Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Waco Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robberies in Temple and HewittRead the Press Release
In Waco today, 25-year-old Dallas Scott Bohanan pleaded guilty to committing two armed bank robberies, one of which resulted in Bohanan firing his weapon at a police officer, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske, Bohanan pleaded guilty to three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, Bohanan admitted to robbing the Temple Santa Fe Community Credit Union located on West Avenue A in Temple on November 23, 2016, and stealing approximately $4,550 cash. He also admitted to robbing the Pointwest Bank located on North Hewitt Drive in Hewitt on February 5, 2019, and stealing approximately $3,500 cash. Bohanan further admitted to discharging firearms during those two bank robberies as well as during a third bank robbery on November 15, 2016, at the Chase Bank on North New Road in Waco.
According to court records, as he exited the Pointwest Bank on February 5, 2019, the defendant fired at least two rounds in the direction of a responding law enforcement officer. Bohanan left the scene in what authorities believe was the same vehicle used in the previous armed bank robberies. A vehicle chase ensued from Hewitt to Waco. During the pursuit, Bohanan allegedly fired two shotgun rounds at a chasing police vehicle. One of those rounds struck an officer in the arm. Bohanan ultimately lost control of his vehicle and crashed. He managed to leave the crash site on foot, but was later apprehended by Waco Police officers.
Bohanan faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in federal prison and up to 80 years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for September.
The FBI together with the Hewitt, Temple and Waco Police Departments investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.
Four Texas Men Arrested and One Fugitive Sought for their Roles in Scheme to Launder Millions from Business Email Compromise FraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury indictment unsealed in Austin charges five Texas residents, all Nigerian nationals, for their roles in laundering millions derived from Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. Two Austin residents, also Nigerian nationals, pleaded guilty earlier this year for their roles in the scheme.
That announcement was made today by 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.
Bameyi Kelvin Omale, a 31-year-old resident of Houston; Nnamdi Nwosu, a 32-year-old resident of Houston; Chinonso Agbaji, a 29-year-old resident of Houston; Igho Calaba, a 25-year-old resident of Austin; and Chibuzor Stanley Uba, a 30-year-old resident of San Antonio, were all charged with one count of money laundering conspiracy. Nwosu, Agbaji, and Calaba were also each charged with one count of passport fraud in furtherance of the money laundering conspiracy. Yesterday and today, federal authorities arrested Omale, Agbaji, Calaba and Uba. Nwosu remains a fugitive in this case.
According to the indictment, 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 United States, 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.
In February 2019, Joseph Odibobhahemen, a 28-year-old resident of Austin, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy. In December 2018, Nosa Onaghise, a 32-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. Both remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing.
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.
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.
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.
El Paso Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In El Paso this morning, 30-year-old Irving Marquez was sentenced to the statutory maximum 20 years in federal prison for receiving and distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton, El Paso.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama ordered that Marquez pay $3,200 restitution to four victims and be placed under supervised release for life after completing his prison term.
In March 2017, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) notified HSI agents that potential child pornography was located on a Flickr account operated by the defendant. Federal authorities subsequently located images and videos of child pornography on the account and on numerous devices belonging to the defendant, including his personal computer and multiple cell phones. A forensics examination of the seized materials revealed the presence of hundreds of videos and images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit activity. On August 22, 2018, Marquez pleaded guilty to the charge of receiving and distributing child pornography.
“This sentence is fitting of the crime, and we owe it to the youngest victims of these heinous acts to ensure that the perpetrators pay a high price for their offenses,” said Jack P. Staton, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “HSI special agents remain committed to identifying and arresting child predators.”
HSI agents in El Paso conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen 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.
Justice Department Reaches Settlement Agreement with Alaska Native Corporation over Allegations of Violating the Federal False Claims ActRead the Press Release
Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation (“KIC”), an Alaska Native Corporation, and KIC Development LLC (“KICD”), a subsidiary of KIC, have agreed to pay $2.025 million to settle allegations that kickbacks were paid by KICD so that the company would obtain diverted “set aside” contracts to do construction work at Ft. Bliss military installation in El Paso, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.
“Kickbacks corrupt the public trust in government contracting,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “It is critical that we work to ensure the award of any government contract is not influenced by illegal kickbacks or arrangements.”
As an Alaska Native Corporation, KIC is deemed a small business concern which qualifies for Small Business Administration sole-source, no-bid government (“set aside”) contracts. KICD was a wholly and/or majority-owned subsidiary of KIC and therefore also qualified for the government set-aside contracts. KICD has since filed articles of dissolution in Alaska.
On January 14, 2010, Susann Campbell filed a qui tam action in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleging that KICD, through its employees Anthony Acri, Christine Hayes and Earl Hall, paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to James G. Tuskan, a contract employee with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Through this bribery scheme, Tuskan allegedly used his position as a contract employee with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to steer the “set aside” government contracts issued out of Ft. Bliss to KICD. Tuskan also allegedly provided KICD with confidential government information, thereby ensuring that KICD would be awarded the contracts.
The FBI conducted an extensive investigation into the alleged bribery scheme which led to the criminal prosecution of Tuskan, Acri, Hayes, and Hall. All four individuals pleaded guilty to the bribery scheme in 2016.
At the conclusion of the criminal case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the DOJ Civil Division, resumed its civil investigation against KICD and the four named individuals in an effort to recover some of the federal funds that were illegally obtained by the defendants. The U.S. has now reached a settlement with KICD and its parent corporation KIC for a total of two million and twenty five thousand dollars ($2,025,000.00)
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Army Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit, and Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.
The claims asserted against the defendants are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability. The civil settlement was reached by Assistant United States Attorney Eduardo R. Castillo.
Jordanian National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Bring Aliens into the United StatesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Moayad Heider Mohammad Aldairi, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States and a related charge for his role in a scheme to smuggle Yemeni aliens through Mexico to the United States.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John F. Bash of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Shane M. Folden of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, during the second half of 2017, Aldairi conspired with others to smuggle at least six Yemeni nationals across the Texas border and into the United States in exchange for a fee. Aldairi admitted his role in transporting the aliens from Monterrey, Mexico to Piedras Negras where he directed them to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States. Aldairi provided construction hard hats and reflective vests to some of the aliens in an effort to enable them to blend in after crossing. Aldairi will be sentenced by the Honorable Alia Moses at a later date.
“When Mohammad Aldairi illegally smuggled multiple Yemeni aliens across our southwest border, he put the security of the United States in peril,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “The Department of Justice cannot — and will not — tolerate such threats to our national security. The Criminal Division remains dedicated to prosecuting alien smugglers, especially criminals like Aldairi who attempt to sneak aliens from countries of interest into the United States.”
“Border security is national security. We simply cannot have an immigration system that allows people from all over the world to enter this country without detection,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “We must know the identity of every person setting foot on U.S. soil, however they enter.”
"This investigation is a great example of how Homeland Security Investigations uses its worldwide resources, foreign and interagency partnerships to bring international criminals to justice in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Folden. “Mohammad Aldairi was a key facilitator and smuggler of Yemeni nationals; the illicit pathway he created into the U.S. is now dismantled.”
“This case is a perfect example of collaboration between different government agencies, making each individual agency more effective than it would be on its own,” said Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz the Del Rio Sector. “The U.S. Border Patrol relies on cooperation with our law enforcement partners to secure our nation’s borders and to protect the communities we live in.”
This case is being investigated by HSI Eagle Pass, with assistance from HSI New York, HSI Monterrey, HSI Jordan, the U.S. Embassy of Jordan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol and FBI San Antonio. The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Watters of the Western District of Texas.
Jordanian National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Bring Aliens into the United StatesRead the Press Release
Moayad Heider Mohammad Aldairi, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States and a related charge for his role in a scheme to smuggle Yemeni aliens through Mexico to the United States.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John F. Bash of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Shane M. Folden of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, during the second half of 2017, Aldairi conspired with others to smuggle at least six Yemeni nationals across the Texas border and into the United States in exchange for a fee. Aldairi admitted his role in transporting the aliens from Monterrey, Mexico to Piedras Negras where he directed them to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States. Aldairi provided construction hard hats and reflective vests to some of the aliens in an effort to enable them to blend in after crossing. Aldairi will be sentenced by the Honorable Alia Moses at a later date.
“When Mohammad Aldairi illegally smuggled multiple Yemeni aliens across our southwest border, he put the security of the United States in peril,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “The Department of Justice cannot — and will not — tolerate such threats to our national security. The Criminal Division remains dedicated to prosecuting alien smugglers, especially criminals like Aldairi who attempt to sneak aliens from countries of interest into the United States.”
“Border security is national security. We simply cannot have an immigration system that allows people from all over the world to enter this country without detection,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “We must know the identity of every person setting foot on U.S. soil, however they enter.”
"This investigation is a great example of how Homeland Security Investigations uses its worldwide resources, foreign and interagency partnerships to bring international criminals to justice in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Folden. “Mohammad Aldairi was a key facilitator and smuggler of Yemeni nationals; the illicit pathway he created into the U.S. is now dismantled.”
“This case is a perfect example of collaboration between different government agencies, making each individual agency more effective than it would be on its own,” said Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz the Del Rio Sector. “The U.S. Border Patrol relies on cooperation with our law enforcement partners to secure our nation’s borders and to protect the communities we live in.”
This case is being investigated by HSI Eagle Pass, with assistance from HSI New York, HSI Monterrey, HSI Jordan, the U.S. Embassy of Jordan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol and FBI San Antonio. The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Watters of the Western District of Texas.
Llano Woman Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Stealing over $900,000 from Local BankRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, 45-year-old Kelley Ranae Jones was sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing over $900,000 from her employer, the Arrowhead Bank in Llano, TX, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.
Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentenced Jones to the prison term followed by five years of supervised release and ordered that she pay $905,372.49 in restitution to the bank.
On January 28, 2019, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee. By pleading guilty, she admitted that while employed at the bank from 2011 to 2018, she stole the money by manipulating entries in Arrowhead bank records.
FBI agents conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean B. O’Connell prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
El Paso Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In El Paso, 33-year-old Nickolias Sauceda was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton, El Paso.
Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone sentenced Sauceda to the prison term followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
On May 5, 2018, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Saucedo’s residence and seized several home computers, related media and cell phones. A subsequent forensics examination of the seized materials revealed the presence of hundreds of videos and images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit activity. Three of the videos discovered were produced by the defendant while he was having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female. On February 6, 2019, Sauceda pleaded guilty to the child pornography production charge.
“This case is another nightmarish example of a person recording his sexual brutalization of a child. I am proud that our office continues to fight this wave of child abuse,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“This sentence–essentially a life sentence–exemplifies the type of heinous crimes committed against the most vulnerable among us,” said Jack P. Staton, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “Taking child predators off the streets is part of HSI’s mission, and we will continue to target them and use our authority and technical expertise to keep them from victimizing children.”
HSI agents in El Paso conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen 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.
Killeen Husband and Wife Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
In Waco today, 27-year-old Christopher Almaguer and his wife, 27-year-old Sarah Rashelle Almaguer, of Killeen were each sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting children and producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge William Noonan, Dallas Field Office, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Killeen Police Chief Charles F. Kimble.
In addition to the prison terms, United States District Judge Alan D Albright ordered each defendant to pay $10,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Fund and be placed on supervised release for the remainder of their lives after completing their respective prison terms.
On October 30, 2018, the defendants pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of production of child pornography. By pleading guilty, the Almaguers admitted that in December 2017 they uploaded sexually explicit videos of themselves sexually assaulting children as young as eight months old. According to court records investigators compiled a list of approximately 25 potential minor child victims, ranging in age from infants to fourteen years of age, from the Central Texas area.
“To me this is the most significant case we’ve prosecuted since I became U.S. Attorney,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash. “The Almaguers were serial child abusers. They abused 25 children that we know about—children from the neighborhood, children from church, children they babysat. The youngest victim was an infant. And the nature of the abuse was unimaginable. They also made videos of the children’s torture and shared them. These are two of the most wicked criminals in Texas history.”
“The sentencing in this child exploitation case emphasizes the commitment of the Secret Service to remove predators from our communities,” said William Noonan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “The Secret Service will continue to work closely with our network of law enforcement partners to bring those who commit crimes against children to justice.”
This morning, Judge Albright also sentenced Christopher Almaguer’s brother, 25-year-old Paul Perez, Jr. of Killeen, to 20 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Judge Albright also ordered Perez to pay $10,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Fund. On September 25, 2018, Perez pleaded guilty to two counts of receipt of child pornography. Perez admitted to receiving images and videos from the Almaguers which depicted the sexual abuse of children.
“My office does all it can to protect Texans, and I am proud of the difficult work that my Child Exploitation Unit and the U.S. Department of Justice undertakes in order to keep our children safe from dangerous predators,” Attorney General Paxton said. “The detestable people who perpetuate such horrific crimes against children must be held accountable for their actions.”
The Almaguers and Perez have remained in custody since their arrests by investigators with the Texas Office of Attorney General, Child Exploitation Unit, and special agents with the U.S. Secret Service in February and March 2018, respectively.
This case was investigated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division, Child Exploitation Unit; the U.S. Secret Service; Killeen Police Department; and, the Temple Police Department. This investigation was initiated in February 2018 when Facebook.com provided a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reporting a user was uploading suspected images and videos depicting child pornography. Without the indispensable assistance of Facebook and NCMEC, this case would not have been brought to the attention of law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory S. 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.
Army Reservist in San Antonio Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Government PropertyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra sentenced 57-year-old Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Darryle Robert Bankhead to 33 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $117,779.45 restitution for stealing government equipment, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
On December 11, 2018, Bankhead pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal government property. By pleading guilty, Bankhead admitted that from March 2017 to May 2018, he stole expended brass shell casings from an Air Force Reserve Unit at Camp Bullis. He claimed to the Air Force Reserve Unit that he would recycle the brass at another military facility, but in reality, he and his co-defendant resold the brass on 16 different occasions to a local recycler and pocketed the money.
For her role in the conspiracy, Lt. Dominique Nicole Edmonds, age 26 of San Antonio, was sentenced on February 4, 2019, to five years probation and ordered to pay jointly and severally with Bankhead the restitution ordered in this case.
This case was investigated by the FBI together with the San Antonio Fraud Resident Agency of the Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Jenkins prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Federal, State and Local Authorities Arrest Seven San Antonio Eastside Bloods Gang Members and Associates on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio and Austin this morning, federal, state and local authorities arrested seven members and associates of the Bloods gang on federal and state drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Houston Division; Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
Arrested today include: Deuandre Jermore Williams, age 31 of San Antonio; Justin Tremayne Wooley, age 28 of Austin; Derek Deshon Williams, age 42 of Austin; Andre Jarrell Williams, age 32 of San Antonio; Marshall Lee Braddy, age 38 of San Antonio; and, Darrial Gene Carter, age 33 of Austin. Cynthia Corina Valdez, age 26 of San Antonio, remains a fugitive in this case.
A ten-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges these seven defendants, plus three other individuals who were already in custody prior to today—Johnny Earl Hughes, age 40 of Austin; Freddie Lee Scott, age 28 of San Antonio, and Salvador Barrios Mesas, age 38 of Austin—with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, “crack” cocaine, and/or methamphetamine. According to court records, the defendants, led by Deuandre Williams, allegedly distributed narcotics provided by Austin suppliers throughout San Antonio’s eastside since June 2016. The indictment also charges defendants with substantive drug trafficking charges—Justin Wooley with five; Deuandre Williams and Andre Williams with three; Derek Williams with two; and, Marshal Braddy, Cynthia Valdez, Freddy Scott, Darrial Carter, Johnny Hughes and Salvador Barrios-Mesas with one. Upon conviction, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, or between five and 40 years in federal prison, depending on the amount of narcotics involved.
During today’s arrests, authorities seized a total of nine firearms, approximately 20 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine pills and quantities of cocaine and marijuana. Authorities also seized a significant, but undetermined, amount of U.S. Currency.
“Today’s operation marks a major strike in the battle against gangs in San Antonio. Ensuring that our streets are safe for every child, no matter where he or she lives, is the most important social-justice issue of our time. I am grateful to the DEA and our many other law-enforcement partners. I am also grateful to the Governor’s office for backing the important Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio. It’s making a real difference,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
Authorities also arrested Henry Cochran, age 31 of San Antonio, this morning without incident. Cochran, Deuandre Williams and five other San Antonio Bloods gang members were indicted today by a state grand jury in Bexar County on charges including engaging in organized criminal activity, felon in possession, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and evading with a vehicle. The other five include: Daveion Zacharie, age 22; Anthony Sanks, age 29; Trevon Campbell, age 25; Leon Smith, age 31; and, Quonta Newes, age 32.
“For too long, residents of San Antonio’s East Side have lived in fear of gang members like those arrested this morning that have sold drugs and committed violent crimes with no regard for the safety of the innocent. We stand with our partners in this collaborative effort to continue to protect all the citizens of Bexar County,” said Bexar County District Attorney Gonzales.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Glaspy. “DEA, along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in San Antonio, Austin and throughout Texas, will continue to coordinate and work closely together so that our citizens have that sense of security. We will aggressively target and relentlessly pursue those individuals who jeopardize our neighborhoods through violence, intimidation, and the distribution of illegal and dangerous drugs.”
These federal and state charges resulted from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation conducted by members of the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center in San Antonio including, the DEA, FBI, San Antonio Police Department’s Gang Unit, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Also assisting in this investigation and today’s arrests include: the Bastrop Police Department, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Leon Valley Police Department, Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio Airport Police and Garden Ridge Police Department.
The purpose of the TAG Center in San Antonio is to provide a one-stop information sharing environment, between federal, state and local law enforcement to combat and target gang violence in and around San Antonio. The goal is to disrupt the command and control of criminal gangs through prevention, intervention, and suppression of their unlawful enterprises. Since its initiation in January 2018, the TAG Center’s collaborative efforts and investigations conducted by the participating agencies collectively affected 375 total arrests. 294 arrests were gang members; 250 were felonies; and 44 misdemeanors. In addition 376 weapons were taken off the streets with the arrests of these gang members.
Today, the TAG Center in San Antonio is launching a new website in order to increase awareness of gang violence. Go to www.stopsanantoniogangs.org to learn more about the TAG Center in San Antonio and ways area citizens can make their community safer.
“I am confident that the Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio will play an important role in the fight against violent crime and gang activity in Texas,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This center will serve as a point of collaboration for law enforcement to dismantle criminal enterprises in San Antonio and put gang members behind bars. I remain committed to working with law enforcement to ensure a safe and secure future for the Lone Star State.”
“Gangs pose a significant threat to public safety, not only because of their penchant for violence and crime, but also their associations with ruthless Mexican cartels and other criminal organizations,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We are thankful for the governor’s leadership in expanding the Texas Anti-Gang centers across the state, and through this important initiative, we are bolstering our ability to protect Texans and combat violent gangs in the San Antonio area by working closely with our fellow law enforcement partners.”
The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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.
San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Income Tax Return PreparationRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, Richard Ortegon pleaded guilty to assisting in the preparation of a false U.S. Income Tax Returns which contained fraudulent deductions, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Sarah Kull, Houston Field Office.
According to public records, the defendant owned and operated Aztec Tax Consulting Group, LLC and assisted clients in preparing their federal income tax returns. On the tax returns he prepared and submitted to the IRS, Ortegon admittedly included false Residential Energy Credits and inflated expenses on Schedule A and Schedule C forms. Specifically, on a client’s 2014 Individual Income Tax Return, Ortegon provided fraudulent figures--$8,092 in Residential Energy Credits and false expenses totaling $24,040. Ortegon further admitted that the total tax due and owing attributed to the false income tax returns he prepared is approximately $75,000.
“As we approach Monday’s deadline to file your taxes, remember: Intentionally falsifying your tax return is a serious federal crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“Most return preparer businesses are operating to ensure taxpayers are reporting to the IRS correctly. Unfortunately, there are a few unscrupulous return preparers that violate their customers’ trust to benefit financially from the preparation and filing of false tax returns,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Kull. “IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to identifying these individuals that are exploiting our tax system for their personal gain.”
Ortegon faces up to three years in federal prison and restitution to the IRS. Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2019.
Agents with the IRS—Criminal Investigation conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean O’Connell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 23–year-old Tommy Ray Garcia to the maximum 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio.
During sentencing yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra also ordered that Garcia be placed under supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term.
“Words escape me. The crime here was unimaginably horrific. I am grateful that Judge Ezra sentenced Garcia to the maximum allowed by law. The sexual abuse of children is a problem that our country is not doing nearly enough about. We need to wake up,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“The heavy sentence imposed on Mr. Garcia sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those who exploit children in any way,” stated Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio. “Targeting crimes of this nature is a high priority for HSI. We will continue to dedicate HSI resources worldwide to identify and bring to justice these individuals.”
On January 2, 2019, before Judge Ezra, Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. According to the factual basis filed in this case, which Garcia admitted was true, on multiple occasions in 2016, he chose a 16-month-old female who was unable to communicate her trauma, and sexually assaulted her while taking videos and pictures. Those videos and images were discovered after he distributed them on a social media application. During the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on January 31, 2018, Garcia admitted to authorities he produced the videos and images of child pornography. Garcia was arrested following his admission and has since remained in federal custody.
HSI San Antonio, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and HSI Vancouver investigated this case with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 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.
Former Bexar County Jail Guard Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Smuggle Narcotics to InmatesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a former detention officer at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (BCADC) to 18 months in prison for his scheme to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that 27-year-old Ruben Hernandez be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
“Part of our steadfast support of law enforcement is holding officers accountable when they break the laws they’re supposed to be enforcing. It builds community trust when citizens know that there are no double standards,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On January 2, 2019, Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. By pleading guilty, Hernandez admitted that from May 4, 2018, until June 22, 2018, he conspired with 30–year-old former BCADC detention officer Gabriel Robert Ortiz to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates. Both defendants were the subjects of an undercover operation carried out by federal and state authorities.
“This defendant was not only willing to profit from his position of trust, but was also willing to place his peers in harm's way by undermining rules, regulations, and the law by allowing contraband into the Bexar County Detention Center,” stated FBI SAC Christopher Combs. “The FBI will continue to work with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the San Antonio Police Department and other partners, to address public corruption. We urge anyone with information regarding public corruption, including law enforcement officers, to contact their nearest FBI Field Office.”
Ortiz is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for his role in the scheme.
“We are proud to have partnered for the first time with the FBI on this joint sting operation,” stated Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. “I am pleased with the conviction in this case, and my stance remains the same on rooting out misconduct.”
The FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Surovic prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Owner of Guadalupe County Telemedicine Companies Arrested in National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
This morning, federal authorities arrested 54–year-old Christopher O’Hara, of Kingsbury, TX, without incident in connection with Health Care Fraud, bribery and kickback scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter, Dallas Field Office.
On Wednesday, a federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment charging the owner and operator of 1stCare MD and ProfitsCentric with one count of conspiracy to pay and receive HealthCare Kickbacks.
The indictment alleges that from 2016 to 2019, O’Hara defrauded HHS in its administration and oversight of Medicare. The indictment alleges that O’Hara conspired with others by paying and receiving kickbacks and bribes in exchange for doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment (DME) for Medicare beneficiaries. The indictment further alleges that O’Hara, 1stCare MD and ProfitsCentric, through their network of doctors, were responsible for generating thousands of doctors’ orders for DME absent of a pre-existing doctor-patient relationship, absent of a physical examination and, based solely on a short telephonic conversation. O’Hara’s actions resulted in the submission of approximately $40 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for DME.
This afternoon, a federal magistrate judge released O’Hara on a $150,000 bond. O’Hara faces up to five years in federal prison upon conviction.
Special agents with the FBI and HHS-OIG, together with investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, investigated this case. DOJ trial attorney Kevin Lowell and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean O’Connell and Eric Yuen are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
O’Hara’s arrest and federal indictment is part of a nationwide law enforcement action which targeted 24 defendants involved in extensive health care fraud schemes that focus on telemedicine and DME marketing. These schemes allegedly resulted in losses amounting to more than $1.2 billion.
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.
Former U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency Loan Officer in Uvalde Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison in Farm Loan Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
Barbara Serna Salinas, a 43-year-old former loan officer for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Uvalde, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for a farm loan fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney John Bash.
During sentencing yesterday in Del Rio, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses also ordered Serna to pay $166,744.20 in restitution to the USDA and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term.
On June 28, 2018, Serna pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement on a loan application. By pleading guilty, Serna admitted she issued multiple fraudulent FSA loans from May 2011 through June 2016. Furthermore, in exchange for approving the loans, Serna accepted cash or other forms of payment from her co-defendants, Ruben James Valadez, age 44 of Uvalde, and Eric Torres Neira, age 44 of San Antonio. According to court documents, a review of USDA loans approved by Serna after 2011 identified several to Neira and Valadez, which totaled more than $150,000.
On December 4, 2018, Judge Moses sentenced Neira to five months imprisonment and ordered him to pay restitution to the USDA, joint and severally with Serna, in the amount of $142,961.94. Valadez is currently awaiting sentencing on October 2, 2019. Neira and Valadez pleaded guilty to the same false statement charge--Neira on March 29, 2018; Valadez on April 26, 2018.
The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General-Investigations, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Todd Keagle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Semiautomatic RifleRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 27-year-old Mexican National Rolando Martinez to 106 months in federal prison for a 2017 shooting spree that resulted in five people being injured, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Houston Division, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Martinez pay $2,240 restitution to his victims.
On December 4, 2018, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of illegal alien in possession of a firearm. According to court records, beginning in the early morning hours of November 4, 2017, the Austin Police Department received numerous 911 calls regarding a Hispanic male driving a black vehicle while firing a semiautomatic rifle at persons and vehicles. Based on information provided to law enforcement, members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force were able to identify and apprehend the defendant that evening on outstanding warrants. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers also located Martinez’s vehicle abandoned near Interstate 35 and East Highway 290 in Austin. Inside the vehicle, they discovered a semiautomatic rifle which matched a description provided by victims and witnesses. During a subsequent search of the defendant’s residence, authorities discovered a “Firearms Transfer Bill of Sale” made out to the defendant for an AR-15 with the same serial number found on the weapon seized from inside the defendant’s vehicle. Martinez later admitted that he had been drinking at a local bar the night before and did not remember much prior to waking up in a grassy median approximately 200 feet from where his vehicle was discovered abandoned.
“In this case, a person who should not have been in this country got drunk, got his hands on an AR-15, and started shooting at random people in Austin. Thank God no one was killed,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
The ATF, together with the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Sparks prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts San Antonio Man for Wire Fraud, Money Laundering and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, federal authorities arrested Edward C. Wagner, who faces federal charges for allegedly conducting a fraudulent investment scheme and attempting to evade paying over $1 million in taxes, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Sarah Kull, Houston Field Office.
The indictment charges Wagner, owner and operator of Pharmacogenetics, EcoChem, Leaf 23 and Nutrecs, with eleven counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and six counts of tax evasion. The indictment alleges that from June 2011 to September 2016, Wagner collected approximately $645,000 from company investors under false and fraudulent pretenses and converted it to his own personal use. The indictment also alleges that from 2007 to 2016, Wagner willfully attempted to evade paying income tax due to the United States for those calendar years. From 2007 through 2010, Wagner accrued a total of $744,186 in unpaid taxes and penalties based on taxable income of $1,410,112. The indictment further alleges that Wagner intentionally disguised his actual income by hiding his sources of income, using nominee financial institution accounts, dealing extensively in cash and cashier’s checks, and creating a false loan document. The indictment further alleges that Wagner has failed to file an income tax return for calendar years 2013 through 2016.
“Our capitalist system works only when our legal rules against fraud are vigorously enforced. That is why DOJ relentlessly pursues those who defraud investors,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“Wagner is charged with exploiting his investors’ trust by using those monies meant for his businesses for his own personal gain. In this case, IRS-Criminal Investigation is not only enforcing the nation's tax laws, but also holding an individual accountable for violating the trust of his investors,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Kull.
Each wire fraud charge calls for up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction. Each money laundering charge calls for up to ten years in federal prison upon conviction. And, each tax evasion charge calls for up to five years in federal prison upon conviction.
Agents with the IRS—Criminal Investigation conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Harris 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.
12 Arrested in Connection with San Antonio-Based Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Federal and state authorities in the San Antonio area have arrested 12 individuals, including ringleaders Andrew Sanchez and Joe Anthony Ramirez of San Antonio, for their alleged roles in a narcotics distribution operation, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division.
On March 20, 2019, a federal grand jury in San Antonio returned two separate indictments related to this investigation. The first indictment charges 35-year-old Andrew Sanchez (aka “Freight,” “Hakeem”), 33-year-old Joe Anthony Ramirez (aka “Homeboy”), 37-year-old Lisa Mercado, 29-year-old Bonnie Sanchez (aka “B”), 18-year-old Rodrigo Roque (aka “Scrappy”) and 25-year-old Angel Roque (aka “Test”) with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. The indictment also charges Andrew Sanchez, Joe Ramirez, Lisa Mercado, Bonnie Sanchez and Rodrigo Roque with one substantive count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. The indictment alleges that since May 1, 2018, this drug trafficking organization operated an on-demand delivery service for heroin on the east side of San Antonio. This organization maintained a phone which customers called to purchase heroin, and members worked daily shifts operating this phone and delivering narcotics. The indictment alleges that the organization sourced its narcotics from Joe Anthony Ramirez and others.
The second indictment charges Ramirez and members of his drug trafficking organization with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. Ramirez DTO members include: 36-year-old Ernest Rivas (aka “Chato”), 39-year-old Roy Ramirez, Jr. (aka “Jr.”), 63-year-old Roy Ramirez, Sr. (aka “Black Baby”, aka “Black”), 29-year-old Andrew Ybarra (aka “Drew”), 38-year-old Michael Vital and 53-year-old Abel Trejo. The indictment also charges Joe Ramirez (2 counts), Roy Ramirez, Jr., Roy Ramirez, Sr., and Abel Trejo with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Joe Ramirez, Hinojosa, Rivas and Ybarra are also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. According to the indictment, Joe Anthony Ramirez not only supplied Andrew Sanchez’s operation, he also ran his own drug distribution operation. This indictment alleges that since May 1, 2018, these defendants conspired to distribute heroin and cocaine to street-level dealers and collect proceeds from narcotics sales all across San Antonio.
Authorities are also seeking the criminal forfeiture of several residences and approximately $3,000 in U.S. Currency.
All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur in U.S. Magistrate Court in San Antonio beginning next week. The defendants face sentences ranging from up to 20 years imprisonment to up to life imprisonment upon conviction, depending on the amount of drugs involved.
The DEA and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating this case with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; Seguin Police Department, Terrell Hills Police Department and the Bexar County District Attorney’s office. The San Antonio Police Department and the New Braunfels Police Department provided assistance with today’s arrests.
The principal mission of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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.
Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Member Arrested for Retaliating Against an InformantRead the Press Release
This morning, federal authorities arrested Albert DeLeon for his alleged role in threatening to harm a government informant, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy, Houston Division; and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
A federal grand jury indictment, unsealed today, charges San Antonio resident Albert DeLeon, 45, with one count of retaliating against an informant.
According to the indictment, on or about February 22, 2019, DeLeon, a member of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (OMO), approached an individual and threatened to harm the individual in retaliation for the individual providing information and evidence relating to the criminal activities of the Bandidos, including information provided in the case of United States v. John Portillo, Jeffrey Pike, et. al.
“The arrest of Albert Deleon sends a strong and unified message that the mere intimidation and threating of a Government witness will not be endured and those who commit these offenses will rightfully be brought to justice,” stated Will R. Glaspy, Special Agent in Charge, DEA.
“Unlawful coercion, intimidation or threats against an individual, who cooperates with or testifies on behalf of the Government, will not be tolerated,” stated Christopher Combs, Special Agent in Charge, FBI.
DeLeon appeared this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney and remains in federal custody. Upon conviction, DeLeon faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
On May 17, 2018, after a nearly three-month trial, jurors convicted Pike, the National President of the Bandidos, and Portillo, the National Vice President, of wide-ranging criminal activity, including conspiring to to conduct the affairs of a criminal organization through racketeering acts including directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting members of the Bandidos to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking.
Evidence during trial revealed that in 2006, Pike and Portillo ordered other Bandidos members to murder Anthony Benesh. At the time, Benesh was attempting to start a Texas Chapter of the Hell’s Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Organization in Austin. Members of the Bandidos warned Benesh to cease his activities and recruitment, which Benesh ignored. Several Bandido members then murdered Benesh on March 18, 2006, outside an Austin restaurant to protect the power, reputation and territory of the Bandido enterprise.
Jurors also found that Portillo and others killed Robert Lara in January 2002 in Atascosa County as payback for killing Bandido member Javier Negrete. Negrete, a member of the same Bandido chapter as Portillo, was killed outside a San Antonio bar in October 2001.
Jurors also found that Pike, Portillo and others conspired to murder and assault members and associates of the Cossacks Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (Cossacks). Testimony revealed that Portillo, with Pike’s approval, declared that the Bandidos were “at war” with the Cossacks. A number of violent acts were committed by the Bandidos around Texas in furtherance of this “war,” including in Fort Worth, Gordon, Odessa, Port Aransas, Crystal City and elsewhere.
Testimony also revealed that Portillo and other members of the Bandidos were engaged in trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine and maintained an agreement with the Texas Mexican Mafia wherein Bandido members were not required to pay the 10-percent “dime” to the Texas Mexican Mafia in exchange for permission to traffic narcotics.
In September 2018, Portillo and Pike were each sentenced to life in federal prison.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA and FBI together with the New Braunfels Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Terrell Hills Police Department, and Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
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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Shooter in 2014 Midland Homicide Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
In Midland today, 39-year-old Odessa, TX, resident Noe Garcia Galan pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge in connection with the murder of Sean Michael Lamb in 2014, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division; and, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke.
Appearing before U.S. District Judge David Counts, Galan pleaded guilty to one count of murder resulting from the use and discharge of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
By pleading guilty, Galan admitted that on May 13, 2014, he fatally shot Lamb. According to court records, Galan and others were responsible for the abduction and death of Lamb because they suspected that Lamb and others had stolen a large amount of “crystal” methamphetamine from co-defendants Liz Hernandez and her brother, Ruben James Hernandez.
“Along with our law-enforcement partners, we seek justice for all victims of crime. I am pleased that we were able to obtain a guilty plea in this case and I look forward to sentencing,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
Ruben Hernandez, age 38 of Odessa, remains a fugitive in this case. Liz Hernandez, age 39 of Odessa, is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime. Her 22-year-old son, Brian Hernandez, is back in federal custody after violating conditions of his supervised release, including failing a drug test. In February 2017, Hernandez completed his 41-month federal prison term after he pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge. Four other Odessan co-defendants—44-year-old Raymond Hernandez Olgin, Jr., 41-year-old Rudolfo Romero Parades, 44-year-old Stacey Louise Castillo and 41-year-old Anthony Ryan Gonzales—are serving life, 27 years, 25 years, and 27 years in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme. In April 2015, a federal jury convicted those four of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and one count of murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.
“The Odessa Police Department would like to thank all of the assisting agencies for the time and effort dedicated in bringing charges in this case. This was truly a joint effort and could not have been accomplished without their help,” stated Odessa Police Chief Gerke.
Galan, who remains in federal custody, faces between ten years and life in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 2:00pm on May 29, 2019, in Midland before Judge Counts.
The Odessa Police Department and the FBI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Rangers, and the U.S. Border Patrol, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Three Arrested in San Antonio and Charged Federally with Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, authorities filed a federal criminal complaint against three San Antonio residents who were arrested last night while attempting to distribute over four kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division.
The complaint charges 18–year-old Rabbi Lee Ponce, 18–year-old Rudy Aragon, and 30–year-old Mercedes Trinidad, with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to the complaint, federal and state authorities arranged for an undercover drug deal with Ponce who agreed to sell multiple kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. Ponce, along with Aragon, arrived at the agreed location last night followed shortly thereafter by Trinidad. After a canine unit alerted on Trinidad’s car, authorities recovered approximately 4.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from inside her vehicle.
All three defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings in U.S. Magistrate Court in San Antonio. Upon conviction, the defendants face between ten year and life in federal prison.
The DEA is investigating this case together with the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean O’Connell is prosecuting this 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 considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, a federal judge sentenced Former Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo to 30 months imprisonment on federal bribery and income tax related charges, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash; Federal Bureau of Investigation (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.
In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that Galindo, 55 of Selma, TX, pay $876,000 restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. Judge Ezra allowed Galindo to remain on bond pending notification by the Bureau of Prisons where to surrender to begin serving his prison term.
“Today’s sentence is another example of this office’s determination to root out public corruption in Texas government,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“The sentence handed down today demonstrates San Antonio FBI’s firm commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to address public corruption and hold corrupt officials in Reeves County and other jurisdictions accountable,” stated San Antonio FBI SAC Combs. “While the vast majority of elected and appointed officials faithfully serve the interests of the public, there are some who violate the public’s trust, and serve their personal interests instead.”
On June 12, 2017, Galindo, pleaded guilty to a criminal Information charging one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of failure to file income tax returns.
Galindo served as County Judge for Reeves County from January 1995 through December 2006. Galindo, on behalf of Reeves County, negotiated a contract with a company owned by Vernon C. Farthing, III, of Lubbock, TX, to provide medical services for inmates located in the Reeves County Correctional Center. Galindo signed the contract on September 13, 2006. The Information alleges that Galindo conspired with Farthing and former District 19 Texas State Senator Carlos Uresti to ensure that Farthing’s company was awarded that contract.
To secure the contract, the Information states that Farthing agreed to hire Uresti as a “consultant” and pay him approximately $10,000 a month. Uresti, in turn, agreed to pay Galindo one-half of the money he received from Farthing’s company. From January 2007 until September 30, 2016, Uresti paid Galindo approximately half of the monies Uresti received each month from Farthing. The Information also alleges that Galindo failed to file individual income tax returns for the years 2004 to the present.
Uresti received five years in federal prison for his role in the scheme. Last year, a federal jury acquitted Farthing of all charges.
The FBI encourages the public to continue to support our active and ongoing efforts to deter and prevent corruption by reporting such activity to the FBI’s Public Corruption Hotline, 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The FBI’s Pubic Corruption Task Force conducted this investigation. The Task Force is comprised of investigators from the FBI, IRS-CI, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Peace Corps-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph E. Blackwell, Sean O'Connell, William R. Harris and Mark Roomberg prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Federal Complaint Filed Against San Diego Man for Temple Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
In Waco, 49–year-old Ronnie Lee Tanner, Jr., of San Diego, CA, remains in federal custody charged with robbing a Wells Fargo Bank branch located in Temple, TX, on Wednesday, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Temple Police Chief Floyd O. Mitchell.
A federal criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that on the afternoon of February 20, 2019, Tanner entered the bank located on South 31st Street, handed a robbery note to a teller, then exited the bank with approximately $4,000.
Acting on information supplied by the public, Temple Police officers were able to locate Tanner and arrest him without incident yesterday.
Tanner faces up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for 1:30pm on March 4, 2019, in federal court in Waco.
The FBI, together with the Temple Police Department, is 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 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.
San Antonio Area Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Pleads Guilty for Her Role in $8 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, 45-year-old former pharmaceutical representative Holly Blakely, of San Antonio, TX, pleaded guilty for her role in an $8 million health care fraud scheme that netted her over $1 million, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, Blakely pleaded guilty to one conspiracy to commit wire fraud, health care fraud, bribery, and paying kickbacks. Blakely faces up to five years in federal prison. She remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for June 13, 2019, in San Antonio. Blakely was charged in a thirty-count indictment and had been scheduled to begin trial February 25, 2019.
As part of her plea, Blakely admitted her role in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs by paying over $400,000 in kickbacks and bribes to health care providers that prescribed compounded medications to individuals who did not need the medications. Blakely and her co-conspirators attempted to disguise the kickbacks and bribes to health care professionals by writing fictitious and back-dated “consulting agreements.” In many instances, Blakely and her co-conspirators submitted prescriptions to compounding pharmacies for patients that had never seen a medical professional. Moreover, Blakely and her co-conspirators would occasionally forge the signature of a medical professional on prescriptions. Blakely admitted that she conspired with two compounding pharmacies that would submit claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs, including TRICARE, for compounded medications based on the prescriptions. In exchange for her role in the conspiracy, the two compounding pharmacies paid Blakely approximately $1,147,885.14. From approximately February 2013 through December 2014, health care benefit programs reimbursed the two compounding pharmacies approximately $8,846,972.24 based on the claims submitted in connection with the compounded medications.
The FBI, together with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration--Diversion, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Office of Personnel Management—Office of Inspector General, investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Bryan O’Connell and Antonio Franco, Jr., are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Fredericksburg Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison on Bank Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 52-year-old Stacey A. Sanders, the former office manager of Memorial Presbyterian Church, located in Fredericksburg, TX, to 27 months imprisonment in connection with a scheme to write and sign unauthorized checks on the church’s bank accounts, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Sanders to pay a total of $420,306.69 in restitution, $20,219.43 to Security State Bank and $400,087.26 to Memorial Presbyterian Church. Judge Rodriguez also ordered that Sanders be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term. Judge Rodriguez allowed Sanders to remain on bond pending notification from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons regarding the date and location to report in order to begin serving her prison term, to be no later than May 31, 2019.
On March 22, 2018, Sanders pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. By pleading guilty, Sanders admitted that without authorization she moved large sums of money from the church’s trust account to its operating account on numerous occasions by writing forged checks on the trust account and depositing them in the operating account. In so doing, Defendant eventually depleted the trust account as its balance went from $194,439.23 in 2009 to $178 by December 2016. Defendant then wrote herself numerous, unauthorized, forged checks from the operating account from the latter part of 2009 to December 2016. To conceal her activity, Defendant wrote various false statements on the checks’ memo line, such as “social security offset,” “additional payroll,” or “cleaning supplies.”
“It’s hard to believe that this has to be said, but stealing from houses of worship is really, really wrong. When you defraud a bank to do it, it can become a federal case,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
Special Agents of the FBI investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Harris on behalf of the Government.
Former Presidio County Officials Sentenced to Federal Prison on Bribery Related ChargeRead the Press Release
In Pecos today, a federal judge sentenced two former Presidio County officials–67-year-old Carlos Eduardo Nieto and 57-year-old Lorenzo Padilla Hernandez–to 30 months and 24 months imprisonment, respectively, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered each defendant to pay a $10,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing their prison terms. Judge Counts also ordered that Hernandez forfeit to the government $19,800; Nieto, $8,300. Judge Counts allowed both defendants to remain on bond pending notification from the U.S. Bureau of Prison regarding the date and location to report to in order to begin serving their prison terms.
On October 23, 2018, Nieto, former Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Presidio and former Presidio Independent School District trustee, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and deprivation of honest services. By pleading guilty, Nieto admitted that he and Hernandez, former Presidio County Precinct 3 Commissioner, conspired since May 10, 2016, to defraud Presidio County and its citizens of money by corruptly ensuring, through their positions and influence, that a particular company would be awarded a County contract for a document management system. Hernandez and Nieto solicited and received $19,800 and $8,300, respectively, for their efforts. On May 9, 2017, Hernandez voted to award the contract to that particular company. On August 3, 2018, Hernandez pleaded guilty to the same charge.
“This office is serious about combatting public corruption. If you violate the public trust for personal gain, you can expect to go to prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“The sentencing of these two defendants illustrates El Paso FBI’s firm commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to address public corruption and hold corrupt officials in Presidio County and other jurisdictions accountable,” stated El Paso FBI SAC Buie. “The FBI encourages the public to continue to support our active and ongoing efforts to deter and prevent corruption in West Texas by reporting such activity to the FBI’s Public Corruption Hotline, 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
The FBI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monty Kimball and William F. Lewis prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Former Bexar County Jail Guard Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Smuggle Contraband to InmatesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a former detention officer at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (BCADC) was sentenced to three years in federal prison for a scheme to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that 30-year-old Gabriel Robert Ortiz be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. On November 20, 2018, Ortiz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. By pleading guilty, Ortiz admitted that he and his co-defendant, 27–year-old former BCADC officer Ruben Hernandez, carried out their attempted smuggling scheme from May 4, 2018, until June 22, 2018. Both defendants were the subjects of an undercover operation carried out by federal and state authorities.
Hernandez pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge on January 2, 2019. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2019.
“This sentence shows that members of law enforcement who violate the law will be held to the same standards as any other citizens,” stated U.S. Attorney John Bash.
“I am glad to see that justice was served in this case, and I am proud to have partnered with the FBI on this sting operation. As I’ve stated in the past officer misconduct will not be tolerated within my agency and I will do everything possible to hold them accountable criminally and administratively,” stated Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
The FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Surovic is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Judge Sentences Businessman for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, 53-year-old Reynaldo “Sonny” Jesus Peralez, owner and operator of Bohannon Oil Services, L.L.C., was sentenced for scheming to defraud investors of over $3.5 million dollars by routing false and fraudulent investment into trucks and transportation involved in the transport of fracking sands and for stealing the identity of one of his victims to further his fraudulent schemes announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Chief United States District Judge Orlando L. Garcia sentenced Peralez to 75 months imprisonment followed by a three year supervised release term. Judge Garcia also ordered Peralez to pay $3,599,105 in restitution.
On April 30, 2018, Peralez pleded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. By pleading guilty to the charges, Peralez admitted to knowingly engaging in a scheme to defraud investors and knowingly possess and use the identification of another person.
According to court documents, Peralez was the owner and operator of Bohannon Oil Services, L.L.C. Through his company, Peralez made false and fraudulent representations to prospective investors indicating his company needed additional trucks to haul frac sand in order to fulfill contracts he had with oilfield services companies. In fact, Peralez had no such contracts with the companies. Peralez then grossly inflated the value of trucks, which he purchased with investor funds, and kept the remaining funds for his own personal use. Peralez sent investors emails that included false documentation regarding his business dealings. Peralez also made false representations to investors regarding payouts his business was supposedly receiving. Peralez created fictitious businesses that he pretended were selling trucks directly to investors. Peralez also forged the signature of a victim on a title to a truck to further his scheme.
Peralez was taken into custody by the U. S. Marshal Service to begin serving his sentence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Blackwell prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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Jury Convicts Round Rock Man for Kidnapping Two Sisters in December 2017 and Federal Sex Offenses Involving a MinorRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal jury convicted 45-year-old Terry Allen Miles for kidnapping two minors and taking them to Colorado, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division and Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks.
Jurors found Miles guilty on two counts of kidnapping, one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in sex with her, and one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in sex with a minor. Evidence presented during trial revealed on December 30, 2017, Round Rock (TX) Police (RRPD) officers conducted a welfare check at the residence of Tonya Ellen Bates because she had not shown up for work that day as expected. The officers subsequently discovered Bates’s body inside the residence. Bates was the only individual at the residence at the time of the welfare check and Bates’s 2017 Hyundai Accent was missing. Further investigation revealed that Miles, who had lived with Bates and her two young daughters, may have kidnapped the daughters, whose whereabouts were unknown.
Bates’ death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma. Testimony at trial indicated that Miles likely killed Bates by bludgeoning her on the head with a heavy flashlight. DNA evidence indicated that Bates’ blood was found on one of Miles’ sneakers.
RRPD officers obtained cell phone information on the children’s two phones. One of the phones was located in a heavily wooded area adjacent to a Wal-Mart store located in Round Rock. Surveillance video from the Wal-Mart showed what appeared to be Miles purchasing numerous camping-related items and then leaving the store in a vehicle appearing to match Bates’s vehicle. The vehicle and a cell phone belonging to one of the minors were subsequently traced heading to Colorado. Evidence from security cameras and phone records showed the route Miles took from Round Rock to southern Colorado.
On January 3, 2018, deputies with the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Miles during a traffic stop near La Vera, Colorado. The two minors, ages 7 and 14, were found with Miles in the vehicle he took from Round Rock.
Testimony elicited during trial also revealed that Miles repeatedly engaged in sexual relations with the 14-year-old girl over a 5-month period prior to being arrested. DNA evidence indicated that Miles was the source of semen found in the 14 year old’s underwear that she was wearing at the time she was found. Miles was also shown to be the source of semen found on a towel at the remote campsite where they hid out after arriving in Colorado.
Miles faces between 20 years and life in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on April 25, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin.
“Today’s verdict represents justice for the child victims of Terry Miles,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “ Mandatory minimums have been criticized recently, but I am glad that federal law requires defendants to serve at least 20 years—and up to life in prison—for these sorts of heinous acts against children.
“Thank you to our wonderful prosecution team – who worked without paychecks during the shutdown preparing for this trial – and to our partners at the FBI and the Round Rock Police Department,” Bash added.
“This investigation and subsequent prosecution, resulted from the exemplary collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement, across multiple states, leading to the safe recovery of two children,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent violent crimes against children, but it sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute violent criminals who prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”
“I am pleased with the guilty verdict against Terry Miles. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the men and women of the Round Rock Police Department and all our Law Enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case. Our prayers are that this verdict starts the healing process for the two victims,” stated Round Rock Police Chief Banks.
The FBI and the Round Rock Police Department are conducting this investigation. The U.S. Marshals Service – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers; Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force; Williamson County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado; New Mexico State Police Department; Las Animas County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force; Colorado State Patrol; Trinidad (CO) Police Department; Colorado Bureau of Investigations; Huerfano County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Archuletta County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Pagosa Springs (CO) Police Department; Rio Grande County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation in Colorado; Durango (CO) Police Department; La Plata County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Child Protective Services in Texas and Colorado; and, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted in this investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Devlin and Michelle Fernald are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
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Former State Senator Carlos Uresti Sentenced to Federal Prison for BriberyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this afternoon, a federal judge sentenced former District 19 Texas State Senator Carlos I. Uresti to five years in federal prison for bribery, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.
Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that the five-year prison term run concurrent to the 12-year federal prison sentence he handed down to Uresti in the Fourwinds case on June 26, 2018. Judge Ezra also ordered that Uresti pay restitution in the amount of $876,000 and that he be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. Judge Ezra also ordered that Uresti surrender to federal authorities next Tuesday to begin serving his prison term.
“This sentence makes clear that we will not tolerate corruption by elected officials. It is one of my top priorities to root out corruption in Texas government,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
On October 12, 2018, Uresti pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. By pleading guilty, Uresti admitted that from January 2006 to September 2016, he conspired with others to facilitate the payment of bribes to former Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo in exchange for Judge Galindo’s official actions concerning a Reeves County Correctional Center medical services contract. Uresti further admitted to collecting $10,000 a month as a marketing consultant. Approximately half of that sum was then given to Judge Galindo as a facilitation of the bribe and for his support to award the contract to a specific company at a more favorable price to that company.
In June 2017, Galindo pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge. Galindo, who faces up to five years in federal prison, is scheduled for sentencing at 9:00am on February 26, 2019.
“Communities have a right to expect that their elected leaders are ethical, trustworthy, and responsible, only representing the best interests of their constituents. Carlos Uresti betrayed the trust bestowed on him as public official. The sentence imposed reflects the gravity of his crime. The FBI, its law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to root out such graft in order to ensure that the citizens of South Texas receive honest representation by their elected officials,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs.
On June 26, 2018, Uresti was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $6.3 million in restitution. A jury convicted Uresti on various federal charges regarding his role in an investment Ponzi scheme centered on a company which purportedly bought and sold fracking sand for oil production, FourWinds, Inc.
The jury found that Uresti recruited investors under false pretenses by lying about investing his own money in FourWinds as well as failing to disclose his receipt of a commission and a percentage of the profits resulting from investments in FourWinds. Jurors also found that Uresti was not registered as a broker with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and that he and others engaged in money laundering with the proceeds of their fraud scheme.
The FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force is conducting this investigation. The Task Force includes investigators from the FBI, IRS-CI, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Peace Corps-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph E. Blackwell and Sean O’Connell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
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Former Jourdanton Bank Teller Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft and False Statement on Income Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a Poteet, TX, woman to 61 months in federal prison for a scheme to steal more than $830,000 from a bank in Jourdanton, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, Acting IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ramsey Covington, Houston Field Office, and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Paul A. Duran, San Antonio Field Office.
In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered 31-year-old Jennifer Trevino to pay $821,579.18 in restitution for bank fraud plus. Judge Ezra also ordered that Trevino be placed under supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term and as a special condition of her supervised release, she must pay the tax loss amount to the IRS which is currently estimated to be more than $187,000.
On May 30, 2018, Trevino pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud, one count of Aggravated Identity Theft and one count of making a false statement on a federal income tax return. According to court records, Trevino was employed by First Commerce Bank (formerly Jourdanton State Bank) first as a teller, then as a Loan Specialist. By pleading guilty, Trevino admitted to making unauthorized cash withdrawals from FCB accounts, without the knowledge of the account holders, and depositing the funds into accounts which she controlled. Trevino also admitted that she underreported her total income on her 2016 Individual Income Tax Return by more than $330,000.
“An important mission of federal law enforcement is to protect the integrity of the banking system. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to keeping that system secure,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“The Secret Service and our South Texas Regional Task Force is committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors, ensuring individuals who violate their positions of trust and access to illegally enrich themselves will be appropriately investigated and prosecuted. Today’s sentencing is one of many examples of the dedicated efforts made by task force agents, and we hope will act as a deterrent to like-minded criminals and their conspirators that stealing from innocent victims will not go unpunished,” stated U.S. Secret Service SAC Duran.
“Today’s sentencing of Jennifer Trevino should alert others thinking about participating in fraudulent schemes, such as bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and failing to report all forms of income that they should stop in their tracks and simply look at the consequences of taking the next step,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ramsey Covington, Houston Field Office. “Those consequences will include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon for the rest of their lives, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest.”
Special agents with IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Moore prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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Federal Judge in Del Rio Sentences Three Men to Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
In Del Rio this week, a federal judge sentenced a Del Rio man and two other men to federal prison for conducting an advanced fee investment scheme through which they obtained in excess of $5 million from their victims, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced Kelly Ray Coronado, 51, of Del Rio, to 51 months in federal prison. Judge Moses also sentenced co-defendants James Edward Cox, 59 of Waxhaw, NC, and Gordon Richard Moskowitz, 55, of Sarasota, FL, to 78 months imprisonment and 46 months imprisonment, respectively.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Moses ordered Cox and Coronado to forfeit to the government their respective residences which were used to conceal the illicit proceeds gained from their scheme and to pay, joint and severally, $4,249,478 in restitution to their victims. Judge Moses also ordered Moskowitz liable, along with Cox and Coronado, for $3.1 million of the total restitution in this case.
Cox and Coronado pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; Moskowitz, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The defendants admitted that from January 2010 to January 2017, they implemented a high-yield investment scheme to obtain money from multiple victims under false pretenses, promises and representations. Furthermore, they preyed on vulnerable parties – most of whom operated international non-profits – by promising them large-scale financing in exchange for upfront payments. Using a tapestry of deceit involving fake business entities, websites, and aliases, the defendants collected upfront payments from their victims, then worked together to frustrate law enforcement detection and victim redress.
Federal Bureau of Investigation special agents in Del Rio, Tampa and Charlotte conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Harle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Del Rio Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In Del Rio, a federal judge sentenced 51-year-old Timothy Robert Beasley to ten years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio.
Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced Beasley to the prison term followed by ten years of supervised release and ordered that he pay $20,000 restitution to his victims.
On December 15, 2015, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Beasley’s residence and seized several home computers, related media and cell phones. A subsequent forensics examination of the seized materials revealed the presence of more than 120 videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit activity. On November 30, 2016, Beasley pleaded guilty to the child pornography possession charge.
“Protecting children from predators who seek to exploit them is always a priority for Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio. “Child exploitation is a global issue that takes many forms and directly impacts the United States and our communities.”
HSI agents in Del Rio conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Watters 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.
Leakey Man Arrested and Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, federal and state authorities arrested 36-year-old U.S. Border Patrol Agent Vernon Lee Millican of Leakey, Texas, for production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and Special Agent in Charge Javy Pedroza, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, El Paso Office.
A federal criminal complaint filed today charged the defendant with one count of production of child pornography. Upon conviction, Millican faces up to 30 years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing expected to occur next week in U.S. Magistrate Court in San Antonio.
The FBI and DHS-OIG are investigating this case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Office of Professional Responsibility and the Real County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that a 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.
Wife of Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer in El Paso Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In El Paso, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer’s wife, who fled the country prior to sentencing on federal drug trafficking and bribery charges in 2010, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), El Paso Division; Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), El Paso Division; and, Special Agent in Charge Javy Pedroza of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) in El Paso.
During sentencing yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge David Briones also ordered 41-year-old Ana Marie Hernandez to pay a $100,000 money judgment.
On June 21, 2010, the legal permanent resident in the U.S. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import a controlled substance and one count of aiding and abetting the bribery of a public official. By pleading guilty, Hernandez admitted that between June 2005 and October 2005, she conspired with others, including her husband, former DHS Customs and Border Protection officer Daniel Ledezma, to allow hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. without inspection through the Paso de Norte Port of Entry. For their actions, Hernandez and Ledezma received more than $100,000 in U.S. Currency.
An arrest warrant was issued for Hernandez when she failed to appear for sentencing on January 24, 2011.
On October 3, 2018, Hernandez was extradited from Mexico to El Paso. She has since remained in federal custody.
“This sentencing is a result of the ongoing partnership and collaboration between the FBI, DEA and our international partners to bring to justice an individual who corrupted U.S. law enforcement officials in order to import drugs into the U.S. The FBI and its partners will relentlessly pursue and prosecute individuals that poison the communities of El Paso,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Buie.
“The sentencing of Ms. Hernandez concludes years of federal authorities’ efforts to bring her to justice. This case serves as an example of the corrupting influence of drug trafficking organizations and the diligence of DEA and its law enforcement partners to investigate, pursue and prosecute those who seek to profit through bribery and drug smuggling,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Williamson.
On January 20, 2011, Ledezma was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the same charges in June 2010.
The DEA, FBI, and DHS OIG investigated this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in the extradition. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys of the Western District of Texas.
Midland Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice a Child, Distribution of Child Pornography and Attempted Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
In Midland, 44-year-old Jose Alonso Zubia was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to entice a minor into engaging in sexual activity, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., and Interim Midland Police Chief Seth Herman.
At sentencing yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge David Counts also ordered that the Midland resident pay a $10,000 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund.
On July 23, 2018, Zubia pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court records, on May 1, 2018, federal and local law enforcement authorities arrested Zubia when he arrived at a location to have a sexual encounter with a 14 year old he met online and the minor’s 12-year-old friend. At the time, Zubia was in possession of cocaine, which he admitted he intended to provide to the minors. Zubia also admitted that he had previously sent videos depicting child pornography to the 14 year old.
“The sentencing of Zubia is an affirmation of the dedication, commitment, and hard work of the F.B.I. and the Midland Police Department to work diligently in keeping the Midland Community safe. The F.B.I. will continue to seek out, investigate and prosecute those individuals that target children for sexual enticement,” stated F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Buie.
The F.B.I. and the Midland Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Harwood 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.
Del Rio Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Smuggle Heroin and Methamphetamine into the United StatesRead the Press Release
In Del Rio today, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 41–year–old Ana Dellanira Rodarte to 17 years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle over 1.3 kilograms of heroin and 7.5 kilograms of methamphetamine into the country, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Moses ordered that Rodarte pay a $2,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term.
On April 23, 2018, Rodarte pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import heroin. By pleading guilty, Rodarte admitted that she arranged for the load of narcotics inside her own car to be driven across the U.S. border with Mexico.
On March 5, 2016, inspectors at the Del Rio Port of Entry discovered the methamphetamine inside the vehicle’s battery. They also located the heroin in two antifreeze containers inside the vehicle. The driver of Rodarte’s vehicle at the time, Jasmin Medina Ramos of Del Rio, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import methamphetamine. Last year, Judge Moses sentenced her to 135 months in federal prison ordered her to pay a $1,500 fine. A third defendant charged in this case, Jose Carlos Trevino of Del Rio, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and fined $3,000 last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
HSI Del Rio conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd R. Keagle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Illegal Alien Smuggler Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In Del Rio yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 43–year–old citizen of Mexico Hector Aguilar-Portugal to ten years imprisonment for his role in an illegal alien smuggling operation that resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; and, U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Charge Felix Chavez, Del Rio Sector.
On August 10, 2017, Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. According to court records, in October 2014, Aguilar led three other illegal aliens into the U.S. north of Eagle Pass, Texas. Among the group was a former inmate Aguilar-Portugal had met while in prison in Pecos, TX, in 2012, as well as the man’s nephew. During their journey, the four were intercepted by U.S. Border Patrol agents. As they fled from the agents, the defendant and the others crossed a canal. During the crossing, the nephew drowned. Following the drowning, the uncle separated from the defendant and the other illegal alien. The uncle eventually made it to a highway where he surrendered to Border Patrol agents and told them of the drowning. Agents were able to recover the body of the deceased. Agents were also able to arrest the defendant and the other illegal alien. While at the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol station, the uncle saw Aguilar-Portugal being escorted into the processing area. The uncle identified Aguilar-Portugal as the individual he paid a $500 smuggling fee up front and an agreed $3,000 upon arrival in the U.S.
On December 15, 2015, the uncle was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for illegal re-entry into the U.S. The other illegal alien pleaded guilty to illegal entry into the U.S., was sentenced to time served and deported back to Mexico.
HSI conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Keagle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Federal Prison Sentences Handed Down for “Crack” Cocaine and Methamphetamine Trafficking Operation in and Around Taylor, TXRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 17 individuals, including ringleader Horace Lee Caruther, for their alleged roles in a narcotics distribution ring operating in and around the Taylor, TX, area announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division.
U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced:
- Horace Lee Caruther, age 43 of Round Rock, TX, to 210 months in federal prison;
- William Collins (aka “Bugs”), age 62 of Taylor, TX, to 87 months in federal prison;
- Trevor Deshaun Hunt, age 26 of Taylor, to 57 months in federal prison;
- Gregory Bean, Jr., age 45 of Pflugerville, TX, to 15 months in federal prison;
- Robert Carl White, age 39 of Temple, TX, to 77 months in federal prison;
- Angel Amado Rodriguez, age 24 of Austin, to 188 months in federal prison;
- Kenneth Xavier Garza, age 23 of Austin, to 60 months in federal prison;
- Esmerelda Rodriguez, age 23 of Austin, to three years probation;
- Salomon Orozco-Benitez (aka “Viejito”), age 34 of Austin, to 168 months in federal prison;
- Elias Montiel, age 27 of Sanford, NC, to 46 months in federal prison;
- Federico Alvarez-Mendoza, age 37 of Cameron, NC, to 30 months in federal prison;
- David Ibarra, age 26 of Broadway, NC, to 30 months in federal prison;
- Miguel Benitez-Benitez (aka “Daniel Sanchez Benitez”), age 39 of Pflugerville, to 262 months in federal prison;
- Sandra Parra-Velez (aka “La Coyota”), age 34 of Austin, to 70 months in federal prison;
- Jose Parra-Martinez (aka “Vitaminas”), age 36 of Austin, to 60 months in federal prison;
- Maria Loreto Bustamonte, age 53 of Laredo, TX, to time served (approx. 14 months incarceration); and,
- Ana Patricia Gonzalez, age 48 of Laredo, to three years probation.
Previously, Garza and Parra-Martinez pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and Esmerelda Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of felony. The remaining defendants mentioned above pleaded guilty to either conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine or possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Co-defendant James Wilbert McNeil, age 71 of Round Rock, was sentenced on August 27, 2018, to time served (approx. 9 months incarceration) after pleading guilty to one count of misprision of felony. Also, co-defendant Jesus Parra-Martinez (aka “Chuy”), age 24 of Austin, was sentenced on October 26, 2018, to 87 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to court records, from July 2016 to October 2017, members of this organization were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and diverted pharmaceutical narcotics. The narcotics would be transported from Laredo to Central Texas and ultimately to areas across the U.S., including North Carolina, for further distribution. Defendants would also collect, transport and launder cash proceeds derived from the sale of narcotics. To date, this investigation has resulted in the arrests and conviction of 20 defendants; and, the seizure of $161,020 in U.S. Currency, six kilograms of cocaine, two ounces of “crack” cocaine, 42 pounds of marijuana and, three guns.
The DEA Austin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force investigated this case. The Austin Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Lakeway Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are participating agencies in the HIDTA Task Force.
The principal mission of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Texas Return Preparers Indicted in False Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury sitting in Waco, Texas, has returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging two Texas tax return preparers with conspiracy to defraud the United States, aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and filing false personal income tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to the indictment, Stacey Anderson, with the assistance of Janell Lightner, operated a tax preparation business, Anderson Professional Tax Services, in Texas. The business did not have a storefront and typically prepared and filed tax returns from Anderson’s personal residence. The indictment alleges that Anderson and Lightner conspired to defraud the United States and prepared clients’ tax returns, for years 2013 through 2017, that falsely claimed business losses, deductions and/or education tax credits, in order to fraudulently increase their tax refunds. Anderson’s and Lightner’s clients were from Texas, Maryland and the District of Columbia. The indictment further charges Anderson alone with filing false 2013 and 2014 tax returns for herself, on which she sought the same education credit that she falsely claimed on her clients’ returns, and that omitted income earned from her return preparation business.
If convicted, Anderson and Lightner face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and three years in prison for each count of preparing false tax returns. Anderson also faces a sentence of up to three years in prison for the counts related to her own tax returns. In addition, Anderson and Lightner are subject to a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended special agents of Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson, who are prosecuting the case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas (Waco Division) for their substantial assistance.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Austin Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearms Smuggling SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin today, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman sentenced 28–year–old Austin resident Tyler Carlson to 70 months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release for his role in a firearms smuggling scheme involving machineguns and assault weapons, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; and, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, Houston Division.
On April 23, 2018, Carlson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate multiple U.S. laws, including illegal exportation of munitions and unlawful possession and transfer of machineguns. Carlson also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, Carlson conspired with others to violate multiple federal firearms laws, including possessing and transferring unregistered machineguns and unlawfully exporting firearms to Mexico. Carlson worked with others to acquire and unlawfully smuggle 200 firearms, including .50 caliber rifles, and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition to Mexico.
Court documents also reflect that Carlson worked with 69–year–old former law enforcement officer and federal firearms licensee Michael Fox of Georgetown, TX, to illegally acquire multiple M-134G Minigun machineguns. The M-134G is a six-barrel rotary machine gun that can fire between 2,000 and 6,000 rounds of ammunition per minute. Fox, a co-defendant, contacted 63–year–old Tracy Garwood, another co-defendant and owner of the M-134G manufacturer Garwood Industries in Arizona, who agreed to help with the construction and supply Fox with M-134G parts. Records indicated that Garwood did not know the M-134Gs were to be smuggled illegally to Mexico. However, Garwood submitted false paperwork to the ATF claiming he had destroyed multiple M-134G rotor housings—a key component of the M-134G that must be serialized and registered with the ATF. Instead, Garwood unlawfully transferred possession of those rotor housings to Fox.
On February 8, 2017, authorities recovered three M134G rotor housings while executing a search warrant at Fox’s residence. Two of the rotor housings were ones that Garwood told ATF were destroyed. Court records indicate that multiple M-134Gs were successfully smuggled into Mexico by Carlson and coconspirators who were prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas. Through efforts by U.S. and Mexican law enforcement, one of those M-134Gs was recovered by law enforcement in Mexico.
On September 7, 2018, Judge Pitman sentenced Garwood to two years probation and ordered him to pay a $50,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in May 2018. Garwood agreed to divest himself from ownership of his company. As a convicted felon, he can no longer possess firearms.
Fox, who faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the conspiracy charge in July 2018, is scheduled for sentencing on January 11, 2019, in Austin before Judge Pitman.
“Firearms trafficking is a priority for ATF because of the increased potential for those guns to be acquired by the criminal element,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski.
“This investigation is example of a transnational criminal organization conspiring with individuals in the United States to straw purchase weapons and munitions for the purpose of illegal export. HSI works around the clock with its foreign law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute these criminals,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to seek justice to the end and defend the nation’s mail service from illegal use. This goal is achieved through collaborative investigative efforts with other law enforcement agencies,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez.
The ATF, HSI, and USPIS conducted this investigation. The U.S. Marshal Service assisted with the deportation of Carlson from Mexico in October 2017. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the District of Arizona provided assistance during this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Two Sentenced to Federal Prison for Roles in Fraud and Racketeering Schemes that Involved the Attempted Capital Murder of State District Court Judge Julie KocurekRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 29-year-old Marcellus Antoine Burgin of Cypress, TX, and 27-year-old Rasul Kareem Scott of Marrero, LA, to 300 months and 210 months in federal prison, respectively, for carrying out fraud and racketeering schemes that involved the attempted capital murder of State District Court Judge Julie Kocurek in November of 2015.
That announcement was made by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office; Austin Police Chief Brian Manley; and, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, Houston Division.
In addition to the prison terms, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Burgin and Scott be placed under supervised release for a period of five years and pay restitution, joint and severally, in the amount of $22,315.80.
In November 2017, Burgin and Scott pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statue. Evidence presented during trial earlier this year for their co-defendant--31-year-old Chimene Hamilton Onyeri--revealed that in November 2015, all three defendants conspired to commit various fraudulent schemes for financial gain in Austin, Houston, the state of Louisiana and surrounding areas. Schemes included converting stolen debit card numbers obtained from skimming devices into cash. The Onyeri racketeering enterprise involved mail fraud, bribery of a public official, wire fraud, document fraud, access device fraud, money laundering and attempted murder.
According to testimony, when the existence of the criminal enterprise was threatened, Onyeri responded with violence. On the night of November 6, 2015, Onyeri attempted to murder State District Court Judge Julie Kocurek, whom Onyeri believed was going to sentence him to prison, by shooting Judge Kocurek while she sat in her car outside her home in Austin. As a result of the incident, Kocurek suffered serious bodily injury from multiple gunshots and resulting shrapnel.
On October 2, 2018, Judge Yeakel sentenced Onyeri to life in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO statute, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and six counts of witness tampering.
The FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, Austin Police Department and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office investigated this case. The 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in (Calcasieu Parish) Lake Charles, Louisiana; Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office; U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the Eastern District of Louisiana; the U.S. Marshals Service; Travis County Sheriff’s Office; and, the Houston Police Department provided valuable assistance during this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayna L. Blazey of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Former El Paso C.B.P. Inspector Pleads Guilty to Federal Wire Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
In El Paso, a 44-year-old former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspector faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a wire fraud charge in relation to schemes to defraud numerous legal and illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton.
Appearing before United States District Judge Kathleen Cardone yesterday afternoon, El Paso resident Federico Garcia, Jr., admitted that from November 2015 to May 2018, he fraudulently presented himself as an immigration attorney and charged various fees to unwitting victims for assistance with applying for immigration benefits. Garcia, who is not a licensed attorney, carried out his scheme under the business names “Justice International” and “High End Immigrant Resource Center.” Garcia’s scheme also included fraudulently soliciting victims to invest their money in business ventures that would provide large returns to those individuals.
Garcia, who remains in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced at 10:00am on January 17, 2019, before Judge Cardone in El Paso.
HSI El Paso’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Aguayo, Debra Kanof and Stephen Garcia are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
San Antonio Man Admits to Stealing Approximately $479K from Multiple BanksRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 42-year-old Dennis Edward Stephen, pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing multiple San Antonio banks and stealing approximately $479,000, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad, Stephen pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, Stephen admitted responsibility for eight different bank robberies in San Antonio and the surrounding area between November 14, 2013, and July 23, 2018. The robberies include:
- November 14, 2013; April 17, 2014; and September 19, 2014 – Frost Bank on Vance Jackson Rd. – approximately $37,604; $36,280; and $133,000 stolen, respectively;
- November 24, 2015 – Broadway Bank in Helotes, TX – approximately $11,323 stolen;
- June 16, 2016 – Frost Bank on Wurzbach Rd. – approximately $56,077 stolen;
- November 4, 2016; July 5, 2017; and July 23, 2018 – Frost Bank on N. Loop 1604 – approximately $67,000; $101,000; and $36,561 stolen, respectively.
According to court records, authorities dubbed Stephen the “Camry Cruzin’ Bandit” because he drove a Toyota Camry during his scheme and often wore the same attire while committing the robberies: blue jeans, a denim long sleeve button down shirt, a white t-shirt and a UTSA Roadrunners baseball cap covering his head, sunglasses and a surgical mask covering his face, and rubber surgical gloves covering his hands.
Authorities arrested Stephen on July 23, 2018, following the Frost Bank robbery. He has since remained in federal custody. Stephen faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to the financial institutions. Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30pm on March 6, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio.
The F.B.I. together with the San Antonio Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Leader of Cartel Del Noreste and Nephew of Los Zetas Leaders Z-40 and Z-42 Receives Two Consecutive Life Sentences Plus 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In Waco today, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 38-year-old Juan Francisco “Kiko” Trevino Chavez, nephew of Los Zetas leaders Miguel Angel Trevino Morales (Z-40) and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales (Z-42), to two consecutive life imprisonment sentences plus 20 years in federal prison. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Moses ordered that Trevino pay a $2 Million fine and a $2 Million money judgment.
That announcement was made by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio Division; Special Agent in Charge Tamera Cantu, IRS—Criminal Investigation, Dallas Division; Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Houston Division; Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Houston Division; and, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, FBI, San Antonio Division.
On July 24, 2018, a jury convicted the defendant on one count each of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import marijuana, unlawful distribution of controlled substances (extra-territorial), conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import cocaine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that from 2004 until September 2016, the defendant was a member of the Los Zetas, a transnational drug trafficking organization operating primarily in the Mexican corridors of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Acuna and Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Evidence further revealed that Kiko Trevino worked with and conspired with the highest level operatives in the criminal organization, including his uncles, Z-40 and Z-42. Evidence also revealed that Kiko Trevino organized the source and distribution of large quantities of narcotics, laundered drug proceeds, and controlled cells of traffickers and a group of armed sicarios in the Nueva Laredo area. The trial evidence showed the defendant participated in the trafficking of more than 250,000 kilos of cocaine, hundreds of thousands of kilos of marijuana, and hundreds of firearms. The evidence further described the laundering of hundreds of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. Finally, trial testimony revealed that after his uncles’ arrests, Los Zetas splintered into two groups and Kiko Trevino took over leadership of one of those two groups, the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN), and in this role, he controlled all of the drug and firearm trafficking, enforcement, and money laundering operations of CDN. Trevino continued in this leadership role until his arrest in 2016.
“Trevino-Chavez, also known as ‘Comandante Kiko,’ is a leader/organizer for a major Transnational Criminal Organization that is responsible for smuggling literally tons of drugs into South Texas. Homeland Security Investigations specializes in complex cross-border conspiracy investigations targeting violent and dangerous individuals who threaten or violate the national security of the United States,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden.
“As a result of the consistent and exceptional efforts of U.S. law enforcement working together with our international law enforcement partners, a very significant drug trafficker from Mexico has been brought to justice. The Kiko Trevino sentencing serves as an example that there are no borders when it comes to prosecuting international drug traffickers,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Glaspy.
“This investigation is a prime example of the fine work done when agencies come together to become a force multiplier,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Milanowski.
Kiko Trevino has remained in federal custody since his arrest in Baytown, TX, on September 28, 2016.
This federal prosecution resulted from multiple Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operations and investigations, originating out of Waco, SA, DR, Eagle Pass and Dallas area metroplex, conducted by HSI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, DEA-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group, FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, Irving Police Department, Waco Police Department, Laredo Police Department, and Leon Valley Police Department. The U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection—Office of Enforcement Operations, and Natalia Police Department also provided support in this case.
The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Man who Robbed Bank in Stanton of Approximately $200,000 Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
This week a federal judge sentenced 59-year-old Jose Cruz Iglesias of Midland to 78 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for stealing approximately $200,000 from the Community National Bank in Stanton, TX, on December 23, 2016, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division.
During sentencing on Monday in Midland, U.S. District Judge David Counts also ordered Iglesias to pay $197,883 restitution to the bank.
On September 17, 2018, Iglesias pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. Iglesias admittedly robbed bank tellers while brandishing a revolver. Iglesias has remained in federal custody since being arrested by F.B.I. agents in Odessa on June 22, 2018.
The F.B.I., together with the Stanton and Midland Police Departments, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William F. Lewis prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Judge Sentences Businessman for Defrauding the City of San Antonio with Respect to an Alamodome Janitorial Services ContractRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, 54-year-old Geoffrey Comstock, owner and operator of the Frio Nevado Corporation (Frio Nevado), was sentenced on his conviction for overbilling the City of San Antonio by more than $350,000 for janitorial services at the Alamodome announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.
United States District Judge David C. Guaderrama sentenced Comstock to 25 months imprisonment followed by a three year supervised release term. Judge Guaderrama also ordered Comstock to pay $358,454 in restitution.
On December 13, 2017, a jury convicted Comstock of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six substantive counts of wire fraud. Testimony during trial revealed that from 2002 to 2016 Frio Nevado had a contract to provide janitorial services to the City of San Antonio at the Alamodome on a daily basis and for special events. Between June 2014 and January 2016 Comstock implemented a scheme to submit fraudulent invoices to the City of San Antonio that inflated the number of man hours of janitorial work performed at the Alamodome. A contract review in 2016 by the City of San Antonio Financial Department revealed that in July 2015 Comstock began preparing, or directed other employees to prepare and submit, timesheets that did not accurately reflect the names of employees, number of employees, or number of man hours expended to justify the previously submitted false invoices. Based upon those fraudulent invoices the City of San Antonio overpaid Frio Nevado by more than $350,000. The jury acquitted Comstocks’s former billing coordinator, 58-year-old Anna Becerra, of all charges.
“This sentencing serves as a real warning to those who defraud the financial system for personal gain,” said Shane Folden, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio. “HSI is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to pursue thieves such as Mr. Comstock who brazenly enrich themselves through fraud. Today’s sentence clearly holds the defendant accountable for his actions while providing the San Antonio taxpayers some relief from the fraud he committed.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case with the cooperation of the City of San Antonio. Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory Surovic and Bud Paulissen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.Statement by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash Relating to November 2018 ElectionsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Matthew B. Devlin will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election. AUSA Devlin has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Texas, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U.S. Attorney Bash said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and the election process must be free from fraud and manipulation. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, U.S. Attorney Bash stated that AUSA/DEO Devlin will be on duty while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (210) 384-7188.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The FBI San Antonio field office can be reached by the public at (210) 225-6741. The FBI El Paso field office can be reached by the public at (915) 832-5000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
U.S. Attorney Bash said, “Ensuring free and fair elections requires prompt reporting of any irregularities in the election process. It is imperative that those who have specific information about voter discrimination, voter intimidation, or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
El Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash Anuncia Sobre las Elecciones de Noviembre 2018Read the Press Release
El Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash anunció hoy que Matthew B. Devlin, Assistente Abogado del los Estados Unidos (AUSA, por sus siglas en inglés) se encarga del esfuerzo de la Oficina en conexión con el Programa Nacional del Día de Elecciones del Departamento de Justicia para las elecciones generales del 6° de noviembre, 2018. AUSA Devlin ha sido designado de servir como el Oficial del Distrito de Elecciones (DEO, por sus siglas en inglés) para el Distrito Oeste de Tejas, y será responsable de supervisar las quejas sobre fraude electoral y abusos de derechos de votar en consulto con el Departamento de Justicia Central en Washington.
Abogado Bash dijo, “Todos ciudadanos deben de poder votar sin interferencia o discriminación y el proceso electoral debe de estar libre de fraude y manipulación.”
El Departamento de Justicia tiene el rol importante de disuadir fraude electoral y discriminación en las urnas, y de combatir las violaciones cuando y donde quiera ocurren. Más, el objetivo del Programa Nacional del Día de Elecciones del Departamento busca aseguración de la confidencia del público de la integridad del proceso electoral por proporcionando contactos locales dentro el Departamento para que el público pueda reportar actos de fraude electoral y violaciones de derechos de votar mientras estén disponibles las urnas el Día Electoral.
La ley federal protege en contra crímenes de intimidación o sobornar votadores, comprando y vendiendo votos, imitar votador, modificar la cuenta de votaciones, votar en urnas múltiples, y marcar la boleta de votación por votadores sin su permiso o sin los deseos del votador. También contiene protecciones para los derechos de los votadores, y provee que pueden votar libre de cualquier acto de intimidación o acoso. Por ejemplo, actos de personas tratando de interrumpir, o intimidar votadores en lugares de votación o de poner en duda, o tomar fotos o vídeo, bajo el pretexto que las acciones son para revelar votación ilegal podrá violar las leyes federales. Más, las leyes federales protege los derechos de los votadores para marcar su propio boleta de votación o de ser asistido por la persona de su elección (cuando votadores necesitan asistencia por medio de discapacidad o analfabeto).
El derecho es el centro de la democracia Americana. Todos demos de asegurar que los que tienen el derecho de votar, pueden si gustan, y los quienes buscan corromper el proceso se llevan a justicia. Para responder a reclamos de fraude electoral o abuso de los derechos de votar el 6° de noviembre, 2018, y para asegurar que los reclamos se dirigen a los propios autoridades, Abogado Bash dijo que AUSA/DEO Devin estará de servicio mientras estén disponibles las urnas en el Día de Elección. El público puede contactarlo al (210) 384-7188.
Más, el FBI tendrá agentes especiales disponibles en todas las oficinas dentro el país para recibir acusaciones de fraude electoral y otros abusos electorales en el Día de Elección. El FBI de San Antonio estará disponible al público al (210) 225-6741. El FBI de El Paso estará disponible al público at (915) 832-5000.
Reclamos sobre violaciones de las leyes federales de votación se dirigen directamente a la División de Derechos Civiles Sección de Votación en Washington, DC al (800) 253-3931 o al (202) 307-2767, por fax al (202) 307-3961, y por correo electrónico al [email protected] o por forma de reclamo al http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
Abogado Bash dijo, “Asegurando elecciones justos requiere reportando cualquier irregularidad en el proceso electoral lo más pronto posible. Es imprescindible que los que tienen información especifica de discriminación de votador, intimidación de votador, o fraude electoral, que reporten la información inmediatamente a mi oficina, al FBI o a la División de Derechos Civiles Sección de Votación.”