved ones.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
In the past year, two law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty while serving in the Western District of Texas. Sergeant Joshua Clouse, a Cameron Police Officer and U.S. Army veteran, was fatally shot by a subject while executing a search warrant in Cameron, south of Waco in May 2023. In November, Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore was killed, and another officer injured during a SWAT standoff with a violent assailant. Pastore had previously been an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Parkland, Florida, and responded to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. This week, we remember and honor their sacrifice along with the sacrifice of their families and of too many law enforcement officers before them. Every day, we must be grateful for the commitment of our law enforcement officers to protecting our citizenry, and for their selfless service to our communities.
On Monday, May 13, the names of more than 280 officers killed in the line of duty in 2024 who have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial were read during a Candlelight Vigil. To view a recording of the livestream of this event, visit https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil/.
To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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Colorado Man Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Fentanyl to Texas ResidentRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Colorado man was arrested Saturday in Denver on criminal charges related to his alleged possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to the indictment, Douglas Christopher Steele, 53, of Denver allegedly conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, which contained a detectable amount of fentanyl. The indictment alleges that Steele’s alleged fentanyl distribution resulted in the death of an Alpine resident.
Steele made his initial appearance Monday in a federal court in Denver. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life 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.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the case with assistance from the Alpine Police Department, Brewster County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum 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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Solar Energy Company Agrees to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Related to Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – Freedom Solar LLC, a solar energy company that installs photovoltaic solar arrays for residential and commercial customers, has agreed to pay $425,710 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorized forgivable PPP loans for small businesses experiencing economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most cases, the maximum amount a small business could receive was 2.5 times its average monthly payroll. For purposes of calculating payroll costs, the CARES Act excluded any compensation to an individual employee in excess of an annual salary of $100,000.
Freedom Solar applied for a PPP loan in April 2020. The United States alleged that Freedom Solar failed to cap the annual salary of several employees at $100,000 when calculating its average monthly payroll. As a result, Freedom Solar overstated this number on its PPP loan application, which caused it to receive more PPP funds than it was entitled to receive. Freedom Solar later obtained forgiveness for the full amount of its PPP loan.
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 ex rel. Mossburg v. Freedom Solar, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:23-cv-00908 (W.D. Tex.).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Mexican National Found Guilty of Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A federal jury convicted a Mexican national of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of straw purchasing firearms; one count of trafficking in firearms; and one count of conspiracy to smuggle bulk cash.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Rene Hernandez-Cordero, 52, of Ciudad Juarez was involved in an organization that smuggled firearms into the Republic of Mexico and methamphetamine into the United States.
In August 2023, Hernandez and co-defendant 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 of 2022 to August of 2023.
Co-defendants Ramos and Brian Alexis Munoz-Castro, 21, of El Paso pled guilty to one count of trafficking in firearms. Munoz also pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Hernandez and Munoz face up to 10 years to life in prison on the methamphetamine conspiracy charge. Hernandez, Munoz and Ramos face up to 15 years in prison for each of the firearm charges and Hernandez faces up to 10 years in prison for the cash smuggling charge. Munoz is scheduled for sentencing July 10 and Ramos is scheduled for sentencing July 17, 2024. Hernandez is scheduled for sentencing on August 8, 2024.
All defendants have remained in custody since their arrests in August 2023.
The firearms charges are new offenses under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw purchasing of firearms. They also carry potential fines of up to $250,000.
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 specific mission of the OCDETF El Paso / Las Cruces Strike Force is to target drug trafficking organizations along the southwest border that dominate the illicit drug trade and who are largely responsible for the violence plaguing the border communities. The OCDETF Strike Force Enforcement Group is comprised of agents and officers from Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorneys for the Western District of Texas in conjunction with an attorney from Customs and Border Protection Office of Chief Counsel.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the OCDETF 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 are prosecuting the case.
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Kerrville Man Who Made Terrorist Threats Sentenced on Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Kerrville man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on May 27, 2021, Coleman Thomas Blevins, 31, sent a social media post stating, “I’m going to Walmart,” which was followed by a picture of Blevins holding a black assault-style rifle. Blevins then sent another message stating, “I have no problem spending the rest of my life in prison for Shootings (sic) up Walmart.” The next day officers executed a search warrant at Blevins’ apartment and found 556 rounds of ammunition. In addition, a black AR-15 .223 rifle with four magazines was found in a vehicle belonging to Blevins’ roommate. The rifle matched the rifle Blevins was holding in the picture he posted.
Subsequent investigation into Blevins’ social media activity revealed three other occasions where Blevins had recently posted pictures of himself holding firearms or ammunition. On November 28, 2023, Blevins pled guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Blevins was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was previously convicted of a felony drug offense.
“Threats to carry out mass shootings are reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “Thanks to the quick work of our law enforcement partners, this threat remained just that and did not turn into a tragic event. This case demonstrates our commitment to peel back the veneer of online anonymity and aggressively pursue and prosecute those who threaten harm to our community.”
“Blevins threatened to commit violent acts and had access to weapons that would have allowed him to carry out those threats,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank Kerr County Sheriff's Office for their continued assistance in ensuring the safety of our citizens.”
The FBI, with assistance from the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs and Kelly Stephenson 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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Former Border Patrol Agent Sentenced on Bribery ChargesRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for bribery of public official.
According to court documents, in June 2023, Fernando Castillo, 42, who was a Border Patrol Agent with the United States Border Patrol (Customs and Border Protection), solicited a $5,000 bribe from a citizen of El Salvador and Mexico. Castillo told the foreign national that in exchange for a payment of $5,000 Castillo could provide immigration paperwork that would permit the individual to remain in the United States. Castillo made false entries in the individual’s immigration file and printed the fraudulent document. Shortly after he met with the individual, agents apprehended Castillo in possession of the false documentation.
On February 1, 2024, Castillo pled guilty to one count of bribery of a public official.
On May 9, 2024, Castillo was sentenced to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
“A federal officer who sells his office for personal gain shatters public trust in government officials,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “Unfortunately, Castillo’s crime unfairly tarnishes the honest officers who serve the public with dedication day in and day out. We will eagerly hold officers like Castillo accountable.”
“Fernando Castillo engaged in conduct that betrayed the oath he took to faithfully serve the citizens of the United States of America,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “His behavior should not take away from the outstanding work done each day by the vast majority of law enforcement professionals at U.S. Border Patrol. The FBI encourages the public to continue to support our active and ongoing efforts to root out public corruption by reporting corrupt activity to the FBI El Paso Field Office at (915) 832-5000.”
“CBP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously,” said CBP OPR Acting Special Agent in Charge Rosa P. Mendez-Mier. “CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is proud to be a part of the Border Corruption Task Force and appreciates the hard work of all of the investigative agencies that contributed to this outcome.”
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General, and United States Customs and Border Protection-Office of Professional Responsibility investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Johnston prosecuted the case.
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Indiana Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – An Indiana man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 360 months in prison and was ordered to pay restitution of $100,000 along with $10,000 under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018 for one count of sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Gerald Talman Brann, 43, of Valparaiso, shared images depicting a 10-year-old child in an online instant messaging service between Dec. 25, 2022 and Jan. 4, 2023. The images depicted the minor in various stages of undress and were sexual in nature. The images also depicted the child at various ages, beginning around the age of five or six.
Law enforcement agents seized numerous devices during an executed search warrant at the residence of Brann and his co-defendant Veronica Solis in Valparaiso. Cell phones contained images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material, some of which had been produced while the couple resided in the San Antonio area. Brann was arrested March 23, 2023 in New Jersey and has remained in custody. He pleaded guilty Nov. 28, 2023.
Solis is scheduled to be sentenced July 16. She pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children Dec. 5, 2023 and faces 15 to 30 years in prison.
“The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is an absolutely horrific offense,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office continues to prioritize the most vulnerable victims in our society, and the court's sentence of the statutory maximum penalty is appropriate for offenders like Gerald Brann, who go to great lengths to wreak havoc on the lives of innocent children. I also thank our partners at the FBI San Antonio and FBI Indianapolis field offices for their collaboration to investigate this case with Indiana State Police.”
“This case is an excellent example of how the FBI works across field offices to bring predators to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank our colleagues at FBI Indianapolis and the Indiana State Police for helping to ensure that Gerald Brann is behind bars and unable to hurt another child.”
The FBI investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Indiana State Police.
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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San Antonio Man Threatened Turning Point USA Conference, Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison for making a credible public threat targeting a mass populated event in Florida.
According to court documents, Alejandro Richard Velasquez Gomez, 20, posted a message on his public social media profile threatening a “day of retribution” at the Turning Point USA-hosted conference Student Action Summit. Velasquez had a ticket to the event, as well as a flight booked from Austin to Tampa, Florida, where the SAS conference was being held from July 22 to July 24, 2022. The U.S. Secret Service and Tampa Police Department were notified of the threat, which led to Tampa PD obtaining a warrant for Velasquez Gomez’s arrest. He pleaded guilty May 16, 2023, to the federal charge of interstate threatening communication.
In addition to targeting the SAS conference, Velasquez stalked and harassed a young woman for many months prior, continuing to do so even in pre-trial detention. Velasquez also attempted to obstruct the FBI’s investigation, using a group of minor girls to help him by deleting information from his online accounts and contacting witnesses to hide evidence and influence testimony.
“This man used social media to broadcast the message that he intended to travel across the country and carry out a violent act at an event catering to young political activists,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Fortunately, his post was reported to officials who intervened, and this case can serve as a reminder to everyone that, at all levels of law enforcement, we take threats of violence very seriously. Those who violate these laws risk prosecution and imprisonment.”
“American citizens deserve to be able to gather without worrying about threats of violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We’re grateful for the people who reported his threats to authorities and encourage others to contact the authorities if they see similar threats.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case.
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Federal Judge Finds CBP Officer Guilty of Using Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A federal judge convicted a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer 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 and evidence presented at trial, Miguel Angel Delgado Jr., 40, of El Paso, 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.
Delgado faces up to 10 years in prison for each use of force incident and up to 20 years in prison for the falsification of a document charge.
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. Attorney Patricia Aguayo is prosecuting the case.
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Elara Caring Agrees to Pay $4.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations That It Billed Medicare for Ineligible Hospice PatientsRead the Press Release
Elara Caring, and its wholly owned subsidiaries JHH/CIMA Holdings Inc., CIMA Healthcare Management Inc., CIMA Hospice of Texarkana L.L.C., CIMA Hospice of East Texas L.L.C. and CIMA Hospice of El Paso L.P., have agreed to pay $4.2 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims and knowingly retaining overpayments for the care of hospice patients in Texas who were ineligible for the Medicare hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill.
“The hospice benefit under Medicare provides critical services to vulnerable patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to ensure that this benefit is used to assist those who need it, and not to line the pockets of those who seek to abuse it.”
The settlement resolves allegations that Elara Caring’s Texarkana, Texas, location, which previously operated as CIMA Hospice, knowingly submitted false claims for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible for the hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill. The patients at issue in the settlement were at the Texarkana location between 2014 and 2019 and in 2020. The settlement also resolves allegations regarding two patients at other Texas locations between 2015 and 2021. The settlement further resolves allegations that Elara Caring knowingly and improperly concealed or avoided obligations to repay overpayments for these patients.
“I appreciate the Department of Health and Human Services for their assistance in this litigation and helping to protect victims of fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Settlements like this hold offenders accountable and encourage anyone who suspects fraud involving the Medicare program to exercise their protected rights as whistleblowers.”
“Hospice care is intended to provide comfort and relief for the terminally ill and taking advantage of the system in order to make more money is intolerable,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue health care providers who jeopardize the integrity of hospice care by prioritizing illegitimate profit over medically necessary services.”
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 was filed by Aneko Jackson, a former Elara Caring employee, and is captioned United States ex rel. Jackson v. CIMA Healthcare Management, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-00368 (W.D. Tex.). Ms. Jackson will receive $672,000 in connection with the settlement.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas and HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Trial Attorneys Martha N. Glover, Kristen M. Murphy and William E. Olson of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Parnham Jr. for the Western District of Texas handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
SettlementGeorgetown Woman Found Guilty of Paycheck Protection Program FraudRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A federal jury convicted a Georgetown woman for one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Tiffany Fullerton, 47, along with her husband and two other co-conspirators, used dormant and expired business names to submit five fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications for a total exceeding $3 million. Four of those applications were funded, allowing the defendants to receive approximately $2.4 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.
The three other defendants in the case, Michael Fullerton, David Scott Starkes and Joseph Robles, have all pleaded guilty and await their sentencing hearings.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Henneke and G. Karthik Srinivasan prosecuted the case.
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Hays County Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A San Marcos man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 120 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, Colten Romeo Thayer, 20, was arrested during a traffic stop on Aug. 29, 2022. During a search of his vehicle, Hays County Sheriff’s deputies found a bag containing 11 grams of fentanyl. Thayer had been purchasing fentanyl pills from other dealers in and around Hays County for personal use and for the purpose of selling. Thayer pleaded guilty Dec. 21, 2023.
Co-defendant Anthony Perez Rios pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl. He remains in federal custody, scheduled to be sentenced May 23.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and San Marcos Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case.
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Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Trafficking Meth, FentanylRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 120 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Marcos Kenedy Ledezma Campos, 35, attempted to enter the Presidio Port of Entry when, during inspection, agents extracted 69 bundles from the gas tank of his vehicle. Further analysis revealed the bundles contained approximately 2.4 kilograms of fentanyl pills and 33.8 kilograms of methamphetamine. Ledezma Campos was taken into custody. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 24.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
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Man Who Claimed to be Delta Force Veteran Found Guilty of FraudRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A federal jury convicted a Manor man for four counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2021 and July 2023, Saint Jovite Youngblood, aka Kota Youngblood, 52, committed wire fraud against his victims by claiming Mexican drug cartel members were planning to commit violence against them. Youngblood falsely claimed to have been part of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force special operations unit and offered protection to his victims from the cartels in exchange for money. Youngblood also represented that funds obtained from his victim “investors” would be paid back with a significant return on the money. Instead, Youngblood allegedly used most of the money on junkets to Las Vegas to gamble in casinos.
Youngblood was arrested July 31, 2023. He now awaits a date to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, facing up to 20 years in prison for each of the four wire fraud counts and up to 10 years for the money laundering count.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel D. Guess and Matt Harding prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Sentenced to over 21 Years for Deadly Kidnapping in El PasoRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced today to 262 months in prison for kidnapping resulting in death.
According to court documents, Armando Leonardo Moreno aka Cholo, 21, served as a soldier in a transnational criminal organization (TCO) and conspired with other TCO members on or around Sept. 13, 2021, to kidnap a subject from an El Paso stash house. The kidnappers drove the subject to another address, dragged him out of the vehicle and beat him in the front yard of the home before taking him inside and beating him further. On Sept. 16, 2021, the subject was found deceased in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with multiple gunshot and stab wounds.
Codefendants Michelle Karen Avila, Ruben Pimentel and Ricardo Matthew Gutierrez were previously sentenced. Avila was sentenced to 60 months in prison, Pimentel was sentenced to 108 months, and Gutierrez received a 135-month sentence. A fourth defendant, Alberto Rodriguez, remains in federal custody and is scheduled to be sentenced May 1.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the El Paso Police Department, the New Mexico State Police, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Valenzuela and Ian Hanna prosecuted the case.
The indictments and convictions of these defendants are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland created JTFA in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen the Justice Department’s efforts to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA is comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California. Dedicated support is also provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division that are part of JTFA, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT), the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS), the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), the Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO), the Office of International Affairs (OIA), and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 295 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 230 U.S. convictions; 170+ significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
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Mexican National Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Smuggling Meth into the United StatesRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 144 months in prison with credit for time served for one count of conspiracy to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Sixto Margarito Riojas-Menchaca, 42, and codefendant Marcelo Fabian Rodriguez-Suarez were referred to a secondary inspection as they entered the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. The Customs and Border Protection officer (CPBO) noticed two fire extinguishers under the back seat of the vehicle. The CBPO had seen the same Mexican brand fire extinguisher in prior seizures. A K-9 gave a positive alert to the back seat of the vehicle on the driver’s side. Inside the fire extinguishers office several vacuum-sealed bags and packages containing a white crystal like substance. The substances tested positive for 4.54 kilograms of heroin and 7.88 kilograms of methamphetamine. The two men were taken into federal custody and charged with four counts related to the importation of heroin and methamphetamine.
Riojas-Menchaca pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in April 2022. Rodriguez-Suarez pleaded guilty in January 2023 and currently awaits sentencing, scheduled for Oct. 28.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and CBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Markovits prosecuted the case.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Texas Education Agency to Ensure Testing Accommodations for People with DyslexiaRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – The United States has reached a settlement with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), a state agency responsible for certifying teachers to teach in classrooms across the state of Texas, to resolve alleged violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the administration of the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) examination, a standardized examination required for the issuance of certain teacher certification fields in Texas.
The Department of Justice received an ADA complaint alleging that an individual with dyslexia and dysgraphia was denied oral administration as an alternative testing arrangement for the STR examination. The complaint prompted an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. The ADA prohibits public entities from administering a licensing program in a manner that subjects individuals with disabilities to discrimination because of those disabilities.
Under the settlement agreement, the TEA agrees that it will allow a qualified reader or text-to-speech technology as an alternative testing arrangement for the STR examination for testing candidates who otherwise establish through appropriate documentation that such modifications are appropriate, including for individuals who are diagnosed with dyslexia. Additionally, to resolve the complaint, the TEA will provide the requested modifications to the complainant when they take the STR examination.
“Preparing for professional certification examinations is a stressful time for anyone, let alone people with disabilities who may also worry that their requests for alternative testing arrangements may be rejected,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “People with dyslexia should not be denied the testing accommodations they deserve. The ADA requires such modifications to ensure that people with disabilities are not being graded on their disabilities, and unfairly denied access to their chosen professions.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goode represented the government during the resolution process. For more information about the ADA, visit www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s tollfree 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.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Del Rio Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Firearm Theft that Led to 2019 MurderRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for possession of a stolen firearm.
According to court documents, Jaime Rivera, 49, burglarized a U.S Border Patrol agent’s home in April 2019, and stole nine firearms. Rivera and a codefendant, Manuel Angel Lomas aka Emanuel Lomas, sold several of the firearms, one of which was used by codefendant Robert Evans Jr. to murder Amanda Riojas. The weapon was disposed of and recovered in the San Felipe Creek.
“Jaime Rivera sold several firearms that he had stolen from a federal agent, which ultimately played a part in the murder of a 26-year-old Del Rio woman,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I thank our partners at Homeland Security Investigations for their investigative work in this case, and the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office for their vital collaboration that led to these arrests and successful prosecutions.”
“This sentence represents another important stride in the tireless work by HSI and its law enforcement partners to target and ultimately dismantle the transnational street gangs that are spreading crime and violence throughout our communities," said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “Our efforts to combat this threat are still very much ongoing. To gang members who are still out there committing crimes, HSI sends a clear message: ‘The long arm of the law will reach you, and you too will face the consequences of your egregious behavior.”
Evans Jr. and Lomas were indicted alongside Rivera in 2019. On Sept. 14, 2022, Evans Jr. was sentenced to 120 months in prison with credit for time served. Lomas remains in federal custody and is scheduled to be sentenced July 26. In 2022, Evans Jr. was also sentenced in state court to serve 45 years in state prison, which he’ll serve after his federal imprisonment.
HSI led investigation with valuable assistance from the Val Verde County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Garland and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
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Two San Antonians Sentenced to 18 and 15 Years in Federal Prison for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 216 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico.
According to court documents, Miguel Bazan, 39, was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Eagle Pass Border Patrol Station on Oct. 14, 2019. Agents referred the vehicle to secondary inspection and discovered 64.671 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in after-market compartments built into the vehicle.
Bazan pleaded guilty on June 14, 2021, to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Codefendant Melanie Mendoza Garza, who was in the vehicle with Bazan, pleaded guilty on March 22, 2021, to the same charge. She was sentenced on June 8, 2023, to 188 months in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the USBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Garner prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Lethal Doses of Meth and FentanylRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to three fatal and one non-fatal overdoses.
According to court documents, Mark Elliot Stool, 67, supplied substances containing combinations of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and methamphetamine and heroin, to four individuals between August 2021 and March 2022. He was arrested following a traffic stop in June 2022 and found to be in possession of a substance that tested positive for both methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Stool pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17 and faces 20 years to life in prison. 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 Drug Enforcement Administration, University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Castle Hills Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Hail and William Calve are prosecuting the case.
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Mexican National Attempted to Flee U.S. Port of Entry, Sentenced to 27 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 324 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On March 2, 2021, Caleb Eduardo Gomez-Sanchez, 35, attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico via the Eagle Pass port of entry. Initially, Gomez-Sanchez followed directions and exited the vehicle for a secondary inspection, but when he was asked to remove his jacket to check his pockets, Gomez-Sanchez jumped back into the car and drove into oncoming traffic, attempting to flee back to Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers reacted by positioning their vehicle to block Gomez-Sanchez from fleeing further. Gomez-Sanchez rammed his vehicle into the parked CBP unit while two officers were still seated inside the vehicle. Both officers sustained injuries during the collision. Gomez-Sanchez eventually crashed into a concrete barrier at the Mexican port of entry on the other side of the bridge. Mexican authorities immediately returned Gomez-Sanchez to U.S. authorities.
CBPOs discovered a sock in Gomez-Sanchez’s coat pocket containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Analysis of the suspected methamphetamine identified the substance as methamphetamine hydrochloride, with a total weight of 64.48 grams and a purity level of approximately 99%.
On Sept. 13, 2021, Gomez-Sanchez pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
“The federal agents along our southern border risk their lives on a daily basis to limit the infiltration of drugs, weapons, and the illegal entry of undocumented noncitizens into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the diligence of our CBP Officers at Eagle Pass for their efforts in this case, along with the Mexican law enforcement officers for their assistance in returning this defendant to U.S. custody for prosecution.”
"Actions that threaten the safety and well-being of law enforcement, and the general public are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee for Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio. “HSI in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will prioritize the investigation and prosecution of any individual who chooses to harm the public and officers at the Port of Entry.”
HSI and CBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Garner prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Indicted for Alleged Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment charging an El Paso man with 10 counts related to the alleged operation of a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.
According to court documents, Timothy France Johnson, 61, through his businesses, BOLO Entertainment LLC, BOLO Sports LLC and Shoot N’2 Sports LLC, allegedly defrauded more than thirty investors by fraudulently representing that their investments would be used to promote pre-season NBA games. The indictment alleges that Johnson held himself out as a third-party promoter of NBA pre-season games and convinced unwary investors to invest money with him to sponsor said pre-season games.
The indictment alleges Johnson collected more than $3 million in investor funds, using approximately $1 million of the deposited investment funds to pay fake investment profits to other clients and using the remainder of the investment funds for personal use. He’s alleged to have never disclosed the misappropriation or the extent of the losses of the investors’ funds.
Johnson is charged with seven counts of wire fraud and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The defendant made his initial court appearance on April 9 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Castaneda of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the seven wire fraud charges and up to 10 years in prison for each of the three money laundering 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 for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Romero and Micaela Glass 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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Uvalde Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Uvalde man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 151 months in prison for distribution of child pornography.
According to court documents, Marco Jesus Perales, 27, distributed approximately 138 videos depicting child sexual abuse material between June 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. In February 2020, Homeland Security Investigations in Eagle Pass received a report from a messaging application regarding the transmission of child pornography.
The report indicated that Perales sent three hyperlinks to multiple users within a group chat on Sept. 9, 2019. Analysis of the recovered hyperlinks revealed that they contained child pornography. One of the recovered hyperlinks distributed by Perales contained a folder with 62 videos visually depicting male and female minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In approximately 60 of the videos, the minors are clearly and obviously prepubescent. The other recovered hyperlink distributed by Perales contained a folder titled "Good Stuff,” which contained 76 additional videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Perales was arrested June 30, 2020 and pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography on June 24, 2021.
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.
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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La Vernia Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A La Vernia man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 300 months in prison after being found guilty by a jury of four counts of receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents, Jacob Wayne Peek, 44, was arrested by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office in October 2021 for charges related to aggravated sexual assault of a child. At the time of his arrest, Peek’s cell phone and an associated SIM card were collected as evidence and originally reviewed pursuant to a state search warrant. Through the forensic image review of the phone, investigators found a large amount of child sexual abuse material and contacted FBI San Antonio for investigative assistance.
In January 2022, a federal search warrant was obtained and executed for the devices collected from Peek. Within one folder, approximately 16,000 image files were located, 793 of which were determined to be child sexual abuse material. Peek was transferred to federal custody March 7, 2022 and was convicted on all four counts in a jury trial, August 2022.
“Peek possessed a shocking number of images of children enduring sexual abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “By receiving and viewing the images he compounded the harm inflicted on those children by the predators who perpetrated and recorded the dreadful acts against them. I am grateful that the court imposed a 25-year sentence of imprisonment for these unconscionable offenses.”
“Thanks to a young victim who had the courage to report abuse to trusted adults – and the subsequent actions of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office – Jacob Peek will no longer be able to victimize children and will spend years in prison,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank our partners at the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case and their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe from child predators.”
The FBI and Wilson County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Thompson 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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Second Defendant Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Odessa Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
MIDLAND, Texas – An Odessa man was sentenced in a federal court in Midland to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in the death of a local minor.
According to court documents, law enforcement and medical personnel responded to an Odessa residence for a suspected drug overdose on Oct. 2, 2023. The 16-year-old male victim was found nonresponsive and was transported to the hospital where he later died. Forensic pathologist reports and the medical examiner confirmed fentanyl as the cause of death.
An investigation revealed that Nathaniel Martinez, 18, sold fentanyl pills to the juvenile the night before.
Codefendant Jae Lynn Esparza aka Nova, 22, also of Odessa was identified as the supplier of the pills. Esparza was sentenced on March 7 to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the fentanyl conspiracy causing death.
“The substantial sentences handed down in this case reflect the gravity of it, but the punishment cannot bring back the child who died,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This death of a child is a recurring nightmare for far too many parents and families across this country who are losing loved ones to fentanyl. We will continue to vigorously pursue and prosecute the suppliers and dealers of this deadly drug.”
The Odessa Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Mahoney prosecuted the case.
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Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking Victims in Multiple States Using Social Media AppsRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An Odessa man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to three counts of cyberstalking. Investigating agencies are seeking help from anyone who may have been victimized by Hugo Iram Cardona Jr., 21.
According to court documents, Cardona used a two-factor authentication (2FA) scheme to gain access to various young females’ Snapchat accounts to steal their intimate photographs and videos. Cardona then contacted the females using numerous social media accounts on interactive computer services, such as Instagram and Snapchat, and demanded that they “apologize,” or he would publicly release the content. In most cases, Cardona would also demand his victims video chat with him while engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed at least 15 victims located in El Paso, Colorado and Arizona. The investigation determined the victims were initially contacted by Cardona from Instagram accounts “idkprii85,” “designoiram,” “juniorrriram,” “urfavpapi,” “urdvddyjunie” and “juniorrhernandez” as well as Snapchat accounts “juniepri,” “asap_juniorrr” and “juniorrriram.” Victims were also contacted from multiple TextNow numbers. The Instagram accounts, Snapchat accounts and TextNow numbers were all determined to be registered to Cardona. Cardona’s offenses occurred from on or about Aug. 15, 2020 through on or about June 1, 2023.
If you have had or know anyone who has had contact with Cardona Jr. or any of the above-listed usernames while using Snapchat, Instagram or TextNow between 2020 and 2023, please complete this victim questionnaire.
The FBI/HSI are legally mandated to identify victims of crime in federal investigations. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and other rights under federal and/or state law. Your responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify you as a potential victim. Based on the responses provided, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information. Victim identities are private, and case-related information is confidential.
Cardona is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3 and faces up to 10 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.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric McLoughlin for the HSI El Paso Division made the announcement.
The FBI, HSI, El Paso Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Romero and Nallely Barbosa are prosecuting 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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Austin Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Smuggling Attempt That Resulted in Migrant DeathsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – An Austin man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 192 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in death and 120 months for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The two sentences will run concurrently.
According to court documents, on April 24, 2022, Joseph Alex Hernandez, 27, sped away from and attempted to evade Medina County Sheriff’s deputies for approximately seven minutes after they attempted a traffic stop. Hernandez reached speeds between 90 and 100 mph along the highway and access road, crossing the steep grassy median several times, and running a red traffic light. A rear tire on his vehicle eventually gave out, and Hernandez lost control, resulting in the vehicle crashing after flipping multiple times in the grassy median.
Hernandez had been transporting 13 undocumented noncitizens during the chase, including eight who were laying down in the covered truck bed. Three of the passengers were airlifted from the scene and the rest were transported via ambulance to local hospitals. While providing medical treatment, Emergency Medical Services personnel discovered that Hernandez was carrying a loaded pistol. Several days later, two of the smuggled migrants died in the hospital from their injuries.
Hernandez was charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death, transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death, and being felon in possession. He pleaded guilty Oct. 23, 2023 to the conspiracy and firearm charges.
“This case is another unfortunate and tragic example of how dangerous smuggling humans across the border has become,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The defendant in this case put thirteen lives at risk in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Sadly, his actions led to two of those individuals paying the ultimate price.”
“This sentencing highlights HSI’s commitment to use every tool in our arsenal to investigate and dismantle transnational criminal organizations involved with human smuggling,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “This case shows the lack of regard these organizations have for the people they have been paid to smuggle. There will be no safe haven in our communities for criminals who seek to evade our nation's laws and whose greed results in tragedy.”
HSI and the Medina County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Brown prosecuted the case.
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Oncology Practice, Physicians, and Reference Laboratory to Pay over $4 Million to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Oncology San Antonio, PA and its affiliated physicians have agreed to pay $1.3 million, and CorePath Laboratories, PA has agreed to pay $2,746,275.22 plus accrued interest, in civil settlements with the United States and the State of Texas to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
The United States alleged that Oncology San Antonio, a hematology and oncology practice, entered an unlawful kickback arrangement with CorePath Laboratories, a San Antonio-based diagnostic reference laboratory, in August 2016. CorePath Laboratories provided in-office bone marrow biopsy services at Oncology San Antonio practice locations and performed subsequent diagnostic testing on the biopsies. According to the United States, CorePath Laboratories agreed to pay $115 for each biopsy referred by Oncology San Antonio and its physicians. The payments for each referred biopsy were paid to the private practice entities of three Oncology San Antonio physicians.
The United States contended that the payments for referrals of biopsies constituted kickbacks within the meaning of the Anti-Kickback Statute and that the terms of the written agreement between Oncology San Antonio and CorePath Laboratories failed to meet any statutory safe harbor. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by a federal health care program, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. Claims submitted in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute may give rise to liability under the False Claims Act.
The civil settlement with Oncology San Antonio and its physicians also resolves allegations that Dr. Jayasree Rao, through Oncology San Antonio and her own oncology and hematology practice entity, provided medically unnecessary tests, services, and treatments to Medicare, TRICARE, and Texas Medicaid beneficiaries in the San Antonio Metro Area, and billed the federal healthcare programs for the medically unnecessary tests, services and treatments.
“Illegal financial incentives to physicians undermine the integrity of our healthcare system and impair the objective judgment of the community’s healthcare professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “These settlements demonstrate my office’s commitment to protect federal healthcare programs against such violations, as well as other efforts to defraud these programs.”
Dr. Rao and her practice entity also entered a three-year Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute involving oncology services can waste scarce federal health care program funds and corrupt the medical decision-making process,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "Individuals who participate in the federal health care system are required to obey laws meant to preserve both the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients."
“The TRICARE Program is vital to the health and well-being of our warfighters, retirees, and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Shilling of the Southwest Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General. “Today's settlement announcement highlights the steadfast commitment of DCIS and our investigative partners to holding accountable those who seek to enrich themselves by jeopardizing the healthcare of TRICARE beneficiaries and defrauding American taxpayers.”
The civil settlement with Oncology San Antonio and its physicians also resolves claims brought under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act by Dr. Slavisa Gasic, a physician formerly employed by Dr. Rao. The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act permit private parties to file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a share of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned Unites States and Texas. ex rel. Gasic v. Oncology San Antonio, P.A., and Jayasree N. Rao, M.D., No. SA-16-CV-001140-XR (W.D. Tex.).
This matter was investigated through the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas; the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services San Antonio Field Office; the Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service San Antonio Resident Agency; and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas Civil Medicaid Fraud Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Van De Walle negotiated the settlements on behalf of the government.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Houston Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Houston man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Xzavier Martin-Mari Drescher, 32, revealed his sexual interest in minor females through online conversations with FBI covert employees beginning in May 2022. During one of the conversations, Drescher sent the FBI employee 11 videos of himself in a room with a clothed prepubescent female. Drescher also admitted that he had gone “hands on” with the girl within the past 24 hours.
FBI agents located Drescher in Houston and confirmed he had used his phone to produce multiple videos depicting sexual acts with a prepubescent minor on or about July 9, 2022. Additionally, Drescher’s phone contained other child sexual abuse material that he had received via the Internet.
Drescher was arrested July 15, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty Oct. 18, 2023 to one count of sexual exploitation of children, a charge which carries a penalty of 15 to 30 years in federal prison. In addition to the imposed 30-year imprisonment, Drescher was ordered to pay $50,000 restitution to the victim.
“This defendant preyed on a young child by producing sexual abuse material, then sent it into the stream of commerce, using the illicit images for sexual gratification.,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The 30-year sentence imposed by the court appropriately reflects the immense harm and long-term trauma inflicted on children who are sexually exploited by predators.”
“Xzavier Martin-Mari Drescher victimized innocent children,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “Those who exploit and abuse these most vulnerable among us are a danger to society. The FBI is committed to putting them behind bars where they can no longer cause harm.”
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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Five Arrested in South Texas for Allegedly Trafficking Military Grade Firearms to Mexican Drug CartelRead the Press Release
Five individuals were arrested in Laredo, Hebbronville, and Falls City, Texas, last week for allegedly trafficking military grade firearms to a drug cartel in Mexico.
According to court documents, Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr., also known as Jerry, 23, of Laredo, allegedly coordinated the acquisition of more than 100 firearms throughout Texas to be smuggled across the international border and delivered to a drug trafficking cartel in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Perez’s organization allegedly used straw purchasers, including co-defendants Francisco Alejandro Benavides, also known as Frankie, 23, and Mark Anthony Trevino Jr., 24, to procure the firearms from a variety of sources in the Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas. Court documents allege that the organization would acquire guns from unlicensed dealers of firearms, or from federal firearm licensees, where straw purchasers would make false representations to secure the firearms.
“Stopping the trafficking of high-caliber and military grade firearms to Mexico is a top priority for the Justice Department — and especially the ATF and HSI agents and Department prosecutors that lead Operation Southbound,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Working with our Mexican partners, we will disrupt and dismantle the drug cartels responsible for so much destruction in both nations, and as demonstrated by these charges, we will bring to justice the alleged firearms traffickers who would arm those cartels.”
“Preventing firearms from getting into the black market is one of ATF’s top priorities,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “When guns are diverted to unlawful markets in Mexico, they are often going to arm dangerous drug cartels. ATF will continue to work with all our partners, like those at HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to bring important cases like this and hold gun traffickers accountable.”
“The successful outcome of these arrests is a direct result of the steadfast efforts of HSI and our federal partner to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of transnational criminal organizations that pose a threat to public safety both here and abroad,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “These arrests send a strong message to weapons traffickers that law enforcement will work aggressively with our federal law enforcement partners to combat this egregious and dangerous criminal activity.”
Luis Matias Leal also known as Wicho, Poncho, and El Tio, 30, allegedly provided cash and instructions to facilitate the conspiracy, while Antonio Osiel Casarez, 26, would smuggle the firearms into Mexico and return to the United States with bulk cash.
The high-powered firearms allegedly acquired by Perez’s organization included FNH SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, FNH M294S rifles, and M1919 rifles.
Perez, Casarez, Leal, Benavides, and Trevino were all named in a superseding indictment filed March 6. They were arrested March 20.
The five new defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
Perez, Casarez, Leal, and Benavides are further charged with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Perez faces two additional firearms trafficking charges. Leal, Benavides, and Trevino are also charged with falsifying information when buying a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and an additional count of straw purchasing. All of the charges also carry a fine up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Co-defendants Jose Emigdio Q. Mendoza, Gerardo Antonio Ibarra Jr., and Gerardo Corona Jr. were initially named in an earlier indictment. Mendoza was allegedly engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license, selling military-grade weapons to members of the Perez conspiracy. Ibarra and Corona were allegedly straw purchasers for the organization.
Several of the defendants are alleged to have contacted Mendoza to purchase the firearms, including SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, and M249 rifles. Mendoza is alleged to have sold at least 22 such firearms to his co-conspirators from December 2022 to March 2023 and received approximately $169,900.00, at a markup from the retail price of the guns so he could derive a profit for himself.
Mendoza was arrested in San Antonio on March 11, 2023. Ibarra and Corona were arrested in September and October 2023, respectively.
Deputy Attorney General Monaco, ATF Director Dettelbach, HSI Executive Director Berger, and U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
ATF and HSI are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve for the Western District of Texas is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Five Arrested in South Texas for Allegedly Trafficking Military Grade Firearms to Mexican Drug CartelRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Five individuals were arrested in Laredo, Hebbronville and Falls City Wednesday for allegedly trafficking military grade firearms to a drug cartel in Mexico.
According to court documents, Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr. aka “Jerry,” 23, of Laredo, allegedly coordinated the acquisition of more than 100 firearms throughout Texas to be smuggled across the international border and delivered to a drug trafficking cartel in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Perez’s organization allegedly used straw purchasers, including co-defendants Francisco Alejandro Benavides aka “Frankie,” 23, and Mark Anthony Trevino Jr., 24, to procure the firearms from a variety of sources in the Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas. Court documents allege that the organization would acquire guns from unlicensed dealers of firearms, or from federal firearm licensees, where straw purchasers would make false representations to secure the firearms.
Luis Matias Leal aka “Wicho” aka “Poncho” aka “El Tio,” 30, is alleged to have provided cash and instructions to facilitate the conspiracy, while Antonio Osiel Casarez, 26, would smuggle the firearms into Mexico and return to the United States with bulk cash.
The high-powered firearms allegedly acquired by Perez’s organization included FNH SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, FNH M294S rifles, and M1919 rifles.
Perez, Casarez, Leal, Benavides, and Trevino were all named in a superseding indictment filed March 6. They were arrested March 20.
The five new defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms with a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
Perez, Casarez, Leal, and Benavides are further charged with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States for up to five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for up to 20 years imprisonment. Perez faces two additional firearms trafficking charges. Leal, Benavides, and Trevino are also charged with falsifying information when buying a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment; and an additional count of straw purchasing. All of the charges also carry a fine up to $250,000.
Co-defendants Jose Emigdio Q. Mendoza, Gerardo Antonio Ibarra Jr. and Gerardo Corona, Jr. were initially named in an earlier indictment. Mendoza was allegedly engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license, selling military-grade weapons to members of the Perez conspiracy. Ibarra and Corona were allegedly straw purchasers for the organization.
Several of the defendants are alleged to have contacted Mendoza to purchase the firearms, including SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, and M249 rifles. Mendoza is alleged to have sold at least 22 such firearms to his co-conspirators from December 2022 to March 2023 and received approximately $169,900.00, at a markup from the retail price of the guns so he could derive a profit for himself.
Mendoza was arrested in San Antonio on March 11, 2023. Ibarra and Corona were arrested in September and October 2023.
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 and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve 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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Chemical Importer to Pay $300,000 in Civil Penalties for Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas – Shrieve Chemical Company, LLC, a Drug Enforcement Administration-registered importer and distributor of listed chemicals, has agreed to pay $300,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.
In December 2022, DEA diversion investigators conducted an on-site inspection of a Shrieve Chemical facility in Marlin, Texas. Following the inspection, investigators alleged that Shrieve Chemical violated certain regulatory recordkeeping requirements relating to the importation and distribution of listed chemicals; manufactured gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a List I chemical, by repackaging and relabeling, without registering as a manufacturer; and made a drop shipment of GBL to a customer without first importing the chemical to Shrieve Chemical’s registered location.
Listed chemicals are chemicals designated by the DEA that, in addition to legitimate uses, can be used in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances. List I chemicals are mostly precursor chemicals that serve as key ingredients used to produce controlled substances. List II chemicals are mostly reagents or solvents.
“Companies must be vigilant in following rules meant to ensure that precursor chemicals do not fall into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office will continue to investigate and pursue alleged violations involving listed chemicals, even absent evidence of diversion or misuse, to protect the community.”
“The accountability of these chemicals is instrumental in ensuring the safety of our citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux for the DEA Houston Division. “Too often these chemicals are used for the purpose of manufacturing harmful illegal drugs that end up in our communities and neighborhoods.”
DEA’s San Antonio District Office Diversion Control Unit led the investigation of this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Parnham and Erin Van De Walle negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing, Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 300 months in prison for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, Stephen Aaron Potts, 35, used Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing software to distribute 194 files, representing 2.63 TBs of materials, containing CSAM to an undercover law enforcement computer between Nov. 17, 2021, and Jan. 19, 2022.
On May 4, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a federal search warrant at Potts’ residence, seizing numerous electronic devices, including 22 external hard drives, two computers, one laptop, four flash drives, three smartphones, and five micro-SD cards. Forensic analysis of one 2.5 TB device contained 9,085 video files and 31,861 image files of CSAM.
Potts was arrested May 4, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2022 to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. In an interview with federal agents, Potts stated that he would leave his computer on and enable the P2P software to download CSAM 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
“Crimes involving the possession of child pornography, or child sexual abuse material, are never victimless,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By constantly downloading and sharing child sexual abuse material, this defendant inflicted immense damage on many vulnerable children. Thanks to our partners at HSI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, we have put an end to this predator’s heinous acts and, hopefully, given those victims some of the relief they are due.”
“Today’s sentence serves as a reminder to all predators. We will not allow crimes against children to go unpunished,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alejandro M. Amaro for HSI San Antonio. “While this significant sentence cannot repair the damage done to the children exploited by these images, it is a warning to those who engage in this behavior: HSI and our law enforcement partners will be relentless in our pursuit of online predators.”
HSI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office 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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Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Brownwood man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 420 months in prison for conspiring to import and possess methamphetamine for a drug trafficking organization.
According to court documents, Jacob Andrew Mendoza, 37, of Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico was held accountable for supplying multiple illicit drugs to be smuggled into the U.S., including 56.8 kilograms of methamphetamine along with heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and “Ice” with a purity level of 99%.
Mendoza was indicted in December 2020 for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine. He was taken into federal custody May 26, 2021 in San Angelo and pleaded guilty to both charges of the indictment on Oct. 17, 2022.
“Mendoza was a career offender and the leader of a Mexican drug trafficking organization that set out to profit from trafficking their drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our partners at Homeland Security Investigations, federal law enforcement has dismantled another DTO and aggressively prosecuted many of its members.”
“This lengthy sentence highlights the success of HSI’s collaborative efforts in combating drug trafficking along the southern border,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “HSI is committed to holding those accountable who recklessly push this poison into our communities.”
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming and Larry Fadler prosecuted the case.
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Man Who Possessed Pipe Bomb in Hospital Parking Garage Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Jonestown man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 30 months in prison for possessing an unregistered destructive device, namely a pipe bomb, that detonated in a hospital parking garage.
According to court documents, Raymond Luke Garner, 39, parked his pickup truck in a parking garage at St. David’s Hospital in Austin on Aug. 9, 2023. A short time later, there was an explosion in the back of Garner’s truck. Investigators found the remains of a pipe bomb near the truck. They also found a quantity of a homemade high explosive, circuit boards/timers, electric matches, and other items.
While detained by police, Garner contacted another individual to ask that person to move a box out of Garner’s home. That box was later found to contain, among other things, a quantity of the high explosive, precursor chemicals, and electric matches. Searches at other locations revealed a recipe for the high explosive, remote control devices, and other components for destructive devices.
Garner pleaded guilty on Oct. 2, 2023.
“The law prohibits the possession of unregistered homemade pipe bombs for a good reason: they put the community at serious risk,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the collaboration of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in this investigation. Rest assured my office will hold accountable individuals who build and possess these devices in violation of the law.”
“Improvised explosive devices are illegal and extremely dangerous,” said Special Agent in Charge Mike Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “ATF is committed to investigating and holding accountable the persons responsible for explosives accidents involving the manufacture of illegal explosive devices which can result in serious injury, death, and extensive damage to property. This incident serves as a prime example of the successful collaboration between all our law enforcement partners.”
“Garner’s use of unregistered and unstable explosive material jeopardized the safety of individuals who may have been near his vehicle,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We are grateful to our partners at the ATF, members of our Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Austin and Cedar Park Police Departments, for their vigilant work to keep our communities safe."
The ATF and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation with valuable assistance from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Cedar Park Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan prosecuted the case.
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Family of Human Smugglers Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – Four family members were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to federal prison for their roles in operating an extensive human smuggling organization (HSO).
According to court documents, Eva Maria Galeas, 43, of San Antonio; Lisa Marie Ortega, 25, of San Antonio; and Sandra Galeas-Mejia, 48, of Mexico, and Norma Galeas-Mejia, 52, of Honduras, were identified as co-conspirators of Roberto Galeas-Mejia, 47, of Honduras.
Roberto, who is the husband to Eva, stepfather to Lisa Ortega and brother of the other two defendants, led a San Antonio-based HSO, overseeing activities that included the transportation and harboring of undocumented noncitizens and the coordination of payments.
Eva, Lisa, Sandra and Norma played roles accepting and withdrawing human smuggling proceeds. Funds were funneled through the conspirators’ bank accounts and used to pay load drivers and stash house operators, to rent stash houses and to 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.
Eva Maria Galeas and Sandra Galeas-Mejia were arrested in San Antonio on June 11, 2019, along with Lisa Marie Ortega. Norma Galeas-Mejia was arrested June 17, 2019 in Houston. On July 27, 2022, a federal jury found Roberto Galeas-Mejia, Eva Maria Galeas and Lisa Marie Ortega guilty of all three counts of a superseding indictment: conspiracy to transport illegal migrants, conspiracy to harbor illegal migrants, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Sandra Galeas-Mejia and Norma Galeas-Mejia both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.
Eva Maria Galeas was sentenced to 180 months in prison and Lisa Marie Ortega was sentenced to 156 months in prison. Sandra Galeas-Mejia was sentenced to 84 months in prison, and Norma Galeas-Mejia was sentenced to 78 months. Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses also ordered the forfeiture of $603,593.00 in U.S. currency, which was discovered in a safe during the home search of Roberto Galeas-Mejia, Eva Maria Galeas, and Lisa Marie Ortega. Additionally, Eva Galeas and Lisa Ortega were assessed money judgements in the amounts of $97,668 and $21,388, respectively.
Roberto Galeas-Mejia remains in federal custody while he awaits his sentence hearing.
“These defendants, along with Roberto Galeas-Mejia, built a family enterprise through human smuggling operations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our federal partners at HSI and Border Patrol, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the Galeas human smuggling business ultimately failed. All five members of the family will serve extensive federal prison sentences, joining many of their co-conspirators after several years of apprehensions and disruption to their efforts.”
“This sentencing is a great example of how HSI uses its agency partnerships to bring criminals to justice in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “The defendants in this case put our national security at risk by illegally bringing people to the U.S. without any inspection. HSI is committed to combatting this type of crime throughout the border.”
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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Iowa Man Sentenced for Firearm SmugglingRead the Press Release
PECOS – Victor Alfonso Magana-Ahumada, 37, from Denison, Iowa was sentenced in federal court in Pecos this week to 46 months in prison for attempting to illegally cause guns to be smuggled from the U.S. to Mexico.
According to court documents, Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Presidio Port of Entry referred a Ford 450 travelling towards Mexico, to secondary inspection. The truck was pulling a trailer filled with packages destined for Mexico. The packages were part of a shipment being transported by a transnational shipping company. During the inspection, officers found six pistols, pistol magazines, one semi-automatic rifle and rifle magazines concealed in packages amongst the cargo.
Further investigation by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed Magana arranged with the transnational shipping company for the transport of the packages that contained the concealed firearms to Mexico. Investigation also revealed Magana had purchased two of the firearms found secreted in the shipment packages.
On November 29, 2023, Magana pleaded guilty to one count of smuggling goods from the United States. Magana has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 28, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and HSI Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
HSI, with assistance from HSI–Sioux City Division and Spencer, Iowa Police Department, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
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Former Youth Softball Coach Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing and Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Marfa man was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 97 months in prison for one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.
According to court documents, FBI agents executed a search warrant and discovered Patricio Javier Serrano, 36, was in possession of multiple photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse material stored on his cell phone and in his phone’s web browser. Serrano, who had been a volunteer youth softball coach, was arrested May 11, 2023 and has since remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty to both charges in the indictment without a written plea agreement in October.
U.S. District Judge David Counts sentenced Serrano to 37 months in prison for the possession charge and 60 months for the transportation charge. Serrano will serve both sentences consecutively.
“This case demonstrates that predators cannot transmit or receive child sexual abuse material and hide behind their screens without risk of prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their collaboration to help make this community and our children safer.”
“It’s unsettling when you learn that someone working so closely with our children and in our communities can possess such predatory tendencies,” said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge. “The FBI special agents in the Alpine Resident Agency, along with our Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Marfa Police Department make it a top priority to protect children from victimization by working to investigate predators involved with the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material and ensure they are held accountable for their heinous actions. FBI will continue to dedicate our resources to identify these individuals and bring them to justice.”
The FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and Marfa Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum and Kevin Cayton 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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Woman Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Meth, Fentanyl from MexicoRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in Pecos to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Sandra Araceli Diaz Vazquez, 37, of Chihuahua, Mexico, was suspected of delivering narcotics within the U.S. On Dec. 5, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop along Interstate 20 near Colorado City after observing Diaz Vazquez commit two moving violations. Diaz Vazquez consented to a vehicle search, which resulted in the discovery of approximately 20.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 5.6 kilograms of fentanyl concealed within the fuel tank.
Diaz Vazquez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29 and faces 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million 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.
HSI and the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum is prosecuting the case.
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Mexican National Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Trafficking MethRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 135 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, U.S. Border Patrol agents inspected a vehicle driven by Jorge Alberto Garcia-Gamez, 45, at a checkpoint near Marfa. During the inspection, agents discovered 76 vacuum-sealed bundles containing 37.85 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle’s fuel tank. An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that Garcia-Gamez was transporting the methamphetamine for a Mexican drug trafficking organization. Garcia-Gamez was arrested Sept. 29, 2023 and pleaded guilty Nov. 17.
“This case is reflective of the essential roles Border Patrol and HSI agents play in the mission to protect our communities across the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our partners, this prosecution has taken another drug trafficker off the streets for more than a decade, further disrupting the operations of Mexican cartels.”
“This sentence should serve to dissuade anyone considering smuggling narcotics into our country,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric McLoughlin for the HSI El Paso Division. “HSI special agents will continue to collaborate with our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners to stop the funneling of highly addictive and lethal drugs across the southern border.”
HSI and the USBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
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Fourth Defendant in Fatal Tractor Trailer Smuggling Case Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to one count related to his involvement in the organization responsible for the smuggling of at least 66 migrants in June 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 47 adults and six children.
According to court documents, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal aka Cowboy, 38, was a member of the human smuggling organization responsible for the failed smuggling attempt on June 27, 2022 that illegally brought adults and children from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico into the U.S. Rivera-Leal would meet tractor trailers that had transported migrants to San Antonio and further transport small groups of migrants to Houston in his personal vehicle.
Rivera-Leal pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens placing lives in jeopardy. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Rivera-Leal is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in this case. Other co-defendants whose cases are still pending include Homero Zamorano Jr., 47, who served as the driver of the tractor trailer; Felipe Orduna-Torres aka Cholo aka Chuequito/Chuekito aka Negro, 29; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega aka El Don aka Don Gon, 54.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division made the announcement.
HSI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and has received tremendous support from Customs and Border Protection; Border Patrol; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; the San Antonio Police Department; the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; the San Antonio Fire Department; the Marshall Police Department; and the Palestine Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears and Amanda Brown are prosecuting the case.
These charges resulted in coordination with Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime. JTFA consists of federal prosecutors and attorneys from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the Southwest Border (District of Arizona, Southern District of California, Southern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas), from the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Division, along with law enforcement agents and analysts from DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to over 13 Years in Prison for Supporting TerroristsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 160 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for conspiring to murder overseas and provide material support to terrorists.
According to court documents, Imad Eddin Wadi, 67, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Damascus, Syria, conspired to commit murder with terrorist groups and funnel funds to members and affiliates of U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations, including al-Nusrah Front, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
On May 25, 2023, after a nine-day trial, Wadi was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to murder and maim in a foreign country, one count of conspiracy to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist groups, and one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to terrorists.
“By his own admissions, this defendant has been knowingly supporting this jihadi terrorist group for years,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “American citizens may never provide support to terrorist organizations, financial or otherwise, nor decide whose lives to target overseas. Thanks to the dedication and investigative skill by our partners in the FBI JTTF, Wadi’s financial support of terrorists has ceased, and he will spend the rest of his life under our watch.”
“The FBI’s top priority is to protect the United States from a terrorist attack. This sentencing highlights the FBI’s unyielding commitment to stop those who fund or assist foreign terrorist organizations or their affiliates,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Division. “We are profoundly grateful for our partners on the San Antonio Joint Terrorism Task Force who work with us every day to protect the American people and who did exceptional work on this case.”
The FBI JTTF investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and William Harris prosecuted the case.
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Canyon Lake Tax Preparer Sentenced for Submitting False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Canyon Lake woman was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 24 months in prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.
According to court documents, Dawn Marie Munoz, 54, operated a tax preparation business, filing IRS forms for an organization and several of its members. In preparing and submitting joint IRS Form 1040 individual income tax returns for her clients, Munoz materially underreported her clients’ income paid as stipends from the organization.
Munoz was arrested April 12, 2022 and pleaded guilty May 10, 2023 to one count of a 16-count indictment. In addition to her imprisonment, Munoz was also ordered to pay $227,197.65 to four victims.
“Munoz was an experienced tax preparer who engaged in fraudulent business practices and took advantage of the longtime clients who trusted her,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This investigation by our law enforcement partners at FBI El Paso and IRS Criminal Investigation, along with the punishment delivered by the judge, shows that anyone who tries to undermine our tax system risks prosecution with serious penalties.”
“The defendant took advantage of her position to personally enrich herself at the expense of the citizens of El Paso,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Divison. “The public can be rest assured the defendant was held accountable for the crimes she committed. The FBI thank our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation for assisting in the investigation to stop Munoz from stealing from hard working employees for her own greed.”
“Munoz lied and stole from her clients in ways that should make everyone question and double check every aspect of their tax returns this year. She prepared fraudulent returns for clients, convinced them to write checks to pay money to the IRS that they didn’t owe, stole the money, and filed false returns herself to cover her tracks,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “This level of deceit, on the part of Munoz, may likely reverberate far beyond West Texas.”
The FBI and IRS CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen prosecuted the case.
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Former San Antonio Lawyer Sentenced to 50 Years for Wire Fraud, Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Former San Antonio Attorney Christopher John Pettit, 56, was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 50 years in prison for fraud and money laundering.
For more than two decades, Pettit made numerous misrepresentations that persuaded his clients to deposit money with his firm, Chris Pettit and Associates, PC, which funds the clients believed would be used for services such as living trusts, irrevocable trusts, estate planning services, investments, and real-estate transactions, but which Pettit instead misused for his own enrichment and as part of a Ponzi-type scheme.
In one scheme, Pettit opened trustee accounts with client funds and simply moved the money to his own accounts, rather than using the funds for the benefit of the trust. Other fraudulent schemes included falsely promising to invest client money in high percentage bonds and instead wiring the funds to his personal account. He also falsely represented himself as a Qualified Intermediary for a 1031 real-estate exchange, which he used to convince clients to wire millions of dollars from asset sales into accounts he controlled and then misused for his own enrichment. Pettit would use his victimized clients’ funds to pay other client debts as well as to support an extravagant lifestyle. The schemes resulted in an estimated loss to the victims of between $20 million and $65 million. Pettit pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2023, to three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.
“This case began with one victim filing a complaint before the investigation unraveled a massive and deceptive criminal scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department for first recognizing the depth of the fraud in this case, and to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office for referring the case to the FBI. The punishment handed down by Judge Garcia reflects the seriousness of the offense and is the product of steadfast collaboration by our partners at the local, state and federal levels.”
“Christopher Pettit used his position of trust as an attorney to defraud his clients of millions of dollars, in some cases their life savings, all for his own selfish benefit. Today’s sentence reflects the resolve of the FBI to bring to justice anyone who would take advantage of their position to line their own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Division. “We want to thank our partners at Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas State Securities Board for their continued assistance in keeping our communities safe.”
The FBI investigated the case in conjunction with the Texas State Securities Board, Texas Department of Public Safety and Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case.
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Former VA Pharmacy Tech Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Prescription Medications from VeteransRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Kerrville man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 42 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, theft of government property and possession of stolen mail.
According to court documents, Scott Mitchell Brown, 38, was a pharmacy technician at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Kerrville. Using his position, Brown devised a scheme to steal narcotics that were being shipped from the pharmacy to VA patients, stealing the narcotics and selling them for profit to individuals in the Kerr County area.
One of the individuals was his codefendant John Swiencki. Swiencki introduced Brown to another codefendant, David Jeffrey Hughes Jr. Brown and Hughes proceeded to break into mailboxes and steal prescribed narcotics from veterans, using patient records obtained by Brown to identify the mailboxes.
In September 2022, Swiencki was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Hughes was sentenced to 35 months in prison in December 2022.
“Brown's misuse of his position with the VA is a repugnant betrayal by a public servant against our nation’s veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “These veterans rely on the care and compassion of the VA to assist them with ailments and disabilities. Instead, the veterans victimized by Brown and his codefendants were met with cruelty and greed. My office and the Department of Justice will continue to seek justice for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
“Medical professionals stealing controlled substances intended for our nation’s veterans cannot be tolerated. This sentence should send a strong message that those who would abuse their positions of trust will be caught and held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the VA Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks its law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this joint investigation.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, VA Police, Kerr County Sheriff's Office, Kerrville Police Department, and Kerr County District Attorney's Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fidel Esparza III prosecuted the case.
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Ukrainian National Extradited to U.S. for Alleged CybercrimesRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Ukrainian national was extradited to the United States from the Netherlands after being indicted for crimes related to fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.
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 is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and one count of aggravated identity theft. He made his initial court appearance Feb. 9, and is being held in custody pending trial.
Through various investigative steps, the FBI has collected data stolen from many computers that cyber criminals infected with Raccoon Infostealer, including more than 50 million unique credentials and forms of identification. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the data stolen by Raccoon Infostealer and continues to investigate. The FBI has created a website where anyone can input their email address to determine whether it is contained within the U.S. government’s repository of Raccoon Infostealer stolen data: https://raccoon.ic3.gov/home. Victims of the Raccoon Infostealer can find more information at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/victim-assistance-raccoon-infostealer.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Division, and Special Agent in Charge Paul DelleDonne for The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division would also like to thank the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attachés in Rome; The Hague, Kyiv, and Warsaw for their critical assistance; and the following foreign partners: Ministry of Justice of Italy; Special Unit for the Protection of Privacy and Technological Fraud of the Italian Guardia di Finanza; Procura della Repubblica di Brescia; the Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Security; Dutch National Police; and Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.
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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Three Temple Gang Members Convicted of RICO, Hobbs Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas – A federal jury in Waco convicted three Temple men on all counts for crimes committed in violation of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and the Hobbs Act.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Atorius Marquis Williams aka Lil Man, 23, Demonta Daniels aka Tado aka Tato, 24, and Trashawn Lamar Alexander aka Mad Max, 29, 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, Daniels and Alexander 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.
Seven other codefendants in the case have already been sentenced following guilty pleas. 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 February 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 February 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.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
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 are investigating the case with valuable assistance from the Killeen Police Department and Bell County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Blanton and Siddharth Dadhich are prosecuting 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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