Eastern District of Texas

TYLER, Texas – An illegal alien and a Smith County man have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Daniel Garibay-Barriga, 39, an illegal alien from Mexico, and Craig Allen Wallace, 50, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  On July 21, 2026, Garibay-Barriga was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.  Wallace was sentenced to 165 months on the same day.

According to information presented in court, on January 28, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Wallace’s residence on FM 724 in Tyler following a drug trafficking investigation. During the search, investigators located two outbuildings containing numerous items of paraphernalia consistent with a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab, including heating sources, chemicals such as volatile solvents, filtering items such as mesh screens, and large storage containers. In addition, investigators seized 44.71 liters of liquid containing methamphetamine in various stages of the conversion process and 9.57 kilograms of crystallized methamphetamine ready for distribution. 

Officers also discovered an RV on the property that was being used as a makeshift drugstore stocked with methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and numerous THC products. Inside the residence, investigators located nine firearms. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Gregg County Sheriff’s Office; and Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.

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TYLER, Texas – A Longview man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for committing a robbery and using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kip Semauah Hurt, 26, pleaded guilty to a Hobbs Act robbery and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on July 21, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on August 1, 2024, a Longview gun store was robbed resulting in the theft of 31 firearms. Many of the firearms were recovered by local law enforcement agencies such as the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall Police Department, and the Longview Police Department.  It was determined that one of the recovered firearms had been used in the shooting of a Longview Police officer. 

“Our priority was securing justice for the Longview community and the victims of this robbery, whose business empowered law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “We have a duty to relentlessly prosecute anyone who threatens innocent lives in East Texas, and today’s success is a direct result of the exceptional collaboration of our law enforcement partners.”

“ATF is proud to stand alongside our local, state, and federal partners in bringing this offender to justice. This case highlights the cascade effects when criminals obtain firearms. Through strong collaboration and determined investigative work, we were able to hold a violent offender accountable and make our communities safer. We will continue to prioritize cases like this to disrupt criminal activity and protect the public.” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner.

“This type of organized criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Longview and the surrounding area,” said Longview Police Chief Anthony Boone.  “Local law enforcement in Gregg County will continue working together and will utilize every available state and federal resource to combat crime. We are thankful for the partnership and support of the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Longview Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.

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TYLER, Texas – A Tyler man previously convicted of a child pornography violation, has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. 

John Matthew Emerson, 42, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on July 21, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell.

According to information presented in court, Emerson, while on supervised release for a prior conviction for possession of child pornography, was found in possession of a cellular phone containing child pornography.  

Emerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

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TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jakeem Butler, 25, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III on July 20, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on December 31, 2024, Butler was stopped for a traffic violation in Texarkana.  During the stop, officers detected the strong odor of marijuana leading to a search of the vehicle.  During the search, officers located a firearm equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device, also commonly referred to as a Glock-switch.  Machinegun conversion devices are small mechanisms that can be attached to the rear of the slide of a firearm, converting a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun.  Federal law defines a machinegun as a weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.                                          

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.

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PLANO, Texas – A Saginaw man has been sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation into a fentanyl overdose death in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kevin Chase McCauley, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell on July 20, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on March 8, 2023, Denton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the death of an individual at a residence on Stonecrest Road in Argyle, Texas.  An investigation revealed the individual died from an overdose of fentanyl-laced counterfeit hydrocodone pills, which were purchased from McCauley.    

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An Allen man has been arrested and charged with federal child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.             

Sanjay Sachithanandham, 44, was named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with coercion and enticement of a minor; transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy; and engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.  Sachithanandham appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bill Davis on July 16, 2026. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

This case is being investigated by the Allen Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calli Bailey.

It is important to note that an indictment or arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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PLANO, Texas –A Dallas convicted felon has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Antonio Detravion Woodard, Jr., 24, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard Schell on July 13, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on January 10, 2025, Woodard called for a Lyft and upon arrival, pulled out a gun and told the Lyft driver, “This is a robbery.”  Woodard asked the driver for access to his Cash App and Wallet. Upon inspection, Woodard discovered that the victim driver had no cash. Woodard was upset and demanded the victim, “Not tell the police what happened.”  The Lyft driver was able to hit the safety feature in his Lyft app and local law enforcement responded. Further investigation revealed Woodard was a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

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PLANO, Texas – Two individuals were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jonathan Guerra, 30, of Irving, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on July 10, 2026.

Laura Loera-Flores, 38, of Mexico, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by Judge Jordan. 

According to information presented in court, Guerra and Loera-Flores were involved in a conspiracy with others to traffic more than five kilograms of cocaine from Mexico into the Eastern District of Texas and beyond.  Loera-Flores played an integral role in the conspiracy and was responsible for driving her vehicle loaded with hidden drug proceeds from the United States into Mexico so that Mexican drug traffickers could receive the profits from the illegal drug trade.  Loera-Flores was found with ten bundles totaling $198,902 in cash on one trip. She made multiple trips between Mexico and the United States during the conspiracy.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Brooks.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Indolfo Hernandez, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on July 10, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in January 2024, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Texas and neighboring regions. The organization, based in Houston and operating within the Eastern District of Texas, was led by Hernandez. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 16 kilograms of methamphetamine that had been distributed by Hernandez and his coconspirators. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; DEA Beaumont HIDTA Task Force Group D23; Houston Police Department; Liberty County Sheriff’s Office; and Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

Hernandez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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PLANO, Texas – A Frisco man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for transporting a minor for sexual exploitation, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. 

Joseph Ray Robertson, 37, pleaded guilty to transportation of minors and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard Schell on July 13, 2026.  Judge Schell also imposed lifetime supervised release on the defendant. 

According to information presented in court, in May of 2024, Robertson, a furry enthusiast, transported a minor from Frisco to Atlanta, Georgia for a furry convention.  Furry refers to a subculture of enthusiasts of anthropomorphic (human-like) animals in which fans create animal characters with human personalities and traits.  Robertson commissioned an elaborate, custom-made costume to further facilitate his furry persona.  While at the convention, Robertson sexually abused the child by engaging in acts that would constitute child molestation and sodomy under Georgia State law. Additionally, Robertson purchased sexual stimulants and devices at the convention, and commissioned artwork depicting his furry persona engaged in sex acts with the minor victim.

“This defendant’s actions were depraved and absolutely justify every day of the imposed 20-year sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “Most children’s experiences with people costumed as animals comes in the context of fun encounters in theme parks.  This defendant turned a furry costume into a nightmare of sexual abuse.  It shocks the conscience that a child was allowed into a convention where adults were dressed up as furry animals and sex devices were being sold.  Not one person in that convention contacted the authorities to protect the child.  Every child deserves security, dignity, and a community that stands fiercely in their defense. Protecting children is one of our most solemn responsibilities, and we will act ferociously against anyone who threatens their safety.”    

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by FBI and the Frisco Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.

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A Garland man has been extradited from Qatar to the United States to face charges related to a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

BEAUMONT, Texas –An illegal alien has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms possession in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Freddie Castillo, 36, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 9, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on August 2, 2025, Castillo, a national of Belize illegally living in Houston was stopped by law enforcement in Trinity County.  During the stop, Castillo provided the officer with a Belize passport, Belize driver’s license, and Belize consular identification card and informed the officer that he was in the United States on an expired visa. Castillo admitted to possessing a shotgun and rifle which were in the vehicle.  Further investigation revealed Castillo was issued a visa in 2000, which expired in 2010, and he had not applied for permission to extend the visa or remain in the United States.      

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Department of Homeland Security.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.

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PLANO, Texas – A Honduran national illegally living in Princeton has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas related to the kidnapping of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. 

Osman Daniel Vasquez-Mejia, 18, was named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with kidnapping, transportation of a minor, and improper entry by an alien.

If convicted, Vasquez-Mejia faces life in federal prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

This case is being investigated by the Allen Police Department, FBI, and the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson.

A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Lufkin convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Preston Allen, 59, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 9, 2026.

According to information presented in court, in February 2025, Allen was found in possession of multiple firearms while law enforcement officers attempted to serve a warrant at his Lufkin home.  Further investigation revealed Allen was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child in 2003 in Angelina County.  As a convicted felon, Allen is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Nestor Molina Molina, also known as Chocoalte, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on July 8, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, Molina Molina, a Mexican national illegally living in Garland, was part of a cartel affiliated drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine imported from Mexico into Dallas and the North Texas area.  Molina Molina negotiated the sale and delivery of multiple kilogram quantities of crystal methamphetamine in the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas.  During the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Garland, agents discovered a methamphetamine conversion laboratory along with large amounts of methamphetamine in the conversion process. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Tatum.

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TYLER, Texas – A Brownsboro man has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Bradley Korral Gould, 36, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 6, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on October 4, 2024, Henderson County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a shooting in Brownsboro, where they found Gould inside his vehicle with a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. While investigating the shooting, deputies located an abandoned backpack on the roadside between Gould’s vehicle and the location of the reported shooting.  Inside the backpack, deputies located 121.3 grams of methamphetamine, 50.86 grams of cocaine, and pills containing fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue.  Also, inside the backpack, deputies discovered the title of the vehicle in which Gould was found bearing Gould’s name.  Gould admitted that the backpack and its contents belonged to him and agreed to forfeit a pistol found at the location of the shooting. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.

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TYLER, Texas – A Tyler drug dealer has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Charles Ray Griffith, Jr., 36, also known as Root, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 6, 2026.

According to information presented in court, Griffith was detained while driving vehicles on two separate occasions in July and September 2024, resulting in the discovery of a total of 140.30 grams of methamphetamine. During one attempted traffic stop, Griffith fled recklessly at a high rate of speed on a motorcycle through residential neighborhoods, disregarding stop signs and traffic signals and driving on the wrong side of the road before crashing in the yard of a private residence, where he was apprehended. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the FBI; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Smith County Sheriff’s Office; and Tyler Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.

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TYLER, Texas – A Michigan man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Caleb Timothy Fox, 34, pleaded guilty to attempt or conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking and was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 6, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on March 10, 2025, Fox enlisted another individual, commonly referred to as a “straw purchaser,” to unlawfully purchase six firearms on his behalf at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) gun shop in Tyler. After the firearms purchase was delayed, Fox admitted to federal agents that he knew, as a non-resident of Texas, that he was unable to legally purchase the firearms in Texas.  Fox also admitted that he intended to illegally transport the firearms out of the United States to Oaxaca, Mexico, where he had arranged to sell them to others. Further investigation led to cell phone texts that corroborated the plan, including an offer to exchange the firearms for drugs. A search of Fox’s vehicle led to the discovery of another firearm as well as various illegal drugs, including cocaine base and fentanyl. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.

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PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  

In the Eastern District of Texas, five defendants were sentenced to a total of 903 months in federal prison during the month of June as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  Those cases include:

On June 9, 2026, David Ortiz-Moreno, 55, a Mexican national illegally living in Fate, Texas, was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Ortiz-Moreno was responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.  

On June 10, 2026, Abrahan Solano-Zarate, 42, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Solano-Zarate distributed at least five kilograms of cocaine. 

On June 10, 2026, Corrigan man, Jose Pedro Guzman, Jr., 35, was the final defendant sentenced in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas.  Guzman was   sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for drug trafficking violations.  In all, 17 individuals were convicted and sentenced in this investigation to a total of 2,213 months, or more than 184 years, in federal prison.

On June 15, 2026, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas.  Juan Lopez-Carmona, 32, was responsible for moving large amounts of illegal narcotics from Mexico to the United States for redistribution. 

On June 15, 2026, Dulio Ariel De-La-O, 25, of Irving, was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison for trafficking over “k-packs” or 1,000 pill quantities of fentanyl-laced pills.  A search of De-La-O’s residence resulted in the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl and $91,799 in cash.

HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas.

For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.

PLANO, Texas – A juvenile probation officer was sentenced to federal prison for 190 months for soliciting sexual relations with an eleven-year-old, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Steven Dale Criddle, 51, a former Juvenile Probation Officer from Bryan, Texas, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and was sentenced to 190 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 1, 2026.

According to information presented in court, Criddle was convicted for conversing on the dark web with who he believed to be a mother that would allow Criddle to sexually molest her eleven-year-old daughter.  Arrangements were made, and on September 28, 2025, Criddle drove three hours from Bryan to Wylie, Texas, the location where he planned to sexually molest the eleven-year-old girl.  Criddle was apprehended by law enforcement and admitted that he traveled to Wylie to sexually molest the girl.  He further admitted that he had child pornography on his cell phone.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson.

TYLER, Texas – A Hopkins County woman has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges following an animal welfare investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kristine Michelle Hicks, 51, pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Love on July 1, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, Hicks was the sole owner and operator of an unlicensed dog breeding business called Giant German Shepherds in Hopkins County, Texas. Toward the end of the operation in December 2025, Hicks had as many as 131 German shepherds on her property. 

Hicks advertised her services online through a website and Facebook account she controlled. When she received inquiries about dogs that she had advertised for sale, she made representations and promises about the dogs, including that they were healthy, trained for specific services, that they had certain specified parentage, and that they were registered with the AKC. These representations were false. Instead of selling purebred, properly AKC registered, healthy animals, Hicks sometimes sold dogs that were a mix of breeds, were randomly sourced from other litters, and had diseases or were in an unhealthy state.  Soil from Hicks’ property was contaminated with coccidia, an intestinal parasite. Hicks also created and fabricated false AKC documentation, and greatly inflated the sales prices for the dogs, often by thousands of dollars above the dogs’ real market value.  

“The depraved indifference to animal suffering we witnessed in this case was shocking,” said United States Attorney Jay R. Combs. “My office will continue to advocate for the victims who were defrauded by the defendant as well as the animals who suffered, and often died, in cruel conditions. The concerned citizens who brought this to light are to be commended along with the amazing animal rescue organizations who worked so hard to assist in caring for the animals, most especially Big Dog Ranch Rescue.”

“This fraudulent, unlicensed dog breeder subjected dogs to grotesque cruelty, keeping a kill pit at her facility,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk. “I am proud of the USDA OIG agents who rescued 143 dogs and brought swift justice to this unconscionable crime. Criminals should know that USDA OIG will continue working aggressively with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate crimes endangering animal welfare and protect public safety. I thank the FBI, APHIS Animal Care, SPCA of Texas, Tulsa SPCA, and Big Dog Ranch Rescue for their assistance in conducting the investigation and housing the rescued animals.”

Hicks faces up to 20 years in federal prison.   

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General and the FBI, with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Morris. 

SHERMAN, Texas – A Denton man who committed three armed robberies of banks in the Denton County area, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, announced Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jonathan Mark Fleming, 41, pleaded guilty to bank robbery and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard Schell on June 29, 2026.

According to information presented in court, from November 2022 to February 2023, the defendant committed three armed robberies of banks in the Denton County area. For each robbery, the defendant dressed in all black, wore black gloves, black ski goggles and a black mask. He also brandished a firearm. During the first two robberies, the defendant arrived at the banks in a red Dodge Challenger. For the final robbery, he arrived in a Dodge Ram TRX truck. Investigators were able to track the Dodge Ram TRX truck to the original dealership and learned the defendant had purchased the truck with a large cash payment and a trade-in of a red Dodge Challenger. Having identified the defendant as a possible suspect, a search warrant was subsequently obtained for Fleming’s apartment on February 23, 2023. During the search of the apartment, Fleming was located as the sole occupant and was arrested. Officers also located items that they had observed on video surveillance from the robberies, including a black/gray duffel bag, black clothing, a black face covering, a gun belt with holster, and black ski goggles. A large sum of United States currency, which was still wrapped in bank currency bands, was also located inside the apartment, as well as multiple firearms; specifically, a black M&P Smith and Wesson handgun in a holster (believed to be used in the robbery committed on November 10, 2022); a black newly purchased Glock handgun with a receipt; and two AR-style rifles. In addition, two police radio scanners and multiple receipts, detailing large deposits ranging from $19,000 to $40,000 into various bank accounts, were located. In all the defendant stole approximately $450,000.00 in cash from the three bank robberies.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Denton Police Department; Lewisville Police Department; Flower Mound Police Department; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

SHERMAN, Texas – A Houston man has been sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison in connection with two armed convenience store robberies in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Fredy Jose Barrera Borjas, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to carry a firearm during a crime of violence; two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, aiding and abetting; and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Borjas was sentenced to 162 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant this week.

According to information presented in court, on March 4 and 5, 2022, Borjas conspired with others to rob the Buy Low Liquor Store in Lewisville and Zoom Zooms Convenience store in Denton, at gunpoint.  On both occasions, the defendants entered the businesses by force, brandished firearms, and stole large quantities of cash from the store owners.  During one of the robberies, Borjas and others ordered an employee to her knees at gunpoint, while the others went into the manager’s office where he was robbed and severely beaten.  Borjas was the final defendant sentenced in this case.

 This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Denton Police Department, and Lewisville Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Neches felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jordan Lee Davis, 36, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale on June 22, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, on January 1, 2025, Port Neches police officers were investigating a possible assault at Davis’s residence when they found him in possession of a loaded revolver. Further investigation revealed that Davis was previously convicted of felony offenses in Jefferson County. As a convicted felon, Davis is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Port Neches Police Department; the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross and Jonathan Lee.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Denison man who supplied fentanyl that resulted in an individual’s death, has been sentenced to life in federal prison, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Andrew Michael Smith, 36, was found guilty at trial of possession with intent to distribute and dispense fentanyl resulting in death and was sentenced to life in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 22, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on September 5, 2024, Smith provided a woman with fentanyl and methamphetamine.  Smith watched and recorded the victim for several hours as she began to show severe signs of an overdose, including difficulty breathing, severe mental confusion, vomiting, and tremors. After the victim had taken her last breath, Smith finally, but untimely, called emergency responders. After law enforcement arrived, they began to perform lifesaving measures, but those efforts proved futile. The evidence during trial showed that Smith talked to numerous individuals over the course of hours while the victim was dying and even continued to arrange additional deals to acquire drugs.

“Smith targeted this victim because he knew her addiction made her vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “Smith deserves every day of this life sentence.    Our office, and our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively seek justice for drug trafficking victims.” 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Denison Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Erlandson and Abe McGlothin, Jr.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A former high school assistant principal has been arrested and charged with federal child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.              

Zachary Christian Neu, 32, of Richardson, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with two counts of enticement of a minor.  Neu appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Durrett on June 17, 2026. 

Neu was an Assistant Principal at Wylie East High School at the time of the alleged offenses.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

This case is being investigated by the Wylie Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calli Bailey.

It is important to note that an indictment or arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An Irving man has been sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Dulio Ariel De-La-O, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 15, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, during a drug trafficking investigation in 2022, it was determined that De-La-O was distributing “k-packs,” or 1,000 pill quantities of fentanyl, to individuals in the Eastern District of Texas.  A search of De-La-O’s residence during the investigation resulted in the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl and $91,799 in U.S. currency.    

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to over 22 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Juan Lopez-Carmona, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 15, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in 2021, federal law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for moving large amounts of illegal narcotics from Mexico into the United States for redistribution.  On October 4, 2022, while federal agents attempted to execute a search warrant at a Dallas residence, Lopez-Carmona, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, began firing on them from inside the house before fleeing on foot.  Lopez-Carmona and another individual were quickly detained and a search of the residence revealed over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine, four firearms, and other drug trafficking supplies.  The investigation resulted in multiple seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, firearms, and large amounts of U.S. currency.    

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.

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A Texas couple was sentenced on June 9, 2026, to 40 years each in prison for running a fraudulent chain-referral pyramid scheme, following their convictions by a jury on conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering charges in January 2026.

“At the peak of the pandemic, LaShonda and Marlon Moore launched an investment fraud scheme and cheated struggling Americans out of $30 million,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This fraud scheme exploited people out of their hard-earned money at a time when they needed it most. Opportunistic fraudsters like the Moores belong in prison.”

“The Moores’ get rich quick scheme has earned them a well-deserved stay in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Playing games with other peoples’ money while promising unrealistic returns is stealing and will be prosecuted and punished.”

“The harm caused by greed-driven, deceptive investments promising returns too good to be true cannot be overstated,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “The mission of the USPIS continues, to aggressively investigate such schemes and hold fraudsters fully accountable.”

“Those who exploit uncertainty and hardship for personal profit undermine the safety and security of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Christina Foley of the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “The Moores took advantage of trust and hope during a time of national crisis, causing significant harm to thousands of victims. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: the Secret Service remains steadfast in our mission to investigate and disrupt these schemes, and those who prey on vulnerable communities for personal gain will be held fully accountable.”

“The Moores used a polished image and a reality TV appearance to build trust, but behind the scenes, they orchestrated a deceptive pyramid scheme built on fake ‘playing boards’ and false promises of 800% returns,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office. “This scheme deliberately targeted the African American community, exploiting cultural trust and community ties. These sentences make it clear: if you abuse trust and exploit communities, you will face justice.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, of Frisco, Texas, co-founded and ran “Blessings in No Time,” known as “BINT,” an illegal chain-referral pyramid scheme that targeted victims during the COVID‑19 pandemic from June 2020 to June 2021. BINT targeted and recruited victims with false and misleading promises through weekly live-stream video broadcasts to thousands of participants across the United States during the COVID-19 shutdown. Victims were falsely promised that they would earn 800% returns on each $1,400 investment and were guaranteed a refund if they were unsatisfied. The Moores falsely held out BINT as a way for people to help their own community by paying “blessings” of at least $1,400 to participants who had already joined. The Moores falsely promised that new participants’ “blessing” payments would be paid back eight-fold within a few weeks.  BINT was falsely presented as an altruistic invitation-only community to help others during the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The defendants structured BINT to operate on “playing boards” that had positions for participants on four levels: eight Fires, four Winds, two Earths, and one Water. Once eight new participants were recruited to fill all eight Fire positions on the playing board, each Fire was directed to “bless” or pay at least $1,400 to the participant in the Water position. A Water participant then received eight payments totaling more than $11,000. After a Water participant received his or her payment, other participants at lower levels would move up one level on the playing board and then be required to recruit new participants into the Fire positions to perpetuate the scheme. To profit from the investment scheme, the defendants placed themselves in positions on the playing boards so that they received many of the ultimate payments, and they otherwise diverted substantial money to themselves that was paid by the participants. The defendants’ pyramid scheme victimized more than 10,000 people across the country and inflicted more than $30 million in victim losses.

USPIS, USSS, and IRS-CI investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Theodore Kneller and Adam L.D. Stempel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. for the Eastern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

A Texas couple was sentenced yesterday to 40 years each in prison for running a fraudulent chain-referral pyramid scheme, following their convictions by a jury on conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering charges in January 2026.

“At the peak of the pandemic, LaShonda and Marlon Moore launched an investment fraud scheme and cheated struggling Americans out of $30 million,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This fraud scheme exploited people out of their hard-earned money at a time when they needed it most. Opportunistic fraudsters like the Moores belong in prison.”

“The Moores’ get rich quick scheme has earned them a well-deserved stay in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Playing games with other peoples’ money while promising unrealistic returns is stealing and will be prosecuted and punished.”

“The harm caused by greed-driven, deceptive investments promising returns too good to be true cannot be overstated,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “The mission of the USPIS continues, to aggressively investigate such schemes and hold fraudsters fully accountable.”

“Those who exploit uncertainty and hardship for personal profit undermine the safety and security of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Christina Foley of the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “The Moores took advantage of trust and hope during a time of national crisis, causing significant harm to thousands of victims. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: the Secret Service remains steadfast in our mission to investigate and disrupt these schemes, and those who prey on vulnerable communities for personal gain will be held fully accountable.”

“The Moores used a polished image and a reality TV appearance to build trust, but behind the scenes, they orchestrated a deceptive pyramid scheme built on fake ‘playing boards’ and false promises of 800% returns,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office. “This scheme deliberately targeted the African American community, exploiting cultural trust and community ties. These sentences make it clear: if you abuse trust and exploit communities, you will face justice.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, of Frisco, Texas, co-founded and ran “Blessings in No Time,” known as “BINT,” an illegal chain-referral pyramid scheme that targeted victims during the COVID‑19 pandemic from June 2020 to June 2021. BINT targeted and recruited victims with false and misleading promises through weekly live-stream video broadcasts to thousands of participants across the United States during the COVID-19 shutdown. Victims were falsely promised that they would earn 800% returns on each $1,400 investment and were guaranteed a refund if they were unsatisfied. The Moores falsely held out BINT as a way for people to help their own community by paying “blessings” of at least $1,400 to participants who had already joined. The Moores falsely promised that new participants’ “blessing” payments would be paid back eight-fold within a few weeks.  BINT was falsely presented as an altruistic invitation-only community to help others during the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The defendants structured BINT to operate on “playing boards” that had positions for participants on four levels: eight Fires, four Winds, two Earths, and one Water. Once eight new participants were recruited to fill all eight Fire positions on the playing board, each Fire was directed to “bless” or pay at least $1,400 to the participant in the Water position. A Water participant then received eight payments totaling more than $11,000. After a Water participant received his or her payment, other participants at lower levels would move up one level on the playing board and then be required to recruit new participants into the Fire positions to perpetuate the scheme. To profit from the investment scheme, the defendants placed themselves in positions on the playing boards so that they received many of the ultimate payments, and they otherwise diverted substantial money to themselves that was paid by the participants. The defendants’ pyramid scheme victimized more than 10,000 people across the country and inflicted more than $30 million in victim losses.

USPIS, USSS, and IRS-CI investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Theodore Kneller and Adam L.D. Stempel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. for the Eastern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

PLANO, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Abrahan Solano-Zarate, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on June 10, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2021, Solano-Zarate, a Mexican national who was illegally living in Dallas, was part of a cocaine distributing conspiracy responsible for trafficking a large amount of cocaine from Mexico into the Eastern District of Texas and beyond. Solano-Zarate admitted to being personally responsible for the distribution of at least five kilograms of cocaine. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Homeland Security Task Force investigation in Angelina County has resulted in the convictions and sentencings of 17 individuals related to a methamphetamine trafficking organization in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Pedro Guzman, Jr., 35, of Corrigan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on June 10, 2026.

According to information presented in court, in November 2022, a law enforcement investigation into drug trafficking, firearms crimes, and immigration violations in Angelina County resulted in the seizure of over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and fourteen firearms. Guzman is the 17th person sentenced to federal prison as a result of this investigation. Other defendants sentenced include:

Albert Lopez, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 292 months;

Hector Gomez, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 188 months;

Jodi Calvin Sparkman, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 151 months;

Christopher Dewayne Harvey, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 175 months;

Oscar Padilla, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 70 months;

Adaryl Douglas, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 135 months;

Leanna Jean Busby, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 120 months;

Gary Mills, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 121 months;

Amanda McBride, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 120 months;

Clifton Collin-Dakota Smith, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 63 months;

John Christopher Rios, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 140 months;

Lorene Michelle Baker, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 121 months;

Corey Mullan, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 162 months;

David Davis, Jr., conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 97 months;

Penny Ann King, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 121 months; and

Eduardo Barajas-Macias, illegal reentry by a previously deported alien, 7 months. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Angelina County Sheriff’s Office; Lufkin Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; and Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution  being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Bryan drug dealer has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Matthew Forrest Jarrett, 38, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on June 10, 2026.

According to information presented in court, in June of 2025, law enforcement received information that Jarrett would be delivering a large amount of methamphetamine to the Liberty County area.  A traffic stop was attempted and Jarrett fled at a high rate of speed.  Once the vehicle pursuit ended, Jarrett attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended by a canine unit.  Jarrett was arrested pursuant to active warrants, and a search of the vehicle revealed nearly one kilogram of methamphetamine and a firearm. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

David Ortiz-Moreno, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 9, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2021, Ortiz-Moreno, a Mexican national who was illegally living in Fate, Texas, was part of a methamphetamine distributing conspiracy responsible for trafficking a large amount of methamphetamine from Mexico into the Eastern District of Texas and beyond.  Ortiz-Moreno admitted to being personally responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Dallas drug dealer has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Deldrick Damond Lewis, 40, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in August of 2025.  Lewis was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III on June 9, 2026.

According to information presented in court, Lewis was identified as a methamphetamine supplier during an investigation of drug trafficking activities in the Grayson County area.  Lewis sold approximately 460 grams of pure methamphetamine during a drug trafficking transaction.  Additionally, prosecutors presented evidence at trial that included Lewis’ social media accounts, text messages, and other evidence from his cellular phones. Lewis received a sentencing enhancement because it was determined the methamphetamine was imported from Mexico for distribution in the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Sherman Police Department, and FBI’s Texoma Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Smith and Stevan Buys.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont felon has been indicted in the Eastern District of Texas and charged with a federal firearms violation, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jared Cole Stephenson, 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury last week and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Stephenson appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on June 8, 2026.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is being investigated by the Jasper Police Department, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.

A federal indictment or complaint is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Collin County man has been arrested and charged in the Eastern District of Texas with making threats against the President of the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Ronnie “Chip” Austin, Jr., 56, of Allen, was charged in a criminal complaint with making threats against the President of the United States and transmitting threats in interstate commerce.  Austin was arrested on June 4, 2026, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Goldman Durrett on June 5, 2026.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Rapp.

A federal indictment or complaint is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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SHERMAN, Texas – Community Care Health Network LLC, doing business as Matrix Medical Network (Matrix), DPN USA, doing business as HealthFair (HealthFair), and Shahriah “James” Ekbatani have agreed to pay a total of $56.5 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by causing the submission of false or invalid diagnosis codes to the Medicare Advantage program. Matrix will pay $36.5 million to resolve claims in a qui tam action filed in the Southern District of New York. HealthFair, which was acquired by Matrix, will pay $5 million and Ekbatani will pay $15 million to resolve claims in a qui tam action filed in the Eastern District of Texas.

“When healthcare companies report risk-adjusting diagnoses that are invalid, they siphon money from the Medicare Advantage program,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department remains vigilant in pursuing MAOs, downstream entities, and responsible individuals who do not play by the rules.”

“Patients should be able to trust that their medical providers are making, documenting, and sending diagnosis information to insurers based on accurate assessment, testing, and what is best for the patient,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs of the Eastern District of Texas. “It is a breach of trust when providers look to make more money by making their patients appear sicker than they are. Submitting unsubstantiated diagnoses increases costs to the Medicare Advantage program. This case emphasizes our District’s commitment to justice by pursuing anyone who attempts to steal through misrepresentations.”

“The allegations in these matters describe conduct that puts profit ahead of patients and undermines the integrity of the Medicare Advantage program,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will not tolerate efforts to divert taxpayer funded health care dollars for personal or corporate gain. We will continue to pursue every available enforcement avenue with our law enforcement partners to ensure that anyone who endangers federal program integrity is met with swift and robust accountability.”

The Medicare Advantage (MA) program, also known as Medicare Part C, allows Medicare beneficiaries to opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in health plans that are administered by private insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs). The MAOs contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide traditional Medicare coverage to beneficiaries enrolled in their plans in exchange for capitated payments. CMS adjusts these capitated payments based on the health status of each beneficiary as determined through diagnoses submitted by the MAOs. In general, CMS pays more for sicker beneficiaries likely to incur higher healthcare expenses and less for healthier beneficiaries. Diagnosis codes submitted to CMS must be supported by the beneficiaries’ medical records and be accurate, complete, and truthful, based on the best knowledge, information, and belief of the MAO making the submission.

Matrix, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a health services company that contracts with MAOs to provide in-home assessments to MA plan beneficiaries. HealthFair, a company founded and managed by Ekbatani, operated mobile health care buses staffed by nurse practitioners and medical technicians and fitted with certain medical equipment. It contracted with MAOs in several states to provide health assessments to MA plan beneficiaries on HealthFair buses. Matrix acquired HealthFair in 2018 and shut down its operations by 2020.

The United States alleges that during the period from 2014 to 2019, Matrix knowingly caused MAOs to submit false and invalid diagnoses of the following chronic medical conditions to CMS for risk adjustment purposes: proliferative diabetic retinopathy, drug-induced polyneuropathy, rheumatoid polyneuropathy, atrial fibrillation, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and simple chronic bronchitis (the “Invalid Diagnoses”). Matrix reported the Invalid Diagnoses to MAOs based on its in-home assessments even though: (a) there was not sufficient information to support the diagnoses; (b) the diagnoses did not conform with the guidelines for coding and reporting diagnoses as required by CMS; and (c) the conditions were frequently not diagnosed by any other healthcare provider who saw the beneficiary during the year in which the home visit occurred or in the preceding two years or subsequent two years. As a result of the reporting of these Invalid Diagnoses, the MAOs obtained inflated risk adjustment payments from CMS to which they were not entitled.

As to HealthFair and Ekbatani, the United States contends that HealthFair knowingly reported certain diagnoses to MAOs that were unsupported, unsubstantiated, and/or invalid. Specifically, from 2015 to 2017, HealthFair providers (1) made certain diagnoses (including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, metastatic cancer, and Myasthenia Gravis) without documentation establishing or confirming the existence of the condition; (2) made certain diagnoses (including but not limited to morbid obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, coagulation defect, drug dependence, major depressive disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) solely based on patient attestation, claims history, past medical history, or medication; (3) diagnosed congestive heart failure and heart arrhythmia despite contradiction by electrocardiogram and echocardiogram results; and (4) diagnosed thrombophilia solely based on separate diagnoses of atrial fibrillation. HealthFair, which acted at the direction of Ekbatani, submitted the diagnoses to its MAO customers, and the MAOs often submitted the diagnoses to CMS for risk-adjusted payments.

The settlement with Matrix resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA by Nancy Cahill, a former employee of Matrix, in United States ex rel. Cahill v. Matrix, No. 19-CV-11153 (S.D.N.Y.). The settlements with HealthFair and Ekbatani resolve claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA by Robert Oristaglio, Jr., D.O., who was the chief medical officer of HealthFair, in United States ex rel. Oristaglio v. Community Care Health Network, Inc., d/b/a Matrix Medical Network et al., No. 4:22-CV-00133-SDJ (E.D. Tex.). Under the FCA, private parties are permitted to sue on behalf of the government for false claims for government funds and to receive a share of the recovery. The settlements in these cases provide for Cahill to receive $7.3 million and Oristaglio to receive $3.6 million.

This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of coordinated efforts between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Texas and Southern District of New York, with assistance from HHS-OIG.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The matters were handled by Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachael Doud and Ilan Stein of the Southern District of New York, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McClendon of the Eastern District of Texas.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Note: The settlement agreement with Matrix Medical Network can be read here, the settlement with HealthFair can be read here, and the settlement with Shahriah Ekbatani can be read here.

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PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas brought eight new Homeland Security Task Force cases in May while securing five convictions and achieving five substantial sentences totaling 944 months in federal prison as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Those cases include:

Charges

Eight indictments were returned by federal grand juries in the Eastern District of Texas during May, charging 25 defendants with various crimes including drug trafficking and immigration violations.  A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  We are unable to comment on indicted cases as investigations continue. 

Convictions

On May 21, 2026, Beaumont man, James William Quinney, Jr., 38, pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges.  Quinney was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed kilograms of methamphetamine to other distributors for redistribution.  Quinney was found to be purchasing 18 kilograms of methamphetamine at a time for redistribution.  In total, law enforcement seized nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine from Quinney and over $80,000.00 in U.S. currency.  On May 28, 2026, Latisha Mae Thebeau, 42, of Port Arthur, pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy.  The defendants face up to life in federal prison at sentencing. 

On May 28, 2026, Beaumont convicted felon, Micheal Corbin, 48, pleaded guilty to distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm.  As a convicted felon, Corbin is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Corbin faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing.   

New Orleans man, Darrell Charles Coleman, 37, pleaded guilty on May 28, 2026, to trafficking methamphetamine after being pulled over for speeding on Interstate-10 in Beaumont.  Coleman’s passenger, Kory Jarvis Schaffer, 34, also of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on May 18, 2026, to distributing fentanyl. The defendants each face up to life in federal prison at sentencing.   

Sentencings

A Mexican national illegally living in Arlington, Mauricio Diaz-Abraham, 37, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on May 12, 2026.  Diaz-Abraham was personally responsible for the distribution of at least 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine while conspiring to traffic large amounts of methamphetamine from Mexico into the Eastern District of Texas and beyond.  

On May 12, 2026, Juan Jose Montanez, also known as Happy Johnny, 40, a Dallas barbershop employee, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $131,800 in cash; several bank accounts totaling $126,000; three firearms; and assorted shoes, purses, sunglasses, and a jacket all together estimated to be worth approximately $64,215, after it was determined he was trafficking not only methamphetamine, but large amounts of cocaine. 

On May 28, 2026, Oklahoma man, Steven Mark Moore, 27, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for being involved in a firearms trafficking scheme that involved straw purchases of firearms that were then illegally resold at an inflated price to individuals involved in criminal activities. The firearms were linked to various crimes in the United States as well as deadly cartel shootings in Mexico. 

A Mexican national illegally living in Dallas was sentenced on May 28, 2026, to 18 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas.  Angel Luis Lopez-Montero, 45, was identified as a source of supply and responsible for trafficking at least 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

On May 29, 2026, Fort Worth man, Donald Lee Harris, 40, was sentenced to 350 months in federal prison for trafficking over three kilograms of methamphetamine which was brought from Mexico for distribution in the United States.

HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas.

HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas. 

For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.

Former laboratory CEO Susan Hertzberg, of New York, and former laboratory sales executive Matthew Theiler, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, have agreed to pay $1.2 million to resolve False Claims Act litigation with the United States alleging illegal payments to doctors for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.

One doctor — Frederick Brown, of Missouri City, Texas — and six marketers — Thomas Gray Hardaway, of San Antonio, Texas; William Todd Hickman, of Anna, Texas; and Ginny Jacobs, Scott Jacobs, S&G Staffing LLC, and Jacobs Marketing Inc., all of Magnolia, Texas — have agreed to pay an additional $859,055 to settle the United States’ laboratory kickback allegations against them in the case.

With these settlements, the Department of Justice has secured over $61 million in civil False Claims Act settlements since 2019 for kickbacks to healthcare providers disguised as managed service organization (MSO) investment distributions, including recoveries from over 50 physicians.

“The Department of Justice is committed to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in federally funded healthcare programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Kickback schemes can waste taxpayer dollars, erode healthcare providers’ medical judgment, and result in patients being subjected to unnecessary medical treatments.”

“Nearly every working American took time recently to pay their federal taxes. As we did so, we all hoped that our money was being used wisely, and we trusted that systems were in place to prevent the types of fraud and kickback schemes that this case uncovered,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “In the Eastern District of Texas, we mean to deliver on the promise of the President, the Vice President, and Acting Attorney General to aggressively combat the fraudulent use of tax dollars. The settlements today, along with the criminal convictions in the related case, show that we are delivering on that promise.”

“Today’s settlement demonstrates that violations of the Anti‑Kickback Statute, such as alleged here, can undermine clinical judgment and erode trust in the health care system,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “HHS‑OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to make sure that anyone who uses kickbacks to compromise the integrity of medical decision‑making and generate unnecessary services is held accountable.”

“By disrupting fraud and misconduct of this nature, we help to ensure TRICARE, the uniformed services’ primary health care program, is better positioned to deliver critical care to the warfighter,” said Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southwest Field Office. “This result demonstrates the commitment of DCIS and our investigative partners to aggressively pursue those who seek to betray the American taxpayer and undermine our military’s healthcare system.”

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded healthcare programs. It seeks to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.

Susan Hertzberg — the former CEO of Boston Heart Diagnostics Corporation (Boston Heart), a laboratory in Framingham, Massachusetts — agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve allegations that she caused false claims for laboratory testing to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE from 2015 to 2017. Likewise, Theiler, Boston Heart’s former VP of Sales, also agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve allegations that he caused false claims for laboratory testing to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE from 2015 to 2017. Hertzberg and Theiler allegedly agreed to a kickback scheme in which marketers, including Boston Heart’s own employees, offered and paid doctors kickbacks disguised as MSO distributions to induce the doctors’ referrals to Texas hospitals for laboratory testing performed by Boston Heart, including medically unnecessary testing. Hertzberg and Theiler allegedly knew that marketers using MSOs were recruiting doctors to order testing performed by Boston Heart for a hospital in Texas and were given a “strong recommendation” to “reel this in” and “stand down on all hospitals,” particularly in Texas. Nevertheless, Hertzberg allegedly approved, and Theiler allegedly implemented, an expansion of the Texas hospital arrangement to another hospital to continue working with many of the same marketers.

In addition, the settlements announced today resolve the United States’ allegations in the lawsuit that Dr. Brown solicited and received kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute from laboratory marketers’ purported MSOs in return for laboratory testing referrals. Dr. Brown agreed to pay $309,055 to resolve allegations that from November 2015 to November 2017, he received thousands of dollars in payments from two purported MSOs, Ascend MSO of TX LLC and Indus MG LLC, in return for ordering laboratory tests from Little River Healthcare, a critical access hospital in Rockdale, Texas, and True Health Diagnostics LLC, a clinical laboratory in Frisco, Texas.

Lastly, the following marketers and their associated entities agreed to pay a total of $550,000 to resolve the United States’ allegations in the civil litigation that they paid kickbacks disguised as MSO payments to doctors to induce the doctors’ laboratory testing referrals:  Former MSO owner William Todd Hickman; Thomas Gray Hardaway, a former Boston Heart sales representative and co-owner of Texas marketing company LGRB Management Services LLC; and Ginny Jacobs and Scott Jacobs, co-owners of Texas marketing companies S&G Staffing LLC and Jacobs Marketing Inc. Hickman’s civil settlement amount was based on his ability to pay. The civil settlement amounts that Hertzberg, Theiler, Dr. Brown, Hickman, and Hardaway agreed to pay were in addition to amounts they were ordered to pay in a criminal proceeding captioned United States v. Susan Hertzberg, et al., No. 6:22-cr-3-JDK (E.D. Tex.).

The settlements announced today were the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, with assistance from HHS-OIG and DCIS. They were handled by attorneys Christopher Terranova and Gavin Thole in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Betty Young in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of civil liability.

Note: View the Hertzberg Settlement here, Theiler Settlement here, Brown Settlement here, Hardaway Settlement here, Hickman Settlement here, and Jacobs Settlement here.

SHERMAN, Texas – A Fort Worth man has been sentenced to over 29 years in federal prison as a result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Task Force in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Donald Lee Harris, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 350 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on May 29, 2026.

According to information presented in court, in 2024, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking conspiracy involving large amounts of methamphetamine being brought to the United States from Mexico for distribution.  Harris was found to be responsible for trafficking over three kilograms of methamphetamine. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur woman has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Latisha Mae Thebeau, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on May 28, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in October 2024, law enforcement began investigating James William Quinney, Jr., for trafficking drugs in Beaumont and the surrounding area.  During the investigation, Quinney was identified as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to other distributors, including Thebeau, for redistribution.  Thebeau conspired with Quinney and others to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine throughout the Jefferson County area.   

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; Orange Police Department; Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Lumberton Police Department; and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

Thebeau faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Darrell Charles Coleman, 37, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on May 28, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, on June 27, 2024, Coleman was stopped for speeding on Interstate-10 in Beaumont. Coleman and his passenger, Kory Jarvis Schaffer, were returning to Louisiana from Houston.  A search of the vehicle revealed more than four kilograms of methamphetamine and nearly 500 grams of fentanyl, which Coleman and Schaffer possessed for redistribution to others.  Schaffer, also of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on May 18, 2026.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; and Beaumont Police Department with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

Coleman and Schaffer each face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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PLANO, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Angel Luis Lopez-Montero, 45, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on May 28, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in 2024, an investigation into illegal trafficking of drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, identified Lopez-Montero as a source of supply for methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas.  Lopez-Montero admitted to being personally responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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PLANO, Texas – An Oklahoma man has been sentenced to federal prison following an investigation by the Homeland Security Task Force in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Steven Mark Moore, 27, of Yukon, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to straw purchase of firearms and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on May 28, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in 2022, an investigation revealed firearms purchased at various pawn shops and gun shows were linked to various crimes in the United States as well as deadly cartel-related shootings in Mexico.  The investigation identified Moore as a source of funding used to purchase the firearms from legitimate sources to illegally resale the guns at an inflated price to individuals involved in criminal activities.   

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont convicted felon has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Micheal Corbin, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on May 28, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in April of 2025, law enforcement began investigating Corbin, a drug trafficker and convicted felon in Beaumont. As the investigation progressed, it was determined that Corbin was supplying other drug traffickers with methamphetamine to be distributed throughout the area.  In total, law enforcement seized more than 8 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine from Corbin, who was also found in possession of a firearm.  As a previously convicted felon, Corbin is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Nederland Police Department; Jasper Police Department; and San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

Corbin faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing.  The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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PLANO, Texas – A Houston man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jacobei Townsend, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank theft and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on May 26, 2026. 

According to court documents, from August to September 2020, Townsend was involved in a crime spree referred to as “Hook and Chain” burglaries, which involved stealing a truck, attaching hooks and chains to the vehicle, and using it to drag the door off an ATM to retrieve the cash currency from the machine.  This crime spree involved several burglaries in Texas and Arizona, including Independent Bank on North Prosper Road and Texas Bank on South Preston Road, both located in Prosper. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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TYLER, Texas – A man and woman have been indicted for a drug trafficking scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Adell Willis, 43, of Lewisville, and Judy Ly, 30, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas.  Willis and Ly were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute synthetic drugs and conspiracy to possess contraband in prison.  Ly was also charged with possession of synthetic drugs with intent to distribute.   

The indictment alleges that beginning in March 2023, Willis and Ly conspired to possess synthetic opioids, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic stimulants, and other controlled analogues, in correctional institutions.  It is alleged in the indictment that Willis purchased synthetic drugs from China and had them shipped to his residence in the Eastern District of Texas and Ly’s residence in Michigan.  It is also alleged that once Willis and Ly received the synthetic drugs, they would convert the drugs to a liquid before soaking sheets of paper in the drug mixture.  Once the sheets of paper were saturated, they were then delivered to inmates at various federal and state correctional institutions across the country. 

If convicted, Willis and Ly could face up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

James William Quinney, Jr., 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on May 21, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in October 2024, law enforcement began investigating Quinney for trafficking drugs in Beaumont and the surrounding area.  During the investigation, Quinney was identified as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to other distributors for redistribution.  Quinney was found to be purchasing 18 kilograms of methamphetamine at a time for redistribution.  In total, law enforcement seized nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine from Quinney and over $80,000.00 in U.S. currency. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; Orange Police Department; Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Lumberton Police Department; and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

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TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. 

Julio Zamudio-Ramirez, 33, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. 

The indictment alleges that in August 2025, Zamudio-Ramirez was in the Gregg County jail for abandoning or endangering a child, when it was determined that he was a citizen of Mexico and in the United States illegally after having been previously deported to Mexico.  Zamudio-Ramirez had previously been removed from the United States on June 6, 2020, following a Gregg County conviction in 2016 for delivery of a controlled substance.  Zamudio-Ramirez also has a Gregg County conviction for burglary of a vehicle from 2013.

If convicted, Zamudio-Ramirez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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