Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WACO – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Western District of Texas, Waco was awarded funding totaling $1.5 million.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“This grant will provide 12 more police officers in the Waco community,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “This is a wonderful opportunity that helps law enforcement continue protecting and building trust with the citizens of Waco.”
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.
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Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
EL PASO – The sixth and last defendant in a marijuana and cocaine conspiracy case was sentenced on Monday to 17 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
According to court documents, Carlos Moreno-Reyes, aka Charlie Brown, 46, of Clint, led a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) from October 2008 until April 2019. The DTO operated in the El Paso area and was responsible for transporting and distributing marijuana and cocaine from El Paso to destination cities, including Oklahoma City. Moreno admitted that he was paid approximately $25,587,400 for his role in the DTO.
Other members of the conspiracy included Jose Luis Ortiz-Valenzuela, aka Pelon, 37, of Avondale, AZ; Julio Adrian Terrazas, aka JT, 31, of Fabens; Edgar Sanchez, aka Siez, Chavalito, 29, of Fabens; Jacinto Olivas-Cervantes, aka Chente, Chinto, 53, of San Elizario; and Oliva Beltran-Paez, 33, of Clint.
“I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners as we work together to pursue not only individual drug traffickers peddling this poison, but also large drug trafficking organizations and their leadership,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.
“The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) continues to aggressively pursue narcotics traffickers,” said Taekuk Cho, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI El Paso. “Our work is not done, and our resolve in attacking the drug trade and the cartels is as strong as it’s ever been.”
On February 26, 2020, Moreno pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess cocaine and one count of bulk cash smuggling.
Sanchez and Ortiz-Valenzuela pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess cocaine. On March 11, 2020, Sanchez was sentenced to 120 months in prison. On July 17, 2020, Ortiz was sentenced to 96 months in prison.
Olivas-Cervantes and Terrazas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess marijuana. On February 25, 2020, Olivas was sentenced to 30 months in prison. On July 20, 2020, Terrazas was sentenced to 46 months in prison.
Beltran-Paez, pleaded guilty to one count of bulk cash smuggling. On February 28, 2020, Beltran was sentenced to five years of probation.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andres Ortega prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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San Marcos Man Charged Federally with Austin Synagogue ArsonRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – A federal complaint was unsealed charging Franklin Barrett Sechriest, 18, of San Marcos, with arson in connection with the fire intentionally set at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Austin on October 31, 2021. Sechriest had an initial appearance in federal court today in Austin on the complaint.
According to court documents, on October 31, 2021, Sechriest allegedly set the fire at the synagogue, which caused several thousand dollars in damage. Earlier, on October 28, 2021, Sechriest’s vehicle was identified on security footage at the synagogue.
“Arson at a sacred place of worship shakes the very foundations of our society,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “This Office strongly condemns the intentional act of violence alleged in the complaint and will vigorously prosecute this type of conduct to the fullest extent possible. I commend the Austin Fire Department, the FBI and our other law enforcement partners for their outstanding investigative work.”
“I would like to thank the Austin Fire Department for their partnership with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Austin, Texas,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “Our dedicated partnership, in this investigation and many others, serves as an innovative and effective model to ensure the protection of our communities and critical infrastructure throughout the United States.”
If convicted of the charge alleged in the complaint, Sechriest faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Sechriest is scheduled for a preliminary examination and detention hearing on November 17 at 10:30 a.m. He remains in federal custody since his arrest on November 12, 2021.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Austin Fire Department are investigating the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Serial Child Sex Offender Convicted of Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Texas man today for multiple child exploitation offenses involving an 11-year-old child.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Martin Renteria, 52, of Midland, enticed an 11-year-old into engaging in sexual acts on multiple occasions. Renteria purchased expensive gifts for the child in exchange for the sexual acts. On at least one occasion, he also recorded a video of one of the sexual acts. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Renteria had committed similar crimes in the past.
Renteria was convicted of production of child pornography, sex trafficking of a child, possession of child pornography, and committing a new crime against a child while registered as a sex offender. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11, 2022 and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and 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.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Midland Police Department investigated the case, with computer forensics assistance from the Justice Department’s High Technology Investigative Unit.
Trial Attorneys Alicia A. Bove and Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica L. Daniels of the Western District of Texas are prosecuting 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 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.
Over 60 Undocumented Noncitizens Concealed in Box TruckRead the Press Release
ALPINE – A Las Cruces man was arrested yesterday in Brewster County on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in human trafficking.
According to court documents, Javier Duarte, 22, was driving a box truck through the Highway 118 checkpoint when U.S. Border Patrol Agents referred him to secondary inspection. Agents found 67 people concealed in the truck. Four of the individuals were minors, ranging from eight to 13 years old. In addition, three of the individuals were found to have prior aggravated felonies to include rape, possession with intent to distribute drugs and crimes involving moral turpitude.
Duarte is charged by criminal complaint with one count of transportation of aliens and one count of aiding or assisting aliens to enter the U.S. who were previously convicted of an aggravated felony. If convicted, Duarte faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on both counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho; and Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin made the announcement.
HSI and U.S. Border Patrol are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Kennedy and Kevin Eaton are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint 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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Ten Defendants Indicted for Human Smuggling OperationRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – Federal agents arrested nine of the 10 defendants charged in an 11-count indictment involving human smuggling. The following are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens: Sebastian Tovar, 25, of Toledo, Ohio; Nicolas Mondragon-Gonzalez, aka “Chayo” and “Flaco,” 33, of Austin; Veronica Torres-Mendez, 34, of Austin; Jennifer Oralia Davis, aka “Paypa,” 40, of San Antonio; Ruben Junior Rodriguez-Jaimes, 19, of Bastrop; Lauren Michelle Malmquist, aka “Mama” and “Lala,” 32, of Round Rock; Eduardo Rivera Benitez, aka “Lalo” and “Casper,” 23, of Bastrop; Marco Antonio Hernandez, aka “Temo,” 19, of Paige; and Jose Eli Rodriguez, 21, of Austin.
According to court documents, on March 15, 2021, Tovar was driving a Dodge Ram near Del Rio when a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper attempted to stop the vehicle. Tovar tried to evade law enforcement and eventually crashed the vehicle into oncoming traffic. Eight people, who were in the truck, died from injuries sustained from the crash as well as one person who was seriously injured. All nine were undocumented noncitizens and illegally present in the U.S. In addition, two U.S. citizens were seriously injured in the head-on collision when Tovar struck their vehicle.
After the crash, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents encountered a Ford F-150 stopped in traffic near the crash site. USBP agents directed the Ford to turn around and subsequently all occupants of the Ford fled the vehicle, absconding into nearby brush. USBP agents were able to locate 12 undocumented noncitizens who bolted from the Ford. After interviewing two of the undocumented noncitizens, USBP agents determined that the occupants of the Dodge and Ford were part of a human smuggling operation that was illegally transporting 20 undocumented noncitizens in the U.S.
Hernandez is pending arrest.
Tovar, Mondragon, Torres, Davis, Rodriguez-Jaimes, Malmquist and Benitez are also charged with one count of transporting undocumented noncitizens resulting in death. Tovar is also charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of illegal transportation of undocumented noncitizens resulting in serious bodily injury. Mondragon, Davis and Rodriguez-Jaimes are additionally charged with two counts of transportation of undocumented noncitizens. Torres is additionally charged with four counts of transportation of undocumented noncitizens. Hernandez, Jose Rodriguez, and Luna are additional charged with one count of transportation of undocumented noncitizens.
All defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens. Tovar, Mondragon, Torres, Davis, Rodriguez-Jaimes, Malmquist and Benitez face a maximum of life in prison for the transportation of undocumented resulting in death charge. Tovar faces a maximum 20 years in prison on each of the conspiracy to transport and the transportation of undocumented noncitizens resulting in serious bodily injury charges. Mondragon, Torres, Davis, Rodriguez-Jaimes, Hernandez, Jose Rodriguez and Luna face up to 10 years in prison for each count of transportation charged. If convictions result, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and HSI Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden made the announcement.
HSI, USBP and DPS are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister 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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San Antonio Man Posing as a Young Girl Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Enrique Roman Martinez Jr., 35, pretended to be a young girl on a social media chat platform who befriended a 10-year-old minor in another state. Martinez also pretended to be a police officer to intimidate the minor. Through manipulation and coercion, Martinez convinced the child to create sexually explicit images and to send those images to Martinez.
“Child predators will go to extraordinary lengths to exploit and manipulate our children,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “They belong behind bars, and we will continue to work to put them there.”
“The FBI is committed to protecting children, as they the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, FBI San Antonio Division. “Those who would harm them will face serious consequences and will be held accountable for their actions.”
On April 26, 2021, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
Martinez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on July 2, 2018.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Former Office Manager Sentenced on Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A former office manager of a prominent local dermatology practice was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for defrauding a medical practice of nearly $350,000 from patient billings and employee profit sharing accounts.
According to court documents, Patricia Ann Doucet, 74, of Karnes City, defrauded her former employer, the Dermatology & Laser Center of San Antonio. Per the indictment, the medical practice’s owner and operator organized and conducted a non-profit educational symposium on regenerative medicine in San Antonio in 2012. A bank account was established to collect contributions for the symposium event. That account was to be closed at the conclusion of the symposium. But Doucet, in her capacity as office manager, kept the account open without permission.
From July 2012 to February 2020, Doucet began to embezzle checks and cash paid to the dermatology practice by depositing them into the symposium account. She altered a signature stamp utilized by the practice for its business account or fraudulently endorsed checks by forging the owner’s signature. Doucet also stole money from the practice’s profit-sharing account that was designed to automatically issue checks to cover taxes for the employee’s profit share. Rather than directing those checks to the IRS, Doucet deposited those checks into the symposium account. Doucet then used the symposium account as her slush fund for international and domestic travel, property payments, meal purchases and other personal expenses on credit cards she fraudulently opened in the owner’s name.
In addition to the prison sentence, Doucet was ordered to pay $345,254.44 in restitution.
On August 5, 2021, Doucet pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud.
Doucet has remained in federal custody since April 23, 2021.
“I agree with Judge Ezra’s comments in court today that Doucet exploited the trust of the victim in this case by perpetrating an exceedingly complex fraud against the victim and his medical practice over the course of nearly eight years,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We hope the Court’s sentence provides some measure of justice to the victim and sends a message to other fraudsters that their schemes and deception will not be tolerated in our community.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Joseph E. Blackwell prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Sentenced for Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced on Tuesday to 41 months in prison for dealing firearms without a license.
According to court documents and testimony at trial, between December 2019 and August 2020, Jose Luis Garcia Jr., 34, purchased at least 49 firearms from Federal Firearm Licensees located in El Paso. Agents observed that Garcia, who was living in Mexico at the time, would often cross into the U.S. for just a few hours to purchase firearms and then return to Mexico. On August 8, 2020, Garcia was interviewed by federal agents and asked if he currently owned any of the 49 firearms he had purchased. Garcia responded he did not own any firearms at the time.
On August 11, 2021, a federal jury found Garcia guilty of one count of dealing firearms without a license.
“As this case readily demonstrates, our office will aggressively prosecute federal firearms violations, particularly when firearms are being placed in the hands of prohibited persons or trafficked to Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) prioritizes the safety of our community as well as security along the Southwest Border. The trafficking of illegal firearms and ammunition in the United States oftentimes results in weapons falling into the hands of Transnational Criminal Organizations in Mexico. This illicit activity fuels not only crime but aids in sparking violence on both sides of the border,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho, El Paso Division.
“Firearms trafficking is a top priority for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and we will continue to leverage both human resources and crime gun intelligence to tackle the issue. We know that violence does not stop at the border and by leveraging the partnerships that law enforcement has we can continue to address the dangerous and illicit activity of firearms trafficking,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II, Dallas Division.
HSI and ATF investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McDonald and Ellen Denum prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Indicted on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
EL PASO – Today a federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment charging an El Paso man with trafficking in drugs and illegal possession of firearms.
According to court documents, Daniel Lee Burmeister, 36, was arrested on October 6, 2021, after a search warrant was executed at a residence where Burmeister was staying. During the search, law enforcement officers found multiple firearms and fentanyl pills.
Burmeister is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; one count of possession of an unregistered firearm; one count of possession of a firearm not identified by a serial number; one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The defendant is scheduled for an arraignment next week. If convicted, Burmeister faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and up to a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on the drug charge; a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each of the charges of unregistered firearm, firearm unidentified by serial number, and felon in possession of a firearm; and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison on possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II, Dallas Division, made the announcement.
The FBI and ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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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Quitman Man Sentenced to over 33 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting a ChildRead the Press Release
EL PASO – Today a Quitman man was sentenced to 400 months in prison for sexually assaulting a child.
According to court documents, on July 19, 2021, Roy Gene Pratt Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. By pleading guilty, Pratt admitted to sexually assaulting a seven-year-old victim on Fort Bliss. Investigators also identified six other minor children, ranging from six to 14 years of age, victimized by Pratt.
Pratt has remained in custody since his arrest in May 2020.
“This successful prosecution was made possible by the tenacious efforts of our law enforcement partners and the courageous victims for whom some measure of justice was delivered today,” stated U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Safeguarding children, the most vulnerable members of our society, will always be a critical priority.”
“These crimes are gut-wrenching, and today’s sentencing is a commitment from the FBI El Paso’s Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking task force that we will not allow the defendant to assault a child again,” said Jeffrey R. Downey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “We will continue to aggressively pursue child sexual assault cases as we are committed to protecting all of our communities, helping victims, and ensuring that justice is served.”
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. The FBI Dallas-Amarillo and Tyler Resident Agencies, the FBI Little Rock-Texarkana Resident Agency, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety also assisted with this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Winters 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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El Paso Business Owner Indicted for FraudRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was arrested on Thursday on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in defrauding two federally funded correctional institutions (“the institutions”).
According to court documents, Jack McCager Kidd, 70, is a director and partner of a company that provided natural gas to the institutions. The allegations are that Kidd falsely invoiced the institutions for more natural gas than Kidd’s company had in fact delivered. Kidd also refused to provide requested information to the institutions concerning the amount of natural gas delivered and the calculations he used to determine the monthly invoice amounts.
Kidd is charged with 72 counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Kidd faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge D. Nichole Fleming of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Fraud Detection Office made the announcement.
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Fraud Detection Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Skillern and Sarah Valenzuela 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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Former Maverick County Detective Indicted for BriberyRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – An Eagle Pass man was arrested yesterday by the FBI in San Antonio on criminal charges related to his alleged role in a bribery scheme.
According to court documents, Fernando Leonel Chacon Jr., 41, allegedly devised a scheme to use his position with the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office to enrich himself by soliciting and accepting bribes of money and other things of value in exchange for removing pending tickets and arrest warrants against citizens.
Chacon is charged by a federal indictment with two counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Chacon faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Kam is prosecuting the case.
The FBI, Texas Rangers and the Eagle Pass Police Department are investigating this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Austin Construction Company and Owner Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas announced today that Muniz Concrete and Contracting, Inc. (“Muniz Concrete”) and its owner, Jose Juan Muniz, have agreed to pay $188,879.59 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying their compliance with certain requirements of the Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) program.
The DBE program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracts. Only small businesses that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals may participate in the program.
The United States alleged that Jose Muniz was no longer “economically disadvantaged” beginning in 2017, when his personal net worth exceeded the threshold to qualify as a DBE. According to the United States, Jose Muniz made several false certifications concerning his personal net worth after 2017 so that Muniz Concrete could obtain federally assisted DBE contracts awarded by the City of Austin and the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority.
The civil settlement of these allegations includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by Mark Williamson. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Williamson v. Muniz Concrete & Contracting, Inc., et al., 1:20-cv-00530-LY (W.D. Tex.).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham represented the United States in this matter, with the assistance of the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General and the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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San Antonio Woman Charged with Meth DistributionRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was arrested Tuesday on criminal charges related to her alleged involvement in drug distribution.
According to court documents, on October 26, 2021, Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Karen Lastiri, 31. After consent to search the vehicle, deputies found approximately 63 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Lastiri is charged by a criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Lastiri faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux made the announcement.
DEA, along with assistance from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Ella Spears is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Mexican National Sentenced to 105 Months in Prison for Illegal Reentry into the U.S.Read the Press Release
ALPINE – A Mexican national was sentenced yesterday to over eight years in prison for illegally entering the United States.
On July 19, 2021, Graciano Moral-Carrillo, aka Franciso Mora-Carillo, 52, of Mexico was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
On March 1, 2021, Moral was arrested by Presidio Border Patrol Agents for being an undocumented citizen present in the U.S. Evidence presented at trial disclosed Moral was previously deported from the U.S. on seven other occasions. Further, Moral had numerous other convictions, including three convictions for driving while intoxicated in the Odessa/Midland area; one conviction for resisting arrest; one conviction for assaulting a public servant; three convictions for illegal reentry; and one conviction of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
In addition to the sentence of 105 months in prison, the defendant also received a sentence of 18 months in prison for violating conditions of supervised release on an underlying case. The two sentences will run consecutively.
Moral has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 1.
“We will continue to be vigilant in protecting our West Texas communities from those who violate federal laws,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.
“The men and women of Homeland Security Investigations work tirelessly to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals who violate our nation’s immigration laws with a focus on those who represent a public safety threat to our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special in Charge Taekuk Cho. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to pursue convicted criminals and other dangerous fugitives.”
HSI with the assistance from the Presidio Border Patrol investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance L. Kennedy prosecuted the case.
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Two Mexican Cartel Members Found Guilty of Violating RICO StatuteRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A federal jury convicted two Sinaloa Cartel members on Friday for their roles in the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics distribution operations.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Arturo Shows Urquidi, aka “Chous,” 50, of Juarez, and Mario Iglesias-Villegas, aka “Dos,” “El 2,” “Delta,” “Parka,” “Grim Reaper,” 36, of Villa Ahumada, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization statute (RICO) for their roles as members of the Sinaloa Cartel; one count of conspiracy to possess cocaine and marijuana; one count of conspiracy to import cocaine and marijuana; one count of conspiracy to launder money; and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Iglesias was also found guilty of five counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity; one count of conspiracy to kill in a foreign country; and one count of kidnapping.
Shows was a former Chihuahua State police officer and a long-time member of the Sinaloa Cartel under Ismael “Mayo” Zambada-Garcia. Shows assisted in the security of stash houses where thousands of kilograms of cocaine were unloaded from tanker trucks and then reloaded with weapons and money being returned to Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. While he was involved with the Sinaloa Cartel, the Cartel successfully imported thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States worth over $1 billion dollars.
Iglesias became a member of the Sinaloa Cartel under Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman-Loera in early 2008. Iglesias was the head of a group of Sinaloa Cartel sicarios (assassins) until his arrest in 2012. He was a significant participant in the death of thousands of people in Ciudad Juarez from 2008 to 2011. Among those, Iglesias was convicted for his participation in the kidnapping and eventual murder of Horizon City resident, Sergio Saucedo, and participation in the kidnapping and murders of Rafael Morales-Valencia, Jaime Morales-Valencia, and Guadalupe Morales-Arreola, who were kidnapped outside a church in Ciudad Juarez shortly after the wedding of Rafael Morales-Valencia. Iglesias’ acts of violence allowed the Sinaloa Cartel to control the Juarez drug corridor and successfully import cocaine and marijuana into the United States.
The Sinaloa Cartel’s criminal activity in the Cuidad Juarez and El Paso area included the violence that occurred during the war between the Juarez Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, which led to the death of thousands of people in Ciudad Juarez and throughout the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Durango. The violence gave rise to Ciudad Juarez being named the “deadliest city in the world.”
This investigation resulted in the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, thousands of pounds of marijuana in cities throughout the United States. Law Enforcement also took possession of millions of dollars in drug proceeds which were destined to be returned to the Cartel in Mexico. Agents and officers likewise seized hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition intended to be smuggled into Mexico to assist the Cartel’s battle to take control of Juarez and the local drug trafficking corridors.
Sentencing for Shows is set for February 10, 2022 and sentencing for Iglesias is set for February 11, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Millard; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek, II, Dallas Division, made the announcement.
The DEA, FBI, and ATF together with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement –Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), United States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Marshals Service, El Paso Police Department, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antonio Franco, Kristal Wade, Kyle Myers, and Michael Williams are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Texas Pain Management Physicians Agree to Pay $3.9 Million to Resolve Allegations Relating to Unnecessary Urine Drug TestingRead the Press Release
Two Texas physicians, Robert Wills and Brannon Frank, have agreed to pay $3.9 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for medically unnecessary urine drug testing.
The settlements with Wills and Frank resolve allegations that the physicians, formerly co-owners of now-defunct Austin Pain Associates located in Austin, Texas, knowingly caused the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs by ordering excessive and unnecessary urine drug testing for patients without any individualized assessment of clinical need. Starting in 2011, all urine drug tests ordered by Austin Pain Associates’ physicians, including Wills and Frank, were performed at Austin Pain Associates’ in-house laboratory. The United States alleged that Wills and Frank drafted the testing protocols that resulted in unnecessary tests, were aware that the in-house laboratory was conducting an excessive number of tests on urine samples, and that Austin Pain Associates could not remain profitable without the income generated from unnecessary testing. Pursuant to their respective settlement agreements, Wills has agreed to pay $2,100,000 to settle these allegations and Frank has agreed to pay $1,800,000.
“The provision of medical services should be based on a patient’s medical needs, not on a physician’s desire to increase profits,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to taking appropriate action to safeguard the integrity of federal healthcare programs and the welfare of their beneficiaries.”
“Physicians who bill taxpayer-funded health programs for expensive and medically unnecessary drug tests increase the cost of healthcare for all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Ashely C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas. “We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute allegations of false claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and any other government health program.”
“Physicians who perform medically unnecessary and excessive tests exploit patients and taxpayer-funded healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Miranda Bennett for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold accountable individuals who engage in false claims practices.”
"Today's outcome demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), in coordination with our law enforcement partners to diligently investigate allegations of fraud committed against TRICARE," said Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentavlos of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. "We will continue to hold accountable individuals who obtain taxpayer funds through false and fraudulent means."
Medicaid is funded jointly by the states and the federal government. The State of Texas paid for a portion of the Medicaid claims at issue and will receive a total of approximately $260,000 from the settlements with Wills and Frank.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Jennifer Nuessner and Robert Hoffman, former employees of Austin Pain Associates. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. As part of the resolutions with Frank and Wills, the two whistleblowers will receive a total of approximately $618,000 from the federal share of the settlements. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Nuessner, et al. v. Austin Pain Associates, LLC, et al., 5:16-CV-1125-FB (W.D. Tex.).
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort among the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, HHS OIG and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Jonathan Thrope of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham for the Western District of Texas.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Federal Jury Finds Cedar Park Man Guilty After Attempting to Make a Molotov CocktailRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – Today a federal jury convicted a Cedar Park man after he tried to make a Molotov cocktail during an evening protest in Austin on May 30, 2020.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Cyril Lartigue, 27, was caught on videotape manufacturing a destructive device while in a parking lot directly adjacent to the Austin Municipal Court entrance. While making the device, Lartigue was interrupted by the oncoming presence of Austin Police Department (APD) officers heading in his direction. Lartigue fled the area, leaving the device behind, but returned within minutes to retrieve it. APD officers then arrested him inside a nearby portable toilet where he had changed clothes. Inside his backpack, officers recovered materials used to manufacture an explosive device including beer bottles, a bottle containing lighter fluid, cloth rags, a butane lighter and the clothes he was previously wearing.
Lartigue is scheduled to be sentenced on February 4, 2022. He 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division, made the announcement.
The ATF, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Henneke and Gabe Cohen are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Eagle Pass Man Sentenced in Fatal Human Smuggling AttemptRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – An Eagle Pass man was sentenced to 360 months in prison today for transporting undocumented noncitizens that resulted in five deaths.
According to court documents, Jorge Luis Monsivais Jr., 23, was the driver of a Suburban traveling on FM 2644, carrying 13 undocumented noncitizens when Border Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle. Monsivais tried to evade law enforcement and eventually crashed the vehicle on Highway 85 outside of Big Wells, ejecting some of the occupants from the vehicle. Four people died at the scene and another person passed away en route to the hospital. Other occupants sustained broken necks, hips, and severe head trauma.
“The deadly outcome in this case is heartbreaking,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Three hundred and sixty months in prison sends a clear message that those who make their living by unlawfully transporting undocumented noncitizens in the U.S. will be held accountable. Smuggling people is exceedingly dangerous for all involved and for our communities in which these operations are taking place. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute human smugglers.”
“The tragic loss of life in this case is an example of the very real risks people face when they put their lives in the hands of smugglers,” said Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio. “Those responsible for illegally moving people through our country place personal profit ahead of public safety. Driven by greed, these criminals have little regard for the health and well-being of their human cargo, which can be a deadly combination.”
On May 11, 2021, Monsivais pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death; one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury; one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens; one count of illegal alien transportation resulting in death; and one count of illegal alien transportation resulting in serious bodily injury.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Hail prosecuted the case.
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Austin Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Robbery and Shooting Convenience Store EmployeeRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – An Austin man pleaded guilty today to participating in the robbery of a gas station convenience store, which resulted in the shooting of an employee of the business.
According to court documents, on October 7, 2020, at approximately 11 p.m., Deon Ross, 36, along with co-defendant Lavante Carter, 19, of Austin, attempted to rob a Shell gas station on Interstate Highway 35 in Austin. Both Carter and Ross carried firearms and displayed them to two store employees who were working that night. After demanding money Ross shot one of the employees.
Ross pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by threats or violence and one count of discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 21, 2021 and faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge and 10 years to life for the firearm charge.
On October 19, 2021, Carter pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by threats or violence and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Carter is scheduled to be sentenced on December 21, 2021. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge and 7 years to life 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; and Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon made the announcement.
The FBI and the Austin Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel Cohen and Keith Henneke are prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Fort Worth Woman Sentenced to over 21 Years for Importing MethRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A Fort Worth woman was sentenced today to 262 months in prison for her part in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Maria Tello, 39, and Juan Tello, 39, both from Fort Worth, conspired together to import over 34 kilograms of methamphetamine from Mexico. On December 2, 2017, a vehicle stopped at the Del Rio Port of Entry had two compartments loaded with 34.32 kilograms of methamphetamine. The vehicle was driven to Dallas where it was met by Maria and Juan Tello. Maria Tello admitted she knew the vehicle was loaded with methamphetamine and that the drug was to be transported within the Dallas-Fort Worth area for further distribution.
“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive poison that destroys lives and destabilizes our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We will hold accountable those seeking to distribute it.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to criminal organizations that there are serious consequences for trafficking-controlled substances,” said Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “HSI will continue to pursue cross-border conspiracy investigations to target dangerous individuals who threaten the security of the United States.”
On April 26, 2018, Juan Tello pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 210 months in prison on September 18, 2019.
The HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydni Connell and Amy Hail prosecuted the case.
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Three iCore Global LLC Executives Charged with FraudRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment yesterday charging three executives of iCore Global LLC (“iCore”) with fraud.
According to court documents, Samantha L. Mueting, 56, of San Antonio, Josephus De Laat, aka Jos De Laat, 60, of Spicewood and Vodrick L. Perry, 52, of San Antonio are charged with scheming to defraud investors.
As noted in the indictment, Mueting owned and operated iCore and touted the company as being a multi-national commercial real estate provider; De Laat served as iCore’s chief financial officer; and Perry was iCore’s operations manager.
Together the three are alleged to have conspired to perpetrate a series of frauds upon couples nearing retirement in which the defendants promised to allocate victim funds into a commercial real estate hedge fund, using them instead for their own personal gain. According to the indictment, they made fraudulent misrepresentations that iCore was a multi-national commercial real estate provider that employed 5,500 local employees and contracted agents across more than 300 worldwide offices, operating in 371 cities, 64 countries and six continents. The worldwide offices consisted of two registered addresses in the U.S., both of which were mailboxes at a shipping company store. In sum, the defendants are accused of defrauding investors of more than $2.1 million.
Mueting, De Laat and Perry are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Mueting and Perry also are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. In addition, Mueting is charged with seven counts of wire fraud. The defendants will be scheduled for their initial court appearance later this week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Farrer of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each charged count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Special Agent in Charge Paul Duran made the announcement.
The USSS is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew W. Kinskey 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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San Antonio Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Julio Enrique Rodriguez, 48, was previously convicted and sentenced to prison in 2012 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On March 12, 2018, defendant was found in possession of a Baretta 9mm pistol.
On April 11, 2019, defendant pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Working in collaboration with our local and federal law enforcement partners, we are committed to ensuring that felons are not endangering our communities by unlawfully possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.
“The fifteen-year sentence in this case sends a clear message that the judicial system takes seriously the possession of firearms by convicted felons,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski. “ATF will continue to aggressively investigate these types of cases and ensure that violators receive justice.”
The ATF investigated the case with assistance from the Del Rio Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Hail and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence- based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Quemado Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Harboring and Causing Serious Bodily Injury to an Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A Quemado man was sentenced last week to 235 months in prison for harboring and causing serious bodily injury to an illegal alien.
According to court records, Jorge Estrada-Torres, 33, harbored an illegal alien who he later shot in the abdomen. On June 1, 2020, Estrada pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of harboring illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
“Human smuggling is a dangerous business focused on profits, not people,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We will proudly stand with our federal, state, and local law enforcement to end this perilous practice and bring human smugglers to justice.”
“This case illustrates the dangerous actions human smugglers are willing to take to ensure personal profit.” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio. “HSI is committed to bringing to justice the criminal organizations that prey on the vulnerable with no regard for the well-being of the people they smuggle.”
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, Del Rio Sector and the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Covid HoaxRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for perpetrating a hoax related to COVID-19 in April 2020.
According to court records, a federal jury found Christopher Charles Perez, aka Christopher Robbins, 40, guilty of two counts of 18 U.S.C. § 1038, which criminalizes false information and hoaxes related to biological weapons.
Evidence presented during trial revealed that Perez posted two threatening messages on Facebook in which he claimed to have paid someone who was infected with COVID-19 to lick items at grocery stores in the San Antonio area to scare people away from visiting the stores. On April 5, 2020, a screenshot of the initial posting was sent by an online tip to the Southwest Texas Fusion Center (SWTFC), which then contacted the FBI office in San Antonio for further investigation. The threat was false. Perez did not pay someone to intentionally spread coronavirus at grocery stores, according to investigators and Perez’s own admissions.
In addition to the sentence, Perez was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
“Trying to scare people with the threat of spreading dangerous diseases is no joking matter,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “This office takes seriously threats to harm the community and will prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
“Those who would threaten to use COVID-19 as a weapon against others will be held accountable for their actions, even if the threat was a hoax,” said FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “Perez’s actions were knowingly designed to spread fear and panic and today’s sentencing illustrates the seriousness of this crime. The FBI would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their help in this case.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with Weapons of Mass Destruction personnel, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William R. Harris, Kelly Stephenson and Mark Roomberg prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Former Mexican Soldier Sentenced for Transporting Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
ALPINE – A Mexican national was sentenced this week to 115 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the U.S. and to 60 months for transporting illegal aliens in the U.S.
According to court documents, Juan Luis Mendoza-Iturralde, 39, a former Mexican soldier pleaded guilty to one count of transporting illegal aliens and one count of illegal re-entry into the U.S. On March 30, 2021, a Presidio County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Mendoza’s vehicle for a traffic violation. Inside the vehicle were 13 non-citizens. Mendoza admitted he agreed to drive the group into the U.S. in exchange for $500 once he arrived at the group’s destination.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Erik P. Breitzke, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Kennedy prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Abusing Special Needs ChildrenRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Today, 76-year-old Paul Charles Zappe III was sentenced to 60 years in prison for production of child pornography.
According to court documents, the San Antonio resident created photos and videos depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the media created by Zappe involved Zappe committing a variety of sexual acts on special needs children under the age of 12.
In addition to the prison sentence, Zappe was ordered to forfeit his house, car, electronic equipment and to pay each of the two victims $81,000.
On June 29, 2021, Zappe pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography.
“The defendant’s egregious abuse of two young children targeted for their special needs is abhorrent,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “The defendant preyed upon the most vulnerable in our society for his own sexual gratification. He violated their trust and that of their parents. Our communities cannot tolerate these types of child predators and we will continue to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“It is unconscionable that every day, criminals prey upon innocent children by sexually assaulting them and producing child pornography,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This case is all the more horrific because the subject harmed special needs children. The FBI is committed to finding perpetrators like this one that commit terrible crimes and seeking justice for all who have been victimized.”
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
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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Boerne Man Sentenced for Ponzi Scheme with over $7.4 M in LossesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Boerne man was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in prison and ordered to pay $7,424,927.10 in restitution for running a Ponzi scheme.
According to court documents, Victor Farias, 48, owned and operated Integrity Aviation & Leasing (IAL). Farias used IAL to perpetuate a Ponzi scheme resulting in net losses to victims of over $7.4 million. Farias persuaded victims to invest in IAL by misrepresenting that investors’ funds would be used to purchase aircraft engines and that the aircraft engines would be leased to airlines for profit. In addition, Farias also told investors he would not pay himself a salary or commission.
Instead, Farias bought one aircraft engine and sold it shortly thereafter, making no profit for investors. He used investors’ money to pay himself a salary, commissions, and personal expenses. He also paid out false investment returns to prior investors and financed the construction of the Fair Oaks Country Store, a convenience store unrelated to the IAL investment.
On January 27, 2021, Farias pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
“Through deception and greed this defendant stole from his victims, some of whom were retired public servants. He deprived many of these victims of the restful retirement they worked all their lives to achieve,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We hope the Court’s sentence provides some measure of justice to the victims and sends a strong message to other fraudsters that their criminal activities will not be tolerated in our community.”
“The defendant betrayed the trust of almost 90 people as he swindled them out of their retirement savings to finance his fraudulent investment scheme and his luxurious lifestyle,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division. “This case is all the more repugnant because so many of the victims were first responders who had spent their careers putting their lives on the line to protect our community.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Harding prosecuted the case.
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El Paso Man Arrested for Defrauding His EmployerRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was arrested today on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud his employer.
According to court documents, Ricardo Robles, 40, was employed by a company to negotiate and purchase its supplies. Instead, Robles created numerous sham companies and, unbeknownst to his employer, arranged for his employer to purchase those supplies from the bogus companies at an inflated price. Robles is alleged to have then pocketed the profits for his personal use.
Robles is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 20 counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Robles faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Mangels 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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Iranian National Sentenced for Illegally Exporting Military Sensitive ItemsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – An Iranian national was sentenced today to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Mehrdad Ansari, 40, a resident of the United Arab Emirates and Germany, was convicted by a federal jury in May 2021 for his role in a scheme to obtain military sensitive parts for Iran in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo. In coordination with his co-conspirators, Ansari obtained and attempted to obtain parts that had dual-use military and civilian capability and could be used in such systems as nuclear weapons, missile guidance and development, secure tactical radio communications, offensive electronic warfare, military electronic countermeasures (radio jamming), and radar warning and surveillance systems. The equipment Ansari helped try to obtain could be used to test these other weapon systems.
“Ansari and his co-conspirators attempted to profit from a far-reaching, extensive scheme to evade U.S. sanctions on Iran. They repeatedly lied to numerous U.S. suppliers and illegally obtained very sensitive dual-use items,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark J. Lesko of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “As demonstrated by this prosecution, DOJ pursues those who threaten U.S. national security, even years after their original crimes.”
“The Iranian Trade Embargo serves an important purpose in the protection of the United States and our allies,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas. “As prosecutors tasked with enforcing federal law, we will continue to identify, investigate, and pursue violations of the IEEPA.”
“Those who are contemplating violating U.S. laws designed to keep sensitive technology out of the hands of our adversaries should take note; the FBI has a long memory and will engage with all its partners, including those overseas, to bring subjects to justice,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “We urge anyone with information about violations of sanctions on Iran to contact the FBI.”
“This case is an example of the hard work and diligence over the course of many years on behalf of the FBI and our federal partners to ensure those who would threaten our national security will be brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “Without the support and actions of the Republic of Georgia, it is possible Mr. Ansari would not have had to face the consequences of his actions, so we are grateful and thankful for their help.”
“This case reaffirms Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) resolve and commitment in securing the homeland by targeting foreign actors attempting to procure sensitive technology by exploiting the U.S. export laws,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Field Office. “This effort reflects the commitment of U.S. law enforcement to identify, investigate, and apprehend criminals regardless of where they are in the world and bring these individuals to justice. HSI will continue to work with its law enforcement and government partners to address critical vulnerabilities which threaten the country’s national security.”
“Today's outcome demonstrates the steadfast collaboration and determination by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our investigative partners to ensure sensitive DoD technologies do not reach the hands of our adversaries,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentavlos, DCIS Southwest Field Office. “The safety and well-being of the warfighter is our highest priority, and we remain committed to safeguarding those technologies to maintain our competitive advantage on the battlefield.”
“Today's outcome demonstrates the steadfast collaboration and determination by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our investigative partners to ensure sensitive DoD technologies do not reach the hands of our adversaries,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentavlos, DCIS Southwest Field Office. “The safety and well-being of the warfighter is our highest priority, and we remain committed to safeguarding those technologies to maintain our competitive advantage on the battlefield.”
“This sentencing is the result of a highly successful joint investigative effort with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas,” said Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) Houston Office. “OEE is fully committed to protecting national security by disrupting efforts by our adversaries to violate U.S. export controls and procure sensitive military technology.”
On May 7, 2021, a San Antonio federal jury convicted Ansari of one count of conspiracy to violate the Iranian Transaction Regulations (ITR), one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Department of the Treasury and two counts of aiding and abetting the making of false statements. Evidence presented during trial revealed that Ansari attempted to transship testing equipment obtained from the U.S. by co-defendants Taiwanese citizen Susan Yip, aka Susan Yeh, and Iranian citizen Mehrdad Foomanie, aka Frank Foomanie, using Ansari’s companies, Gulf Gate Sea Cargo L.L.C. and Global Merchant L.L.C., located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
From Oct. 9, 2007 to June 15, 2011, Yip and Foomanie obtained or attempted to obtain from companies worldwide over 105,000 parts valued at approximately $2,630,800 involving more than 1,250 transactions. The defendants conducted 599 transactions with 63 different U.S. companies in which they obtained or attempted to obtain parts from U.S. companies without notifying the U.S. companies these parts were being shipped to Iran or getting the required U.S. government license to ship these parts to Iran. The defendant’s main role was to get one particular set of parts from a Central Texas company that was key for the Iranian government’s testing of all other parts.
At no time did Yip, Foomanie or Ansari, individually or through any of their companies, ever apply for or receive either a required U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license or Department of Commerce export license to ship any item listed in this indictment to the Republic of Iran.
Iranian Transaction Regulations prohibit, among other things, the exportation, re-exportation, sale or supply, directly or indirectly, to Iran or the Government of Iran, of any goods, technology or services from the U.S. or by a U.S. person. The embargo also prohibits any transaction by any U.S. person or within the U.S. that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, any prohibition set forth in the Executive Orders.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark J. Lesko for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentalvos of Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southwest Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement, Dallas Field Office made today’s announcement.
In October 2012, Yip was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the ITR by acting as a broker and conduit for Foomanie to buy items in the U.S. and have them unlawfully shipped to Iran. Mehrdad Foomanie remains a fugitive.
FBI, HSI, the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg, William R. Harris and Kelly Stevenson prosecuted this case.
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Iranian National Sentenced for Illegally Exporting Military Sensitive ItemsRead the Press Release
An Iranian national was sentenced today to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Mehrdad Ansari, 40, a resident of the United Arab Emirates and Germany, was convicted by a federal jury in May 2021 for his role in a scheme to obtain military sensitive parts for Iran in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo. In coordination with his co-conspirators, Ansari obtained and attempted to obtain parts that had dual-use military and civilian capability and could be used in such systems as nuclear weapons, missile guidance and development, secure tactical radio communications, offensive electronic warfare, military electronic countermeasures (radio jamming) and radar warning and surveillance systems. The equipment Ansari helped try to obtain could be used to test these other weapon systems.
“Ansari and his co-conspirators attempted to profit from a far-reaching, extensive scheme to evade U.S. sanctions on Iran. They repeatedly lied to numerous U.S. suppliers and illegally obtained very sensitive dual-use items,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark J. Lesko of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “As demonstrated by this prosecution, DOJ pursues those who threaten U.S. national security, even years after their original crimes.”
“The Iranian Trade Embargo serves an important purpose in the protection of the United States and our allies,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas. “As prosecutors tasked with enforcing federal law, we will continue to identify, investigate and pursue violations of the IEEPA.”
“Those who are contemplating violating U.S. laws designed to keep sensitive technology out of the hands of our adversaries should take note; the FBI has a long memory and will engage with all its partners, including those overseas, to bring subjects to justice,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “We urge anyone with information about violations of sanctions on Iran to contact the FBI.”
“This case is an example of the hard work and diligence over the course of many years on behalf of the FBI and our federal partners to ensure those who would threaten our national security will be brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “Without the support and actions of the Republic of Georgia, it is possible Mr. Ansari would not have had to face the consequences of his actions, so we are grateful and thankful for their help.”
“This case reaffirms Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) resolve and commitment in securing the homeland by targeting foreign actors attempting to procure sensitive technology by exploiting the U.S. export laws,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Field Office. “This effort reflects the commitment of U.S. law enforcement to identify, investigate, and apprehend criminals regardless of where they are in the world and bring these individuals to justice. HSI will continue to work with its law enforcement and government partners to address critical vulnerabilities which threaten the country’s national security.”
“This sentencing is the result of a highly successful joint investigative effort with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas,” said Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) Houston Office. “OEE is fully committed to protecting national security by disrupting efforts by our adversaries to violate U.S. export controls and procure sensitive military technology.”
On May 7, a San Antonio federal jury convicted Ansari of one count of conspiracy to violate the Iranian Transaction Regulations (ITR), one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Department of the Treasury and two counts of aiding and abetting the making of false statements. Evidence presented during trial revealed that Ansari attempted to transship testing equipment obtained from the U.S. by co-defendants Taiwanese citizen Susan Yip, aka Susan Yeh, and Iranian citizen Mehrdad Foomanie, aka Frank Foomanie, using Ansari’s companies, Gulf Gate Sea Cargo LLC and Global Merchant LLC, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
From Oct. 9, 2007 to June 15, 2011, Yip and Foomanie obtained or attempted to obtain from companies worldwide over 105,000 parts valued at approximately $2,630,800 involving more than 1,250 transactions. The defendants conducted 599 transactions with 63 different U.S. companies in which they obtained or attempted to obtain parts from U.S. companies without notifying the U.S. companies these parts were being shipped to Iran or getting the required U.S. government license to ship these parts to Iran. The defendant’s main role was to get one particular set of parts from a Central Texas company that was key for the Iranian government’s testing of all other parts.
At no time did Yip, Foomanie or Ansari, individually or through any of their companies, ever apply for or receive either a required U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license or Department of Commerce export license to ship any item listed in this indictment to the Republic of Iran.
Iranian Transaction Regulations prohibit, among other things, the exportation, re-exportation, sale or supply, directly or indirectly, to Iran or the Government of Iran, of any goods, technology or services from the U.S. or by a U.S. person. The embargo also prohibits any transaction by any U.S. person or within the U.S. that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, any prohibition set forth in the Executive Orders.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark J. Lesko for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentalvos of Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southwest Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement, Dallas Field Office made today’s announcement.
In October 2012, Yip was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the ITR by acting as a broker and conduit for Foomanie to buy items in the U.S. and have them unlawfully shipped to Iran. Mehrdad Foomanie remains a fugitive.
FBI, HSI, the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg, William R. Harris and Kelly Stevenson prosecuted this case.
El Paso Businesswoman Arrested for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso businesswoman and her nephew were arrested today on criminal charges for their alleged roles in committing health care fraud.
According to court documents, Zenia Chavez, 45, and Raul Alejandro Fuentes, 23, of El Paso, conspired together to commit health care fraud. Chavez is the owner and Fuentes is an employee of Nursemind Home Health, Inc. (Nursemind), which provides hospice care services. The defendants sought out people in boarding homes and senior living facilities for enrollment in a Nursemind hospice program although they did not need hospice care or have a terminal illness. The defendants then created false and fraudulent medical records for the individuals, forged health personnel signatures, and submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare. In addition, Chavez is also charged with offering kickbacks for client referrals to Nursemind.
Chavez and Fuentes are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and 14 counts of health care fraud. Chavez is also charged with one count of conspiracy for illegal remunerations regarding a federal health care program and 11 counts of illegal remunerations regarding a federal health care program. If convicted, Chavez and Fuentes face a maximum penalty on each of the health care fraud counts of 10 years in prison. Chavez faces an additional five years in prison on the conspiracy for illegal remunerations charge and 10 years in prison on each of the illegal remuneration counts. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) Special Agent in Charge Miranda Bennett made the announcement.
The FBI and HHS OIG are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Skillern and Debra Kanof 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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Waco Man Sentenced for Possessing over Nine Gallons of Liquid Methamphetamine BaseRead the Press Release
WACO – A Waco man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on September 30, 2020, Joshua David Villalobos, 41, was observed draining liquid methamphetamine from a trailer that was parked in an alleyway behind Proctor Avenue in Waco. Over nine gallons of liquid methamphetamine base were recovered from the trailer – enough to produce an estimated 80 pounds of methamphetamine powder.
On May 18, 2021, Villalobos pleaded guilty to attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. Villalobos has remained in federal custody since his arrest on October 6, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Waco Police Chief Sheryl D. Victorian made the announcement.
The Waco Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris prosecuted the case.
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Former Monahans Businessman Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay over $1 Million in Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
ALPINE – A former Monahans businessman pleaded guilty today to 12 counts of failure to pay withholding taxes.
According to court documents, George Wayne Johnson, 73, of Lawrenceburg, TN, was the owner of Wayne’s Welding Services (WWS) in Monahans. From 2015 to 2018, WWS withheld tax payments from its employees’ paychecks but failed to pay $1,308,797 in required payroll tax to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Through his company, Johnson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his salary and personal expenses.
Johnson faces a maximum penalty on each count of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and IRS Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Division, made the announcement.
The IRS is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Kennedy is prosecuting the case.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer Charged with Receiving a BribeRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment today charging an El Paso man with receiving a bribe by a public official.
According to court documents, Roberto Padilla, 50, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer stationed in El Paso was persuaded to reveal law enforcement sensitive information in exchange for a $500 payment to satisfy his drug debt.
The defendant was arrested on August 6, 2021 and is currently on bond. He is scheduled for an arraignment next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Castaneda of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division; Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Ricardo Hutterer, El Paso Division; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Huerta, Central Division, made the announcement.
The FBI; Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility are 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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Manor Man Sentenced to over 13 Years in Prison for Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – A Manor man was sentenced on Friday to 161 months in prison for robbing a pawn store at gunpoint.
According to court documents, Joe Quinonez Jr., 32, was charged with one count of violating the Hobbs Act or interfering with commerce by threats of violence. On January 2, 2021, Quinonez entered a Cash America Pawn store in Austin and brandished a firearm at two persons in the store while robbing the store of firearms. In addition, Quinonez was charged with discharging a firearm during the robbery. Quinonez pleaded guilty to the charges on June 15, 2021.
Quinonez was arrested by officers of the Austin Police Department on January 6, 2021 and has remained in custody since his arrest.
“Violent conduct like the armed robbery in this case will not be tolerated in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “When there is federal jurisdiction, our office will continue to vigorously prosecute such conduct in order to protect the public and bring justice for innocent victims.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division said, “ATF is committed to relentlessly pursuing those that commit violent acts with firearms against our communities. This criminal was an extremely dangerous trigger puller who will now be in a place where he cannot cause harm to the public. The sentencing shows what can result when federal and local law enforcement work together to tackle crime.”
ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Ceramic Art Concealed 3.4 Kilograms of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PECOS – A federal jury convicted a Dallas man last Thursday for possessing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Oscar Santiago Garcia Sanchez, 32, drove a vehicle with a trailer filled with ceramic art pieces into the Presidio Port of Entry. During inspection, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered a crystal substance inside the art pieces. The substance turned out to be 3.4 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Sanchez faces up to life in prison. His sentencing date has been set for November 23, 2021. Sanchez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on February 2, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Erik P. Breitzke, El Paso Division; Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Director of Field Operations Hector A. Mancha, Jr.; CBP Presidio Port Director Jesus Chavez; and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
The HSI, CBP, and DEA are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Weber is prosecuting the case.
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Three Area Kerrville Men Indicted for Distribution of Hydrocodone and OxycodoneRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment this week charging two Kerrville men and an Ingram man with distribution of narcotics.
According to court documents, Scott Mitchell Brown, 35, and John Henry Swiencki, 51, of Kerrville and David Jeffery Hughes, Jr., 42, of Ingram are all charged with one count of conspiring to distribute hydrocodone, oxycodone and amphetamines.
In addition to the distribution charge, Brown is charged with one count of theft of prescription medications; one count of possession of stolen mail; and one count of obtaining unauthorized health information from the Kerrville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Hughes is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Swiencki and Hughes are scheduled to make their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad. Brown is scheduled for an arraignment on September 2, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Farrer.
If convicted on the distribution charge the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. Brown faces up to an additional 10 years in prison on the theft of prescription medications charge and 10 years in prison on the obtaining unauthorized health information charge. He also faces an additional five years in prison for the possession of stolen mail charge. Hughes faces an additional sentence of up to 10 years in prison for the felon in 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 Ashley C. Hoff; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Field Office; U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, Houston Division; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VAOIG) Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Breen, South Central Field Office; and Kerr County Sheriff L.L. Leitha made today’s announcement.
The DEA, USPIS, VAOIG and the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Priscilla Garcia is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempting to Entice MinorRead the Press Release
EL PASO – Today a Mexican national was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice a minor.
According to court documents, Cayetano Lopez, 50, of Mexico, attempted to entice a minor into engaging in sexually explicit conduct via a social media messaging application. On May 20, 2021, Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor. By pleading guilty, Lopez admitted that in July 2020, he engaged in sexually explicit communications with a female he believed to be 13 years old, attempting to entice her into having unlawful sexual intercourse.
Lopez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on July 19, 2020, when he arrived at a prearranged meeting with the minor, who turned out to be an undercover agent.
“According to new data released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, online enticement of children has increased 97.5% amid the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “In response, the US Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, has redoubled our efforts to prosecute these very serious cases and keep our children safe while using the internet.”
“I am proud of the work done by FBI El Paso Violent Crimes Against Children personnel to ensure that another child predator was taken off the streets,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division. “The FBI remains dedicated in the fight to protect our nation’s future by ensuring our children can prosper where individuals like Lopez do not threaten their welfare.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Winters 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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Mexican National Found Guilty of Transporting Unaccompanied Minor from MexicoRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – Today a federal jury convicted a Mexican national for illegally transporting an unaccompanied child from Mexico.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Victor Manuel Monsivais, 67, was apprehended at 1 a.m. in an HEB parking lot in south San Antonio transporting an unaccompanied 8-year-old child from Mexico. Monsivais intended to give the child back to another person involved in smuggling the child from Mexico into the United States. Special agents with HSI, as well as officers from the San Antonio Police Department, were waiting for Monsivais at the HEB based on investigative intelligence about the intended exchange. Monsivais was found guilty of one count of illegal alien transportation.
Co-defendants Elida Kassandra Moreno, 28, a United States citizen and Nery Uriostegui-Dominguez, 28, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to bringing in and harboring aliens and conspiracy to bringing in and harboring aliens. Moreno was sentenced to 36 months in prison and a $1,000 fine on February 20, 2021. Uriostegui was sentenced to 18 months in prison on April 1, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, San Antonio Division, made the announcement.
HSI with assistance from the San Antonio Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Banister and Holly Pavlinski are prosecuting the case.
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Guam Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
PECOS – Today a federal jury convicted a Guam man for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.
According to court documents and evidence at trial, Damion Edward Cruz-Benavente, 29, was found guilty of one count of aggravated sexual abuse by force; one count of sexual abuse by threat or fear; and one count of sexual abuse of a minor. While living in Big Bend National Park beginning in 2015, the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim using force and threats, placing the victim in fear.
Defendant has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 12, 2021. Cruz faces up to life in prison on both the charges of aggravated sexual abuse by force and sexual abuse by threat or fear. He faces up to 15 years in prison on the sexual abuse of a minor charge.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
The FBI and the National Park Services along with assistance from the Killeen Police Department and the Alpine Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Kennedy and Tracy Thompson 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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Dallas Man Used Stolen Credit Cards to Buy Tires in Four StatesRead the Press Release
WACO – A Dallas man was sentenced today to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay $341,520 in restitution for conspiring to commit identity theft.
According to court documents, Brandon Decorwyn Alexander, 30, unlawfully acquired victims’ credit card numbers to rent vehicles and purchase tires starting in August 2017. Over 15 credit cards involving over 41 different merchants were fraudulently used. The defendant, along with co-conspirators, would call tire shops in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma and order tires using the stolen credit card information. He would then pick up the tires using vehicles he rented with the fraudulent credit card information.
On November 10, 2020, Alexander pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit identity theft.
Eboni Simone Arps, 30, from Waco participated in the scheme. Arps pleaded guilty to a misprision of a felony on November 9, 2020 and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, one year of supervised release and a $200 fine.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Limestone County Sheriff Murray Agnew made the announcement.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Gloff prosecuted the case.
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Arkansas Man Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay Almost $6M in Restitution for His Role in TRICARE Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WACO – An Arkansas man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $5,918,446 in restitution for his role in a scheme to defraud TRICARE, a health care program of the U.S. Department of Defense.
According to court documents, Theodis Lamond Jefferson, 37, a former United States Army Service Member, received more than $5.9 million from January 2015 to June 2015 from pharmacies and groups that provided and marketed compounded medications. Compounded medications are personalized dosages or formulas normally made for patients who cannot tolerate certain ingredients in commercially manufactured medications. Jefferson defrauded TRICARE by making and receiving unlawful payments for the prescription of compounded drugs to TRICARE beneficiaries. Jefferson paid bribes to prescribing physicians and kickbacks to TRICARE beneficiaries, who unlawfully enriched themselves from TRICARE reimbursements for covered compounded drugs.
On December 8, 2020, Jefferson pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of illegal payment and one count of payment of illegal fee.
“This defendant stole millions of dollars from a government healthcare program that supports our servicemembers and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “This sentence sends a strong message that those who use bribes and kickbacks to steal taxpayer dollars from important programs will be identified, investigated and prosecuted.”
“The TRICARE Program is vital to the health and well-being of our warfighters, retirees, and their families,” said Michael Mentavlos, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Defense Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Southwest Field Office. “Today's announcement underpins the steadfast commitment of DCIS and our investigative partners to bring to justice those who look to enrich themselves by jeopardizing the healthcare of our warfighters and defrauding the American taxpayer.”
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Gloff prosecuted the case.
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Man Indicted for Distribution of Oxymorphone Causing DeathRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment last week charging an El Paso man with distribution of a controlled substance causing death.
According to court documents, on or about March 11, 2019, Michael Martinez, 30, distributed oxymorphone, also known as numorphan, to another individual who died as a result.
Martinez is charged with one count of distributing oxymorphone causing death and one count of distributing oxymorphone. The defendant’s initial court appearance was held today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Castaneda. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years to life for distribution of oxymorphone causing death and up to 20 years in prison for distribution of oxymorphone. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson of the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Division made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Countryman is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former El Paso Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Aid Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A former El Paso police officer pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to maintain a drug-involved premise.
According to court documents, Monica Garcia, 24, conspired with Fred Saenz, her stepfather and co-defendant, to use Saenz’s residence to distribute cocaine. Agents determined that Saenz was using his residence and a separate stash location to store and distribute cocaine. Garcia used her position as an El Paso police officer to provide information that helped Saenz avoid detection by law enforcement while he distributed cocaine. Her activities included conducting counter-surveillance and running license plate registrations to identify undercover police vehicles near the residence and stash house.
On November 10, 2020, agents seized $14,405 from Saenz’s residence and 1.2 kilograms of cocaine from a stash house he used. During the investigation undercover agents bought quantities of cocaine from Saenz at his residence.
Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to maintain a drug-involved premise. A sentencing date for Garcia has not been set. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
On July 26, 2021, Fred Saenz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Saenz faces a maximum penalty of 40 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 Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson of the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Division made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the El Paso Police Department’s Narcotics Unit and Special Investigations Unit are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Williams and Steven Spitzer are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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U.S. Attorney's Statement on Second Anniversary of Walmart ShootingRead the Press Release
Ashley C. Hoff, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas, releases this statement on the second anniversary of the mass shooting in an El Paso Walmart that resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals and injured numerous others.
“We remain steadfast in pursuing justice for the victims, their families, the El Paso community, the State of Texas, and our Nation as a whole for the suffering caused by this incomprehensible act of hate. Our thoughts remain with those who have had their lives changed forever as we reflect on the memories of those we have lost.”
Cutt Master Barber School Settles Allegations of False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
EL PASO –Victor Phillips, owner of Cutt Master Barber School, LLC (Cutt Master), has agreed to pay $900,000 to settle allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by falsely submitting claims to the Veteran’s Administration (VA).
Cutt Master is a hair salon and barber shop school doing business in El Paso. In 2011 the Texas Veterans Commission approved Cutt Master offering veterans and active-duty military members educational courses for reimbursement under the GI Bill. The VA paid Cutt Master tuition and fees for covered courses.
The government alleged that Cutt Master received payments for claims that did not comply with VA requirements and submitted claims for courses not properly accredited. The government also alleged that Phillips falsely certified that he and Cutt Master complied with VA requirements regarding the appropriate ratio of VA students enrolled in their programs. Phillips and the government have agreed to resolve the dispute with Phillips paying $900,000.00 to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Department of Veterans Affairs OIG Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Breen of the South Central Field Office made the announcement.
The matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The claims asserted against the defendants are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo R. Castillo handled this matter.
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Nigerian Money Launderer Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Texas Employees Retirement SystemRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – For a scheme that defrauded the Texas Employees Retirement System, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, 38, a Nigerian national residing in Canada, was sentenced today to eight years in prison and repayment of $975,863 in restitution to multiple victims for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“This Defendant’s scheme and those like it victimize our most vulnerable citizens and cost taxpayers billions each year,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Our office will use all of the available legal tools to identify and bring to justice those who commit cyber-enabled fraud and launder the proceeds.”
According to court documents, Morakinyo conspired with Lukman Shina Aminu, a resident of New Hampshire, to create unauthorized accounts for participants in the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) internet portal. Personally identifiable information (PII) of various ERS participants was used to make changes to their accounts in the ERS internet portal. Bank deposit information on file in the system was changed to re-route retirement payments to debit cards controlled by Aminu. Aminu, who possessed the physical debit cards, would withdraw money under instructions from Morakinyo and then transfer or deposit that money at Morakinyo’s direction.
The debit cards were also used for cash withdrawals and to purchase money orders for personal expenses and for buying used vehicles to be shipped overseas to Nigeria and Benin for resale. With these international automobile transactions, Morakinyo and his conspirators laundered the fraud proceeds by concealing the source of the funds and making the money appear to be legitimate income.
“Today’s sentencing of Olumide Morakinyo highlights how seriously IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) and our law enforcement partners take the issue of identity theft,” said IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Richard Goss of the Houston Field Office. “We will continue to pursue those criminals who prey on innocent victims, stealing their identities to promote tax and other frauds. This sentencing should send a clear message to would-be criminals, that you will be caught and you will be punished.”
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman also ordered that Morakinyo be placed on three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. Aminu, charged in a separate indictment, was sentenced on December 18, 2019, to 51 months in prison.
“I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office, IRS CI, and Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit for their partnership, dedication and hard work on this case,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “By working together, we were able hold Morakinyo accountable for his role in this fraud scheme, which caused hardship and suffering to victims in Texas and other parts of the United States.”
The FBI, IRS CI and the DPS Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Galdo and Neeraj Gupta prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Felon in Possession of Ammunition Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, Charles Allen Scott, 45, threatened a female witness at her residence by waving a firearm in the air and telling her, “I’m about to shoot you in the face” and “It’ll only take a couple of shots to kill you.” While in his vehicle at the residence, Scott pointed the firearm out of his sunroof and fired once. The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) responded to the scene afterward and was able to locate a .357 caliber shell casing in the middle of the road in front of the witness’ residence.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) sent the recovered shell casing for testing through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). A NIBIN lead notification then linked the shell casing recovered by SAPD to three other shootings in the San Antonio area.
Scott’s criminal history records revealed that he has multiple state felony convictions, including two for aggravated assault with deadly weapon of a non-family member with gun; one for unlawfully carrying a weapon; and two for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
On May 11, 2021, Scott pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“The prosecution of this case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the reduction of violent crime and to stopping repeat offenders like Scott from endangering members of the community,” stated U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “I am grateful for our partnership with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the use of NIBIN in our investigations.”
“The sentence in this case sends a clear message to other would-be offenders that ATF and the court take seriously the possession of ammunition by prohibited persons,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Houston Division.
ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence- based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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