Western District of Texas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Austin Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $870,000 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, a federal judge sentenced 41–year-old Javier Guerra of Austin, TX, to 33 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $874,801 restitution to two employers for fraudulently selling their computer parts announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
During the sentencing hearing last Thursday, U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia also ordered that Guerra, a computer network engineer, be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. Judge Garcia also ordered that Guerra, who is currently on bond, must surrender to federal authorities to begin serving his prison term after notification by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons of facility designation.
On August 6, 2014, Guerra pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. By pleading guilty, Guerra admitted that between 2008 and 2012, he stole computer related equipment from Cisco Systems, Inc. and H.E.B., then sold the equipment using the Internet for personal financial gain. The equipment Guerra sold included existing business inventory as well as replacement parts delivered to him based upon false declarations he made to his employer that the equipment was either damaged or defective.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Cisco Systems Brand Protection investigators and H.E.B. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hardy prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Four Odessans Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison in Connection with a HomicideRead the Press Release
In Midland this morning, United States District Judge Robert A. Junell sentenced four Odessa residents to life in federal prison for their role in a Permian Basin drug distribution scheme involving firearms and resulting in 2014 murder of Sean Michael Lamb announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist and Odessa Police Chief Timothy Burton.
On April 10, 2015, jurors convicted 40-year-old Raymond Hernandez Olgin, Jr., 34–year-old Rudolfo Romero Parades, 40-year-old Stacey Louise Castillo and 32–year-old Anthony Ryan Gonzales of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.
Liz Sanchez Hernandez, age 35, and her 18-year-old son, Brian Adan Hernandez, co-defendants who pleaded guilty to related federal charges prior to jury selection, are currently serving federal prison terms. On July 2, 2015, Liz Hernandez was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime. On the same day, Brian Adan Hernandez was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to the drug conspiracy charge. Judge Junell also ordered all of the defendants to jointly and severally pay $5,861 restitution.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that the defendants were involved in the abduction and murder of Sean Michael Lamb because they suspected that Lamb and others had stolen a large amount of “crystal” methamphetamine from Liz Hernandez and her brother, 34-year-old Ruben James Hernandez.
On May 13, 2014, Odessa Police responded to a “shots fired” call in the alley behind #30 Neta Place in Odessa. There they discovered Lamb’s body with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Evidence presented during trial revealed that 35–year-old Noe Garcia Galan, accompanied by Olgin and Paredes, shot and killed Lamb for stealing the crystal methamphetamine. Jurors found this act to be a first degree premeditated murder.
Testimony during trial revealed that Castillo not only participated in the drug distribution operation as well as the murder of Lamb, but on the evening of May 14, 2014, she and Gonzales drove Ruben Hernandez to the international border in Presidio, TX, so he could escape into Mexico in exchange for an introduction to a narcotics supplier she could use in the future.
“The senseless murder of 22-year-old Sean Lamb over a dispute about methamphetamine was the product of depraved thinking, completely out of proportion to his suspected transgression. These defendants are fully deserving of the sentences. Such anti-social conduct is unacceptable,” stated United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
Noe Galan and Ruben Hernandez remain fugitives. They are charged by indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.
“This case serves as an example of cooperative, professional law enforcement. I would like to thank our Federal and State law enforcement partners for their vital assistance. These convictions send the message that violent crime in our City will not be tolerated. Special thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the tireless effort in seeking justice,” stated Odessa Police Chief Timothy Burton.
This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by 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. Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., and former Assistant United States Attorney John Klassen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Accepting GratuitiesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 49-year-old Mark L. Moss of Cibolo, TX, to three years in federal prison for accepting gratuities from businessmen while serving as a military unit commander in Kuwait. In addition to the prison term, U. S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ordered that Moss pay $253,000 restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
That announcement was made today by United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Special Agent in Charge Janice M. Flores, Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Southwest Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Scott Wilk, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command Southwestern Fraud Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and, Special Agent in Charge William Cotter, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
“Mr. Moss corrupted the military procurement process for personal gain. While service members in a conflict zone made great sacrifices, Mr. Moss used his position to line his pockets with a quarter million dollars,” stated United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
In September 2014, Moss pleaded guilty to one count of acts affecting a personal financial interest. By pleading guilty, Moss admitted to accepting $253,000 from two business owners and their respective agents while he served as a designated unit commander for the Area Support Group in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Those Kuwait-based businesses included Al-Pacific LTD Est. for Electronics (Al-Pacific), an electronics communications and services company which primarily provided the access, installation, maintenance of cable and satellite television as well as internet connectivity to the base; and, Makhpiya Project Management (MPM), a general contractor specializing in engineering, construction and communications.
According to court records, from November 2007 until June 2010, Moss accepted and received the funds in exchange for favoring Al-Pacific and MPM during the Army contract award selection process; recommending MPM as a subcontractor to other companies that were awarded contracts; and, expediting Al-Pacific and MPM’s request for security badges allowing both companies more efficient access to the base.
“Misusing his position of trust as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, Mr. Moss accepted at least $253,000 in money and gratuities from several companies seeking contracts with the U.S. Government. Today's sentencing demonstrates the severe criminal penalties that result when Government officials, motivated purely by greed, betray their oath to this great country and its citizens for their own personal benefit. IRS Criminal Investigation, along with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney's Office, remain vigilant in identifying, investigating and prosecuting those who seek to willfully defraud the U.S Government and its taxpayers,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Cotter.
The case resulted from an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CIDC) Southwestern Fraud Field Office, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Moore prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Austin Man in Alleged Counterfeiting SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin, a federal grand jury late yesterday afternoon indicted 42-year-old Randolf Ace Corujo for his role in a counterfeiting scheme announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Thomas C. Edwards, Austin Resident Office.
A five-count indictment charges Corujo, of Austin, with one count of conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit U.S. Currency. The indictment also charges Corujo with two counts of passing, uttering and possessing counterfeit U.S. Currency and two counts of making, forging, altering and counterfeiting U.S. Currency.
According to the indictment, Corujo and others conspired earlier this year to create and pass counterfeit U.S. Currency. Investigative information revealed over 160 passes of counterfeit currency at local businesses and banks from March 2015 through July 2015 with a total aggregate value in excess of over $23,000.00.
Upon conviction of the conspiracy charge, Corujo faces up to five years. Each remaining charge calls for up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction. Corujo has remained in federal custody since his arrest in Austin on July 24, 2015.
In a related case, 31-year-old William Neal and 35-year-old Joshua Neal of Leander, TX, await sentencing after pleading guilty to passing, uttering and possessing counterfeit U.S. Currency. William Neal is currently on a $10,000 bond. Joshua Neal has remained in custody since their arrest in April 2015. Sentencing is scheduled for 9:00am on August 20, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks in Austin.
This investigation was conducted by the Central Texas Financial Crimes Task Force together with the Cedar Park Police Department, Burnet Police Department, Pflugerville Police Department, and the Sunset Valley Police Department. The Central Texas Financial Crimes Task Force, led by the United States Secret Service, is comprised of investigators with the Austin Police Department, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Marshall is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
25 Arrested This Week in Round up Centered on Alien Smuggling OperationRead the Press Release
This week, federal, state and local authorities arrested 23 individuals indicted for their role in an undocumented alien smuggling scheme operating in Eagle Pass, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde, San Antonio, Laredo, Dallas and surrounding areas in Texas. Authorities also arrested two other individuals on related federal drug charges. That announcement was made today by United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Western District of Texas, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, San Antonio Division.
Those individuals arrested as part of Operation Project 83 include:
NAME AGE ARRESTED
JAIME JARAMILLO-HERNANDEZ aka: “Jaime” 49 San Antonio
NOE VEGA-NORABUENA aka: “Negro” / “El Negro” 32 Dallas
ANTONIO R. ALAMILLA-RIVERA aka: “Padrino” / “Don Tono” 59 Eagle Pass
VERONICA MIRANDA-ACOSTA aka: “Veronica Miranda Quiroz” / “Vero” 39 San Antonio
SERGIO VEGA-TORRES 22 Dallas
JUAN JOSE MATA GONZALEZ 45 San Antonio
JOSE EDUARDO HERNANDEZ aka: “Eddie” 30 San Antonio
FERNANDO VEGA-JARAMILLO aka: “Saul Jaramillo-Vega” / “Cachas” 31 San Antonio
GILBERTO FLORES aka: “Cadete” 42 Laredo
DIANA ISABEL BUSTOS 31 Laredo
MARIO URRABAZO 30 Crystal City
HERIBERTO MACIAS DIAZ aka: “Pitonga” 36 Crystal City
SANDRA PAULINA ALMAGUER Torres aka: “Nicole Vega” 31 Dallas
ADELA MATA-GONZALEZ aka: “Adela Mata-Hernandez” / “La Guera” 49 San Antonio
AMADEO TORRES-VILLANUEVA 37 Dallas
CYNTHIA LILIANA HERNANDEZ 25 San Antonio
** JOSE ALFREDO GARCIA-VEGA aka: “Gordo” 21 Hillsboro, TX
CLAUDIO VEGA-JARAMILLO 23 San Antonio
JORGE SOLIS 26 Laredo
RICKY LOPEZ 27 Crystal City
ROBERTO AVILA aka: “Chana” 49 Crystal City
FERNANDO SANCHEZ 69 Crystal City
JOSE ARMANDO RODRIGUEZ aka: “Mando” 57 Crystal City
OMAR CARRILLO 35 San Antonio
EDWARD MELLO 39 San Antonio(** Authorities arrested Garcia-Vega while in the Hillsboro County Jail on unrelated state charges)
Two federal grand jury indictments returned last week in Del Rio, charge all but two of the defendants with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling. The indictments allege that from January 2014 to October 2014, ringleader Jaime Jaramillo-Hernandez and others were involved in related conspiracies to smuggle, transport and harbor hundreds of undocumented aliens from Laredo to San Antonio and Dallas.
Defendants Omar Carrillo and Edward Mello are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and one substantive count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to the indictment, Carrillo and Mello conspired between January 2014 and September 2014 to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
Upon conviction of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, defendants face up to ten years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Carrillo and Mello face between five and 40 years in federal prison upon conviction.
During this two-year-long investigation, authorities have arrested over 400 individuals and seized approximately $187,000 in U.S. Currency, three firearms, and 19 vehicles.
“HSI is dedicated to working closely with its law enforcement partners in all arenas in pursuit of identifying, arresting and prosecuting individuals involved in human smuggling, regardless of their position,” said James Spero, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Antonio. “Today’s arrests exemplify the high level of collaboration between HSI and its partners in investigating these cases.”
This investigation was conducted by agents with HSI in Eagle Pass, United States Border Patrol Del Rio and Laredo Sectors and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Agencies participating in this week’s arrests include HSI in San Antonio, Laredo, and Dallas; United States Marshals Service; Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations -- Air and Marine Operations; Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; Maverick County Sheriff’s Office; Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office; Zavala County Sheriff’s Office; Dallas Police Department; and, Irving Police Department. This case was supported by the Joint Taskforce West, South Texas Corridor. Assistant United States Attorney Ralph Paradiso, Lewis Thomas and Katie Griffin in Del Rio are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Federal Grand Jury Charges Three Others with Aiding San Antonio Businessman in a Scheme to Defraud Personal Injury ClientsRead the Press Release
Today, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against 46-year-old San Antonio businessman Elpidio Gongora (aka “Pete Gongora”) and three other individuals for their roles in a scheme to defraud personal injury clients. Gongora also faces charges relating to evading payment of more than $1 million in taxes and attempting to hide substantial assets from the Bankruptcy Trustee. That announcement was made United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Christopher Combs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division; William Cotter, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge; and, Judy A. Robbins, U.S. Trustee for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas.
The 17-count superseding indictment charges Gongora; his 48-year-old bookkeeper Rosa Ramirez of San Antonio; 47-year-old Juan Rodriguez of San Antonio; and, 53-year-old Ronald Higgins, former San Antonio attorney and current Sugarland, TX resident, with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Gongora is also charged with five counts of mail fraud, five counts of bankruptcy fraud, one count of tax evasion and five counts of aggravated identity theft. Ramirez is also charged with five counts of mail fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, from 2009 through 2014, Gongora, aided and abetted by Ramirez and Rodriguez, operated the law offices of several personal injury attorneys, including the Law Office of Ronald Higgins, in the city of San Antonio and elsewhere in Texas, Arkansas and New Mexico. The indictment alleges that Gongora and Ramirez stole money from these attorneys and their clients by failing to pay monies owed to clients under settlement agreements or to pay obligations for medical treatment and physical therapy after committing to do so. To carry out this scheme, the indictment alleges that Gongora and Ramirez fraudulently endorsed personal injury settlement checks and would hide from the attorneys their failure to pay clients settlement proceeds to which they were entitled. The indictment further alleges that Rodriguez paid money to individuals with insurance and tow truck companies for information pertaining to accident victims. The indictment also alleges that Higgins accepted money in return for allowing Gongora and Ramirez to essentially utilize his law license with impunity and exercised a complete and total lack of oversight.
In 2013, Gongora and his wife filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the Western District of Texas. The indictment alleges that, in relation to that filing, Gongora failed to disclose to the Bankruptcy Trustee that he owned personal assets that included a 33-foot Chris Craft cabin cruiser; a 29-foot 2005 Seaswirl boat; a 2005 Ford F-150 truck; real property located on Elm Valley in San Antonio; and, a residence located in Aransas Pass, TX.
The indictment further alleges that Gongora willfully attempted to evade paying over $1 million in taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service for calendar years 2003 through 2005 and 2007 through 2013.
Gongora remains in federal custody after being arrested in April at the San Antonio International Airport. Court summonses will be issued for the other defendants. Upon conviction, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud are punishable by imprisonment up to 20 years; bankruptcy fraud, up to five years; tax evasion, up to five years; and, aggravated identity theft, a term of two years.
These charges resulted from an investigation conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the U.S. Trustee’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bud Paulissen 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 defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Jury Convicts San Antonio Man of Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a San Antonio man late yesterday afternoon of production, receipt, possession and distribution of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
As a result, 39-year-old Carl Wade Bailes faces a statutory maximum of 120 years in federal prison.
According to court records and trial testimony, undercover FBI agents in September 2012 discovered numerous files depicting child pornography available for download from a peer-to-peer file sharing program on the Internet. Further investigation identified Bailes as the person responsible for making the child pornography available through the use of his personal computer. On October 22, 2012, FBI agents seized his computer. A subsequent forensics examination of the computer revealed that Bailes had deleted child pornography from his computer including 157 files available for download on September 20, 2012, and 50 files available for download on October 4, 2012. During the investigation, authorities downloaded 31 of those files prior to their deletion. Testimony also revealed that agents were able to recover evidence that Bailes produced images depicting the sexual abuse of two minor females, ages 15 and 6.
Bailes, who remains in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced at on November 20, 2015, before Chief United States District Judge Fred Biery.
“The FBI is committed to protecting children in our community, who are among the most vulnerable and precious in our society,” stated Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, FBI San Antonio Division.
This joint investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Former Bastrop Federal Prison Pharmacy Technician and Two Inmates Sentenced to Federal Prison on Bribery ChargeRead the Press Release
In Austin, a former Bastrop federal prison pharmacy technician was sentenced to federal prison for accepting bribes to smuggle contraband into the facility announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
This morning, United States District Judge Sam Sparks sentenced 26-year-old Eric Renaldo Tellez of Taylor, TX, to 12 months plus one day in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Sparks also sentenced FCI-Bastrop inmates 27-year-old Shanon E. Frank and 25–year-old Mattheu Ellis Jones to 18 months and 15 months incarceration followed by three years of supervised release, respectively, for their roles in the bribery scheme.
In May 2015, Tellez pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official; Frank and Jones, one count of conspiracy to bribe a public official. According to court records, Frank and Jones admitted to bribing Tellez to smuggle contraband into FCI-Bastrop from June 2014 to February 2015. The smuggled contraband included Casio G-Shock watches, creatine, nutritional supplements and muscle shirts. Tellez, admittedly, collected as much as $2,000 in bribes as a result of the scheme.
The case resulted from an investigation by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service and the Taylor Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Devlin.
Waco Businessman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
In Waco today, Charles D. Jones, 61-year-old owner of Charles D. Jones Capital Management, Inc. (CDJCM), was sentenced to six years in federal prison and ordered to pay $9,329,850.36 restitution for his role in a Ponzi scheme announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Kathleen Hickman, Dallas Field Office, and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.
On February 19, 2015, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to court records, CDJCM provided fee-only personalized financial planning and investment management for individuals, trusts, foundations and retirement plans. From 2005 to 2012, the defendant stole money and property from his victim clients and used the stolen proceeds for his own personal benefit. To further perpetuate his Ponzi scheme, the defendant created false account statements and mailed or e-mailed them to his victim clients. Jones also caused fraudulent tax returns to be filed in order to cover up his theft.
This investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Jury Convicts Sovereign Citizen of Retaliating Against a Federal Judge and ProsecutorRead the Press Release
In Houston today, a federal jury convicted 44–year-old Tyrone Eugene Jordan, a sovereign citizen residing in Houston, for retaliating against a federal judge and prosecutor by making false claims announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner, Houston Division.
The jury convicted Jordan of three counts of retaliation against a federal officer or employee by false claim. Evidence and trial testimony revealed that in October 2014, Jordan filed a fraudulent lien--a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financial Statement--with the Texas Secretary of State which claimed that a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Texas owed the defendant $6,534,500. Furthermore, in January 2015, the defendant knowingly filed two separate fraudulent documents (Affidavit of Obligation Commercial Lien) with the Harris County Clerk’s Office—Real Property Department claiming that the federal prosecutor mentioned above and a U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of Texas were Lien Debtors to the defendant. Testimony also revealed that the defendant filed the fraudulent documents against the victims in retaliation for their roles as prosecutor and sitting judge in a prior criminal case involving the defendant.
“Jordan’s sole purpose was to harass these public servants for having done their jobs. Such malicious harassment of public officials is intolerable,” stated Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
In April 2010, Jordan was convicted following a jury trial of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling. He was subsequently sentenced to 63 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
As a result of today’s verdict, Jordan faces a maximum ten years in federal prison for each charge. Jordan, who remains in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced at 10:15am on October 9, 2015, in Houston before United States District Judge Gray H. Miller.
This case was investigated by the FBI together with the United States Marshals Service for the Southern District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
San Antonio Businessman Sentenced to Federal Prison in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 51-year-old Oscar Gilberto Rodriguez was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a bribery scheme involving City of San Antonio contracts announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered that the former employee of the San Antonio firm Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., pay over $315,000 restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
According to court records, between 2004 and 2009, the defendant conspired with a former City of San Antonio employee to defraud and steal money from Pape-Dawson and its clients through Rapid Permit Service, Inc. (RPS). RPS was a hoax company created by Rodriguez and 44–year-old Fernando Jose De Leon, former Assistant Development Services Director of the Land Development Division within the City of San Antonio’s Planning and Development Services Department, to do permit expediting work on Pape-Dawson projects. As part of the conspiracy, Rodriguez would submit fraudulent RPS invoices to Pape-Dawson for payment. Rodriguez and De Leon subsequently divided the illegally obtained proceeds.
On October 16, 2014, Rodriguez and De Leon each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and to use interstate communication facilities to facilitate bribery under Texas law. Sentencing for De Leon is scheduled for 1:30pm on August 5, 2015, before Judge Rodriguez. De Leon faces up to five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James Blankinship is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Two Sentenced to Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
In Waco today, 34-year-old Justin Keith Vega of Temple, TX, was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr., ordered that Vega pay a $5,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life after completing his prison term.
On April 30, 2015, Vega pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Vega admitted that in December 2014, he enticed and coerced a six-year old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing visual depictions of the activity. This investigation was conducted by the FBI together with the Temple Police Department.
Also today, in an unrelated matter, Judge Smith sentenced 26–year-old Otis Cortez Williams of Killeen, TX, to ten years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on May 14, 2015. According to court records, investigators with the Texas Attorney General’s Office discovered that Williams was trafficking in child pornography and in April 2014, they executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. A subsequent forensics examination of seized materials, including the defendant’s computer and related media, revealed the presence of approximately 9,500 images and 400 videos depicting child pornography.
“The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to prosecute predators who victimize children by creating, possessing, and distributing child pornography. Children are some of our most vulnerable victims. Today’s sentences ensure that these defendants will not pose a threat to children for some time to come,” announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Frazier and Greg Gloff prosecuted these cases on behalf of the Government.
San Antonio Woman Indicted for Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal grand jury indicted 35-year-old Jessica Rivas Alva in connection with a scheme to defraud undocumented immigrants and their family members out of money by claiming to work on behalf of an attorney announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge, James C. Spero.
The indictment charges the San Antonio resident with three counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. According to court records, in April of 2015, Alva faxed forged letters whereby she fraudulently used the name and state bar number of two former employers, both of whom are San Antonio-based attorneys, to gain access to two immigration detention facilities in Louisiana. While at the South Louisiana Correctional Center in Basile and the LaSalle Detention Facility in Jena, Alva met with detained immigrants and offered to have the attorneys provide legal services for a fee. The immigrants’ families were then instructed to deposit those fees into a bank account that belonged to Alva. Alva was not an attorney and was not actually working for either attorney at the time she made the fraudulent representations. Furthermore, at the time Alva entered the detention facilities, she was enjoined by a Texas state court from entering any immigration facility in the United States unless accompanied by an attorney for whom she worked.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment upon conviction. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years upon conviction. Both charges have a maximum fine of $250,000.
Last week, federal authorities arrested Alva in Sulphur, Louisiana. She remains in federal custody at this time awaiting transfer to the Western District of Texas.
This case was investigated by agents with HSI and Enforcement and Removal Operations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Tom Moore and Christina Playton are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Four More Waco Area Aryan Brotherhood Members and Associates Sentenced to Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Distribution OperationRead the Press Release
In Waco, a federal district judge sentenced four Aryan Brotherhood (AB) members and associates to federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.
This afternoon, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith sentenced:
- Henry David Walker (aka “Stalker”), age 52, of Temple, TX, to 211 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $2,000 fine;
- Jose Rodriguez, age 25, a resident alien living in Dallas, to 120 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine;
- Vicky Kay Levy, age 52, of Belton, TX, to 70 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine; and,
- Ronnie Knepler, age 54, of Belton, to 60 months imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
“These sentences resulted from unprecedented collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement targeting a large-scale prison gang involved in violent organized crime over three counties in Central Texas,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent gang violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities, but it also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent criminal enterprises regardless of where they lay their heads.”
“Operation ‘La Flama Blanca’ has inflicted a debilitating blow to the network of shadow and often violent facilitators of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas,” said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration--Houston Field Division. “This operation highlights a deliberate and strategic effort to cut off and shut down the supply of methamphetamine trafficked by the Aryan Brotherhood and the corresponding impact that this horrific drug inflicts on our communities.”
To date, 29 individuals have been sentenced in connection with this investigation to imprisonment ranging from 21 months to 35 years in federal prison. Sentencings for three co-defendants are pending. Sylvia O’Neal, age 41, of Temple, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 5, 2015. Amanda Petrie, age 35, of Temple, is set for 1:00pm on August 12, 2015. Colby Warren, age 40, of Gatesville, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2015.
All of the defendants named above pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Robert Eaton also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. David Henry Walker also pleaded guilty to two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. During this 10-month-long operation, investigators conducted several controlled methamphetamine purchases. To date, authorities have seized approximately nine pounds of “crystal” methamphetamine, 15 firearms, over $9,000 in U.S. Currency and other assets in connection with this investigation.
Derrick Cooper (aka “Red”), age 35, of Temple, and Chris Voerhis (aka “Lurch”), age 50, of Moffat, TX, were also charged by federal grand jury indictment as a result of this investigation. Both remain in federal custody awaiting jury selection and trial scheduled for August 17, 2015, before Judge Smith. Cooper and Voerhis are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute between 50 grams and 500 grams of methamphetamine and face between five and 40 years imprisonment upon conviction.
This case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Temple Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Gatesville Police Department, Lampasas Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Austin Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Frazier and Stephanie Smith-Burris are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Midland Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Today, federal authorities in Midland arrested 26-year-old Paul Allen Peters, owner of Jack of All Trades Tactical & Supply, for firearms violations announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Champion, Dallas Division.
A 21-count federal grand jury indictment, returned last month and unsealed today, charges Peters, who now resides in San Marcos, TX, with five counts of wire fraud; four counts of unlawful transfer of a machine gun; six counts of illegal sale of a handgun to a minor; five counts of failure to keep proper records; and, one count of making a false statement to an investigating agent.
As a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), Peters is subject to record keeping requirements related to the acquisition and sale or other disposition of firearms including having the purchaser complete an ATF Form 4473 prior to the sale, transfer or delivery of that firearm. FFL’s must retain those ATF forms and any supporting documents for at least 20 years after a sale or transfer is completed. Peters is also required to transfer firearms in accordance with the National Firearms Act (NFA). Specifically, FFL’s are not allowed to transfer firearms restricted under the NFA, such as fully automatic firearms or “machine guns”, without the proper application being filed and the fee paid by the purchaser.
The indictment alleges that on five separate occasions between May 2013 and September 2014, Peters sent by wire a fraudulent ATF form 4473 to the National Tracing Center in West Virginia concerning the transfer of firearms. Peters, allegedly, also sold four machine guns in 2012 without the proper application being filed and the fee paid by the purchaser. The indictment also alleges that on six separate occasions between September 2011 and March 2012, Peters sold a pistol to an individual he knew, or had cause to believe, was younger than 21 years of age. The indictment further alleges that Peters failed to keep records on various firearms sales by not recording the purchaser’s name, age, and place of residence as required by law. The indictment also alleges that Peters provided false information when questioned by investigators on November 4, 2014. According to the indictment, Peters understated the true figure when he told investigators that he transferred approximately 30 to 40 firearms without completing the required firearm transfer process.
Wire fraud calls for up to 20 years imprisonment and the unlawful transfer of a machine gun calls for up to ten years imprisonment upon conviction. Each remaining charge calls for up to five years imprisonment upon conviction.
Today’s arrest and the indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney LaTawn Warsaw 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.
San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robberies Along I-35Read the Press Release
In Austin today, Willie James Cleveland, age 34, plead guilty to bank robberies he committed earlier this year along the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Division.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew W. Austin, Cleveland pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery with a dangerous weapon. By pleading guilty, Cleveland admitted he robbed nine banks between February 2015 and the end of April 2015. According to court records, Cleveland is responsible for the following bank robberies:
- February 12, 2015 – Woodforest National Bank – 1500 block of N. Loop 1604 East in San Antonio;
- February 18, 2015 – Woodforest National Bank – 9300 block of IH-35 South in Austin;
- February 26, 2015 – Wells Fargo Bank – 1000 block of Texas Highway 80 in San Marcos;
- March 14, 2015 – Wells Fargo Bank – 1200 block IH-35 South in New Braunfels;
- March 16, 2015 – Chase Bank – 5400 block of IH-35 North in Austin;
- March 26, 2015 and April 7, 2015 – Air Force Credit Union – 3100 block of Wurzbach in San Antonio;
- April 16, 2015 – BBVA Compass Bank – 7500 block of Wurzbach in San Antonio; and,
- April 18, 2015 – BBVA Compass Bank – 5700 block of Cameron Road in Austin.
The total amount stolen from all nine bank robberies was in excess of $50,000.00
Cleveland has remained in federal custody since his arrest by San Antonio Police Department Robbery detectives on April 20, 2015. By pleading guilty, Cleveland agrees to pay restitution for all nine bank robberies as well as restitution for a separate theft of $1,000. Cleveland faces up to 25 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the two bank robbery counts.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, San Antonio Police Department, Austin Police Department, San Marcos Police Department and the New Braunfels Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Galdo and Grant Sparks.
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Former Law Enforcement Officer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a former Galveston Police officer and former security officer with the Texas Attorney General’s Office was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Sam Sparks, ordered that 60-year-old Jose Luis Gardea be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term and to register as a sex offender.
On March 3, 2015, Gardea pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Gardea admitted he possessed child pornography on a USB thumb drive, and through an email account. According to court documents, Gardea uploaded child pornography images using Tumblr, an online social media provider. A search of Gardea’s work space at the Texas Attorney General’s Office uncovered a USB thumb drive which had 178 images of females under the age of 18, many of whom were depicted in sexually suggestive and lascivious poses.
“The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to prosecute predators who victimize children by creating, possessing, and distributing child pornography. Children are some of our most vulnerable victims. Today’s sentence ensures that Mr. Gardea has been punished and will not pose a threat to children for some time to come,” announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI together with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Devlin prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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Former El Paso County Juvenile Probation Officer/Gang Member Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking ViolationsRead the Press Release
In El Paso this morning, 30-year-old Timothy Keith McCullouch, Jr., a former El Paso County Juvenile Probation Officer, who is also a Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples member, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for federal sex trafficking violations announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Philip R. Martinez ordered that McCullouch pay a $2,500 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term.
On January 16, 2015, jurors found Timothy McCullouch, Jr. and three other gang members—25-year-old Richard Gray, 26-year-old Deion Lockhart and 24-year-old Emmanual Lockhart—guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of persons.
Testimony during trial revealed that between May 2012 and March 2013, the defendants were involved in the forced prostitution of juveniles and adults by the Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples street gang. The defendants used a combination of force, fraud, and coercion to compel their victims to engage in sexual activities for money in El Paso; Killeen, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV; and, in Colorado.
On June 26, 2015, Judge Martinez sentenced Emmanual Lockhart to 20 years imprisonment, Deion Lockhart to 25 years imprisonment, and Richard Gray to life imprisonment for their roles in the sex trafficking scheme.
This investigation was conducted by the ACTeam (Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team) comprised of personnel from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Department of Labor together with the El Paso Police Department Gang Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant United States Attorneys Rifian Newaz and Robert Almonte prosecuted these defendants on behalf of the Government.
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Austin Businesswoman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Filing Fraudulent Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
In Austin today, 42-year-old Adela Perez was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison for filing a fraudulent tax return announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge William Cotter.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Sam Sparks ordered that Perez be placed on supervised release for a period of one year and pay the IRS $99,271 in restitution.
On March 24, 2015, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of filing a fraudulent tax return. By pleading guilty, Perez admitted that from 2008 to 2012, she filed 34 tax returns on behalf of her clients that included fraudulent business expenses in order for her clients to reduce their taxable income and receive higher refunds.
This case was investigated by the IRS-CI. Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Galdo prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Sex Trafficking ViolationsRead the Press Release
In El Paso this morning, 24-year-old Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples member Emmanual Lockhart was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for federal sex trafficking violations announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Philip R. Martinez ordered that Lockhart pay a $2,500 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term.
On January 16, 2015, jurors found Lockhart and three other gang members--25-year-old Richard Gray, 26-year-old Deion Lockhart and 29–year-old former El Paso County juvenile probation officer Timothy McCullouch, Jr.—guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of persons.
Testimony during trial revealed that between May 2012 and March 2013, the defendants were involved in the forced prostitution of juveniles and adults by the Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples street gang. The defendants used a combination of force, fraud, and coercion to compel their victims to engage in sexual activities for money in El Paso; Killeen, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV; and, in Colorado.
Yesterday, Judge Martinez sentenced Richard Gray and Deion Lockhart to life imprisonment and 300 months imprisonment, respectively, for their roles in the sex trafficking scheme. McCullouch is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30am on Monday, June 29, 2015. McCullouch faces up to life in federal prison.
This investigation was conducted by the ACTeam (Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team) comprised of personnel from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Department of Labor together with the El Paso Police Department Gang Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant United States Attorneys Rifian Newaz and Robert Almonte are prosecuting these defendants on behalf of the Government.
Five Waco Area Aryan Brotherhood Members and Associates Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Distribution OperationRead the Press Release
In Waco, a federal district judge sentenced five Aryan Brotherhood (AB) members and associates to federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.
During yesterday afternoon’s hearing, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith sentenced:
- Robert Eaton (aka “Compound Rob”), age 40, of Kempner, TX, to 35 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release;
- Robert Helms, age 30, of Temple, to 211 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release;
- Eric Ganos, age 40, of Temple, to 15 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release;
- Kirt Easter, age 49, of Belton, to 10 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release; and,
- Sonya Whitenburg, age 23, of Flat, TX, to five years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.
In addition to the prison and supervised release terms, Judge Smith ordered each defendant to pay a $1,000 fine.
“These sentences resulted from unprecedented collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement targeting a large-scale prison gang involved in violent organized crime over three counties in Central Texas,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent gang violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities, but it also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent criminal enterprises regardless of where they lay their heads.”
“Operation ‘La Flama Blanca’ has inflicted a debilitating blow to the network of shadow and often violent facilitators of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas,” said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration--Houston Field Division. “This operation highlights a deliberate and strategic effort to cut off and shut down the supply of methamphetamine trafficked by the Aryan Brotherhood and the corresponding impact that this horrific drug inflicts on our communities.”
To date, 24 individuals have been sentenced in connection with this investigation. Sentences previously handed down range from 21 months to 188 months in federal prison. Sentencings for eight co-defendants are pending. Vicki Kay Levy, age 52, of Belton, and Wayne Martin Huisinger, age 55, of Belton are set for 1:00pm on July 1, 2015. Henry David Walker (aka “Stalker”), age 52, of Temple; Ronnie Knepler, age 54, of Belton; and Jose Rodriguez, age 25, a resident alien living in Dallas, are scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2015. Sylvia O’Neal, age 41, of Temple, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 5, 2015. Amanda Petrie, age 35, of Temple, is set for 1:00pm on August 12, 2015. Colby Warren, age 40, of Gatesville, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2015.
All of the defendants named above pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Robert Eaton also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. David Henry Walker also pleaded guilty to two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. During this 10-month-long operation, investigators conducted several controlled methamphetamine purchases. To date, authorities have seized approximately nine pounds of “crystal” methamphetamine, 15 firearms, over $9,000 in U.S. Currency and other assets in connection with this investigation.
Derrick Cooper (aka “Red”), age 35, of Temple, and Chris Voerhis (aka “Lurch”), age 50, of Moffat, TX, were also charged by federal grand jury indictment as a result of this investigation. Both remain in federal custody awaiting jury selection and trial scheduled for August 17, 2015, before Judge Smith. Cooper and Voerhis are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute between 50 grams and 500 grams of methamphetamine and face between five and 40 years imprisonment upon conviction.
This case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Temple Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Gatesville Police Department, Lampasas Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Austin Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Frazier and Stephanie Smith-Burris are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Taiwanese National Pleads Guilty to Violating U.S. Sanctions on Exportation of Goods to IranRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, 44-year-old Kunlin Hsieh (pronounced “SEE-uh”) (aka Kunlin Xia), a sales manager for Junbon Enterprises Co., Ltd. in Taiwan, pleaded guilty this morning to conspiring to ship U.S. communications technology to the Republic of Iran. That announcement was made by Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas; Special Agent in Charge James Spero, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Antonio Division; Special Agent in Charge Janice Flores, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), San Antonio; and, Special Agent in Charge Tracy Martin, U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (USBIS), Dallas Field Office.
Appearing before Chief United States District Judge Fred Biery, Hsieh pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transaction and Sanctions Regulations. By pleading guilty, Hsieh admitted that from October 2007 to August 2014, he conspired with others to obtain electronic parts, namely circuit boards with American-made laminates, from U.S. companies without disclosing to them that the parts were destined for Iran. These parts had dual-use military and civilian capability and could be used in such systems as missile guidance systems, secure tactical radio communications, and military radar networks. At no time did Hsieh ever apply for or acquire a U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license to export goods to the Republic of Iran
Hsieh faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine not to exceed $1,000,000. Sentencing is scheduled for September 25, 2015.
Hsieh’s co-defendant, 29-year-old fellow Junbon employee and Latvian citizen Agris Indricevs (pronounced “in-dra-CHEE-vich”) is scheduled for jury selection and trial on August 10, 2015. Indricevs is charged by indictment with Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transaction and Sanctions Regulations.
Hsieh and Indricevs have remained in federal custody since being arrested by federal authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 13, 2014.
This case was investigated by HSI, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and the Department of Commerce-Office of Export Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Hulings is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples Gang Member Receives Life Sentences for Federal Sex Trafficking ViolationsRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples member Richard Gray received three concurrent life sentences for federal sex trafficking violations announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
This morning, United States District Judge Philip R. Martinez sentenced Gray to life in federal prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of persons; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and, sex trafficking of children. Judge Martinez also sentenced Gray to the statutory maximum ten years in federal prison for transportation for prostitution.
This afternoon, Judge Martinez sentenced 26-year-old co-defendant Deion Lockhart to three concurrent terms of 300 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of persons; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and, aiding and abetting sex trafficking of children.
On January 16, 2015, jurors returned guilty verdicts against Gray and Lockhart plus two other gang members: 24-year-old Emmanual Lockhart and 29–year-old former El Paso County juvenile probation officer Timothy McCullouch, Jr. Jurors convicted Lockhart and McCullouch of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of persons. Jurors also convicted McCullouch of one count of sex trafficking of children.
Testimony during trial revealed that between May 2012 and March 2013, the defendants were involved in the forced prostitution of juveniles and adults by the Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples street gang. The defendants used a combination of force, fraud, and coercion to compel their victims to engage in sexual activities for money in El Paso; Killeen, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV; and, in Colorado.
Emmanual Lockhart is scheduled for sentencing tomorrow morning at 8:00am in front of Judge Martinez. McCullouch is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30am on Monday, June 29, 2015. Both face up to life in federal prison.
This investigation was conducted by the ACTeam (Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team) comprised of personnel from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Department of Labor together with the El Paso Police Department Gang Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant United States Attorneys Rifian Newaz and Robert Almonte are prosecuting these defendants on behalf of the Government.
El Paso Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
In El Paso yesterday, 43-year-old Blanca Arcelia Ramos Estrada, owner of Blanca and Sons Tax Service in El Paso, pleaded guilty to preparing a false tax return announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge William Cotter.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Miguel A. Torres, Ramos pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. By pleading guilty, Ramos admitted she fraudulently inflated income amounts for her clients in order to maximize their refunds under the Earned Income (EIC) Provisions of the tax code. The IRS investigation determined that Ramos aided and assisted in the preparation and filing of a number of similar false tax returns with combined losses of approximately $140,000.
By pleading guilty, Ramos faces three years of imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than one year. No sentencing date has been scheduled.
This case was investigated by the IRS-CI. Assistant United States Attorney Steven Spitzer is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
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Former U.S. Army Contractor in Iraq Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing in Excess of $2.6 Million in U.S. Military EquipmentRead the Press Release
In Waco, 47-year-old Stacey B. Hines of Lacey, WA, a former contractor for the U.S. Army employed by Raytheon and assigned to Camp Taji in Iraq as an advisor to the Iraqi Army, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for stealing U.S. government property valued at more than $2.6 million and selling it on the black market in Iraq announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Walter Smith, Sr., ordered that Hines pay $2,638,736.34 restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. Judge Smith sentenced Hines yesterday afternoon.
On April 9, 2015, Hines pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of theft of Government property. By pleading guilty, Hines admitted that from December 2012 to September 2013, he and others conspired to steal eight cargo containers full of U.S. goods from Camp Taji. Those containers were primarily filled with vehicle parts, machine parts, computers and communications equipment. According to court records, in January 2013, Iraqi officials in Baghdad recovered multiple cargo containers full of U.S. Government property while in the possession of two Iraqi citizens. It was determined that those containers were among eight unaccounted for containers from Camp Taji. Furthermore, investigators discovered that Hines agreed to sell the containers and their contents to the two Iraqi citizens for approximately $210,000.
On April 9, 2014, Judge Smith sentenced 34–year-old co-defendant David Rodriguez of Killeen, TX, to 27 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme. During the scheme, Rodriguez was a Department of Defense employee serving as the Director of Logistics at Camp Taji. Rodriguez admittedly helped arranged for the loading of the containers and their transportation off of Camp Taji.
The case resulted from an investigation by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID), Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). The United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (USAFOSI), Force Protection Detachment in Iraq assisted in this investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff.
18 Waco Area Aryan Brotherhood Members and Associates Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Distribution OperationRead the Press Release
In Waco today, a federal district judge sentenced 18 Aryan Brotherhood (AB) members and associates to federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.
United States District Judge Walter S. Smith sentenced:
David Aguilar, age 35, of Belton, TX, to 188 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Oscar Walker (aka “Country”), age 30, of Temple, TX, to 188 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Ronnie Johnson, age 49, of Belton, to 151 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Christopher Breckenridge, age 39, of Gatesville, to 130 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Robert Morgan (aka “Hopper”), age 45, of Temple, to 121 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
John McLaughlin, age 34, of Temple, to 120 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
William Hubert Brackett, age 24, of Temple, to 108 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Lucas West, age 29, of Lampasas, TX, to 84 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
James Malady, age 28, of Belton, to 84 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Ricky Levy, age 54, of Nolanville, TX, to 84 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Joshua Wilkins, age 27, of Gatesville, TX, to 60 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Michelle Johnson, age 47, of Belton, to 60 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Nicole Marshall, age 35, of Gatesville, TX, to 60 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release;
Farron Russell, age 34, of Belton, to 48 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release;
Thomas Clifton, age 46, of Waco, to 48 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release;
Jeremiah Jones, age 37, of Gatesville, to 37 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release;
Larry Wayne Jeremiah, age 33, of Belton, to 24 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release; and,
Robert Blake Doty, age 32, of Temple, to 21 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
In addition to the prison and supervised release terms, Judge Smith ordered each defendant to pay a $1,000 fine.
Sentencing for three defendants, originally set for today, was continued. Loren Swanson, age 40, of Belton, is now set for 1:00 tomorrow afternoon. Vicki Kay Levy, age 52, of Belton, is now set for 1:00pm on June 17, 2015. Amanda Petrie, age 35, of Temple, is now set for 1:00pm on August 12, 2015.
Seven other defendants are scheduled to be sentenced at 1:00pm on June 24, 2015. They are: 40-year-old Robert Eaton (aka “Compound Rob”) of Kempner, TX; 52-year-old Henry David Walker (aka “Stalker”) of Temple; 55-year-old Wayne Martin Huisinger of Belton; 40-year-old Eric Ganos of Temple; 49-year-old Kirt Easter of Belton; 30-year-old Robert Helms of Temple; and, 23-year-old Sonya Whitenburg of Flat, TX.
Ronnie Knepler, age 54, of Belton, and Jose Rodriguez, age 25, a resident alien living in Dallas, are scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2015. Sylvia O’Neal, age 41, of Temple, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 5, 2015, and Colby Warren, age 40, of Gatesville, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2015.
All of the defendants named above pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Robert Eaton also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. David Henry Walker also pleaded guilty to two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. During this 10-month-long operation, investigators conducted several controlled methamphetamine purchases. To date, authorities have seized approximately nine pounds of “crystal” methamphetamine, 15 firearms, over $9,000 in U.S. Currency and other assets in connection with this investigation.
“These sentences resulted from unprecedented collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement targeting a large-scale prison gang involved in violent organized crime over three counties in Central Texas,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent gang violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities, but it also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent criminal enterprises regardless of where they lay their heads.”
Derrick Cooper (aka “Red”), age 35, of Temple, and Chris Voerhis (aka “Lurch”), age 50, of Moffat, TX, were also charged by federal grand jury indictment as a result of this investigation. On June 5, 2015, Cooper withdrew his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute between 50 grams and 500 grams of methamphetamine. He is scheduled for jury selection and trial on August 3, 2015, in Waco before Judge Smith. Voerhis, who was arrested on Monday, is scheduled to have his detention hearing tomorrow at 2:00pm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske in Waco. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute between 50 grams and 500 grams of methamphetamine. Cooper and Voerhis face between five and 40 years imprisonment upon conviction.
“Operation ‘La Flama Blanca’ has inflicted a debilitating blow to the network of shadow and often violent facilitators of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas,” said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration--Houston Field Division. “This operation highlights a deliberate and strategic effort to cut off and shut down the supply of methamphetamine trafficked by the Aryan Brotherhood and the corresponding impact that this horrific drug inflicts on our communities.”
This case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Temple Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Gatesville Police Department, Lampasas Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Austin Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Frazier and Stephanie Smith-Burris are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Former D’Hanis State Bank President Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a former D’Hanis State Bank (DSB) president Laurie Mayfield (aka “Laurie H. Scott”) admitted that she filed fraudulent bank regulating reports which overestimated the bank’s assets announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Division and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Lee Dotson.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge John Primomo, the 54–year-old Fredericksburg, TX, resident pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to court records, from January 2012 until September 2014, Mayfield prepared and filed false Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (aka “Call Reports) with federal and state bank regulators on behalf of DSB which overstated the assets of DSB by approximately $830,000. By pleading guilty, Mayfield admitted that on September 16, 2014, she emailed those false reports to a prospective buyer of DSB. The buyer relied on those false DSB Call Reports in their decision to purchase DSB.
Mayfield faces up to 30 years in federal prison. She remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for September 9, 2015, before United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Surovic.
Austinite Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Travel to Syria to Join ISIL/ISISRead the Press Release
In Austin this morning, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks sentenced 24-year-old Michael Wolfe (aka “Faruq”) to 82 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, announced John Carlin, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas; and, Christopher Combs, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division.
In June 2014, Wolfe pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting that from August 2013 to June 17, 2014, he planned to travel to the Middle East to provide his material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham/Syria (ISIS). Wolfe previously acknowledged that he applied for and acquired a U.S. passport, participated in physical fitness training, practiced military maneuvers and made efforts to conceal his communications about his plans to travel overseas to engage in violent jihad. Wolfe also purchased airline tickets so that he could travel to Europe to meet an FBI undercover employee, whom the defendant then believed would facilitate travel to Syria through Turkey. In furtherance of his attempt to provide material support to ISIL, Wolfe travelled to Houston and was apprehended on June 17, 2014, on the jet-way, as he attempted to board a flight to Toronto, Canada. His ticketed itinerary had him traveling through Iceland and arriving in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 18, 2014. He then planned to make his way to Syria to join with ISIL and engage in the armed conflict. Wolfe has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
The case was investigated by the agencies comprising the Central Texas JTTF, which include the FBI; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; U.S. Army Intelligence; Austin Police Department; Round Rock, Texas, Police Department; Killeen, Texas, Police Department; University of Texas Police Department; Travis County, Texas Sheriff's Office; Texas Department of Public Safety, Office of the Texas Attorney General and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregg N. Sofer and Michael Galdo of the Western District of Texas, and Trial Attorneys Josh Parecki and Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Former Piedras Negras “Plaza” Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 46-year-old Esiquiel Rodriguez (aka “Cheke”), a former major drug trafficker in the Piedras Negras “Plaza,” was sentenced to 420 months in federal prison for federal drug and firearm violations announced Acting United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., DEA Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit and San Antonio Police Chief Anthony Treviño.
Rodriguez was arrested in April 2013 by the San Antonio Police Department on a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. During a subsequent consensual search of his residence, investigators discovered a .357 caliber revolver. On September 29, 2014, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 300 grams of pure methamphetamine and one count of undocumented alien in possession of a firearm.
In a separate but related matter, on April 9, 2015, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. By pleading guilty, Rodriguez admitted that since the early 2000s, he was one of the major drug traffickers in the Piedras Negras “Plaza” in Coahuila, Mexico, and was responsible for the transportation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States.
Law enforcement investigations revealed that Rodriguez had strong associations with various large scale narcotics organizations, including the Los Zetas transnational drug cartel. From approximately 2007 through 2009, Rodriguez worked with various high level Zetas trafficking cocaine. The investigation revealed that between 2007 and 2009, Rodriguez and others smuggled a minimum of 500 kilograms of cocaine per month from Mexico into the United States, and at least 6,000 kilograms per year during this time frame. Most of this cocaine was smuggled through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry to San Antonio and then distributed to other destinations throughout the United States. Many of the same persons and vehicles used to smuggle narcotics into the United States were used to smuggle millions of dollars of drug proceeds back into Mexico as well as weapons for the Zetas. These weapons were assault type weapons which were used to control the Plazas or drug trafficking areas controlled by the Zetas.
As a result of his guilty plea to the related drug conspiracy charge, Rodriguez also faces a sentence of 35 years in federal prison if the terms of the plea agreement are approved by the Court. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for 8:30am on July 24, 2015, before Chief United States District Judge Fred Biery.
This charges resulted from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation conducted by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Antonio Police Department and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA), which is comprised of investigators from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) , Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). The U.S. Border Patrol also assisted in this investigation.
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.
Federal Jury Convicts Father for Lying to FBI About Helping Fugitive Son Escape to MexicoRead the Press Release
In El Paso this afternoon, a federal jury convicted 53-year-old Victor Manuel Solis, a legal permanent resident living in Lancaster, CA, of making a false statement to El Paso FBI agents concerning an ongoing investigation and search for his son, former Los Angeles Police officer Henry Solis. That announcement was made today by Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist of the FBI’s El Paso Division.
Testimony presented during trial revealed that on March 16, 2015, Victor Solis willfully attempted to prevent law enforcement from locating Henry Solis by representing to FBI agents that he, alone, crossed into Mexico on March 14, 2015. Photographs released by the FBI show that Victor Solis, accompanied by Henry Solis, crossed into Juarez, Mexico, from El Paso at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry on March 14, 2015. Henry Solis, who was recently captured in Mexico and returned to the United States, faces state charges related to his alleged involvement in a homicide in Pomona, CA, in April.
Victor Solis, who is currently on bond, faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2015, before United States District Judge Philip R. Martinez.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the El Paso and Los Angeles Field Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Meyers and Carlos Hermosillo.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Texas Mexican Mafia Members in Connection with the Death of Balcones Heights Police Officer Julian PesinaRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, federal authorities arrested 26-year-old Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) member Jesse Santibanez without incident. A federal grand jury yesterday indicted Santibanez and fellow TMM members Jerry Idrogo, age 34, and Alfredo Cardona, age 36, in connection with the death of Balcones Heights Police Officer Julian Pesina last year announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
The indictment, unsealed today, charges the defendants with one count of using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The indictment alleges that the defendants knowingly used and discharged a firearm in relation to the murder of Pesina. On May 4, 2014, Pesina’s body was discovered in front of his business, the Notorious Ink Tattoo and Piercing Studio located on Hillcrest Drive.
Court documents allege that Pesina had claimed membership in the TMM, and was selling narcotics and paying the “dime” (the 10% street tax) to the TMM, when the TMM learned from Pesina’s Facebook page that he was a police officer. On May 4, 2014, Idrogo contacted Pesina and arranged for pickup of the “dime” outside of Pesina’s tattoo shop. Just before meeting Pesina, Idrogo dropped off Santibanez and Cardona on the side of the building. Once Pesina walked up to the car and handed Idrogo the “dime” payment money, Santibanez and Cardona shot and killed Pesina.
Santibanez remains in federal custody following his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon. Idrogo, Cardona were already in custody prior to today on related State charges. Initial appearances in federal court for Idrogo and Cardona have yet to be scheduled. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison upon conviction.
This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI together with the San Antonio Police Department.
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.
Qatar Military Official and Wife Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Allegedly Engaging in Forced LaborRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against a military official from Qatar and his wife, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, charging them with two counts of engaging in forced labor by obtaining the labor and services of two persons by means of force, threats of force, physical restraint, and threats of physical restraint, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge James Spero, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio.
According to court records, Hassan Al-Homoud and his wife, Zainab Al-Hosani, along with their children, currently reside in San Antonio while Al-Homoud is attending military training at Camp Bullis. In mid-2014, the defendants allegedly brought with them to the U.S. two females--a housemaid and a servant who have since worked for the family. The housemaid is a citizen of Indonesia; the servant is a citizen of Bangladesh. Both were in the U.S. on visas sponsored by Al-Homoud.
The defendants allegedly housed the workers in primitive conditions, restricted their ability to move or travel, and provided them with limited amounts of food. Al-Homoud and Al-Hosani withheld the payment of wages to both workers and deprived them of possession of cell phones, passports, and visas in order to restrict their liberty to move and travel and to leave their place of employment. Al-Hosani also threatened the workers with arrest and incarceration in Qatar if they failed to perform their work obligations.
The workers’ conditions were discovered by an officer of the San Antonio Police Department in early April, when he encountered one of the workers in apparent distress along Camp Bullis Rd. This led law enforcement officers to a nearby apartment occupied by the workers, furnished with only a pallet on the floor for sleeping.
On Saturday, May 30, 2015, special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), arrested the defendants in San Antonio. Both are on $100,000 bonds pending trial. No trial date has been scheduled. Each charge calls for up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a maximum fine of $250,000 upon conviction.
Assistant United States Attorney Bettina Richardson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Internal Revenue Service Employee Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to a Wire Fraud and Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin today, 57-year-old former Internal Revenue Service employee Kenneth Goheen of Austin pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with a stolen identity refund fraud scheme announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge William Cotter, and U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Special Agent in Charge Ruben Florez, Dallas Field Division
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin, Goheen pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. By pleading guilty, Goheen, a former Tax Examining Technician, admitted that he wrongfully obtained identification information from Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) applicants and used it to file more than 50 fraudulent tax returns between March 2013 and January 2015. Goheen collected over $120,000 in refunds based on those fraudulent tax returns.
As a result of his guilty plea, Goheen faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and a mandatory two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is expected to occur later this year in front of United States District Judge Lee Yeakel.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Assistant United States Attorney Matt Harding is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Del Rio Texas Mexican Mafia Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In Del Rio yesterday, 45-year old Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) member Jesus Meza, Jr. (aka “Jesse”) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for violating federal racketeering and drug trafficking statutes announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge James Spero, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.
On July 24, 2013, Meza pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. From 2010 until his arrest on September 28, 2012, Meza was responsible for collecting the “dime” or drug tax from drug dealers in Del Rio on behalf of the TMM. In this role, Meza harassed and intimidated individuals into paying funds to the TMM. Additionally, in 2012, Meza and fellow TMM member Daniel Rosario Lara (aka “Diablo”), age 31, were tasked with kidnapping and killing another TMM member who violated TMM rules. However, FBI agents and local law enforcement officers were able to intercept Meza and Lara before the kidnapping and murder occurred.
Other sentences previously handed down to co-defendants for their roles in the criminal enterprise include: Daniel Rosario Lara, 240 months imprisonment; 45-year-old Jose Cardona (aka “Tinga”), 240 months imprisonment; 22-year-old Joel Costilla (aka “Sharky”), 235 months imprisonment; and, 22-year-old Jessica Meza, two years imprisonment. Four remaining co-defendants, who have previously entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing, include: 48-year-old TMM Del Rio leader Roberto Villarreal (aka “Flaco”); 42-year-old Ricardo Zapata (aka “Richie”); 28-year-old Joe Lee Jimenez; and, 23-year-old Ray Rene Salgado. Their sentencings are scheduled for later this year.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI together with HSI, Texas Department of Public Safety--Criminal Investigations Division, and the DEA. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection also assisted in the investigation.
Qatar Military Official and Wife Charged with Engaging in Forced LaborRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, a military official from Qatar and his wife, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, are charged with engaging in forced labor by obtaining the labor and services of two persons by means of force, threats of force, physical restraint, and threats of physical restraint, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge James Spero, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed this morning, Hassan Salem H. M. Al Homoud and his wife, Zainab Al Hosani, along with their two children, currently reside in San Antonio while Al Homoud is attending military training at Camp Bullis. In mid-2014, the defendants allegedly brought with them to the U.S. two individuals--a housemaid and a servant who have since worked for the family. The housemaid is a citizen of Indonesia; the servant is a citizen of Bangladesh. Both were in the U.S. on visas sponsored by Al Homoud.
The criminal complaint alleges that the defendants housed the workers in primitive conditions, restricted their ability to move or travel, and provided them with limited amounts of food. In order to restrict their liberty to move and travel and to leave their place of employment, Al Homoud and Al Hosani withheld the payment of wages to both workers and deprived them of possession of cell phones, passports, and visas. Al Hosani also threatened the workers with arrest and incarceration in Qatar if they failed to perform their work obligations.
The workers’ conditions were discovered by an officer of the San Antonio Police Department in early April, when he encountered one of the workers in apparent distress along Camp Bullis Rd. This led law enforcement officers to a nearby apartment occupied by the workers, furnished with only a pallet on the floor for sleeping.
On Saturday, May 30, 2015, special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), arrested the defendants in San Antonio. Both are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Primomo in San Antonio this afternoon. Upon conviction, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a maximum fine of $250,000.
Assistant United States Attorney Bettina Richardson 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.
Helotes Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Import Crystal MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
In Del Rio yesterday, Maria Landin, age 48, of Helotes, TX, was sentenced to 194 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme to smuggle into the United States 878.2 grams of pure crystal methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge James Spero.
On November 20, 2013, jurors convicted Landin of one count of conspiracy to import a controlled substance. Evidence and testimony presented during trial revealed that on November 11, 2012, Landin hired two individuals—Paul Edward McKinney and Anthony Wayne Cole, both of Corpus Christi, TX--to pick up the crystal methamphetamine in Piedras Negras, Mexico, and deliver it to her residence in Helotes, Texas, for distribution in the San Antonio area. On November 12, 2012, McKinney and Cole were apprehended at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, Bridge #2, while in possession of the crystal methamphetamine.
Testimony further revealed that the co-conspirators met at Landin’s residence in Helotes, where McKinney and Cole were given a cellular phone, cash, and instructions on how to make contact in Mexico with the source of the methamphetamine. Landin also instructed the two couriers to conceal the drugs on their bodies using tape. After retrieving the methamphetamine, Cole and McKinney became lost in Mexico. Landin assisted Cole and McKinney by providing them with directions back to the Port of Entry. Inspection at the port revealed two bundles of methamphetamine taped to Cole’s legs. The methamphetamine had a street value of approximately $100,000.
Cole and McKinney previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. On December 17, 2103, McKinney was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison to be followed by a five year supervised term of release. Cole, who remains in federal custody, awaits sentencing on November 16, 2015.
This investigation was conducted by Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick Burke and Katherine Nielsen.
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Williamson County Judge Pleads Guilty to Firearms Violation and False Statement to a Government AgentRead the Press Release
In Austin today, 70-year-old Williamson County Judge Timothy L. Wright, of Georgetown pleaded guilty to federal charges of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and making false statements to a Government agent announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Robert Elder, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge James Spero.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew W. Austin, Wright pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of false statements to Government agents. By pleading guilty, Wright admitted that beginning in June of 2014, he sold in excess of sixty firearms without a federal firearms license (FFL). Dozens of those firearms were sold to two individuals who were illegally smuggling the firearms into Mexico.
In September 2014, Wright was told by ATF that he needed an FFL in order to engage in the business of selling firearms. Wright agreed to cease and desist all sales until he had his FFL. Wright applied for his FFL and received training on the responsibilities of an FFL, including the prohibition of selling firearms to individuals with felony convictions.
After being confronted by ATF and agreeing to cease all sales, but before beginning to act as a licensed dealer, Wright conducted a firearm sale in December 2014 during which he fraudulently filled out an ATF form at a licensed firearms dealer stating he was the actual buyer of two Glock firearms. In truth, Wright had already received payment from a buyer for those two Glocks and falsely indicated on the ATF form that he was not buying the guns for another person.
After he became a licensed dealer, on three separate occasions in February 2015, a person who Wright knew was a convicted felon met with Wright and another person while Wright conducted firearm sales.
When Wright was interviewed by an ATF agent about his firearm selling activity, Wright falsely told the agent he had not sold any firearms from the time he applied for his FFL until the time he began selling as a licensed dealer. In fact, Wright had sold a firearm in December during that time period and, in addition to falsely filling out the ATF paperwork as described above, Wright even created false paperwork for his internal records with a false sale date of August 2014 intending to conceal the actual sale date. Wright also falsely told agents that he did not allow a convicted felon to be present during firearm sales when in fact he allowed the convicted felon to be present and also allowed the felon to handle the firearms during those transactions.
“While sworn to uphold the law, Judge Timothy Wright repeatedly violated federal laws governing the sale of firearms. He sold dozens of firearms without license, many of which went to people smuggling them to Mexico. He also falsified official firearms records to hide the true identity of the real buyer. These are serious crimes for which he is being held accountable,” stated Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
Today’s guilty plea of Timothy L. Wright, Williamson County Judge, sends a strong message that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will not tolerate the unlawful sale of firearms, regardless of the defendant’s position or status,” said James Spero, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Antonio. “These serious gun charges are a breach of that public trust which puts the safety of our communities at risk.”
As a result of his guilty plea, Wright faces up to 60-months in federal prison. Sentencing is expected to occur later this year in front of United States District Judge Sam Sparks.
This case resulted from an investigation conducted by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Transmit Stolen MoniesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this afternoon, 57-year-old Rolando Gonzalez-Trevino from Coahuila, Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transmit stolen monies in interstate and foreign commerce announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Henry J. Bemporad, Gonzalez-Trevino admitted he, in concert with others, caused stolen funds in the amount of $1,846,782.10 to be transmitted to the United States through electronic bank transfers. Gonzalez-Trevino admitted that these funds were stolen from the State of Coahuila, Mexico. The United States seized these funds and interest derived therefrom as part of the case. As part of Gonzalez-Trevino’s plea agreement, seized funds in the amount of the transfers and interest will be forfeited to the United States.
The offense to which Gonzalez-Trevino pled guilty carries punishment up to 5 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 9:30am on September 3, 2015, before United States District Judge Orlando L. Garcia in San Antonio.
This case is part of an ongoing investigation in the Western District of Texas by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), and was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations Division. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations.
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Burnet County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Firearms and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
In Austin yesterday, 44-year-old Bertram, TX, resident Jimmy Don Hardin was sentenced to a total of 360-months in federal prison on firearms and drug trafficking charges announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.
United States District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced Hardin to 300-months imprisonment on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Hardin also received two 120-month sentences (to run concurrent with the 300-month sentence) on charges of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition, Judge Yeakel sentenced Hardin to 60-months imprisonment on possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime to run consecutive to the other sentences.
In February, a jury convicted Hardin of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Evidence presented during trial revealed that from May 2013 to December 2013, Hardin conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine throughout Burnet, Llano, Lampasas, Travis and Williamson counties. Authorities arrested Hardin on December 4, 2013, during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. At the time, Hardin was in possession of a stolen .45 caliber pistol as well as nine other firearms. Hardin’s criminal history revealed multiple convictions for manufacture of methamphetamine in Burnet County, TX.
Two co-defendants – 57-year-old Guillermo Naranjo Reyna, an illegal alien residing in Austin, and 60-year-old Nebes Montemayor of Austin – pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge prior to trial. On March 10, 2015, Judge Yeakel sentenced Reyna to five years imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Montemayor is scheduled to be sentenced on August 7, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, Burnet County District Attorney’s Office, Llano County Sheriff’s Office, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, and the Cedar Park Police Department together with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorneys Doug Gardner and Matt Harding prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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New Orleans Man Sentenced for Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 39-year-old Derrick Terrill Nix of New Orleans, LA, to two six-year prison terms to run concurrent for an attempted bank robbery and a bank robbery in North Austin, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison terms, U. S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Nix pay $5,262 restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On February 20, 2015, Nix pleaded guilty to one count of attempted bank robbery and one count of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, Nix admitted that on May 12, 2014, he attempted to rob a Capital One Bank at 9602 N. Lamar Blvd. Nix pulled a handgun from a backpack and demanded money. When Nix realized the teller was behind bullet proof glass, Nix fled by vehicle. On that same day, Nix committed the second robbery at a Chase Bank located at 4601 N. Lamar Blvd. Nix ordered everyone in the bank to get on the floor and demanded money while holding guns in each of his hands. Nix fled with $5,262 in stolen money.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, Austin Police Department, and the Brenham Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Cottingham prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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El Paso Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In El Paso, 54–year-old Victor Jerome Reza was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez, El Paso Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Philip R. Martinez ordered that Reza pay a $1,000 fine, be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term and register as a sex offender. Judge Martinez also ordered that Reza surrender to federal authorities before July 20, 2015, to begin serving his prison term.
According to court records, the HSI El Paso Cyber Crimes Group executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on August 5, 2014, Evidence gathered during that search included the defendant’s laptop and desktop computers as well as an assortment of computer related media. A subsequent search of the seized material revealed the presence of 277 videos and 2,910 images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors downloaded from the Internet.
On February 26, 2015, Reza pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.
“One of HSI’s highest priorities is to identify, arrest and ensure individuals guilty of such heinous crimes are removed from our community, and away from our children,” said Waldemar Rodriguez, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. “HSI will use all its resources and ample investigative authorities to target child predators.”
This case was investigated by HSI El Paso and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rifian Newaz.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
Defendants in El Paso Crystal Meth Distribution Ring Sentenced to Lengthy Federal Prison TermsRead the Press Release
In El Paso, ten individuals have been sentenced to federal prison in connection with a “crystal” methamphetamine distribution scheme announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, El Paso Division.
On Tuesday, United States District Judge Kathleen Cardone sentenced 44–year-old Edwardo Rodriguez of El Paso to 250 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Before sentencing Rodriguez, Judge Cardone sentenced nine of his co-defendants to terms of imprisonment ranging from 180 months to 18 months. All ten pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
By pleading guilty, the defendants admitted to trafficking methamphetamine between January and June 2014. According to court records, Rodriguez and the others conspired to distribute methamphetamine from Mexico, into El Paso, and ultimately to destinations across the United States including California, Illinois and Georgia. During this investigation, authorities seized approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine attributed to this organization—3.5 kilograms of which was considered 99% pure.
This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) together with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
San Antonio Man Indicted for String of Bank Robberies Along Interstate-35Read the Press Release
Willie James Cleveland, age 34, stands charged by federal grand jury indictment for a string of bank robberies earlier this year along the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Division.
A federal grand jury indictment returned yesterday charges Cleveland with nine counts of bank robbery. According to the indictment, Cleveland is responsible for the following bank robberies:
- February 12, 2015 – Woodforest National Bank – 1500 block of N. Loop 1604 East in San Antonio;
- February 18, 2015 – Woodforest National Bank – 9300 block of IH-35 South in Austin;
- February 26, 2015 – Wells Fargo Bank – 1000 block of Texas Highway 80 in San Marcos;
- March 14, 2015 – Wells Fargo Bank – 1200 block IH-35 South in New Braunfels;
- March 16, 2015 – Chase Bank – 5400 block of IH-35 North in Austin;
- March 26, 2015 and April 7, 2015 – Air Force Credit Union – 3100 block of Wurzbach in San Antonio;
- April 16, 2015 – BBVA Compass Bank – 7500 block of Wurzbach in San Antonio; and,
- April 18, 2015 – BBVA Compass Bank – 5700 block of Cameron Road in Austin.
The indictment also alleges that during the April 7th, April 16th and April 18th bank robberies, Cleveland assaulted, or put into jeopardy the life of, a bank employee while carrying out the incidents. Authorities estimate that Cleveland stole a total of more than $50,000 as a result of the bank robberies.
Cleveland has remained in federal custody since his arrest by San Antonio Police Department Robbery detectives on April 20, 2015. Upon conviction, Cleveland faces up to 25 years in federal prison for each of the three bank robberies where an assault is alleged; and, up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the remaining bank robbery counts.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, San Antonio Police Department, Austin Police Department, San Marcos Police Department and the New Braunfels Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Galdo and Grant Sparks.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Austin Businesswoman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Last week in Austin, 37–year-old Abby Lindemann Johnson, owner of Pain Management Solutions, a licensed Durable Medical Equipment provider, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for her role in a health care fraud scheme with an estimated intended loss of more than $1 million, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Sam Sparks ordered that Johnson pay $846,171.12 restitution to the government and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term.
On February 5, 2015, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. Johnson, admittedly, submitted numerous fraudulent bills for payment to the Department of Labor – Office of Workers Compensation Programs between January 2011 and May 2014 for reusable adhesive pads used with electrical nerve stimulators. Those items were never delivered to patients.
An investigation by the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the United States Postal Inspection Service was initiated after a patient inquired about an Explanation of Benefits received in the mail that showed the Department of Labor was being billed for items that the patient never received.
This case was investigated by the Department of Labor – OIG, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Guess and Daniel Castillo for the Western District of Texas.
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Odessans Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal judge in Midland has sentenced the owner and the office manager of Shorts Electric, an Odessa company that provided oilfield and residential electric services, to federal prison in connection with an estimated $400,000 bank fraud scheme announced Acting United States Attorney United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Laurie L. Younger, FDIC Office of Inspector General, Dallas Region, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
Appearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Robert A. Junell yesterday afternoon, business owner Lanny Wayne McDorman was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $371,060.07 restitution.
On December 22, 2014, McDorman pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. By pleading guilty, McDorman admitted that he and his co-defendant, 46–year-old office manager Justine Jane Woods, knowingly defrauded Commercial State Bank (CSB) from June 2012 until March 2014. According to court records, Shorts Electric had a Business Manager Reserve Account (BMRA) in which CSB would purchase, at a discount, Shorts Electric accounts receivable and transfer the purchase money into the BMRA, thereby allowing Shorts Electric immediate access to operating funds without having to wait for customers invoices to be paid. Full payment on the purchased Shorts Electric invoices would then be obligated to CSB. The defendants created and submitted to CSB numerous fraudulent invoices knowing that those invoices would be uncollectable because they did not represent actual money owed to Shorts Electric.
On February 24, 2015, Judge Junell sentenced Woods to 41 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release and ordered her to jointly pay the restitution amount mentioned above.
“Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue to focus on finding, stopping, and punishing those who commit fraud schemes that impact our financial institutions,” stated FDIC-OIG Special Agent in Charge Laurie L. Younger.
“Bank fraud has the potential to cause immeasurable damage to our community,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist. “The FBI will continue to rigorously investigate schemes to defraud financial institutions insured by the FDIC in order to protect the community.”
Assistant United States Attorney John Klassen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, 27-year-old Ryan Bradley Pitts pleaded guilty to six counts of production of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
As a result of his plea, Pitts faces up to 60 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 8:30am on August 14, 2015, before Chief United States District Judge Fred Biery in San Antonio.
According to court records, on numerous occasions between June 2008 and February 2012, Pitts sexually assaulted six different children, ages 3 to 10, for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the activity. Pitts also used peer-to-peer software to trade child pornography with others.
Pitts has remained in federal custody since his arrest in November 2013. During this investigation, FBI agents seized Pitts’ laptop computer, cell phone and other digital media devices. A forensics examination of the seized equipment revealed the presence of more than 21,500 images and 1,200 videos depicting child pornography.
This Project Safe Childhood case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing 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.
Midland Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing More Than $1 Million from Her EmployerRead the Press Release
In Midland this morning, 54-year-old Margo McKinney was sentenced to five years in federal prison for defrauding her employer of over $1,000,000 announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
In addition to the prison term, Senior United States District Judge Robert Junell ordered that McKinney pay $1,078,799.96 restitution to her victim and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term. Judge Junell also ordered McKinney to surrender to federal authorities by June 10, 2015, to begin serving her prison term.
On February 27, 2015, McKinney pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. By pleading guilty, McKinney admitted that from September 2007 until April 2014, she stole money from an Odessa businessman while working as a bookkeeper who had signature authority over one business account. McKinney admittedly wrote company checks to herself and to “cash” to pay the mortgage on her residence, purchase jewelry and for expenses related to her hobby--boarding and training horses for competitions.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Austin Berry prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Four Plead Guilty in San Antonio to Unlawfully Selling Migratory BirdsRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, four individuals await sentencing after pleading guilty to federal charges related to illegally selling migratory birds announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Chavez, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Southwest Region.
Appearing before Chief United States District Court Judge Fred Biery this morning, 50-year-old Jorge Rocha of Natalia, TX, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully offering to sell and selling migratory birds.
Previously, three other defendants—67-year-old Juan Luis Guerra of San Antonio; 56-year-old Francisco Guerrero of Cuero, TX; and, 60–year-old Tomas G. Perez of Devine, TX—pleaded guilty to the same federal charge. By pleading guilty, the defendants admitted to knowingly and unlawfully selling a migratory bird(s) to an undercover agent on various occasions in 2011 and 2012. Those birds included a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owls which are protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
“One of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's highest priorities is to investigate individuals that are involved in the unlawful commercial trafficking of our Nation's fish and wildlife,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Chavez. “The successful outcome of this investigation is also the result of working jointly with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure the protection of our migratory birds. With our law enforcement partnership, information sharing, and investigative technology, we can disrupt wildlife trafficking on the web, smuggling through our airports, or our land borders.”
All four defendants remain on bond pending sentencing scheduled later this year. Each defendant faces up to two years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000.
This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by agents with the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Assistant United States Attorney Bud Paulissen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
El Paso Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for the Distribution of over 700 Kilograms of Cocaine and Laundering Almost $8 Million in Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, 44-year-old Juan Manuel Flores (aka “Cholo”), the leader of an El Paso-based cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy, El Paso Division, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Cotter.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge David C. Guaderrama ordered that Flores be placed on supervised release for five years after completing his prison term. Furthermore, the court ordered forfeiture of the defendant’s interest in five real properties in El Paso County, Texas, as proceeds of the drug conspiracy.
On February 3, 2015, Flores pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. By pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to trafficking cocaine in the Western District of Texas between 2005 and July 2013. According to court records, Flores conspired to distribute over 700 kilograms of cocaine in the El Paso area and conspired to launder over $7.9 Million in drug proceeds.
“Juan Manuel Flores was a significant drug trafficker living and working in El Paso. With Flores’ crimes extending back at least a decade, supported by his ties to the Vicente Carrillo Fuentes cartel, today’s sentencing is the culmination of a long and complex investigation that has made the city of El Paso safer,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy.
This joint investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), together with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection Internal Affairs (DHS-CBP), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), El Paso Police Department, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Three El Paso Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for the Distribution of CocaineRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, 35-year-old Isaac Hernandez, (aka “ICE”), the leader of an El Paso-based cocaine trafficking organization, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, El Paso Division; and, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Philip R. Martinez ordered that Hernandez pay a $10,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for five years after completing his prison term.
Hernandez is the third defendant to be sentenced to federal prison for his role in the drug trafficking scheme. Yesterday, May 12, 2015, 35-year-old Joel Moreno was sentenced to six years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release and fined $5,000. On May 7, 2015, 34-year-old Carlos Escobedo was sentenced to two years in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release.
All of the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver cocaine. By pleading guilty, the defendants admitted to trafficking over 500 grams of cocaine in the Western District of Texas between January 2013 and July 2014. According to court records, these defendants conspired to distribute a total of approximately two kilograms of cocaine.
This joint investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).