Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Texas Man Sentenced for Antisemitic Hate Crime After Seeking to Burn Down SynagogueRead the Press Release
A Texas man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $470,000 in restitution for a hate crime and arson in which he set fire to the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 31, 2021.
Franklin Sechriest, 19, of San Marcos, pleaded guilty to a hate crime and arson charges on April 7. Sechriest admitted that he targeted the synagogue because of his hatred of Jews, and journals recovered from the defendant were replete with virulent antisemitic statements and views. Sechriest also possessed several decals and stickers expressing antisemitic messages.
“This defendant is being held accountable for this depraved, antisemitic attack on Congregation Beth Israel, a community with a rich history and heritage that dates back to 1876,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This hate-filled act of violence against a house of worship was an attempt to sow fear in the Jewish community and was intended to intimidate its congregants. Attacks targeting Jewish people and arsons aimed at desecrating synagogues have no place in our society today, and the Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute antisemitic violence.”
“No one should have to fear that their daily lives will be inflicted by hate-fueled violence, or that their place of worship and community could become a target of hate,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We stand firmly committed to those impacted by this arson, and my office will continue to combat criminal acts of hate while seeking justice for the victims.”
“Hate crimes have the power to devastate and terrorize entire communities. To target a place of worship, a space meant to be a sanctuary in every sense of the word, is one of the most heinous acts that can be committed,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We remain dedicated to investigating hate crimes and will continue to work relentlessly to hold responsible those who would commit violent acts based on hate.”
According to court documents and admissions made during his plea and sentencing hearings, on Oct. 28, 2021, three days before the arson, Sechriest drove to the synagogue’s parking lot outside its sanctuary. According to Sechriest’s journals, he went there to “scout out a target.”
The night of the arson, Sechriest drove to the synagogue and was seen on surveillance video carrying a five-gallon container and toilet paper toward the synagogue’s sanctuary. Moments later, multiple surveillance videos captured the glow of a fire from the direction of the sanctuary. A security camera captured Sechriest jogging away from the direction of the fire and toward the open driver’s side door of a vehicle. A concerned citizen reported the fire, and the Austin Fire Department responded quickly to extinguish it. In Sechriest’s journal, in an entry dated Oct. 31, 2021, he wrote “I set a synagogue on fire.” In the days following the arson, Sechriest’s journal noted that he was actively monitoring media reports to track the progress of the investigation into the arson.
The FBI San Antonio Field Office and Austin Fire Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case.
El Paso Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempted coercion and enticement and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
According to court documents, James Forrest Williams Kidd, 33, initiated a conversation with a social media profile depicting a teenage girl in late October 2022. Under the belief that he was chatting with a 13-year-old, Kidd requested nude photos of the user and invited her to his apartment to engage in various sexual acts. Additionally, Kidd sent a pornographic photo and video over the app. On the night of Dec. 29, 2022, Kidd arranged for the minor to be picked up and taken to his residence via a rideshare app using his account. FBI agents announced themselves at Kidd’s door and arrested him.
Kidd pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2023 to one count of attempted coercion and enticement and one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
“This defendant intended to lure a 13-year-old girl to his home for sexual activity using a social networking app and will now spend a decade in prison for it,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I commend the FBI for their efforts in identifying and apprehending a dangerous predator before he could harm a child in our community.”
“The FBI El Paso's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force is committed to protecting the children of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. “This defendant will spend the next 10 years in federal prison for criminal intentions he fully intended to act on to meet a minor for a sexual encounter and sharing obscene material with the minor in the process. Our community can rest easy knowing this man will be behind bars in a federal prison.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg 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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Siblings Sentenced to Combined 48 Years in Prison for Smuggling NarcoticsRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Midland woman and her brother, a Mexican national, were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 262 months and 324 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO).
According to court documents, Blanca Estela Maldonado, 54, of Midland, and her brother Federico Jose Maldonado-Aleman, 59, of Mexico, were part of a DTO responsible for trafficking approximately 79 kilograms of methamphetamine within the Western District of Texas between December 2016 and September 2018. The conspirators transported narcotics themselves and hired individuals to smuggle narcotics across the border, using Blanca Maldonado’s Midland residence as a primary pick-up/drop off point. Federico Maldonado-Aleman served as a supplier and facilitator of smuggling operations.
“For two years, these defendants conspired as part of a Mexican DTO using one of the individual’s homes as a distribution hub,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the collaborative investigation efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, we were able to secure incredibly substantial prison sentences for six drug traffickers responsible for pushing dangerous drugs into our communities.”
“These significant sentences send a clear message to criminal organizations that there are serious consequences for trafficking-controlled substances,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “HSI will continue to pursue transnational criminal investigations to target dangerous individuals who threaten the security of the United States.”
“The collective number of years members of this organization will spend in prison shows our collective commitment to bringing those who bring devastating drugs to our communities to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Field Office. “These sentences will now serve as a clear reminder of the consequences of choosing to poison our communities.”
Four additional codefendants involved were sentenced earlier in the case, all for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Juan Francisco Guajardo, 34, of Eagle Pass, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment on Feb. 4, 2020. April Sotelo, 42, of Seagraves, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment on Dec. 7, 2020. Kenneth Ray Cabrera, 40, of Seminole, was sentenced to 300 months imprisonment on March 1, 2022. Agatha Marie Barrientez, 37, of Midland, was sentenced to 292 months on June 30, 2022. In total, the six co-conspirators received a combined penalty of more than 141 years in prison.
HSI, DEA and USBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming, Joshua Garland and Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Indicted for Defrauding Federal COVID-Era ProgramsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment charging a San Antonio man with 11 counts related to wire fraud and money laundering.
According to court documents, James Michael Bergeron, 42, allegedly devised a scheme to secure funds made available through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), both of which were COVID-era programs designed to provide relief to small business owners. The indictment alleges Bergeron secured the funds by making misrepresentations about the number of employees employed, as well as the average monthly payroll paid out, by various entities he controlled. In securing the RRF money, it also reports that Bergeron made misrepresentations about the annual revenue for one of these entities. Based on these misrepresentations, Bergeron, allegedly through the various entities, received millions of dollars. He then spent the funds on various unauthorized items, including real estate, vehicles and retail investment products.
Bergeron is charged with five counts of wire fraud, one count of false statement, three counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and two counts of concealment money laundering. The defendant made his initial court appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of thirty years 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 Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
Western District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Simmons and Bill Harris and Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner from the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division, Fraud Section 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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Health Insurance Fraudster Pleads Guilty in El Paso Federal CourtRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Daniel Steadley, 68, operated two companies in El Paso which marketed and sold a healthcare insurance plan known as the Unique Healthcare MEC Plan. Steadley sold the insurance plan under false claims that it complied with the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). He also falsely claimed that he was a lawyer who had previously overseen an elite team of lawyers while working for a U.S. Senator at the White House, and that he had been a commander in the Navy, as well as a SEAL team member.
Several purchasers of Steadley’s fraudulent Unique Plan suffered injuries or had diseases that required hospitalization or other medical attention. When these individuals attempted to use their Unique Plan card, hospitals and other providers did not recognize the plan and there was no coverage of their medical bills. Several Unique Plan members received medical bills that were significant, ranging from hundreds of dollars to more than $100,000. Approximately 2,600 individuals in the El Paso area purchased the Unique Plan between Dec. 1, 2014 and Aug. 31, 2020. The investigation identified $974,193.68 in victim losses.
Steadley faces up to 20 years in prison for one count of wire fraud. 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 FBI and Texas Department of Insurance are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Skillern and Michael Osterberg are prosecuting the case.
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San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to one count of sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Adrian Scott Warren, 46, disclosed to another user in a private messaging app, that he had been engaging in sexual contact with a prepubescent minor for several years. Warren also told the app user that he was interested in meeting up to engage in sexual activity and watch child pornography that Warren would provide. Additionally, Warren used the app to send two photos of an adult male sexually assaulting a child.
On Aug. 4, 2022, Warren traveled to meet the messaging app user at a hotel, where he expected to engage in sexual acts with the user’s nine year old nephew. Instead, Warren was met by FBI agents who arrested him and seized his phone.
Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 21, 2024 and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 30 years 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 FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is 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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El Paso Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Causing Fentanyl Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to one count of distribution of fentanyl, causing death or serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Christian Torres, 24, was the supplier of counterfeit M-30 pills containing fentanyl at his residence on March 4, 2022. Torres and another user consumed the pills, which led to the overdose and death of the other person. The death was determined to be the result of fentanyl toxicity.
Torres 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 is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Countryman is prosecuting the case.
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Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Firearm Trafficking and Illegal Re-entry ChargesRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to conspiring to traffick firearms while residing in the United States illegally following prior deportation.
According to court documents, on Jan. 25, Erick Arenas Pascual, 22, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, drove a co-defendant to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in El Paso, where the co-defendant purchased a handgun. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested the two defendants as they left the FFL and discovered a second recently purchased handgun with 100 rounds of ammunition in Pascual’s vehicle.
An investigation revealed that Pascual planned to and had previously delivered firearms to individuals who would smuggle firearms into Mexico. It was further determined, through Department of Homeland Security records, that Pascual was a non-U.S. citizen and had been previously removed through El Paso in August 2020.
Pascual pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffick firearms and one count of illegal re-entry. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and up to two years in prison for the illegal re-entry 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.
The ATF is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Juan Albino and Nallely Barbosa are prosecuting the case.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Downloading Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 136 months in prison and 20 years supervised release for receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents, Marlon Zurita, 47, stored more than three dozen files containing child sexual abuse material on his online storage accounts. A search warrant executed by Department of Homeland Security Investigations agents led to the seizure of 18 electronic devices, 11 of which were determined to contain child sexual abuse material (CSAM) Zurita had downloaded from the internet. Between Jan.1, 2020 and Sept. 24, 2020, Zurita had downloaded over 3,000 video files and over 39,000 images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children. Zurita pleaded guilty to the charge on Dec. 22, 2022.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Zurita to pay $90,000 restitution and forfeit the 11 electronic devices that contained CSAM.
“This individual sought out and stored child sexual abuse material, further victimizing minors by enabling the production of child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and with our agency partners at Homeland Security Investigations leading many of these investigations, we are able to prosecute predators who cause unfathomable harm to the lives of innocent children.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those individuals who exploit children.” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “We remain committed to working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who victimize our children.”
HSI 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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Natin Paul Now Facing Wire Fraud Charges in Superseding IndictmentRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – Federal prosecutors presented a superseding indictment in Austin, charging Natin Paul, aka Nate Paul, 36, with four new counts related to wire fraud.
According to court documents, Paul, allegedly conspired to obtain money from limited partners by falsely representing that he would isolate the partnership’s assets to be used exclusively for the benefit of the partnership. The superseding indictment alleges that Paul’s scheme allowed unrestricted use of limited partnership funds.
Adding to the initial eight counts of false statements to lenders, Paul is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. The new charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison with fines of $250,000 per count. Each of the eight counts in Paul’s initial June 6 indictment carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison with a fine of $1 million. 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 FBI and State Securities Board are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Almonte, Alan Buie and Dan Guess 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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Honduran National Sentenced for Assaulting Customs and Border Protection OfficersRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Honduran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 18 months in prison for assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers, causing bodily injury.
According to court documents, Jesus Alexander Bardales Ramirez, 26, was seen running into the United States from Mexico, chased by Mexican authorities, toward Customs and Border Protection officers (CBPOs) at the Eagle Pass port of entry. When CBPOs attempted to restrain Ramirez, the migrant pulled away, causing him and the officers to fall to the ground.
Following several minutes of engagement, CBPOs were able to subdue and handcuff Ramirez. Ramirez continued to resist and kick at the officers throughout attempts to place him in a CBP vehicle, striking several CBPOs in their arms, bodies and faces.
After CBPOs managed to secure him in the vehicle, Ramirez began to strike his own head against the vehicle window, and when an officer tried to secure Ramirez’s head in an attempt to prevent Ramirez from injuring himself, Ramirez bit the officer on the arm.
“This case is a reminder of the dangers and hostility our law enforcement officers at the border can face on any given day,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I’m grateful for the commitment of these CBP officers and all of our partners who bear the same risks. Know that we will not tolerate acts of violence on our federal officers, and offenders will be held accountable.”
CBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.
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Former San Antonio Health Services Employee Sentenced for Receiving KickbacksRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in a federal court today to 10 years of probation and fined $200,000 for two charges related to healthcare kickbacks.
According to court documents, from June 2014 to April 2019, Amber Ashley Price, 40, engaged in a conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks in return for sending prescriptions to specific pharmacies. Some prescriptions were paid for by federal insurance programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, and TRICARE. Price, an employee of Kindred Home Health, would also refer patients to other home health agencies in the San Antonio area for a kickback payment. At least some of the patients referred were Medicare beneficiaries.
“Illegal kickbacks are a hidden drain on our healthcare system. They raise costs and prevent patient choice,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This case reinforces our ongoing commitment to policing this all too common practice and ensuring the integrity of our public health insurance programs.”
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners are working hard every day to protect patients and federal health care programs from fraud and abuse,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division. “Healthcare fraud affects patient safety, quality of healthcare, and healthcare costs. Amber Price knew what she was doing was unethical and illegal. Today’s sentence sends a message to those who would use kickbacks and fraudulent schemes to take advantage of the health care system, that these types of crimes will not be tolerated.”
Codefendant Christopher Patrick Cruz, 49, of San Antonio, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 21. Cruz owned a medical marketing business and conspired with Price to increase the volumes of prescriptions of specific pharmacies.
The FBI; Texas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; and the Defense Criminal Investigation Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas Granted Funding for Investments in Public SafetyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – The Justice Department announced today several new commitments as part of its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Instituted by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, the strategy focuses on harnessing federal resources, intelligence, and expertise as a force-multiplier with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta highlighted the more than $334 million in critical grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders awarded today by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The COPS grants announced today include funding to help law enforcement agencies hire over 1,730 new law enforcement officers across the country while also providing critical funding to support school safety and continue to advance community policing nationwide.
Through this funding, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is pleased to announce that the Department’s COPS Office awarded $11,028,393 to the Western District of Texas to combat violent crime and maintain public safety.
“Law enforcement officers across the country are showing up every day to protect their communities in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These grants, which support the hiring of more than 1700 new officers and make critical investments in school safety and crisis intervention efforts, will help provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep their communities safe, support officers, and build public trust.”
“The grant award announced today by the Justice Department is a critical investment in public safety for our district,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I am grateful for the support from the Attorney General and across the Department, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the people of the Western District are safe and secure.”
The Department has also named the five new cities to join the more than 50 jurisdictions currently part of the Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which has a proven track record of helping partner sites reduce crime, improve homicide clearance rates, and enhance the quality of life for community members. The 2024 PSP sites are: Knoxville, Tennessee; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; and Vallejo, California.
Lastly, the Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General announced that this December 11-13, in Indianapolis, the Justice Department’s will bring together 1,500 local and federal partners from across the country, including representatives from the more than 50 PSP jurisdictions and from Project Safe Neighborhoods for a Violent Crime Reduction Summit, to be hosted by OJP BJA.
Complete lists of all program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here.
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Guatemalan National Indicted for Alleged Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Guatemalan national was indicted in a federal court in El Paso with two counts related to child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, Jesus Menjibar Salinas, 20, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents east of Sierra Blanca on Oct. 3. An affidavit filed in a criminal complaint alleges that Salinas possessed a cell phone with photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse material stored within the device and in a messaging application.
Salinas is charged with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a penalty of five to 20 years in prison for the transportation charge and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the possession 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 made the announcement.
HSI and USBP are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg is 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.
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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Texas Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
MIDLAND, Texas – A Kingsville man was sentenced in a federal court in Midland to 168 months in prison for enticement of a minor.
According to court documents, Joel Garcia Elizondo Jr., 34, discussed engaging in multiple sexual acts with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl over various social media applications. Elizondo agreed to meet the girl outside an Odessa middle school one evening. Once Elizondo arrived outside the school, he was immediately taken into custody by Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) special agents and Odessa Police Department officers. On Aug. 1, a federal jury in Midland found Elizondo guilty of the charge.
“These investigations are crucial to protecting children across our district, and the nation, as they identify and apprehend adults who are willing to meet children online for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the proactive efforts of our law enforcement partners who potentially prevented a hands-on sexual assault of a child by this defendant.”
TX DPS, the Odessa Police Department and Midland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Mahoney and John Fedock 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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Four Defendants Extradited from Guatemala Sentenced for Roles in Deadly International Human Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, along with the Department of Homeland Security and its partners, today announced significant sentences obtained through Joint Task Force Alpha’s (JTFA) prosecution of leaders, organizers, and members of a prolific human smuggling scheme that resulted in the death of a Guatemalan migrant in 2021.
Four defendants were sentenced today in the Western District of Texas for their roles in the human smuggling scheme. Lopez Mateo Mateo, aka Bud Light, 43, was sentenced to 30 years in prison; Felipe Diego Alonzo, aka Siete, 40, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison; and Nesly Norberto Martinez Gomez, aka Canche, 38, and Juan Gutierrez Castro, aka Andres, 46, were both sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison.
“The four defendants sentenced in this case were part of a deadly human smuggling operation that endangered vulnerable migrants for profit and cost one woman her life,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “When I directed the formation of Joint Task Force Alpha in 2021, I said that the Justice Department would combat the threats posed by dangerous human smuggling networks where they originate and operate. Since then, the Justice Department has made over 260 domestic and international arrests and secured 150 convictions on human smuggling charges. The Justice Department will continue to disrupt and dismantle the threat posed by human smuggling and trafficking operations.”
“Human smugglers will do anything to make a profit and the Department of Homeland Security will do everything in its power to stop them,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The sentencing of these four individuals is the direct result of an unprecedented, whole-of-government effort to prevent these crimes and seek justice for victims. In close partnership with the Justice Department and others through JTFA, our Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents will continue to investigate and dismantle the transnational criminal organizations that prey on vulnerable people.”
“Tragedies like this serve as a stark reminder of the dangers human smugglers pose to migrants,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Joint Task Force Alpha, with our international law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and take down dangerous transnational operations that undermine our lawful immigration system and exploit migrants in the name of profit.”
According to court documents, the defendants admitted to conspiring with other smugglers to facilitate the movement of large numbers of migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and ultimately into the United States. They charged the migrants and their families approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the perilous journey. One of the journeys resulted in the death of a young indigenous Guatemalan woman, who died in Texas in April 2021. The woman’s family paid the defendants approximately $10,000 to smuggle her into the United States. The defendants arranged for her to be guided for several days on foot through the desert from Mexico into Texas and then driven to a stash house in Odessa, Texas, where she ultimately died. The defendants and their co-conspirators dumped her body on the side of a rural road outside Odessa, Texas. The defendants and their co-conspirators also arranged to pay off the victim’s family in Guatemala.
“These sentences reflect the lengths and degrees this office and the overall Justice Department will go to seek justice for the victims of heinous crimes and prevent further harm,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Smuggling rings like these operate, not with any concern for their victims’ lives, but rather their greed and desire for cold, hard cash. In coordination with our partners, both in the United States and worldwide, we will continue to do everything in our power to dismantle these networks and hold smugglers accountable.”
“HSI will continue to apply its broad investigative authority and international footprint to ensure members of these transnational criminal networks are held accountable for preying upon and abusing a vulnerable population,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of HSI El Paso. “Our message is clear: If you’re running one of these elicit organizations that are moving human cargo, we will find you no matter how near or far you are.”
Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States resulting in death. As announced last year, extensive coordination between U.S. and Guatemalan law enforcement authorities led to the indictment and arrest of these four defendants, as well as the apprehension of 15 additional co-conspirators in Guatemala. Pursuant to an extradition request, in March, Guatemalan authorities extradited Mateo Mateo, Diego Alonzo, Martinez Gomez, and Gutierrez Castro to the United States – the first Guatemalan human smuggling extraditions to the United States in nearly five years, and the first ever extraditions from Guatemala to the United States on charges of human smuggling resulting in death.
HSI Midland led the investigation, working in concert with HSI Guatemala and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; ICE’s Parole and Law Enforcement Programs Unit; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel; U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Marshals Service; the Odessa and Midland Police Departments; the Texas Department of Public Safety; and the Ector County, Midland County, and Crane County Sheriffs’ Offices.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance to secure the arrest and extradition of the four defendants. The Criminal Division’s Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT) provided case-based mentoring to support the investigation. The Justice Department is grateful to Guatemalan law enforcement, who were instrumental in furthering this investigation.
JTFA Co-Director James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Luis Acosta and John Fedock for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian Gallegos for the Western District of Texas and HRSP Historian and Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.
This prosecution and the collaboration with Guatemalan law enforcement were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). Attorney General Garland created JTFA in June 2021 in partnership with DHS 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 Criminal Division that are part of JTFA, led by HRSP, and supported by ODPAT, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, 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 260 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 150 convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Cuatro acusados extraditados de Guatemala condenados por participar en una asociación delictuosa internacional de tráfico de personas con resultado mortalRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia, junto con el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y sus socios, anunciaron hoy importantes sentencias obtenidas a través del procesamiento por parte de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa (JTFA) de líderes, organizadores y miembros de un prolífico ardid de tráfico de personas que resultó en la muerte de un migrante guatemalteco en 2021.
Cuatro acusados han sido condenados hoy en el Distrito Oeste de Texas por su participación en el ardid de tráfico de personas. López Mateo Mateo, alias Bud Light, de 43 años, fue condenado a 30 años de prisión; Felipe Diego Alonzo, alias Siete, de 40 años, fue condenado a 19 años y siete meses de prisión; y Nesly Norberto Martínez Gómez, alias Canche, de 38 años, y Juan Gutiérrez Castro, alias Andrés, de 46 años, fueron condenados a 10 años y un mes de prisión.
“Los cuatro acusados sentenciados en este caso formaban parte de una mortífera operación de tráfico de personas que ponía en peligro a migrantes vulnerables con fines lucrativos y que le costó la vida a una mujer”, dijo el fiscal general Merrick B. Garland. “Cuando dirigí la formación de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa en 2021, dije que el Departamento de Justicia combatiría las amenazas planteadas por las peligrosas redes de tráfico de personas allí donde se originaran y operaran. Desde entonces, el Departamento de Justicia ha realizado más de 260 aprehensiones nacionales e internacionales y ha logrado 150 condenas por cargos de tráfico de personas. El Departamento de Justicia seguirá desarticulando y desmantelando la amenaza que representan las operaciones de tráfico y trata de personas”.
“Los traficantes de personas harán cualquier cosa para obtener beneficios y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional hará todo lo que esté en su poder para detenerlos”, declaró el secretario de Seguridad Nacional, Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “La condena de estas cuatro personas es el resultado directo de un esfuerzo sin precedentes de todo el Gobierno para prevenir estos delitos y buscar justicia para las víctimas. En estrecha colaboración con el Departamento de Justicia y otros organismos a través de la JTFA, nuestros agentes de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) seguirán investigando y desmantelando las organizaciones delictivas transnacionales que se aprovechan de personas vulnerables”.
“Tragedias como esta nos recuerdan crudamente los peligros que los traficantes de personas representan para los migrantes”, declaró la fiscal general auxiliar en funciones Nicole M. Argentieri, de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia. “La Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa, junto con nuestros socios internacionales encargados de la aplicación de la ley, seguirá persiguiendo y desarticulando peligrosas operaciones transnacionales que socavan nuestro sistema de inmigración legal y explotan a los migrantes con fines lucrativos”.
Según documentos del tribunal, los acusados admitieron haberse unido en una asociación delictuosa con otros traficantes para facilitar el traslado de un gran número de migrantes desde Guatemala a través de México y, en última instancia, a los Estados Unidos. Ellos les cobraron a los migrantes y a sus familias entre $10,000 y $12,000 dólares estadounidenses por el peligroso viaje. Uno de los viajes resultó en la muerte de una joven indígena guatemalteca, quien falleció en Texas en abril de 2021. La familia de la mujer pagó a los acusados unos $10,000 dólares estadounidenses para que la introdujeran ilegalmente en los Estados Unidos. Los acusados se encargaron de guiarla durante varios días a pie por el desierto desde México hasta Texas y luego la condujeron a una casa clandestina en Odessa, Texas, donde finalmente murió. Los acusados y sus coconspiradores arrojaron su cuerpo a un lado de una carretera rural en las afueras de Odessa, Texas. Los acusados y sus coconspiradores también coordinaron para sobornar a la familia de la víctima en Guatemala.
“Estas sentencias reflejan hasta qué punto esta oficina y el Departamento de Justicia en general harán justicia a las víctimas de crímenes atroces y evitarán más daños”, dijo el fiscal de los EE. UU. Jaime Esparza para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. “Las redes de tráfico como estas operan, no con preocupación por las vidas de sus víctimas, sino más bien su codicia y el deseo de dinero contante y sonante. En coordinación con nuestros socios, tanto en los Estados Unidos como en todo el mundo, seguiremos haciendo todo lo que esté en nuestras manos para desmantelar estas redes y hacer que los traficantes rindan cuentas”.
“HSI continuará aplicando su amplia autoridad investigadora y su presencia internacional para garantizar que los miembros de estas redes delictivas transnacionales rindan cuentas por aprovecharse y abusar de una población vulnerable”, declaró el agente especial a cargo Francisco B. Burrola, de HSI El Paso. “Nuestro mensaje es claro: si diriges una de estas organizaciones ilícitas que trasladan cargamentos de personas, te encontraremos, no importa lo cerca o lejos que estés”.
Cada uno de los acusados se declaró culpable de un cargo de asociación delictuosa para introducir a un extranjero en los Estados Unidos con resultado mortal. Como se anunció el año pasado, la amplia coordinación entre las autoridades del orden público estadounidenses y guatemaltecas condujo a la acusación formal y aprehensión de estos cuatro acusados, así como a la aprehensión de 15 coconspiradores más en Guatemala. En virtud de una solicitud de extradición, las autoridades guatemaltecas extraditaron en marzo a Mateo Mateo, Diego Alonzo, Martínez Gómez y Gutiérrez Castro a los Estados Unidos, la primera extradición de guatemaltecos por tráfico de personas a los Estados Unidos en casi cinco años y la primera extradición de Guatemala a los Estados Unidos por cargos de tráfico de personas con resultado mortal.
HSI Midland dirigió la investigación, trabajando en colaboración con HSI Guatemala y la Unidad de Tráfico de Personas de HSI en Washington, D.C. HSI recibió una asistencia sustancial de Operaciones de Aplicación de la Ley y Expulsiones del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de EE.UU. (ICE); Unidad de Programas de Libertad Supervisada y Aplicación de la Ley de ICE; Centro Nacional de Objetivos/Operación Centinela del Servicio de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras de los EE. UU.; la Patrulla Fronteriza de EE. UU.; el Servicio de Alguaciles de EE. UU.; los Departamentos de Policía de Odessa y Midland; el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas; y las oficinas de los alguaciles de los condados de Ector, Midland y Crane.
La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales (OIA) del Departamento de Justicia proporcionó una importante asistencia para garantizar la aprehensión y extradición de los cuatro acusados. La Oficina de Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación de Fiscales (OPDAT) de la División Penal proporcionó tutoría basada en casos para apoyar la investigación. El Departamento de Justicia agradece a las autoridades del orden público de Guatemala, quienes fueron fundamentales para proseguir con la investigación.
El codirector de la JTFA, James Hepburn, de la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesamientos Especiales (HRSP) de la División Penal, y los fiscales auxiliares de los EE. UU. José Luis Acosta y John Fedock, del Distrito Oeste de Texas, procesaron el caso, con la importante asistencia del fiscal auxiliar de los EE. UU. Adrián Gallegos, del Distrito Oeste de Texas, y de la historiadora y especialista en América Latina de la HRSP Joanna Crandall.
Este procesamiento y la colaboración con las autoridades del orden público de Guatemala se coordinaron bajo la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa (JTFA). El fiscal general Garland creó la JTFA en junio de 2021 en colaboración con el DHS para reforzar los esfuerzos del Departamento de Justicia en la lucha contra el aumento del prolífico y peligroso tráfico procedente de Centroamérica y que afecta a nuestras comunidades fronterizas. La JTFA está compuesta por agentes de las Fiscalías de los EE. UU. a lo largo de la frontera suroeste, incluidos el Distrito Sur de Texas, el Distrito Oeste de Texas, el Distrito de Nuevo México, el Distrito de Arizona y el Distrito Sur de California. También proporcionan apoyo específico numerosos componentes de la División Penal que forman parte de la JTFA, dirigidos por la HRSP, y apoyados por ODPAT, la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas, la Sección de Lavado de Dinero y Recuperación de Activos, la Oficina de Operaciones de Aplicación de la Ley, la OIA y la Sección de Delitos Violentos y Delincuencia Organizada. La JTFA también cuenta con una importante colaboración para la aplicación de la ley por parte del DHS, el FBI, la Administración para el Control de Drogas (DEA) y otros socios. Hasta la fecha, el trabajo de la JTFA ha dado como resultado más de 260 aprehensiones nacionales e internacionales de dirigentes, organizadores y facilitadores importantes del tráfico de personas; más de 150 condenas; importantes penas de cárcel impuestas; y decomisos de bienes sustanciales.
San Antonio Couple Sentenced for Claiming Deceased Mother’s Federal BenefitsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio couple was sentenced in federal court today to five years probation and ordered to pay $218,730.60 in restitution for theft of government funds.
According to court documents, Tracy Stephanie Grubbs, 59, failed to report her mother’s death to the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. From January 2011 to December 2018, Grubbs received and negotiated SSA and VA benefit payments intended for her deceased mother. Grubbs would write checks to her husband Gary Lewis Grubbs, 70, who would negotiate the check and use the funds for his own benefit. Both defendants received the same penalty.
“Long term fraud deprives government agencies like the Social Security Administration and the VA of valuable resources,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continuously pursue these cases to guard vital resources for Americans in need.”
“This sentence holds Ms. Grubbs accountable for deliberately using her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits for years until SSA OIG uncovered a death certificate for her mother; theft of government funds is a federal crime, which we will always aggressively pursue,” said Inspector General Gail S. Ennis for SSA. “I want to thank the VA OIG for its efforts in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that those who would defraud VA programs intended for deserving veterans and their families will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper for the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”
The SSA OIG and VA OIG investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Miller prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Operating $9 Million Ponzi Scheme Disguised as Crypto Investment FirmRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 84 months in prison for wire fraud.
According to court documents, Abner Tinoco, 27, operated a Ponzi scheme through his business by soliciting millions of dollars of investments from clients and claiming he would invest their money into funds dealing with cryptocurrency and foreign exchange markets. Out of approximately $9 million worth of investments deposited into his business accounts, Tinoco spent more than half on personal expenses to include luxury cars, private jets, real estate and jewelry. Tinoco furthered the deception by providing some of the misappropriated funds as profits to his clients.
“This defendant manufactured a predatory scheme, investing less than half a percent of funds from over a dozen victims who trusted him with millions of dollars in investments,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We will continue to strongly prosecute rapacious fraudsters who take advantage of unsuspecting victims while also holding the defendants responsible for those victims’ lost funds.”
“The defendant orchestrated an elaborate cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme that caused extensive financial harm to unsuspecting victims,” said Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. “The FBI El Paso’s Complex Financial Crimes Task Force will continue to investigate and seek justice for individuals who fall victim to criminals who cheat and lie their way into victims’ pockets for the sole purpose of taking their hard-earned income for their own personal gain.”
In a separate civil case stemming from the above scheme, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) secured a civil consent decree against Tinoco and his business, imposing a ban relating to trading activities. The Department of Justice will work to achieve additional restitution for victims of Tinoco’s scheme. A restitution hearing is scheduled to be held in 2024.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Romero and Chris Skillern prosecuted the case.
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Fort Worth Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Firearms into MexicoRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Fort Worth man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Del Rio to smuggling firearms from the U.S. into Mexico.
According to court documents, Humberto Limon Olivares, 57, attempted to leave the U.S. through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on July 29. During inspection, Customs and Border Protection Officers discovered two pistols and a box of 40mm ammunition hidden under a blanket in the vehicle’s third row. Additionally, CBPOs found five pistols, one rifle, 14 magazines, and 343 rounds of assorted ammunition in the trunk of the vehicle.
Olivares pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the U.S. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years 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 and Acting Special Agent in Charge Noel Rangel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.
CBP and the ATF are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bird is prosecuting the case.
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Marfa Youth Softball Coach Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Marfa man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Alpine today to possession of child pornography and transportation of child pornography, aiding and abetting.
According to the affidavit in a criminal complaint, which was filed in May, 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 pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of child pornography, aiding and abetting and one count of possession of child pornography. He faces no less than five and up to 20 years in prison for the transportation charge, and up to 20 years in prison for the possession 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 made the announcement.
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Marfa Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Greenbaum and Kevin Cayton 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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Honduran National Sentenced for Assault on Border Patrol AgentRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Honduran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 78 months in prison for assault on a federal agent/officer.
According to court documents, Kevin Roney Rodriguez-Sauceda, 29, was apprehended by a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Eagle Pass on Aug. 3, 2022. During the encounter, Rodriguez-Sauceda assaulted the agent with a knife while another undocumented noncitizen bit the agent. Both individuals were detained as additional agents responded.
Rodriguez-Sauceda pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.
“We are once again reminded that our partners in green place their lives on the line each and every day in defense of the United States and the integrity of our border,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our partners at the FBI and U.S. Border Patrol for their dedication to the mission and upholding the law.”
“This case is a reminder of the danger U.S. Border Patrol agents and law enforcement officers face while working to protect people every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division. “This sentencing is a reflection of the FBI's commitment in partnering with law enforcement at all levels to keep our communities safe.”
The FBI and USBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 240 months in prison for distribution of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Patrick Harley Chaires, 28, sold a counterfeit M-30 pill containing fentanyl on Jan. 10. The purchaser consumed the pill and overdosed due to fentanyl poisoning. The victim was revived after receiving medical care and Naloxone. Chaires was arrested on Jan. 25 as the result of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation.
“The victim in this case is incredibly fortunate that they were able to receive the necessary medical care following their overdose,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Everyone must be aware of, and take seriously, the dangers of fentanyl and its abundant presence in counterfeit pills being sold on the streets and through social media. As long as fentanyl distribution persists, we will continue to heavily prosecute those responsible for poisoning our communities.”
“This 20-year sentence sends a clear message to everyone in our community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Castañeda for the DEA’s El Paso Division. “The DEA is laser-focused on one goal – saving American lives. Regardless of the quantity of illicit drugs you sell, if you hurt someone in the process, we will build a case against you, and bring this elevated charge to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s office for your prosecution.”
This case was investigated by the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT) of the DEA’s El Paso Division, which is a West Texas HIDTA Initiative. FORT is comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Army Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Army National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso County Sheriff’s Department, and El Paso Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Countryman prosecuted the case.
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New Braunfels Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Selling Misbranded DrugsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A New Braunfels man was sentenced in federal court in San Antonio to five years in prison for selling non-controlled but dangerous substances through the mail.
According to court documents, Evan Asher Field, 42, and codefendant Michael Dominic Diaz, 31, purchased bulk quantities of various drugs, including synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines, and re-sold them through a website Field created in September 2019.
The drugs, most of which originated in China and were not regulated or approved for any use by the FDA, can potentially cause toxic and fatal overdoses if consumed by humans. The two defendants repackaged the drugs into consumer-size containers and shipped them to various locations throughout the United States. The initial website remained online until September 2021, when Diaz launched a second website offering a nearly identical service.
Despite disclaimers on the website and product packaging stating “for research purposes only,” and “not for human consumption,” the two defendants were aware that customers were purchasing the substances for personal use and consuming the drugs. Multiple consumers suffered overdoses, including some which were fatal.
In addition to imprisonment, Field was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. Codefendant Diaz is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 21.
“The defendants in this case recklessly endangered the lives and well-being of the numerous individuals who purchased unregulated substances from them,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We hope that this sentence brings attention to this type of conduct and serves as a warning to those who would engage in it.”
“Unapproved prescription drugs can present a serious health risk to those who buy and use them. The drugs can contain unknown ingredients and can be made under unknown conditions,” said Special Agent in Charge George A. Scavdis, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who traffic in unapproved and potentially dangerous drugs.”
“Synthetic drugs remain the primary driver of the opioid epidemic, and attempting to profit off the epidemic plaguing our communities is an apparent complete disregard for human life,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Office.
The FDA and DEA investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Chung and Amy Hail prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted utilizing resources from the Dark Market and Digital Currency Crimes (DMDCC) Task Force. The DMDCC Task Force is a joint effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI – Baltimore, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department, targeting the use of dark net marketplaces and digital currencies to facilitate criminal activities.
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Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 70 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, Erick Botello Reyes, 21, attempted to enter the United States from Mexico at the Presidio Port of Entry on April 2. Upon inspection of his vehicle, a Customs and Border Protection K-9 alerted CBP Officers of a possible narcotics presence inside the vehicle’s dashboard. The officers searched the vehicle, locating 9.4 kilograms of cocaine and 347.3 grams of fentanyl. Reyes was then taken into custody. He pleaded guilty on June 29 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
“Cutting off these trafficking attempts disrupts the activities of cartels and other drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “In coordination with our federal, state and local partners, my office continues to hold accountable the individuals who bring fentanyl into the country and carelessly poison our communities.”
“The sad truth is that the fentanyl epidemic in our communities continues to claim so many lives and it’s utterly unacceptable," said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of the HSI El Paso Division. “HSI remains committed to investigate and ultimately dismantle drug smuggling organizations who attempt to smuggle and peddle deadly drugs in our communities. This sentence will give ample time for the defendant to think about his criminal activity behind bars.”
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Greenbaum and Matthew Ellis prosecuted the case.
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Alpine Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – An Alpine man was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 78 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, Timothy Rey Korteland, 19, engaged in multiple conversations, sexual in nature, with a minor in another state over the messaging application Discord. An FBI agent executed a search warrant for Korteland’s Discord account, revealing multiple instances of Korteland claiming to have child sexual abuse material. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI conducted a search warrant at Korteland’s residence, removing all electronics in his possession, and found multiple video files depicting young children engaged in sexual activity saved in an application on his cell phone.
Korteland pleaded guilty to the possession of child pornography charge on March 28.
“This defendant, by his own estimate, possessed around 2,000 videos of child sexual abuse material and other illicit sexual content, and was forming an online relationship with a minor,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the collaborative efforts by our federal law enforcement partners to prevent Korteland from causing any further harm to his victims. This federal prison sentence should serve as a warning to anyone who seeks out and possesses material of this nature, that we will be relentless in our pursuit of justice.”
“The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to protect children from those who seek to exploit their innocence,” said Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “These types of cases serve as a reminder of the importance for parents/caregivers to be aware of who their children are talking to when they are online and playing in group gaming platforms.”
“This sentence is a testament to the repugnant nature of child exploitation crimes which only perpetuates the trauma endured by victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of the HSI El Paso Division. “HSI agents make it a top priority to protect vulnerable children from victimization by working with their law enforcement partners to investigate predators involved in child sexual abuse material and ensure they are held accountable for their heinous actions.”
The FBI and HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum 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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Oklahoma Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – An Oklahoma woman was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 168 months in prison for importing and possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute.
According to court documents, Cherakee Lee Perez, 33, provided a negative declaration during a Customs and Border Patrol vehicle inspection at the Presidio Port of Entry from Mexico into the U.S. A narcotic detection canine discovered more than three dozen packages hidden in the vehicle. 29 of packages contained approximately 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, while the other 13 contained seven kilograms of fentanyl. Perez admitted to transporting the drugs for a drug trafficking organization.
“The sentencing of Perez should serve as a warning to drug trafficking organizations and the individuals who attempt to transport drugs into the U.S. on their behalf,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to disrupt and dismantle these organizations.”
“This HSI investigation demonstrates that we stand ready to aggressively investigate criminals who profit from distributing dangerous drugs, contributing to the devastating opioid epidemic in our country,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of the Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Division. “This sentence ensures one fewer person is out on the streets poisoning our community.”
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
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Four Alleged Fentanyl Traffickers Arrested in Connection to Army Spouse DeathRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas– Four individuals have been arrested on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in fentanyl trafficking resulting in the death of the dependent spouse of a Fort Cavazos soldier.
According to court documents, Julio Bonilla-Tirado aka “Falo,” 36, of Copperas Cove; Gilberto Hernandez-Marin aka “Joyto,” aka “Lento,” aka “El Viejo,” 28, of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico; Juan Cabral aka “Juanki,” 31, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico; and Adxel Romero-Flores aka “Axel,” 31, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico were allegedly responsible for transporting more than two pounds of fentanyl pills into the Central Texas area, some of which caused the death of a U.S. Army dependent spouse.
Bonilla-Tirado was arrested by Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Copperas Cove Police Department in Copperas Cove on Sept. 14. Hernandez-Marin was arrested by the Puerto Rico Police Department on Oct. 8. Cabral was captured by the United States Marshal Service Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force on Oct. 19. Romero-Flores is currently incarcerated within the judicial system of Puerto Rico for an unrelated criminal offense and is pending transfer into federal custody.
Bonilla-Tirado, Cabral, Romero-Flores, and Hernandez-Marin are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl resulting in death and unlawful communications. If convicted, each defendant faces a penalty of 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 and Special Agent in Charge Maria Thomas for the Army CID Central Texas Field Office made the announcement.
Army CID is investigating the case with valuable assistance provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division; the Killeen Police Department; the Copperas Cove Police Department; and the Puerto Rico Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Blanton 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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Two Men Indicted in Austin for Robbing U.S. Postal CarriersRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A federal grand jury in Austin returned an indictment charging two men with crimes related to the robberies of postal carriers.
According to court documents, Camren Hamilton, 22, of Saint Louis, Missouri, and Jonathan Rangel, 26, of Austin, allegedly robbed two postal carriers in Round Rock on Sept. 30. The affidavit in a filed complaint alleges that Rangel also assaulted multiple letter carriers with the intent to rob them in Georgetown and Austin in the days prior. The affidavit alleges that in each incident, the assailant demanded that the carriers give him their Arrow Key, which enables the carrier to access mail receptacles on their route.
Hamilton is charged with two counts of robbery of mail matter, money or other property of the United States and two counts of receipt, possession, concealment and disposal of stolen mail matter and property of the United States. Rangel is charged with four counts of robbery of mail matter, money or other property of the United States and two counts of receipt, possession, concealment and disposal of stolen mail matter and property of the United States.
The defendants made their initial court appearances on Oct. 2 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin M. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine 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; and Inspector in Charge Scott Fix of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Houston Division made the announcement.
The USPIS is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Guess 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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Beaumont Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Beaumont man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 420 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents, Kevin Ritchie, 34, directed others to continue his drug distribution of cocaine and heroin in Eagle Pass, Texas on a weekly basis while incarcerated on federal charges. Ritchie was a lieutenant in the Partido Revolucionario Mexicano (PRM) gang, an illicit prison-based gang with cells located throughout the United States, including Del Rio, Eagle Pass and San Antonio. The PRM gang cooperates with Mexican drug cartels, such as the Gulf Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, to import and distribute various narcotics from Mexico into the United States. A search warrant granting access to a Facebook account revealed Ritchie orchestrated drug trafficking through social media correspondence. Under Ritchie’s direction, the individuals deposited the proceeds to his prison commissary account. Ritchie was sentenced as a career offender due to his numerous other federal felony convictions.
“This defendant, associated with a large drug trafficking network, has proven his tendency to place personal profit above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “His dedication to criminal activity while in confinement has led to another much lengthier 35 years in federal prison. My office will aggressively prosecute criminals who continue to support the illicit activities of cartels while incarcerated.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, Maverick County Sheriff’s Office, El Paso Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Holly Pavlinski and Izaak Bruce prosecuted the case.
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Laredo Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for False Statement During Firearm PurchaseRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A U.S. District Judge in San Antonio sentenced a Laredo man yesterday to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for providing a false statement in required information kept by a firearms dealer. FBI agents arrested him in April 2023; he pleaded guilty to an indictment on June 22, 2023.
According to court documents, Brandon Ray Speed, 20, provided an incorrect home address when he attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun at a sporting goods store in San Antonio on December 11, 2022. Speed’s attempted purchase was delayed due to expanded background checks for purchasers under age 21 required under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and he never completed the purchase.
At sentencing, the prosecution explained that the Laredo Police Department arrested Speed in December 2022 for making terroristic threats related to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Speed had a history of using firearms to promote and amplify his social media posts glorifying the Uvalde gunman, which included a video clip of Speed driving past the memorial at Robb Elementary school, with the caption “Long Live Salvador.” The prosecution argued that Speed’s history of alien smuggling activities warranted an increased sentence and that a substantial sentence was needed because of the dangers Speed posed to the community, which included his admission that he fantasized about committing a school shooting.
The FBI’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Center, in conjunction with local law enforcement’s San Antonio Behavioral Threat Assessment Group, provided key information and analysis to assist prosecutors and investigators in this case, including an assessment that Speed posed a high risk of committing acts of violence, which helped authorities to allocate resources appropriately.
“This is a great example of coordinated efforts by local and federal law enforcement to intervene early and keep our community safe using the full panoply of prosecutorial options at our disposal,” said Jaime Esparza, United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas. “I thank our partners at the FBI for their commitment to the investigation in this case, which led to our prosecution and prevented the defendant from inflicting any danger in our communities.”
“Brandon Speed provided false statements on an official form while trying to purchase a gun after demonstrating concerning behavior in several other areas of his life,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division. “I would like to thank the San Antonio Behavioral Threat Assessment Group, the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, and our local law enforcement partners for their exceptional work on this case.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case.
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Eight Indicted in Central Texas on Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas – A group of eight Texas men were indicted in Waco on criminal charges related to their alleged drug and gun activity.
Federal grand jury indictments charge Jeremiah Pittman, 21; Shamall McDonald, 21; Juan Christian Rodriguez-Luhan, 20; Raeshawn Demond Roberts, 21; Jacob Deshaun Raglin, 24; Javion Lavelle Cooper, 19; Tyson Charae Hawthorne, 21; and Dantawn Richardson, 20, with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Raglin was arrested in Arlington Tuesday, while the remaining defendants were arrested in Waco. Richardson was already in Waco Police custody on unrelated charges. During the arrests, law enforcement officers recovered four firearms, 13 ounces of methamphetamine and more than four pounds of marijuana.
If convicted, each of the eight defendants faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the marijuana charge and a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison consecutive to any other prison term for the firearm 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 made the announcement.
Members of the Texas Anti-Gang Taskforce, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Waco Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), McLennan County Sherriff’s Department and McLennan County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Blanton is 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. The Texas Anti-Gang Taskforce is a group of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors focused on reducing gang violence and dismantling gangs in the Central Texas area.
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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Killeen Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas – A Killeen man was sentenced in a federal court in Waco to 97 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Eric Darnell Johnson, 34, sold cocaine to dozens of individuals within Killeen, including servicemembers and civilians associated with the Department of the Army. A search warrant of Johnson’s residence led to the seizure of approximately 200 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic narcotics. Law enforcement officials also recovered more than 20 firearms from Johnson’s residence, three of which were discovered to have been stolen.
“This sentence is a victory for the safety of Fort Cavazos and the surrounding community,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It’s also a warning to anyone who would consider making the same poor decision to put service members, their families, and others at risk. We and our dedicated law enforcement partners will not tolerate drug trafficking in our district.”
“This conviction shows our desire to eliminate the threat of drug trafficking which endangers our communities” said Special Agent-in-Charge Maria Thomas for the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Central Texas Field Office. “The Central Texas Field Office will continue to partner with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to protect our communities and the Department of the Army from the dangers of drug trafficking.”
Army CID, the Bell County Organized Crime Unit, and the Killeen Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kucera prosecuted the case.
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Federal Court Orders San Antonio-Area Pharmacy and Pharmacist to Pay $275,000 Civil Penalty in Case Alleging Unlawful Opioid DistributionRead the Press Release
A federal court in Texas ordered a San Antonio pharmacy and its pharmacist to pay a $275,000 civil penalty and imposed restrictions related to the dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances.
Pursuant to an agreed consent judgment and permanent injunction, the court enjoined Zarzamora Healthcare LLC, doing business as Rite-Away Pharmacy & Medical Supply #2, along with pharmacist-owner Jitendra Chaudhary, from dispensing certain opioid prescriptions, including combination opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions. The order also mandates that the defendants undergo periodic comprehensive reviews of their dispensing practices to ensure compliance with the order and the Controlled Substances Act.
The order resolves a civil complaint the government filed on Jan. 21, 2022, in the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleged that the defendants repeatedly dispensed opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act by filling prescriptions while ignoring “red flags” – that is, obvious indications that the prescriptions were not for any legitimate medical use. The complaint also alleged that the defendants altered prescriptions that lacked required information in order to make them appear to be in compliance with DEA regulations.
“The Controlled Substances Act requires pharmacies and pharmacists to ensure that opioids are dispensed for medically legitimate purposes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable professionals who flout their obligations regarding potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”
“The distribution of opioids and other prescription drugs by healthcare practitioners throughout the country has caused immense harm to our communities over the years,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “My office takes this issue very seriously and will litigate against healthcare professionals when warranted.”
“A pharmacist must resolve all “red flags” before the dispensation of any prescription drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Houston Division. “If the requirements of a proper prescription are not met, the men and women of the DEA Diversion Control Division are always ready to hold these pharmacists accountable .”
U.S. District Judge Jason K. Pulliam entered the consent decree in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
The DEA’s San Antonio District Office Tactical Diversion Squad investigated the case.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Van De Walle for the Western District of Texas and Trial Attorneys Scott Dahlquist and Ryan Norman of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.
Claims made in a complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if a case proceeds to trial. The claims resolved by the injunction announced today are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Consent DecreeMan Sentenced in El Paso for Trafficking Meth into U.S. from MexicoRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 70 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Cesar Tarango Cobos, 42, of Chihuahua, Mexico attempted to enter the United States from Mexico through the Presidio Port of Entry on Feb. 17. A secondary vehicle inspection revealed 94 brick-shaped bundles containing 38.72 kilograms of marijuana and 21 cylinder-shaped bundles containing 10.2 kilograms of methamphetamine stored in after-market compartments and in the rear bumper and side panel areas of the vehicle.
“Agents at the ports of entry remain vigilant and I commend all of our law enforcement partners for their investigative work in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “As the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are committed to working with our federal partners to prosecute drug traffickers and protect our communities from the detrimental effects of their crimes.”
“With this conviction, FBI El Paso and our Drug Enforcement Administration partners are working together to have a positive impact at the local level,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. “We are sending a strong and unified message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated, and, in turn, we are keeping our communities safer and free from methamphetamine which continues to cause horrific damage in too many of our communities.”
“Over 100,000 Americans died last year due to illicit synthetic drugs, primarily fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Castañeda of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “The men and women of the DEA will continue to prioritize, with laser focus, those who traffic these harmful drugs.”
The FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Myers prosecuted the case.
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Las Cruces Man Indicted in El Paso for Sexual Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – Bradley Fariss Pieper, 27, of Las Cruces was indicted in a federal court in El Paso Wednesday, and charged with coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to allegations in a criminal complaint, Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Pieper on Sept. 9, when he attempted to meet with a person he believed was a 15-year old girl for the purpose of performing sexual acts with her. Pieper had arranged the meeting and communicated his intentions in chats on social media.
The indictment charges Pieper with one count of coercion and enticement. The defendant was arrested Sept. 9 and made his initial court appearance Sept. 11 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne T. Berton of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. At the Sept. 20 detention hearing, Judge Berton ordered Pieper to be detained without bond pending trial.
If convicted, Pieper faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years 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 and Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for the HSI El Paso Division made the announcement.
HSI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg 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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Former San Antonio Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
UPDATE: On Aug. 17, 2026, Christopher John Pettit entered a guilty plea to three counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Under the new plea, Pettit will receive a sentence between 235 and 293 months.
SAN ANTONIO – Former San Antonio Attorney Christopher John Pettit, 56, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to wire fraud and money laundering.
According to court documents, from around October 2019 to July 2022, 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 to three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud counts and up to 10 years for the money laundering counts. 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 Oliver E. Rich Jr. of the FBI San Antonio Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case in conjunction with representatives of the Texas State Securities Board and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Almonte and Kelly Stephenson are prosecuting the case.
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Man Sentenced for Running Child Obscenity WebsiteRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced today to 33 years and nine months in prison for multiple obscenity crimes involving children.
According to the indictment, Ron Kuhlmeyer, 65, of Santa Rosa, operated a website that globally distributed stories about the rape, murder, and sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Law enforcement determined that Kuhlmeyer was running his obscenity website from Belize. Kuhlmeyer wrote many of the stories himself but also published the works of other offenders, including stories that had been previously published on Mr. Double, another website dedicated to publishing writings that detail the sexual abuse of children. Some of the stories on Kuhlmeyer’s website described the rape, torture, and murder of children, while others were accompanied by lifelike computer-generated images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.
On June 13, Kuhlmeyer pleaded guilty to five counts of importation or transportation of obscene matters and one count of distributing obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. Kuhlmeyer was previously convicted of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child in Sonoma County, California, in 2008 and served six years in state prison.
In June 2021, Thomas Arthur, the owner of Mr. Double, was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Francisco Burrola of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigation Division made the announcement.
HSI and the FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the government of Belize.
Trial Attorneys Austin M. Berry and Adam Braskich of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Young for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. 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.
Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bribing HSI AgentRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national residing in Seminole was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso Monday to 12 months in prison for bribery of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent.
According to court documents, Pedro Thiessen, 71, failed to declare $12,171 when entering the United States at the Ysleta Port of Entry in October 2022. Thiessen filed a petition to recover the funds and was interviewed by an HSI agent in January regarding the petition. Thiessen offered to pay the agent an unknown amount of money if the agent assisted with the recovery. The agent reported the offer to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
Thiessen again proposed a monetary offer to the agent during a phone call on Feb. 6. On Feb. 15, the agent arranged a meeting with Thiessen for the following day. Thiessen presented the agent with $1,000 at that meeting and was immediately arrested.
Thiessen pleaded guilty on July 7 to one count of paying a bribe to a public official.
“I appreciate the integrity and dedication of the HSI agent involved to report the bribe and lead us to the arrest of this defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We will prosecute and hold accountable anyone who offers a bribe to the honorable federal law enforcement officers serving in this district.”
“Homeland Security Investigations takes all bribery attempts of its employees extremely seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for the HSI El Paso Division. “In this case, an individual offered a monetary bribe to one of our special agents in return for assistance in recovering thousands of dollars he attempted to smuggle into the country. As a result, he is facing time in prison.”
HSI and ICE OPR investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Woman Posed as Immigration Services Employee, Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso woman was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and impersonating a federal employee.
According to court documents, Ana Maria Hernandez, 53, portrayed herself to be a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) employee and defrauded numerous undocumented noncitizen victims and their family members by falsely representing that she would process their immigration applications for a substantial fee. Hernandez’s victims provided her with the documentation required to file and adjust their immigration status. She was not an employee of CIS and never took any actions to adjust the victims’ status. Investigation revealed that Hernandez had amassed thousands of dollars of unexplained wealth within the 18 months coinciding with her fraudulent activity. Following her arrest on Jan. 23, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso Division began receiving calls from dozens of potential victims in Hernandez’s fraud scheme.
Hernandez pleaded guilty in April to 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of impersonation. In addition to her 87 months imprisonment, Hernandez was ordered to pay $123,275 in restitution and a money judgement order of $19,870.
“This defendant misled vulnerable migrants for financial gain by convincing them that she was a federal employee who could assist them on their path to U.S. citizenship,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office will prosecute anyone who fraudulently takes advantage of our federal agencies and their beneficiaries, and we will ensure their victims are afforded proper reparations.”
“The message is clear: Have no doubt. Individuals who impersonate a federal officer and exploit trusting individuals for their own personal gain, will be held accountable for their crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for the HSI El Paso Division. “HSI will leverage its investigative abilities in order to identify, arrest and prosecute these piranhas in society.”
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Aguayo prosecuted the case.
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Jonestown Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of an Unregistered Destructive DeviceRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas– A Jonestown man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Austin today to possessing an unregistered destructive device, namely a pipe bomb, that detonated in a hospital parking garage.
According to court documents, on Aug. 9, Raymond Luke Garner, 38, parked his pickup truck in a parking garage at St. David’s Hospital in Austin. 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 he was 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 has admitted that he was in possession of an unregistered destructive device on Aug. 9.
Garner pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years 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; FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr., San Antonio Division; and ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division, made the announcement.
The ATF and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force were the lead federal agencies investigating the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Cedar Park Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case.
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San Antonio Business Owner and Associates Arrested for Defrauding SBA ProgramRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Converse man and six alleged co-conspirators were arrested this week on criminal charges related to their alleged conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to court documents Aaron Sams, 39, owns and operates Sams Contracting Consulting and Training LLC. The indictment alleges he used his business to advertise and market a service to historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) companies.
HUBZone is a Small Business Administration (SBA) program designed to provide federal contracting assistance for qualified small businesses to increase employment opportunities, investment and economic development in such areas. The program gives preferences in government contracting to businesses that qualify as a HUBZone small business. To qualify for the HUBZone program a business must maintain its principal office in an SBA-designated HUBZone and have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone.
The indictment alleges that Beverly Smith, 40, of Converse; Jesus Rodriguez, 63, of San Antonio; Uchennaya Ogba, 35, of San Antonio; Kristin Harrison, 37, of Killeen; Jonathan Adams, 36, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Barbara Sanders, 41, of San Antonio, all conspired with Sams and his business to defraud the United States.
According to the indictment, Sams and Rodriguez worked together to identify a group of close friends and family who would serve as fake employees and provide them with personal identifying information such as their driver’s license and social security card. The fake employees, who are co-defendants in this case, are alleged to have known that Sams would send their information to companies in order to be placed on a particular company’s payroll, and each fake employee purportedly paid a kickback to Sams and/or Rodriguez of approximately 20 percent of each payroll deposit they would receive.
The indictment also alleges that Sams and his co-conspirators created email addresses for the fake employees using an email address at a domain that Sams had complete control of, and that Sams and Rodriguez would sanitize the fake employees’ resumes by removing real phone numbers and email addresses from the resumes to ensure that HUBZone companies could never contact any fake employees directly.
The seven defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. If convicted, each defendant 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.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case with valuable assistance from the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations; Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office; Small Business Administration Office of General Counsel; Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General’s Central Region; U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daphne Newaz 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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Odessa Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of MethRead the Press Release
PECOS – An Odessa man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Angel Vargas-Valdivia, 23, attempted to enter the United States from Mexico through the Presidio Port of Entry on August 8. During a Customs and Border Protection inspection, officers noticed evidence of tampering on the rear quarter panels of Vargas’s vehicle, as well as abnormally heavy vehicle doors. X-ray imaging revealed anomalies within the vehicle’s quarter panels, side doors, rear cargo door, trunk and roof. Further inspection revealed 154 bundles weighing approximately 72.2 kilograms. A crystal-like substance extracted from the bundles tested positive for properties of methamphetamine.
Vargas pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. A sentencing date has not been set. Vargas faces a maximum penalty of 10 years 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 and HSI Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
HSI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Van Greenbaum is prosecuting the case.
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Temple Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Transport Non-Citizens Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A Temple, TX man was sentenced yesterday to 136 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death.
According to court documents, between July 24, 2020, and July 26, 2020, Saul Benitez-Gonzalez, 22, conspired with Raul Perez-Benitez (indicted separately) and others to smuggle non-citizens from Mexico to the United States. Benitez helped and prepared Perez to illegally transport nine Mexican citizens into the United States.
On July 26, 2020, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Perez driving a GMC Sierra five miles north of Brackettville. When the agents tried to conduct an immigration inspection, Perez failed to yield and a highspeed chase ensued. Agents terminated pursuit after speeds of 100 miles per hour were reached.
Later that morning agents discovered the GMC had an accident. The GMC appeared to have flipped and rolled after hitting a large boulder. Of the nine Mexican citizens being transported by Perez in the GMC, two died from fatal injuries received in the accident and three others were transported to a medical facility with serious bodily injuries. Four others sustained minor injuries and were transported to a Border Patrol station for processing.
“Smugglers and those who support them have no regard for their human cargo,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “We will continue to work hard with our fellow law enforcement partners to bring these smuggling networks down.”
“This sentencing serves as reminder that HSI will utilize every tool to investigate and dismantle human smuggling networks,” said Special Agent in Charge, Craig Larrabee, HSI San Antonio. “Those engaged in this illicit activity place personal profit ahead of public safety. Driven by greed, these criminals have little regard for the health and well-being of the people they smuggle.”
On January 13, 2023, Perez was sentenced to 63 months with credit for time served since his incarceration on July 26, 2020.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Izaak Bruce and Larry Fadler prosecuted the case.
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Man is Sentenced 15 Years for Possession of Meth and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – An Eagle Pass man was sentenced on Monday to 15 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on October 21, 2021, a search warrant was conducted at the residence of Mario Alberto Torres Jr., 30, and co-defendant Kayla Saldana, 27, of Batesville, Texas. During the search, law enforcement found over 350 grams of methamphetamine and two handguns.
“Through the efforts of the Eagle Pass DEA, a significant source of narcotics supply at the community level was disrupted,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement to rid our communities of these illegal and dangerous substances.”
“Mario Alberto Torres Jr., was profiting off small communities by selling poison in the form of meth," said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division. "Let this sentence be a clear message to anyone considering harming our cherished communities. Our collaborative efforts with our federal, state, and local partners continue to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting our citizens' lives.”
On July 18, 2022, Torres pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Torres has remained in federal custody since his arrest on October 21, 2021.
On April 4, 2022, co-defendant Kayla Saldana pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On April 20, 2023, Saldana was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
The DEA investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Sentenced 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced on Monday to 120 months in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to court documents, between March 2, 2022, and January 25, 2023, Chriss Alexander, 24, had sexually explicit conversations, to include sending lewd photos of male genitalia, with someone he believed to be a minor. On January 25, Alexander arranged to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity. Agents from the FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force arrested Alexander as he approached the minor’s residence.
“I applaud the FBI for seeking out and apprehending this predator before he could do harm to an actual child in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “We will continue to work earnestly with our law enforcement partners to take pedophiles off the streets.”
“The FBI El Paso's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force is committed to protecting the children of our communities,” said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales. “This defendant traveled to attempt to have sex with someone he believed to be a child. Our community can rest easy knowing this man will be behind bars in a federal prison.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen 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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Defendant in Fatal Tractor Trailer Smuggling Incident Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Christian Martinez, 29, of Palestine, TX, entered a plea of guilty today to multiple counts arising from a fatal tractor trailer smuggling incident.
Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death; one count of Conspiracy to Transport Aliens Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Placing Lives in Jeopardy; one count of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death; and one count of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Placing Lives in Jeopardy.
Martinez and co-defendant Homero Zamorano Jr., 47, of Elkhart, TX, the driver of the tractor trailer, were initially charged by indictment on July 20, 2022. Four other co-defendants were identified and charged in a superseding indictment on June 7, 2023: Riley Covarrubias-Ponce aka Rrili aka Rilay, 30; Felipe Orduna-Torres aka Cholo aka Chuequito/Chuekito aka Negro, 29; Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal aka Cowboy, 38; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega aka El Don aka Don Gon, 54,
The indictment alleges that in the days leading up to June 27, 2022, Covarrubias-Ponce, Orduna-Torres, and others exchanged the names of undocumented noncitizens who would be smuggled in an upcoming tractor-trailer load. The four additional defendants charged in the superseding indictment allegedly orchestrated the retrieval of an empty tractor-trailer and its corresponding hand-off to the driver on June 27. According to the superseding indictment, Martinez drove Zamorano from Palestine to San Antonio where Zamorano picked up the empty tractor-trailer. Orduna-Torres allegedly provided the Laredo address at which Zamorano loaded the migrants into the tractor trailer. The indictment also alleges that Gonzalez-Ortega traveled to Laredo to meet the tractor-trailer, where at least 66 undocumented individuals, including eight children and one pregnant woman, were loaded for smuggling. Martinez, Covarrubias-Ponce, Orduna-Torres, Rivera-Leal, and Gonzales-Ortega then coordinated, facilitated, passed messages, and made each other aware of the tractor-trailer’s progress.
Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 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 and HSI Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, 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.
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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Del Rio Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A Del Rio man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, followed by eight years of supervision upon release, and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.
According to court documents, between December 1, 2019, and February 19, 2020, Trever Lloyd Sexton, 29, caused a child victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce child pornography. Sexton also placed a hidden camera in the child’s bathroom, which recorded the victim showering. Forensic analysis of Sexton’s phone revealed a video and photos of himself sexually molesting the child victim along with 37 images depicting child sexual abuse material of other prepubescent children.
“Thanks to the agents of HSI for helping us get another pedophile behind bars and out of our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take predators off the streets.”
“With today’s sentencing, HSI has removed a dangerous child predator from the community,” said Special Agent in Charge, Craig Larrabee, HSI San Antonio. “Preventing and investigating crimes against children is a high priority for HSI. We will continue to dedicate law enforcement resources to identify and bring to justice child predators who traumatize and victimize children."
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex G. Beasley along with former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Tonkin and Steven Kam, 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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Round Rock Pastor Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Georgetown man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin on Wednesday to 70 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for an enhanced charge of possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, David Lloyd Walther, 57, knowingly searched for, downloaded, distributed and possessed child sexual abuse material, including child pornography—some of which depicted prepubescent minors—using BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer file sharing network. During a search of Walther’s home and vehicle in November 2022, two large computer hard drives were located and found to contain more than 100,000 images and more than 5,000 videos of child sexual abuse material. At the time of his arrest, Walther was the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Round Rock.
In addition to the prison and supervised release terms, the judge also ordered Walther to pay restitution of $61,000.
“Many families in the Round Rock area placed their trust in this man when he served as a leader in faith for their community,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I hope that those families can find comfort in knowing our law enforcement partners and justice system are committed to protecting them, ensuring that predators such as Walther cannot continue to pose a threat to innocent children.”
“This case was especially disturbing given the defendant’s position of trust in the community,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division. “This sentencing sends a strong message to child predators that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in our duty to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation wherever these crimes are present in our nation.”
The FBI San Antonio Division's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case with assistance from the Round Rock Police Department, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office and the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin 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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Sanderson Man Sentenced for Trying to Meet Minor for SexRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Sanderson man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio Tuesday to 15 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Pedro Chalambaga Olivares, 54, attempted to elicit inappropriate photos of a seventeen year-old girl in June 2018, prompting the girl’s mother to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, who then began working with the Terrell County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). Olivares contacted what he thought was a 16 year-old girl and attempted to obtain sexually explicit photos of her and arrange a meeting to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. Having been told she was a minor in high school, Olivares requested sexually graphic photos, drove by her residence in an attempt to see her, described his intentions with her, and suggested how the minor could escape her father’s home to meet.
On June 17, 2018, Olivares advised the minor to meet him at a football field. Agents observed Olivares waiting in the bleachers for approximately 20 minutes before they arrested him. Agents recovered three condoms from the front pocket of his shorts, along with a soft drink and a bag of candy the minor had requested.
Olivares was arrested for online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 16, 2021 to one count of sexual exploitation of children.
“This defendant will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for criminal desires he fully intended to act on,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This case opened when a young girl raised concerns to her mother and those concerns were relayed to law enforcement. I commend both of them and our partners for their part in putting this predator away and protecting our communities.”
TX DPS and the TCSO investigated the case with assistance from Office of the Texas Attorney General Criminal Investigations Division Child Exploitation Unit.
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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