Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Criminal Complaint Filed Charging Cedar Park Man with Possession of Unregistered Destructive Device during Protest in AustinRead the Press Release
Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas filed a federal criminal complaint against 25-year-old Cyril Laurence Lartigue of Cedar Park, TX, for constructing and possessing a Molotov cocktail during a protest last week in Austin, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Houston Division.
The criminal complaint charges Lartigue with one count of possessing an unregistered destructive device. According to the criminal complaint, on the evening of May 30, 2020, video cameras captured the defendant manufacturing a destructive device while in a parking lot directly adjacent to the Austin Municipal Court entrance. While making the device, the defendant was interrupted by the oncoming presence of Austin Police Department officers heading in his direction. Lartigue fled the area, leaving the device behind. Within minutes, Lartigue returned to retrieve the destructive device he had manufactured. Subsequently, APD officers arrested Lartigue located inside a nearby portable toilet where he had changed clothes. Inside his backpack, officers recovered materials used to manufacture an explosive device including a bottle containing lighter fluid, cloth rags, a butane lighter and the clothes he was previously wearing.
Upon conviction, Lartigue faces up to ten years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody at this time.
“The constitutional line is clear. Speech and peaceful assembly are protected; violence is not. If you bring a Molotov cocktail onto the streets of Austin, you can expect to go to federal prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“Destructive devices are volatile and inherently dangerous; ATF is proud to work with the Austin Police Department to keep our city safe,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Milanowski.
The ATF, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Henneke and Grant Sparks are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Temple Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In Waco today, 33-year-old Temple, Texas, resident Lydia Brynn Christensen, pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and, Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds.
Appearing before U.S Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske, Christensen pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. According to court records,
On August 30, 2019, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence based on information they had received concerning the contents of her cellular telephone. During the search, authorities seized the phone. A subsequent search of the phone revealed the presence of numerous images and videos depicting child pornography. Also, authorities discovered numerous communications on the phone whereby Christensen had transmitted and received child pornography.
Christensen, who has remained in custody since her arrest on November 7, 2019, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each charge. Sentencing, before U.S. District Judge Alan Albright in Waco, is scheduled for October 7, 2020.
The FBI and the Temple Police Department Special Crimes Unit conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Four agencies in the Western District of Texas received 2020 COPS Grants totalling over $6 million for 50 new positionsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”
The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics. In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. Forty-three percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
The complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order against Fort Davis Businessman Offering Fraudulent Coronavirus Cures/TreatmentsRead the Press Release
Today, federal authorities served a civil injunction against 73-year-old Fort Davis resident Marc “White Eagle” Travalino in an effort to combat alleged fraud related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, announced Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division; U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada, El Paso Field Office; and, Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office.
The purpose of the civil injunction is to stop Travalino’s sale of fraudulent COVID-19 cures through his business and his website, “whiteeaglenativeherbs.net.” Court records state that after guaranteeing an undercover special agent that his hospitalized grandmother would not die from COVID-19 if given the medicine, Travalino allegedly sold the agent a treatment for COVID-19 on May 5, 2020. On May 14, 2020, the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent Travalino a warning letter requiring him to cease and desist sales of unapproved and unproven products related to COVID-19 cures and treatments. But almost a week after he was warned to stop, Travalino again sold his fraudulent COVID-19 treatments to another undercover agent.
Today’s action will shutter Travalino’s website immediately while this investigation continues. In so doing, the government is employing a federal statute that permits federal courts to issue injunctions to prevent harm to potential victims of fraudulent schemes.
“I am pleased that the district court entered the temporary restraining order. Peddling bogus COVID-19 cures to fellow citizens is illegal and immoral. Our office will continue to shut down these scams,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“The sale of false cures will be vigorously investigated by the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Quesada. “The FBI is using a variety of tools to identify anyone who exploits the current crisis with fraudulent scams or a variety of cyber schemes – and is proactively warning the public about products claiming to save lives, before losing their money or creating false hope. Scammers seeking to profit by exploiting fear and uncertainty during this COVID-19 pandemic will be brought to justice.”
The Department of Justice recommends that Americans to take the following precautionary measures to protect themselves from known and emerging scams related to COVID-19:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
- Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
- Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
- Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if a vaccine becomes available, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving any donation. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites. In addition, the public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected].
The enforcement action taken today is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Cannizzaro, Eddie Castillo and Michael C. Galdo of the Western District of Texas, and Senior Litigation Counsel Ross S. Goldstein of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. Special Agents with the FDA and the FBI’s El Paso Field Office are conducting the investigation.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government must prove to receive a permanent injunction against the defendant.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx. For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Man Offering Fraudulent Coronavirus TreatmentsRead the Press Release
Today, federal authorities served a temporary restraining order upon Fort Davis, Texas, resident Marc “White Eagle” Travalino in an effort to combat alleged fraud related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The restraining order was issued on Monday, June 1, 2020, by United States District Judge David Counts of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas and was unsealed today.
The government filed the civil action in order to stop Travalino from committing mail and wire fraud by peddling fraudulent remedies for a host of diseases and medical conditions, including COVID-19, through his business and his website, “whiteeaglenativeherbs.net.” According to court records, Travalino sells product that he claims “are proven to work and destroy” coronavirus. In fact, there are no drugs or other therapeutics that have been demonstrated to cure or prevent COVID-19.
“When sellers falsely promise cures for serious diseases, they put the public health at risk,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to preventing fraudsters from exploiting this pandemic.”
After guaranteeing an undercover special agent that his hospitalized grandmother would not die from COVID-19 if given the medicine, Travalino allegedly sold the agent a treatment for COVID-19 on May 5, 2020. On May 14, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent Travalino a warning letter requiring him to cease and desist sales of unapproved and unproven products related to COVID-19 cures and treatments. But almost a week after he was warned to stop, Travalino again sold his fraudulent COVID-19 treatments to another undercover agent.
Today’s action will shutter Travalino’s business and website immediately while this investigation continues. In so doing, the government is employing a federal statute that permits federal courts to issue injunctions to prevent harm to potential victims of fraudulent schemes.
The Department of Justice recommends that Americans to take the following precautionary measures to protect themselves from known and emerging scams related to COVID-19:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
- Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
- Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
- Ignore offers from suspicious sources for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if a vaccine becomes available, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving any donation. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites. The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline by phone at (1-866-720-5721) or via an online reporting form available at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The enforcement action taken today is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Cannizzaro, Eddie Castillo and Michael C. Galdo of the Western District of Texas, and Senior Litigation Counsel Ross S. Goldstein of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. The FBI’s El Paso Field Office and the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations are conducting the investigation.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government must prove to receive a permanent injunction against the defendant.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx. For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas Redoubles Its Efforts to Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing During the COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash is asking that anyone who has witnessed or is a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of an owner, property manager, maintenance worker or any other individual who has control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas will work closely with state and local partners to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing.
“I am proud that the Department of Justice has prioritized the fight against sexual harassment in housing. My office will act aggressively against such violations of federal law and fundamental decency,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay their rent on time and has increased the lack of home security. The Justice Department has received reports that housing providers are trying to take advantage of the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal and the Department of Justice is prepared to investigate such allegations and pursue, where appropriate, law enforcement measures.
The Department of Justice's Home Sexual Harassment Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division, in collaboration with federal prosecutors across the country. The Initiative aims to address sexual harassment by homeowners, property managers, maintenance workers, lenders, or others who control housing.
Since its launch in 2017, the Initiative has filed lawsuits across the country, alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and has recovered millions of dollars in damages for victims of harassment. Justice Department investigations often reveal cases of sexual harassment that have persisted for years. Many individuals do not know that being harassed by a housing provider may be a violation of federal laws or that the Department of Justice could help.
Through the Civil Rights Division and Federal Prosecutors' Offices, the Department of Justice enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, skin color, religion, sex, family status, national origin, or disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that the Act prohibits. The Department encourages anyone who has been sexually harassed in the home or who knows someone who has been sexually harassed to contact the Civil Rights Division by telephone at (844) 380-6178 or by email to [email protected].
Individuals who believe they have been victims of discrimination may also contact the nearest U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas by calling: San Antonio—(210) 384-7100; Austin—(512) 916-5858; El Paso—(915) 534-6884; Midland—(432) 686-4110; Del Rio—(830) 703-2025; Alpine—(432) 837-7332; or Waco—(254) 750-1580. A complaint alleging sexual harassment or housing discrimination may also be filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the HUD website (https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint) or by calling (800) 669-9777.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution, Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, a federal judge sentenced 53–year-old Elton Vallare of San Antonio to 20 years in federal prison for distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ordered Vallare to pay a total of $29,000 in restitution to seven identified victims and to be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term.
“For the second day in a row, our office obtained a significant sentence in a child-pornography case. I’m grateful for the amazing work the FBI’s San Antonio field office in this case and so many others. We will stop at nothing to protect kids,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On January 30, 2020, jurors convicted Vallare of two counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. On June 14, 2017, FBI agents arrested Vallare following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. During the search warrant, investigators recovered two laptop computers and various computer related equipment. A forensics review of the seized items revealed the presence of numerous video and image files depicting child pornography which the defendant downloaded and distributed via the internet.
“Today's sentencing sends a strong message that there are serious consequences for those who would harm children by distributing and trading images of child pornography,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. “It is impossible to measure the suffering these victims have endured. In this case, the defendant will have to pay restitution to the victims - and hopefully this will help them on their long road to recovery. The FBI is committed to finding perpetrators of this terrible crime and seeking justice for all who have been victimized.”
The FBI’s San Antonio Child Exploitation Task Force investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 43-year-old Jason Lee Sarabia to 285 months in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ordered that Sarabia be placed on supervised release for a period of 20 years after completing his prison term.
On February 26, 2020, jurors convicted Sarabia on two counts of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that the FBI downloaded thousands of child pornography files from Sarabia between August and November of 2017. On November 30, 2017, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized two cell phones. A forensic search of the seized phones revealed a file sharing application and the presence of more than 1,000 images depicting prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit activity.
“I am grateful for the incredible work of the San Antonio FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force on this case. People who acquire and distribute child pornography create the incentive for others to abuse children in horrific ways. We will prosecute them aggressively,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“While life has changed a great deal for all of us during the past several weeks, one disturbing and horrifying constant is that children in our community, and around the world, continue to suffer every day at the hands of sexual predators. The FBI’s San Antonio Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation by holding both producers and consumers of child pornography accountable,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. “I am extremely proud of the Task Force and the FBI’s Computer Analysis Recovery Team, which overcame extraordinary investigative challenges to recover critical evidence in this investigation. Their hard work and dedication not only resulted in a successful prosecution, but the identification of additional victims.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Irish National Extradited to the United States from Ireland for Trafficking of Rhinoceros HornsRead the Press Release
An Irish national who was arrested on Aug. 1, 2019, in Ireland pursuant to an extradition request by the United States, was extradited on May 22 for his role in trafficking horns from black rhinoceros, announced Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
On May 13, 2014, a federal grand jury sitting in Waco, Texas, returned an indictment that has since been unsealed, charging John Slattery and a co-defendant, Patrick Sheridan, with conspiring to traffic in horns from black rhinoceros. In addition to conspiracy, the indictment charges substantive violations of the Lacey Act for wildlife trafficking and making a false wildlife document.
According to the indictment, Slattery, along with Sheridan and Michael Slattery Jr., used a “straw buyer” to purchase two black rhinoceros horns from a taxidermist in Texas, which the group then transported to New York, where they sold the horns. In January 2014, Slattery Jr. pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. In September 2015, Sheridan was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom. Sheridan was returned to the Western District of Texas where he pleaded guilty and was also sentenced to 14 months in prison. In addition to the trafficking, the indictment charges Slattery and Sheridan with making a fictitious and fraudulent bill of sale in connection with the rhinoceros horns, in an attempt to make their illegal purchase of the horns appear legal.
The transport of Slattery to the Western District of Texas to face these charges concluded the extradition process from Ireland, a process governed by an extradition treaty between the United States and Ireland. Slattery made his initial appearance today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case was investigated by agents from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Gary N. Donner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff for the Western District of Texas. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support in securing and coordinating Slattery’s arrest and extradition. The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the government of Ireland for its cooperation and assistance.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
El Paso Woman Charged by Federal Complaint with Posting Threatening Communications OnlineRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint against 25–year-old Vanessa Tarrango for communicating a threat online, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada, El Paso Division.
The criminal complaint alleges that on May 13, 2020, Tarrango posted the following on Facebook:
“For the past years or so theres been Walmart shootin that jst keep getting funnuer n funnier immab the nxt one to shoot up Walmart n hopefully one of these x or even my bd will be there Cruel yes but idc more”.
The complaint further alleges that Tarrango responded to posted comments by stating:
“lmao bitch they act like imam take time out of my day too shoot these dumb ppl idc or heard of im not gunna get a charge for ppl idk”. “Or maybe only time will tell fukk it”.
According to the complaint, Tarrango then followed up by tagging a Facebook user in a post stating:
“Hoe got scared n reported it shell be the first one I shoot.”
She also responded to another Facebook user’s response with:
“Idc dude fr they can kiss my ass in jail n ill send them letters sayin there nxt”.
The complaint also alleges that Tarrango posted the threats in response to the arrest this week of a friend. On Monday, Alex Barron was arrested on federal firearms charges in connection with an investigation into the alleged posting on a social media application of a photograph of an AR-15 style rifle with a caption stating “…#watchoutwalmartimcoming #droplikeflys…”.
Upon conviction, Tarrango faces up to five years in federal prison. She remains in custody at this time. Her initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge is expected to occur next week.
“Once again our community stepped up in order to protect itself. It takes the help of the entire community and the resources from law enforcement to keep our fellow citizens safe from harm. We thank you,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis Quesada. “A threat will be taken seriously. It is not a joke; it is a federal crime. Think before you post on social media.”
The FBI, El Paso Police Department and the Socorro Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Hanna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Three Houston Men Face Federal Charges in Connection with Austin Jewelry Store Robbery Last WeekRead the Press Release
In Austin today, three defendants made their initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge on charges related to an armed Austin jewelry store robbery last week, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.
A criminal complaint filed on Monday charges 21–year-old Darius Limar Sonnier, 20-year-old Wallace Diaveon Charles and 18-year-old Tye Joseph-Phillip Gobert with one count of Interfering with Commerce by Robbery; one count of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery; one count of Using, Carrying, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and, one count of Conspiracy to Use/Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
The complaint alleges that the defendants, along with other suspects, entered the Korman Fine Jewelry store located on Burnet Road in Austin on May 7, 2020, and stole multiple Rolex watches and other items valued at over $200,000. During the robbery, Sonnier allegedly assaulted and shot a security guard. The security guard required surgery and is recovering from his gunshot wound to the abdomen and blunt force trauma to the head. A female employee was also allegedly struck in the back of the head with a gun. The complaint also alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators caused substantial damage to the jewelry store estimated at up to $150,000.
Austin Police officers arrested Sonnier, Charles and Gobert in the vicinity of the jewelry store shortly after the robbery. Authorities are still looking for the other robbery suspects.
Upon conviction of the charges, the defendants face up to life in federal prison. All three remain in custody at this time.
The FBI and the Austin Police Department are investigating this case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Anyone who has information about this robbery or the other two suspects in this case is asked to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741 or the Austin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 50–year-old Gregory Parris to 30 years in federal prison for distribution and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ordered that Parris pay $20,000 in restitution to four victims whose images he distributed and be placed on supervised release for a period of 15 years after completing his prison term.
“Today’s 30-year sentence represents some measure of justice for the child victims of the defendant. I have no higher priority than protecting children from sexual exploitation,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On July 31, 2019, Parris pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to court records, on May 8, 2019, FBI agents executed an arrest warrant for Parris at his residence. At that time, agents seized the defendant’s cell phone and personal computer. A subsequent forensics review of the seized computer revealed the presence of numerous images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children as well as a social media link to a cloud service which Parris shared with others that contained numerous files associated with child pornography.
Parris has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
The FBI’s San Antonio Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Former Monahans Police Officer Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
In Midland today, a federal judge sentenced former Monahans police officer Marshal Lacy Hobbs to 87 months in federal prison on a child pornography charge, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered that Hobbs, age 36 of Andrews, TX, pay a $30,000 fine; a $5,000 assessment under the Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Improvement Act; and, a $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Judge Counts also ordered that Hobbs be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term. Hobbs, who had been on bond during this litigation, was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following today’s hearing in order to begin serving his prison term.
On December 19, 2019, Hobbs pleaded guilty to one count receipt of child pornography. Court records reveal that in November 2019, Hobbs knowingly engaged in social media communications on his cell phone with a female he knew to be under 18 and that he received multiple videos and images of that minor female engaged in sexually explicit activity.
“When an officer who has sworn to protect his community instead decides to target a child for exploitation, we will be relentless in seeking justice. I am pleased with the sentence imposed today,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
The Texas Rangers investigated this case along with the Andrews Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane A. Chriesman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Horizon City Man Faces Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint against 29–year-old Alex R. Barron for federal firearms charges, including a charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and a charge involving the prohibited possession of a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada, El Paso Division.
On May 8, 2020, federal authorities executed a series of search warrants, including a search warrant for the defendant’s residence, in connection with an investigation into the alleged posting on a social media application of a photograph of an AR-15 style rifle with a caption stating “…#watchoutwalmartimcoming #droplikeflys…” After recovering multiple firearms, including at least one fully automatic firearm equipped with a suppressor, and ammunition, authorities arrested Barron.
Barron’s criminal history reveals a 2012 felony conviction for a drug-related offense in El Paso County.
Upon conviction, Barron faces up to ten years in federal prison for each of the firearms charges. He remains in custody at this time.
The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, El Paso Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Hanna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Washington State Resident Charged with Attempting to Smuggle Firearms into Mexico through Eagle Pass Port of EntryRead the Press Release
In Del Rio today, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint against 51–year-old Miguel Diaz-Calderon for attempting to smuggle numerous firearms, ammunition, gun magazines and other gun parts into the Republic of Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division; and, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Eagle Pass Port Director Paul Del Rincon.
According to the complaint, CBP officers arrested the Union Gap, WA, resident yesterday afternoon at the Eagle Pass International Bridge #2 while trying to export 27 handguns, 12 rifles, over 10,000 rounds of ammunition, 70 gun magazines and an assortment of other gun parts concealed inside his truck. Authorities also seized $5,000 in U.S. Currency. The complaint further alleges that Diaz told investigators that he was expecting to be paid another $5,000 upon delivery of the contraband.
Upon conviction, Diaz faces up to ten years in federal prison. He remains in custody at this time.
HSI is investigating this case. The Eagle Pass Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit and the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office assisted CBP during the outbound inspection. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Importers to Pay more than $5.2 Million to Resolve Allegations they Evaded Customs Duties in Violation of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash of the Western District of Texas announced today that Blue Furniture Solutions, LLC, its successor XMillenium, LLC, and two of the companies’ former executives—CEO Yingqing Zeng and CFO Alex Cheng—have agreed to pay more than $5.2 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by evading customs duties and fees on furniture imported from China.
In July 2015, University Loft Company filed a False Claims Act qui tam action in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, alleging that Blue Furniture and others were importing wooden bedroom furniture into the U.S. without paying the required anti-dumping duties and other customs fees. After investigating University Loft’s allegations, the United States elected to intervene in the action.
In its complaint, the government alleged that Blue Furniture, XMillenium, Zeng, and Cheng conspired to evade millions of dollars in anti-dumping duties and customs fees by falsely describing wooden bedroom furniture imported from China as “metal” or “non-bedroom” furniture on documents submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The defendants manipulated images of their products in packing lists and invoices, and directed their Chinese manufacturers to ship furniture in mislabeled boxes and to falsify invoices to help the defendants avoid detection by authorities in the United States.
To resolve the government’s allegations, Blue Furniture and XMillenium consented to entry of a final judgment holding them jointly and severally liable to the U.S. in the amount of $4,679,987.19. Zeng and Cheng separately agreed to pay $460,000 and $90,000, respectively, to resolve their personal liability. In addition, Zeng and Cheng each pleaded guilty last year in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina to criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 542. [United States v. Zeng et al., No. 2:19-CR-64-DCN (D.S.C.)].
“Companies that import goods from China or other foreign countries without paying the required duties and fees threaten the livelihood of American manufacturers and their workers, who are put at an unfair disadvantage relative to their foreign counterparts. My office will not hesitate to use every tool available—both criminal and civil—to make sure that these companies and their executives are held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
U.S. Attorney Bash commended the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations for their investigation of this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Strawn represented the government in the civil lawsuit. The case is United States ex rel. University Loft Company v. Blue Furniture Solutions, LLC et al., Civil Action No. 1:15-CV-588-LY (W.D. Tex.).
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Universal City Man Charged with Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Houston Division, announced that federal authorities have filed a criminal complaint against 41 year-old Joshua Faleide for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.
According to the complaint, the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office placed a “Be On The Lookout” alert on file for Faleide concerning two explosives-related state arrest warrants that were obtained on Tuesday. Yesterday, officers with the Universal City Police Department located a vehicle registered to the defendant at a local motel. Authorities executed the warrants and arrested Faleide. Investigators discovered three loaded firearms—a 7.62 caliber rifle that was on a bi-pod on a small table pointed at the door, a .45 caliber pistol, a 9mm pistol, and a suspected explosive device inside his motel room.
As for his felon status, Faleide was convicted of assault on a public servant in Bexar County, Texas, in 2008, for which he received a five-year prison sentence.
Upon conviction, Faleide faces up to ten years in federal prison for the felon-in-possession charge. He remains in custody at this time.
The ATF and the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating this case. The Universal City Police Department assisted with the arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney and IRS-Criminal Investigation Warn of COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment ScamsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Acting Special Agent in Charge Rodrick Benton of the IRS–Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office today cautioned taxpayers of the opportunity for criminals to steal economic impact payments through various means of deception.
COVID-19 economic impact payments will be on their way from the IRS in a matter of weeks. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account. For the unbanked, elderly or other groups who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payment in this manner as well. Everyone receiving a COVID-19 related economic impact payment from the government is at risk. Criminals have already begun deceiving taxpayers through unsolicited phone calls, emails, text messages or other communications purporting to be from the IRS in attempts to steal these payments.
“My office will be aggressive in targeting anyone who attempts to steal from the American people during this time of national emergency,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “I urge members of the public to report scams and other illegal activity to law-enforcement authorities.”
If anyone believes that they or their family are the victims of a scam or attempted fraud involving these stimulus payments, they can report it without leaving their home. Please contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or by email at [email protected]. If it is a cyber scam, they may also submit a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
“While the Nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, criminals see an opportunity to enrich themselves through fraudulent schemes,” warned Acting Special Agent in Charge Benton. “With the public’s awareness, we can combat these scammers and cease their exploitation of the American taxpayer during these trying times.”
IRS – Criminal Investigation has provided the following guidance to identify potential scams.
- The IRS will deposit your check into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
- The IRS will not call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out your bank account, debit account, or PayPal account information – even if someone claims it’s necessary to get your check. It’s a scam.
- If you receive a call, don’t engage with scammers or thieves, even if you want to tell them that you know it’s a scam, or you think that you can beat them. Just hang up.
- If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Don’t click on any links in those emails or texts.
- Reports are also swirling about bogus checks. If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it’s a fraud – it will take the Treasury a few weeks to mail those out. If you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a check that requires that you verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud.
For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Complaint Filed Against San Antonio Man for COVID-19-Related HoaxRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, 39-year-old Christopher Charles Perez is charged with allegedly perpetrating a COVID-19-related hoax, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
A federal criminal complaint unsealed today charges Perez with one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1038, which criminalizes false information and hoaxes related to weapons of mass destruction. According to the complaint, Perez allegedly posted a threat on Facebook in which he claimed to have paid someone to spread coronavirus at grocery stores in the San Antonio area because he was trying to deter people from visiting the stores, purportedly in order to prevent the spread of the virus. A screenshot of that posted threat was sent by an online tip to the Southwest Texas Fusion Center (SWTFC) on Sunday. The SWTFC contacted the FBI office in San Antonio for further investigation. To be clear, the alleged threat was false; no one spread coronavirus at grocery stores, according to investigators.
Perez, whom FBI agents arrested late yesterday afternoon without incident, faces up to five years in federal prison upon conviction. He remains in federal custody at this time.
The FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Squad and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you think that you or your family are the victims of a scam or attempted fraud involving coronavirus, you can report it without leaving your home. Please contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or by email at [email protected]. If it’s a cyber scam, you may also submit your complaint at www.ic3.gov.
Learn more about coronavirus-related frauds, as well as combatting and reporting the hoarding and price gouging of critical supplies, from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Former Andrews Middle School Choir Director Sentenced to 97 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
In Midland today, a federal judge sentenced former Andrews Middle School Choir Director Gary Lynn Ragland to 97 months in federal prison on a child pornography charge, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered that Ragland, age 59, pay a $20,000 fine; a $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA); and, $35,000 in restitution. Judge Counts also ordered that Ragland be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term. Ragland has remained in custody since his arrest on October 1, 2019.
On November 21, 2019, Ragland pleaded guilty to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography. According to court records, on September 27, 2019, the school web filter flagged that pornography was being searched for off campus by a school-issued MacBook assigned to Ragland. Ragland admitted to accessing child pornography on a daily basis and using that MacBook to view and/or possess more than 5,000 images depicting child pornography.
Court records further reveal that Ragland has also admitted to inappropriate touching of at least four identified adolescent victims’ breasts and buttocks as well as a previous incident he was accused of inappropriate touching a 12-year-old student. It was deemed unfounded and he previously denied committing the act, but he now admits that what the child alleged actually happened.
“Even amid the coronavirus pandemic, we are still achieving justice for our most vulnerable victims. This middle school choir director admitted to inappropriately touching multiple children and to using his school-issued computer to download massive amounts of child pornography. He will now spend 97 months in federal prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
The Andrews Police Department investigated this case along with the Texas Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Berry prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Justice Department Files its First Enforcement Action against COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Justice announced today that it has taken its first action in federal court to combat fraud related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The enforcement action filed today in Austin against operators of a fraudulent website follows Attorney General William Barr’s recent direction for the department to prioritize the detection, investigation, and prosecution of illegal conduct related to the pandemic.
As detailed in the civil complaint and accompanying court papers filed on Saturday, March 21, 2020, the operators of the website “coronavirusmedicalkit.com” are engaging in a wire fraud scheme seeking to profit from the confusion and widespread fear surrounding COVID-19. Information published on the website claimed to offer consumers access to World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine kits in exchange for a shipping charge of $4.95, which consumers would pay by entering their credit card information on the website. In fact, there are currently no legitimate COVID-19 vaccines and the WHO is not distributing any such vaccine. In response to the department’s request, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued a temporary restraining order requiring that the registrar of the fraudulent website immediately take action to block public access to it.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate criminal exploitation of this national emergency for personal gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We will use every resource at the government’s disposal to act quickly to shut down these most despicable of scammers, whether they are defrauding consumers, committing identity theft, or delivering malware.”
“Attorney General Barr has directed the department to prioritize fraud schemes arising out of the coronavirus emergency,” said U.S. Attorney John F. Bash of the Western District of Texas. “We therefore moved very quickly to shut down this scam. We hope in the future that responsible web domain registrars will quickly and effectively shut down websites designed to facilitate these scams. My office will continue to be aggressive in targeting these sorts of despicable frauds for the duration of this emergency.”
“At a time when we face such unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 crisis, Americans are understandably desperate to find solutions to keep their families safe and healthy,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “Fraudsters who seek to profit from their fear and uncertainty, by selling bogus vaccines or cures, not only steal limited resources from our communities, they pose an even greater danger by spreading misinformation and creating confusion. During this difficult time, protecting our communities from these reprehensible fraud schemes will remain one of the FBI’s highest priorities."
The United States filed today’s announced action to shutter the website immediately while an investigation of the website and its operators continues. In so doing, the government is employing a federal statute that permits federal courts to issue injunctions to prevent harm to potential victims of fraudulent schemes.
The Department of Justice recommends that Americans to take the following precautionary measures to protect themselves from known and emerging scams related to COVID-19:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
- Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
- Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
- Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if a vaccine becomes available, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving any donation. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.In addition, the public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected].
The enforcement action taken today is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas A. Parnham, Jr. and Michael C. Galdo of the Western District of Texas, and Senior Litigation Counsel Ross S. Goldstein of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. The FBI’s San Antonio Field Office is conducting the investigation.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government must prove to receive a permanent injunction against the defendant.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx. For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Justice Department Files Its First Enforcement Action Against COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it has taken its first action in federal court to combat fraud related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The enforcement action filed today in Austin against operators of a fraudulent website follows Attorney General William Barr’s recent direction for the department to prioritize the detection, investigation, and prosecution of illegal conduct related to the pandemic.
As detailed in the civil complaint and accompanying court papers filed on Saturday, March 21, 2020, the operators of the website “coronavirusmedicalkit.com” are engaging in a wire fraud scheme seeking to profit from the confusion and widespread fear surrounding COVID-19. Information published on the website claimed to offer consumers access to World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine kits in exchange for a shipping charge of $4.95, which consumers would pay by entering their credit card information on the website. In fact, there are currently no legitimate COVID-19 vaccines and the WHO is not distributing any such vaccine. In response to the department’s request, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued a temporary restraining order requiring that the registrar of the fraudulent website immediately take action to block public access to it.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate criminal exploitation of this national emergency for personal gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We will use every resource at the government’s disposal to act quickly to shut down these most despicable of scammers, whether they are defrauding consumers, committing identity theft, or delivering malware.”
“Attorney General Barr has directed the department to prioritize fraud schemes arising out of the coronavirus emergency,” said U.S. Attorney John F. Bash of the Western District of Texas. “We therefore moved very quickly to shut down this scam. We hope in the future that responsible web domain registrars will quickly and effectively shut down websites designed to facilitate these scams. My office will continue to be aggressive in targeting these sorts of despicable frauds for the duration of this emergency.”
“At a time when we face such unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 crisis, Americans are understandably desperate to find solutions to keep their families safe and healthy,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “Fraudsters who seek to profit from their fear and uncertainty, by selling bogus vaccines or cures, not only steal limited resources from our communities, they pose an even greater danger by spreading misinformation and creating confusion. During this difficult time, protecting our communities from these reprehensible fraud schemes will remain one of the FBI’s highest priorities."
The United States filed today’s announced action to shutter the website immediately while an investigation of the website and its operators continues. In so doing, the government is employing a federal statute that permits federal courts to issue injunctions to prevent harm to potential victims of fraudulent schemes.
The Department of Justice recommends that Americans to take the following precautionary measures to protect themselves from known and emerging scams related to COVID-19:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
- Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
- Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
- Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if a vaccine becomes available, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving any donation. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.
In addition, the public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected].
The enforcement action taken today is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas A. Parnham, Jr. and Michael C. Galdo of the Western District of Texas, and Senior Litigation Counsel Ross S. Goldstein of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. The FBI’s San Antonio Field Office is conducting the investigation.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government must prove to receive a permanent injunction against the defendant.
For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx.
U.S. Attorney Bash Urges the Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.
Some examples of fraudulent schemes include:
- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
- Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
- Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
- Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities.“Today I have appointed Mike Galdo, an exceptionally skilled and experienced prosecutor, to work with our partner law-enforcement agencies to pursue anyone who uses the current emergency to swindle innocent victims. No scam is too small. If you use this emergency to defraud people, we are coming for you,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Houston Man in Austin CarjackingRead the Press Release
In Austin this week, a federal magistrate judge unsealed a four-count indictment against a 22-year-old Houston man for a carjacking in Southwest Austin in January 2020, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Houston Division.
The federal grand jury indictment, returned in Austin on March 3, 2020, charges Darrell Morgan Watts, Jr., with one count of carjacking, one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, one count of discharging a firearm with a silencer during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of an unregistered silencer.
The indictment alleges that in Austin on January 30, 2020, Watts fired shots from a .22 caliber pistol with a silencer in an effort to steal a Ford Mustang from its owner. As for his convicted felon status, Watts was convicted of felony theft in Harris County, TX, in 2016, for which he received a three-year-prison sentence.
Upon convictions, Watts faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the carjacking charge; up to ten years in federal prison for the felon-in-possession charge; up to ten years in federal prison for possession of an unregistered silencer; and, a minimum of 30 years in federal prison for using and carrying a firearm with a silencer during and in relation to a federal crime of violence.
Watts, who was arrested in San Antonio on February 5, 2020, remains in federal custody.
The ATF and the Austin Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Buie is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Uvalde Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In Del Rio today, 20-year-old Uvalde, Texas, resident Pedro Gonzalez, Jr., pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division; and, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Appearing before U.S Magistrate Judge Victor Garcia, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. According to court records, on August 22, 2019, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence. During the search, authorities seized a computer hard drive belonging to the defendant. A subsequent search of the computer hard drive revealed the presence of numerous images of child pornography.
Gonzalez faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each charge. Sentencing, before U.S. District Judge Alia Moses in Del Rio, has yet to be scheduled.
The investigation was initiated by a lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning the uploading of possible child pornography. The Cyber Crimes Unit of the Texas Attorney General’s Office and HSI investigated this case. The Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the execution of the search warrant. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Spears is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Iranian National Extradited to the Western District of Texas for Illegally Exporting Military Sensitive Items from the U.S. to IranRead the Press Release
On Saturday, 38-year-old Merdad Ansari who is an Iranian citizen and a resident of the United Arab Emirates was extradited from Georgia and arrived Saturday evening in San Antonio to face federal charges in connection with a scheme to obtain military sensitive parts for Iran in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney John F. Bash for the Western District of Texas; FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio Office Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southwest Field Office Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentalvos; and, Special Agent in Charge Tracy Martin, U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security's Office of Export Enforcement, Dallas Field Office.
These parts 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.
“As alleged, the defendant helped Iran to develop its weapons programs by obtaining military parts in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “We are grateful for the work our partners have done to ensure Ansari can be brought to justice.”
“I am pleased that Mr. Ansari will face justice in an American courtroom. I am grateful to the many law-enforcement partners who worked so diligently to make that happen,” stated U. S. Attorney John F. Bash for the Western District of Texas.
“The FBI greatly appreciates the collaborative efforts and unwavering support from the Georgian Government and our federal partners. Together, over several years, we relentlessly pursued every lead to ensure that Ansari would eventually face the charges detailed in the indictment,” stated FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “Investigating criminal violations of U.S. trade embargoes is one of the FBI's highest priorities since this criminal activity affects the national security of the United States and our allies, especially the security of our troops abroad.”
“HSI will use all resources at its disposal to prevent sensitive technology from being illegally exported from the United States,” said Shane Folden, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Antonio. “HSI commends all the agencies involved in this effort, their dedication and perseverance has brought this individual before the court to face justice.”
Ansari, and his co-defendant Mehrdad Foomanie (aka Frank Foomanie) of Iran, are charged in a federal grand jury indictment returned in June 2012 with conspiracy to violate the Iranian Transactions Regulations (ITR), conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Foomanie remains a fugitive in this case. In October 2012, a third co-defendant, Susan Yip (aka Susan Yeh), a citizen of Taiwan, 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.
According to the indictment, Foomanie also bought or attempted to buy items in the U.S. and arranged to have them unlawfully shipped to Iran through his companies in Iran (Morvarid Shargh Co. Ltd.); in Hong Kong (Panda Semiconductor and Foang Tech Inc., aka Ofogh Electronics Co.); and, in China (Ninehead Bird Semiconductor). The indictment also alleges that Ansari attempted to transship and transshipped cargo obtained from the U.S. by Yip and Foomanie using Ansari’s company, Gulf Gate Sea Cargo L.L.C., located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In her guilty plea, Yip admitted to primarily using her companies in Taiwan (Hivocal Technology Company, Ltd.; Enrich Ever Technologies Co., Ltd.; and, Kuang-Su Corporation) and in Hong Kong (Infinity Wise Technology; Well Smart (HK) Technology; Pinky Trading Co., Ltd.; and, Wise Smart (HK) Electronics Limited) to carry out the fraudulent scheme.
From Oct. 9, 2007, to June 15, 2011, the defendants 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 where 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.
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.
The Iranian Transactions Regulations, renamed the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations in October 2012, 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.
Upon conviction, Foomanie and Ansari faces up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate the ITR, up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to launder money and up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The extradition occurred with substantial assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the Government of Georgia.
Iranian National Extradited to the Western District of Texas for Illegally Exporting Military Sensitive Items from the U.S. to IranRead the Press Release
On Saturday, 38-year-old Merdad Ansari who is an Iranian citizen and a resident of the United Arab Emirates was extradited from Georgia and arrived Saturday evening in San Antonio to face federal charges in connection with a scheme to obtain military sensitive parts for Iran in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney John F. Bash for the Western District of Texas; FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio Office Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southwest Field Office Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentalvos; and, Special Agent in Charge Tracy Martin, U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security's Office of Export Enforcement, Dallas Field Office.
These parts 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.
“As alleged, the defendant helped Iran to develop its weapons programs by obtaining military parts in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “We are grateful for the work our partners have done to ensure Ansari can be brought to justice.”
“I am pleased that Mr. Ansari will face justice in an American courtroom. I am grateful to the many law-enforcement partners who worked so diligently to make that happen,” stated U. S. Attorney John F. Bash for the Western District of Texas.
“The FBI greatly appreciates the collaborative efforts and unwavering support from the Georgian Government and our federal partners. Together, over several years, we relentlessly pursued every lead to ensure that Ansari would eventually face the charges detailed in the indictment,” stated FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “Investigating criminal violations of U.S. trade embargoes is one of the FBI's highest priorities since this criminal activity affects the national security of the United States and our allies, especially the security of our troops abroad.”
“HSI will use all resources at its disposal to prevent sensitive technology from being illegally exported from the United States,” said Shane Folden, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Antonio. “HSI commends all the agencies involved in this effort, their dedication and perseverance has brought this individual before the court to face justice.”
Ansari, and his co-defendant Mehrdad Foomanie (aka Frank Foomanie) of Iran, are charged in a federal grand jury indictment returned in June 2012 with conspiracy to violate the Iranian Transactions Regulations (ITR), conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Foomanie remains a fugitive in this case. In October 2012, a third co-defendant, Susan Yip (aka Susan Yeh), a citizen of Taiwan, 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.
According to the indictment, Foomanie also bought or attempted to buy items in the U.S. and arranged to have them unlawfully shipped to Iran through his companies in Iran (Morvarid Shargh Co. Ltd.); in Hong Kong (Panda Semiconductor and Foang Tech Inc., aka Ofogh Electronics Co.); and, in China (Ninehead Bird Semiconductor). The indictment also alleges that Ansari attempted to transship and transshipped cargo obtained from the U.S. by Yip and Foomanie using Ansari’s company, Gulf Gate Sea Cargo L.L.C., located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In her guilty plea, Yip admitted to primarily using her companies in Taiwan (Hivocal Technology Company, Ltd.; Enrich Ever Technologies Co., Ltd.; and, Kuang-Su Corporation) and in Hong Kong (Infinity Wise Technology; Well Smart (HK) Technology; Pinky Trading Co., Ltd.; and, Wise Smart (HK) Electronics Limited) to carry out the fraudulent scheme.
From Oct. 9, 2007, to June 15, 2011, the defendants 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 where 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.
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.
The Iranian Transactions Regulations, renamed the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations in October 2012, 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.
Upon conviction, Foomanie and Ansari faces up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate the ITR, up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to launder money and up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The extradition occurred with substantial assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the Government of Georgia.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a San Antonio man to 108 months in federal prison for possessing over 2,500 images and 112 videos depicting child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that 44-year-old Jeffrey Clinton Michalik pay $68,000 in restitution to eight known victims, pay a $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term.
“As this sentence makes clear, those who exploit innocent children will face serious consequences,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden. “Targeting these crimes against children is a top priority for HSI. We will continue to dedicate law enforcement resources to identify and bring to justice child predators who traumatize and victimize children.”
On September 4, 2019, a jury convicted Michalik on one count of possession of child pornography. Evidence presented at trial revealed that five images of child pornography were downloaded from a website in Switzerland using the defendant’s secure IP address assigned to his house. HSI agents executed a federal search warrant for child pornography at the defendant’s house. The defendant admitted viewing child pornography on a laptop computer and provided agents with consent to search that computer. The laptop computer contained over 2,500 images and 112 videos depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The majority of the child pornography files depicted children under the age of 12, including children as young as three.
HSI agents investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Arrests Made in Austin and San Antonio in Connection with Project PythonRead the Press Release
Federal, state, and local authorities have arrested more than 20 individuals—over the past two days—charged in narcotics trafficking schemes with ties to the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). These arrests are a result of a Drug Enforcement Administration operation, Project Python, intent upon targeting CJNG.
AUSTIN A federal grand jury in Austin has charged 18 individuals with conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other narcotics in the Austin area since April 2017. The defendants include: Maria Benitez-Ugarte (29) of Dale, TX; Rogelio Arias-Cruz (36) of Dale, TX; Linde DiGregorio (47) of Marble Falls, TX; Amanda Sales (34) of Manor, TX; Vicente Rodriguez (35) of Austin; Jordan Salas (27) of Houston; Perla Cruz (28) of Austin; Blanca Ruiz-Garcia (42) of Kyle, TX; Shadrick Croxton (38) of Marble Falls, TX; Brandon Grigsby (24) of Lago Vista, TX; Antoinne Banks (43) of Austin; Matt Kite of Humble, TX; David Steinbach (35) of San Angelo, TX; Charlie Jones (25) of Austin; Cory Patton (27) of Austin; Guillermo Alvarez-Ramirez (35) of Austin; Ricardo Hernandez (30) of Austin; and, Aaron Chavez (31) of Austin.
To date, in connection with this investigation, law enforcement officers have seized 33 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of heroin, 250 grams of cocaine and $13,000 in assets.
This South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Cedar Park Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Police Department, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO).
SAN ANTONIO A federal grand jury in San Antonio has charged multiple individuals with conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other narcotics in the San Antonio area since March 2019. The defendants arrested include: Johnathan Andrew Chapa (33); Roger Diaz (34); John David Medrano (24); Julian Jimmy Gonzalez (34); Deandra Lee Garcia (30); and Ashley Lorraine Ruiz (26), all from the San Antonio area.
“The arrests made in Austin and San Antonio were part of a coordinated nationwide enforcement operation undertaken by the Department of Justice and DEA targeting elements of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) in the United States. The CJNG is a violent drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation of ton quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine across the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple.
All of the defendants arrested are to be presented to a U. S. Magistrate Judge who will determine their pre-trial detention status. Each defendant faces punishment of either five to forty years, or ten years to life, in federal prison upon conviction. Detention hearings are expected to occur over the next two weeks in U.S. Magistrate Court in Austin and San Antonio.
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, DEA Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Whipple, U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw, Cedar Park Police Acting Chief Michael Harmon, Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley joined in making the announcement.
More information on Project Python can be found at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/dea-led-operation-nets-more-600-arrests-targeting-c-rtel-jalisco-nueva-generaci-n
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Austin Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 21-year-old Candido Rodriguez, III, to 92 months in federal prison for assaulting a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officer last year, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Rodriguez be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
“I am pleased with the sentence in this case. We won’t tolerate violence against law-enforcement officers in Texas,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On November 5, 2019, the victim was driving to work at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport and stopped at a traffic light just before the airport entrance. According to the factual basis filed in this case, to which Rodriguez admitted in court, Rodriguez approached the victim, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle with the driver’s side window open several inches. The victim was wearing an official TSA uniform with TSA insignia plainly visible. Rodriguez engaged in a brief verbal exchange with the victim, during which he referred to the victim being an “officer.” The victim responded by stating that the victim was employed as a security officer at the airport. Rodriguez then forcibly opened the driver’s side door of the vehicle and began striking, scratching and cutting the victim’s head, face and right hand with a piece of broken glass or other sharp object.
The victim ultimately escaped from Rodriguez by accelerating through the intersection and onto airport property. A number of stitches were necessary to close cuts on the victim’s face and right hand.
On December 18, 2019, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a federal officer.
The FBI conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Buie prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the contributions of the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
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Federal Judge Sentences Defendant in Fraudulent "Sweepstakes" SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 55-year-old Akintola Akinmadeyemi to 120 months imprisonment for his role in an estimated $340 million intended-loss fraudulent “sweepstakes” scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Houston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio; and, Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Houston Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Akinmadeyemi pay $111,870.25 in restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On May 17, 2019, Akinmadeyemi pleaded guilty to one count of attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. In addition to Akinmadeyemi, seven other defendants were charged in the scheme: Austin residents Joel Calvin, age 32, and Clarence Barefield (aka CJ), age 41, Mesquite, TX, resident Donna Lundy, age 55; Nigerian citizens and Canadian residents Harry Cole (aka Akintomide Ayoola Bolu, aka John King, aka Big Bro, aka Egbon), age 49; Emmanuel Olawle Ajayi (aka Wale, aka Walata), age 42; Tony Dada Akinbobola (aka Lawrence D Awoniyi, aka Boss Tony, aka Toyin), age 48; and Bolaji Akinwunmi Oyewole (aka BJ, aka Beejay), age 32. Calvin and Barefield previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering; Lundy pleaded guilty to wire fraud. All three remain pending sentencing.
The remaining defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (Sweepstakes) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Emmanuel Ajayi also faces a second conspiracy-to-commit-wire-fraud charge (Stolen Identity Refund Fraud or SIRF) and an aggravated identity theft charge. Lundy also faces one substantive count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, the defendants carried out their sweepstakes scheme from 2012 to 2016. Charging $1 per name, Lundy collected over $700,000 by selling lists of elderly potential victims and their addresses to Cole in Canada. Cole and other conspirators based in the Toronto, Ontario Canada metropolitan area sent packages containing fraudulent sweepstakes information to conspirators residing in the U.S. The packages contained thousands of mailers, which U.S.-based conspirators sent to victims notifying them that they had won a sweepstakes. Each mailer included a fraudulent check issued in the name of the victim, usually in the amount of $8,000, and a pre-addressed envelope. Victims were instructed to deposit the check into their bank account, immediately withdraw between $5,000 and $7,000 dollars in cash or money orders and send the money to a “sweepstakes representative” to facilitate the victim collecting his or her prize. By the time the victim was notified by the bank that the deposited check was fraudulent, the cash or money order had been sent by the victim and received by the defendants or conspirators. The intended loss from this scheme was in excess of $250 million, with an actual loss of more than $900,000.
The indictment also alleges that from June 2015 through June 2016, Emmanuel Ajayi led a SIRF scheme in which over 1,200 fraudulent Income Tax Returns were filed using stolen Personal Identifying Information (PII) requesting $25 million in tax refunds. Ajayi used bank accounts involved in the sweepstakes scheme to receive refunds and funnel the money to conspirators in the U.S. An IRS analysis determined that this scheme resulted in the actual loss of approximately $3.4 million paid from the U.S. Treasury.
In order to acquire the money generated by the Sweepstakes and SIRF schemes, the conspirators operated a money laundering conspiracy in the U.S. That conspiracy employed knowing and unknowing participants to conduct financial transactions with the goals of moving the proceeds from both fraudulent schemes outside of the U.S. without detection by law enforcement.
Aggravated identity theft calls for a mandatory two years imprisonment upon conviction. Each of the remaining charges call for up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction.
Defendants Cole and Akinbobola were arrested on September 25, 2018, in Canada and are awaiting extradition to the U.S. The whereabouts of Defendants Ajayi and Oyewole are unknown and they are considered fugitives. Barefield is scheduled for sentencing May 5, 2020. Defendants Calvin and Lundy are scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2020.
Akinmadeyemi has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 26, 2018. Today he was remanded into U. S. Marshal custody to begin serving his sentence.
This case is being investigated by IRS-CI, HSI, and USPIS. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael C. Galdo and Neeraj Gupta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Temple Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In Waco this morning, a federal judge sentenced 51–year–old Shozo “Sho” Tanaka to 40 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs and Temple Police Chief Jim Tobin.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright ordered that Tanaka pay a $10,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life after completing his prison term.
“The 40-year sentence imposed in this case is a just punishment for the unconscionable abuse of a child. Our office does nothing more important than prosecuting predators to make sure they can never hurt children again,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On August 6, 2019, Tanaka pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count possession of child pornography. According to court records, from August 2014 to June 2018, Tanaka coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual images of such activity. On November 19, 2018, officers with the Temple Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant’s address. At that location, authorities seized numerous electronic items and storage devices. A subsequent forensics review of the seized materials revealed numerous videos that contained video footage of the minor victim being sexually assaulted by the defendant. Tanaka has remained in custody since November 19, 2018.
The FBI and Temple Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Government PropertyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 46-year-old San Antonio resident Zachary F. Walter pleaded guilty to stealing over $135,000 in spent brass from Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.
Appearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, Walter pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of government property. By pleading guilty, Walter admitted that from October 2015 to August 2017, he contracted with Joint Base San Antonio to take some 102,000 pounds of spent yellow brass ammunition casings and remit payment to JBSA. Walter, admittedly, sold the brass for approximately $135,164, wrote a check to JBSA, but later went to his bank and stopped payment on the check. JBSA was never paid for the spent brass.
Walter faces up to ten years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 3:30pm on May 4, 2020.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Blackwell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Former Adult Day Care Activity Center Owner in San Antonio Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme and Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 52-year-old Scherry Lynn Moses pleaded guilty federal charges in connection with a scheme that fraudulently billed Medicaid for services not rendered and for stealing benefits from Social Security recipients, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.
Appearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, Moses pleaded guilty to one count of Health Care Fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of theft of government funds. By pleading guilty, Moses admitted that while operating two Scherry’s Adult Day Activity Centers in San Antonio, she fraudulently billed the Medicaid Managed Care Organizations known as Amerigroup of Texas, Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. and Superior Health Plan, Inc., for adult day care services that were never rendered to Medicaid recipients.
Moses also admitted that as a designated representative payee for Social Security benefits, she failed to use the funds for the benefit of the Social Security recipients but instead, used the monies for her own personal benefit.
The exact amount of money she collected as a result of her fraudulent scheme has yet to be determined. According to the indictment, her scheme occurred between 2008 and 2016. Moses admitted that she sent false and fraudulent bills in addition to those in the two fraud counts to which she pleaded guilty. Moses has agreed to provide full restitution on all of the charges against her in the indictment. A request was made for the Court to set a separate hearing at a late date to determine the total amount of the fraud and losses caused by Moses.
Moses faces up to ten years in federal prison for Health Care Fraud; up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud; and, up to ten years in federal prison for theft of government funds. Sentencing is scheduled for 4:00pm on May 4, 2020, before Judge Lamberth.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Texas Attorneys General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fidel Esparza, III, and Rex Beasley are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Schertz Man Indicted for Kidnapping, Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, a 34-year-old Schertz, TX, resident waived his arraignment, thus pleading not guilty to charge involving kidnapping and child exploitation, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Yesterday, Kraig David Van Winkle filed a waiver of arraignment with the Court. In response, the Court filed an automatic plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendant to charges contained in a federal grand jury indictment returned on February 5, 2020, namely one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of interstate kidnapping of a minor.
According to court documents filed in this case, two weeks after meeting a 13-year-old child online, Van Winkle allegedly left Schertz on January 8, 2020, and traveled out of state to meet the child. He then kidnapped and transported the child back to his residence in Schertz with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. After the child was reported missing, tips from the public lead authorities to Van Winkle.
FBI personnel arrested Van Winkle at his residence on January 11, 2020, and rescued the child victim.
Upon conviction, Van Winkle faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the kidnapping charge and a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment for the transportation with intent to engage in sexual activity charge. Van Winkle remains in federal custody.
The San Antonio FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, investigated this case with assistance from FBI Little Rock and the Springdale Police Department in Springdale, Arkansas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Criminal Complaint Filed Against Gregory Keith Robinson and Jaquan BrayRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint against 27-year-old Gregory Keith Robinson, and 26-year-old Jaquan Bray for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Kyle W. Williamson, El Paso Division, and U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak, Big Bend Sector.
The criminal complaint charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. According to the federal criminal complaint, on Monday evening, the defendants approached the Sierra Blanca Checkpoint Station, where a U.S. Border Patrol canine unit alerted on their vehicle. Agents asked the driver (Bray) to park the vehicle in the secondary inspection area for further investigation. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle by agents revealed the presence of approximately 157 pounds of marijuana inside several large duffle bags in the rear cargo area.
The complaint affidavit further states that Robinson rented the vehicle in Los Angeles on Sunday and had arranged for a third individual in the vehicle, an Uber driver he had met in 2018, to drive him and Bray to Louisiana. When the trio reached El Paso, Robinson instructed Bray to begin driving. According to the complaint, when they approached secondary inspection at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint, Robinson asked the third individual to claim the marijuana and that Robinson said he would pay the third individual to do so. The third individual refused and told Robinson he/she would not have driven him had he/she known there were drugs in the vehicle.
Upon conviction, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Border Patrol are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Williams is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Complaint Filed Against Killeen Woman for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Eboni Siamone McMurray, age 23 of Killeen, stands charged with allegedly robbing the First National Bank Texas branch in Killeen on Wednesday, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs and Killeen Police Chief Charles F. Kimble.
A federal criminal complaint unsealed today in Waco charges McMurray with one count of bank robbery. The complaint alleges that on the afternoon of February 12, 2020, McMurray entered the bank located in the 4300 of East Central Texas Expressway. She approached a teller and demanded that the teller “fill the bag.” The complaint further states that McMurray then pointed a firearm directly at the teller, told the teller she had five seconds to comply, and began counting down from five. The teller filled the bag with money as instructed. McMurray exited the bank with approximately $2,500.
Based on video surveillance from the scene, investigators were able to identify and subsequently locate McMurray’s vehicle. FBI agents and Killeen Police officers, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested McMurray at her residence without incident yesterday.
McMurray faces up to 25 years in federal prison upon conviction. She remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday at 9:00am before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco.
The FBI and Killeen Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Jury Convicts San Antonio Businessman Brian Alfaro on Federal Mail Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal jury convicted 50-year-old Brian Alfaro, owner of Primera Energy, LLC, of scheming to defraud investors in his company, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office.
Following an eight-day trial, jurors convicted Alfaro of seven counts of mail fraud. Evidence presented during trial revealed that from January 2012 to June 2015, Alfaro offered individuals the opportunity to invest in numerous oil and gas prospects, including the Screaming Eagle 4H Prospect in Gonzales County, Screaming Eagle 6H Prospect also in Gonzales County, and Black Hawk Horizontal Buda #1 Prospect. Investors mailed investment checks to Primera in San Antonio. Alfaro told investors their monies would be used for expenses related to operation of the prospects, however, Alfaro used investor funds to support his extravagant lifestyle.
Alfaro, who was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following today’s verdict, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each mail fraud charge. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2020, in front of U.S. District Judge Fred Biery.
The FBI and IRS-CI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory J. Surovic and Robert Almonte are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Judge in Austin Sentences Owner of Bullion Direct, Inc. to Federal Prison for Investment and Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 49-year-old Charles McAllister, CEO and owner of Bullion Direct, Inc. (BDI), to ten years in federal prison for money laundering and scheming to defraud customers out of millions of dollars, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office; and, Texas State Securities Board Commissioner Travis J. Iles.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered McAllister to pay restitution in the amount of $16,186,212.56 to over 5,800 victims of the defendant’s scheme. Judge Yeakel also ordered that McAllister be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
“I am pleased that this scammer was brought to justice. We won’t tolerate such brazen frauds in Texas,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On October 4, 2019, a jury convicted McAllister of two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with criminally derived property.
According to evidence presented during the five-day trial, from at least January 2009 through July 2015, McAllister perpetrated a scheme that falsely represented that funds obtained from individual customers would be used to purchase precious metals on behalf of the customer and either shipped directly to the customer or stored in BDI’s vault. Instead of buying the precious metals with the customer’s funds and storing customer metals, McAllister spent customer property on BDI corporate expenses, on other investment activities, and for his own personal use and benefit.
“Today’s sentence should send a clear message to those who seek to lie, cheat and steal from others for their own financial gain,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. “The victims in this case trusted the defendant but he took their money and used it fraudulently and for his own personal financial gain. The FBI will vigorously pursue those who carry out these deceitful and fraudulent schemes without regard to their victims.”
“Today's sentencing of Charles McAllister demonstrates how federal law enforcement will band together to help put an end to the criminal behavior of those who prey on investors for their personal financial gain,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Goss. “Investment schemes can thrive for a time on false claims about how the money is being invested and where the returns are coming from. But that time is gone, and as this sentencing shows, it's time for those responsible to face judgment.”
Agents with the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Texas State Securities Board conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Guess and Keith Henneke prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Five Texas Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for their Roles in Scheme to Launder Millions from Business Email Compromise FraudRead the Press Release
In Austin this afternoon, a federal judge sentenced a Nigerian National formerly residing in Houston to 135 months in federal prison for his role in laundering millions derived from Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio; and, Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Houston Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ordered that 32-year-old Bameyi Kelvin Omale pay $5,378,292.03 in restitution.
“At DOJ we take cyber-theft extremely seriously, and we work tirelessly to protect our economy from sophisticated criminal schemes that target American businesses and consumers,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“Today’s sentencing highlights HSI’s commitment to imposing consequences on cybercriminals, no matter who they are or where they are,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden. “The vast scope of this criminal scheme had a devastating effect on businesses, consumers and financial institutions. HSI is uniquely positioned to investigate and mitigate weaknesses within the U.S. financial, trade, and transportation sector that can be exploited by transnational criminal networks.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Gonzalez. “The sentence handed down today will send a clear message to those criminals who decide to use the U.S. mail in furtherance of their deceptive schemes. Postal Inspectors will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring them to justice.”
On September 24, 2019, Omale pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Prior to Omale, three of his four co-defendants–Chinonso Agbaji, a 30-year-old resident of Houston; Igho Calaba, a 26-year-old resident of Austin; and Chibuzor Stanley Uba, a 31-year-old resident of San Antonio–also pleaded guilty to the same charge. Last month, Judge Pitman sentenced: Agbaji to 78 months in federal prison; Uba to 36 months in federal prison; and, Calaba to 30 months in federal prison.
The fourth co-defendant, Nnamdi Nwosu, a 33-year-old resident of Houston, is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to launder money instruments and one count of passport fraud in furtherance of the money laundering conspiracy. Nwosu remains a fugitive in this case.
Two other defendants involved in this scheme have also pleaded guilty to federal charges and have been sentenced. In December, Judge Pitman sentenced Joseph Odibobhahemen, a 29-year-old resident of Austin who pleaded guilty to the same money laundering conspiracy charge, to 78 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $1,639,419.57 in restitution. Judge Pitman is scheduled to sentence the final defendant, Nosa Onaghise, next week. In December 2018, the 33-year-old resident of Austin, pleaded guilty to one count of passport fraud in furtherance of the money laundering conspiracy. As alleged in court documents, they were acting as part of the same scheme to launder funds from BEC fraud.
According court records, the funds were largely derived from BEC schemes perpetrated against U.S. and foreign victims. Over $10 million was allegedly sent by victims to accounts controlled by the defendants, who were able to take in excess of $3 million before law enforcement or financial institutions stopped the fraudulent transfers. In a BEC scheme, scammers target businesses and individuals making wire transfer payments, often targeting employees with access to company finances. The scammers trick the employees into making wire transfer payments to bank accounts thought to belong to trusted partners—except the money ends up in accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Sometimes the scammers use computer intrusion techniques to alter legitimate payment request emails, changing the recipient bank accounts. Sometimes they send spoofed emails from email addresses similar to trusted partners.
Whatever the BEC method used, the scammers need bank accounts controlled by coconspirators to collect the stolen money. The indictment alleges that the conspirators acquired or controlled dozens of bank accounts opened in the U.S., including in Austin, TX, utilizing fraudulent identification documents, including fraudulent foreign passports in fake names. The indictment alleges that once the funds were fraudulently procured and deposited into these bogus accounts, the defendants worked quickly to withdraw or transfer the funds.
The indictment further alleges that some of the conspirators also received funds sent by the victims of romance fraud.
This indictment resulted from a continuing investigation by HSI and USPIS. The FBI also assisted in the investigation as did the California Highway Patrol. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the Southern District of New York also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Galdo and Keith Henneke are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Nnamdi Nwosu is asked to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE encourages the public to report any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Money laundering conspiracy calls for up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction; passport fraud calls for up to 10 years in federal prison upon conviction.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Nwosu is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Judge in Del Rio Sentences Mexican National to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Smuggling SchemesRead the Press Release
A judge in Del Rio sentenced a Mexican national to 30 years in federal prison for his role in various smuggling schemes involving drugs, firearms and humans out of Piedras Negras, Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division.
During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Pedro Gama-Alvarez (aka “Guero,” “El Lobo”), a 40–year-old resident of Mexico City, Mexico, be immediately placed in deportation proceedings and under non-reporting supervised release for a period of five years after completing his term.
On February 27, 2019, Gama-Alvarez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. By pleading guilty, Gama-Alvarez admitted that from February 2011 to September 2012, he was responsible for the smuggling of more than 16 kilograms of cocaine and over 2,600 kilograms of marijuana into the U.S.
“This sentence represents the seriousness of these crimes and serves as an appropriate punishment for Pedro Gama Alvarez for his role in a major drug trafficking organization that had a damaging impact in our communities,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Folden. “HSI will continue to utilize its broad authorities to dismantle criminal organizations who blatantly ignore the laws of this nation.”
Gama-Alvarez has remained in federal custody since authorities arrested him on September 1, 2018, near Eagle Pass, Texas, nearly six years after a federal grand jury in Del Rio indicted him.
HSI agents conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Spears and Amy Hail prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Carrizo Springs Man Sentenced to 200 Months in Federal Prison for Setting up Hidden Camera to Videotape Minor FemalesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a Carrizo Springs man to 200 months in federal prison for setting up a hidden camera in his bathroom to video minor females over a four-year period beginning in August 2012, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered that 44–year-old Ruben Gallegos Loera pay a $10,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.
On October 28, 2019, Loera pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to court records, on April 6, 2019, Dimmit County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from someone at the defendant’s residence concerning images of child pornography discovered on the defendant’s computer. A subsequent forensics review of the seized computer revealed the presence of approximately 200 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
“The reprehensible conduct in this case is yet another example of the child exploitation and abuse occurring all over this country. We will keep fighting for children. But this issue must be a priority for leaders everywhere,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
Loera has remained in federal custody since his arrest on April 18, 2019.
The FBI’s San Antonio Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Texas Rangers, with the assistance of the Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Jury Convicts State Inmate for Mailing Threatening CommunicationsRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, a federal jury convicted 47-year-old State of Texas inmate Scott Coalwell of mailing threatening communications including threats to injure his former defense attorney, a probation officer and the U.S. District Clerk for the Western District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau.
Jurors convicted Coalwell on three counts of mailing threatening communications. Evidence presented at trial revealed that while incarcerated in Texas Department of Criminal Justice—Dominguez Unit in San Antonio, Coalwell mailed threatening letters to his defense attorney, probation officer and the sitting judge in his McLennan County case; his defense attorney in his Bexar County case; and the U.S. District Clerk for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio. When questioned by investigators, Coalwell identified these individuals as being “on the top of his enemy list” and that he intended to “lock and load and go through my enemy list.”
Coalwell faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the threat to the U.S. District Clerk and up to five years in federal prison for each of the remaining two counts. He remains in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for June 15, 2020 before Senior U. S. District Judge David A. Ezra.
The U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice—Office of Inspector General and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Judge in Del Rio Sentences Latin King Gang Member to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
In Del Rio on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, a federal judge sentenced 40-year-old Bryan Torres, aka “Doughboy,” of Houston to 20 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Torres pay a $3,000 fine.
On March 23, 2017, a federal jury convicted Torres of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Evidence presented during trial revealed that during 2012 through 2015, Torres supplied methamphetamine to other Latin King gang members in Uvalde and San Antonio.
Co-defendants Omar Barajas, Miguel Flores, Albert Guadalupe Mendoza, Jr., Andrew Hernandez, Nathan Wayne Ornelas, Ian Jon Gernandt, Samantha Nicole Houston Goodale, Matthew James Eldred, and Angelica Inguanzo all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Barajas is from Houston, Mendoza is from Austin, and the remaining co-defendants are from San Antonio. Penalties for the co-defendants ranged up to 216 months in federal prison.
This case resulted from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Uvalde Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Hail and Justin Chung prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes and Firearm Offenses Related to August 3, 2019, Mass-Shooting in El PasoRead the Press Release
Today, a federal grand jury in El Paso, Texas, indicted Patrick Wood Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas, on hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the murder of 22 people and attempted murder of 23 others at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas John F. Bash, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s El Paso Field Office Luis M. Quesada.
The indictment alleges that on August 3, 2019, Crusius opened fire with an assault rifle and shot multiple individuals in and around the Walmart Supercenter in El Paso, leading to the death of 22 individuals and injuring many more. The indictment further alleges that, on the same date as the shooting, Crusius uploaded to the internet a document he had drafted entitled “The Inconvenient Truth.” The document opened by stating, “This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by the invasion.” The indictment charges that Crusius willfully caused bodily injury to the victims because of the actual and perceived national origin of any person.
In total, the ninety-count indictment charges Crusius with 22 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 45 counts of discharging a firearm in relation to the hate crimes.
Upon conviction, the charges in the indictment call for the death penalty or life imprisonment. The Attorney General will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time. Should the Attorney General determine that the circumstances of the offense are such that a sentence of death is justified, the law requires that notice be filed with the court at a reasonable time before trial. Crusius is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges.
The FBI, with the support of the El Paso Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner, Allen Police Department and Dallas Police Department, conducted this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ian Hanna and Greg McDonald of the Western District of Texas, and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorneys Tim Visser and Michael Warbel.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes and Firearm Offenses Related to August 3, 2019, Mass-Shooting in El PasoRead the Press Release
Today, a federal grand jury in El Paso, Texas, indicted Patrick Wood Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas, on hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the murder of 22 people and attempted murder of 23 others at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, 2019. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas John F. Bash, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s El Paso Field Office Luis M. Quesada.
The indictment alleges that on Aug. 3, 2019, Crusius opened fire with an assault rifle and shot multiple individuals in and around the Walmart Supercenter in El Paso, leading to the death of 22 individuals and injuring many more. The indictment further alleges that, on the same date as the shooting, Crusius uploaded to the internet a document he had drafted entitled “The Inconvenient Truth.” The document opened by stating, “This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by the invasion.” The indictment charges that Crusius willfully caused bodily injury to the victims because of the actual and perceived national origin of any person.
In total, the 90-count indictment charges Crusius with 22 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 45 counts of discharging a firearm in relation to the hate crimes.
Upon conviction, the charges in the indictment carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty. The Attorney General will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time. Should the Attorney General determine that the circumstances of the offense are such that a sentence of death is justified, the law requires that notice be filed with the court at a reasonable time before trial. Crusius is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges.
The FBI with the support of the El Paso Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner, Allen Police Department and Dallas Police Department, conducted this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ian Hanna and Greg McDonald of the Western District of Texas, and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorneys Tim Visser and Michael Warbel.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
More information about the Department’s hate crimes efforts, including facts and statistics, case examples, and a searchable collection of the Department’s resources for law enforcement, community groups, researchers and others, are available at www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Hombre de Tejas acusado de delitos federales de odio y delitos relacionados con armas de fuego en conexión con el tiroteo masivo del 3 de agosto del 2019 en El PasoRead the Press Release
Un gran jurado federal en El Paso, Tejas, acusó formalmente hoy a Patrick Wood Crusius, 21, de Allen, Tejas, de delitos de odio y otros relacionados con armas de fuego en conexión con el asesinato de 22 personas y el intento de asesinato de 23 personas adicionales en un Walmart en El Paso, Tejas, el 3 de agosto del 2019. Así declararon Eric Dreiband, Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia, John F. Bash, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Occidental de Tejas y Luis M. Quesada, Agente Especial Encargado de la Oficina Local de la FBI en El Paso.
La acusación formal alega que el 3 de agosto del 2019, Crusius abrió fuego con un rifle de asalto y disparó a múltiples individuos en un Walmart Supercenter y sus alrededores en El Paso, Tejas, lo que llevó a la muerte de 22 personas y la lesión de otras muchas más. Más aún, la acusación alega que en la misma fecha en que sucedió el tiroteo, Crusius subió un documento a Internet que él había redactado titulado «Una verdad incómoda». El documento comienza declarando lo siguiente: «Este ataque es una respuesta a la invasión hispana de Tejas. No soy yo sino ellos los instigadores. Yo sencillamente estoy defendiendo a mi país del reemplazo cultural y étnico producido por la invasión». La acusación formal acusa a Crusius de haber causado lesiones corporales deliberadamente a las víctimas por razón del origen nacional real o percibido de ellas.
En total, la acusación formal de 90 cargos acusa a Crusius de 22 cargos de delitos de odio que resultaron en la muerte, 23 delitos de odio por intento de asesinato y 45 cargos de descarga de arma de fuego en relación a los delitos de odio.
Una vez condenado, los cargos en la acusación formal acarrean una pena máxima de cadena perpetua o la pena de muerte. El Fiscal General decidirá posteriormente si se solicitará la pena de muerte. En el caso de que el Fiscal General determine que las circunstancias del delito justificarían la pena de muerte, la ley requiere que se presente una notificación ante el tribunal dentro de un plazo de tiempo razonable antes del juicio. Crusius se encuentra actualmente bajo custodia estatal con cargos penales pendientes.
La FBI —con el apoyo del Departamento de Policía de El Paso, la Agencia de Control de Bebidas Alcohólicas, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés), el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Tejas, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de El Paso, la Oficina del Condado de El Paso para la Medicina Forense, el Departamento de Policía de Allen y el Departamento de Policía de Dallas— llevó a cabo la investigación. El caso está siendo procesado por los Fiscales Federales Auxiliares Ian Hanna y Greg McDonald del Distrito Occidental de Tejas y los abogados de litigios del Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU. Tim Visser y Michael Warbel.
Cabe destacar que una acusación formal es simplemente eso, una acusación, y no se debe considerar como prueba de culpabilidad. El acusado se considera inocente mientras no se pruebe su culpabilidad ante un tribunal de justicia.
Para más información sobre los esfuerzos del Departamento por combatir los delitos de odio, incluyendo hechos y estadística, ejemplos de casos y una colección de los recursos del Departamento para la aplicación de la ley, grupos comunitarios, investigadores y otros se encuentra en www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Acusación Formal (en Inglés)
San Antonio Businessman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 41-year-old Karen Mgerian admitted to conspiring to launder millions of dollars of purported drug proceeds through a scheme that included the sale of luxury cars, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney, Mgerian pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mgerian, who has remained in federal custody since his arrest on January 31, 2019, faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, has yet to be scheduled.
By pleading guilty, Mgerian admitted that beginning in 2017 he and a co-conspirator carried out a money laundering scheme for undercover agents using government directed funds. The defendants would, generally, provide the laundering services for a 10-20% fee of the total amount of proceeds to be laundered. Moreover, Mgerian sought to sell his luxury car dealership, MGM Auto, to agents, proposing that he would buy it back from the agents at a reduced price, i.e., less his money-laundering fee.
Mgerian has six indicted co-defendants. Jose Luis Magallon, Jr., age 29 of San Antonio, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and seven substantive counts of money laundering. Jose Antonio Rodriguez-Hernandez, age 39, and Luis Emilio Mireles-Morales, age 26, are both charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two substantive counts of money laundering. Carlos Menendez-Stanziola, age 42, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one substantive counts of money laundering.
Upon conviction of each charge, Mgerian’s co-defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison. Jury selection is scheduled for 9:30am on May 11, 2019, before Judge Rodriguez in San Antonio.
The IRS-CI, DEA and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas Gardner, Gabriel Cohen and Daniel Castillo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Magallon, Rodriguez-Hernandez, Mireles-Morales and Menendez-Stanziola are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Castroville Animal Control Officer Pleads Guilty to Role in Fraudulent Insurance Claim Plot Involving Former Castroville Police ChiefRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this afternoon, former Castroville Animal Control Officer Ambrose Rymers admitted his role in a fraudulent insurance claim scheme involving 54-year-old former Castroville Police Chief Chris Filline and a third individual, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney, Rymers pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. By pleading guilty, Rymers admitted to assisting Filline and a third individual in a fraudulent scheme to collect insurance proceeds. Rymers, who faces up to five years in federal prison, is scheduled for sentencing at 1:30pm on April 29, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez.
A one-count federal grand jury indictment--unsealed on Monday following Filline’s arrest—alleges that between June 2016 and December 2016, Filline schemed to defraud Farmers Insurance Group regarding his 2007 Lincoln Navigator. According to court records, Filline conspired with Rymers and a third individual, to destroy the vehicle in order to collect insurance proceeds. Rymers admitted to following the third individual, who was allegedly driving Filline’s SUV, to a location in Bexar County on July 15, 2016. According to the indictment, the third individual doused the SUV with an accelerant and lit it on fire. The indictment further alleges that on July 18, 2016, Filline went to the Lytle Police Department and reported that his SUV had been stolen. Three days later, Filline electronically submitted an insurance claim to Farmers Insurance Group. That filing resulted in the processing and payment of a fraudulent claim for $14,388.25 to Filline.
The indictment charges Filline and the third individual with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Upon conviction, Filline and the third individual face up to 20 years in federal prison. Filline is on bond pending trial scheduled for 9:30am on March 30, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio. The third individual is not in custody at this time.
The FBI, together with the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Surovic is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Jury Convicts San Antonio Man on Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this afternoon, a federal jury convicted 53–year-old Elton Vallare of San Antonio of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Jurors convicted Vallare of two counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. On June 14, 2017, FBI agents arrested Vallare following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. During the search warrant, investigators recovered two laptop computers and various computer related equipment. A forensics review of the seized items revealed the presence of numerous video and image files depicting child pornography which the defendant downloaded and distributed via the internet.
Vallare faces between five years and 20 years in federal prison for each distribution and receipt charge. He also faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each possession charge. Vallare remains in federal custody. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
The FBI’s San Antonio Child Exploitation Task Force investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.