Eastern District of Texas

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 45-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Juan Duque-Tinoco pleaded guilty on Jan. 31, 2017, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison on June 14, 2017 by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to information presented in court, beginning in March 2014, federal agents began in investigation of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine from Houston to Beaumont, Texas and then throughout the United States. Duque-Tinoco was identified as the main supplier of methamphetamine, which was confirmed to be directly supplied by sources in Mexico with the Knights of Templar Cartel. Duque-Tinoco received shipments of methamphetamine from Mexico in liquid form and then he converted it to crystal form at a location in Houston. Undercover agents purchased a total of 75.6 grams of methamphetamine from Duque-Tinoco in March and April 2014. In August 2014, Duque-Tinoco was deported to Mexico and then arrested on Aug. 22, 2014, at the Texas-Mexico border as he tried to illegally reenter the United States. In June 2015, Duque-Tinoco returned to the United States, but during his absence, he made arrangements for his illegal drug activity to continue using others to complete the drug transactions. After returning to the United States, Duque-Tinoco resumed selling illegal narcotics and sold 135 grams of methamphetamine, 224 grams of heroin and 13.7 grams of cocaine to undercover officers. Later that same month, Duque-Tinoco was arrested following a traffic stop in which 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine was recovered. During this investigation, seven court ordered wire taps were utilized and agents calculated more than 63 kilograms of methamphetamine, 18 kilograms of cocaine, 20 pounds of marijuana, and a half-pound of heroin was distributed.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 37-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to prison for federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Adam Zermeno pleaded guilty on Jan. 6, 2017, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison on June 15, 2016 by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, beginning in February 2016, undercover law enforcement officers purchased a total of 2 ½ ounces of methamphetamine from Zermeno, who was supplying methamphetamine in Houston and the Beaumont area. On Sep. 8, 2016, law enforcement officers in Jefferson County conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Zermeno. Zermeno was traveling with Gina Gongora and their two small children. A drug-detecting dog alerted on the vehicle during the traffic stop. A search of the vehicle revealed a bag in the trunk, which contained marijuana, cocaine, pills, crack cocaine, and 83.3 grams of methamphetamine. Gongora immediately claimed the bag belonged to her. Zermeno and Gongora were arrested and indicted on Nov. 2, 2016 by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.

WASHINGTON – Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Bradley Visosky of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas was one of 179 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson at the 33rd Director’s Awards Ceremony held on June 16, 2017 in Washington D.C.

The Eastern District of Texas was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony, which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.

In his prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein told the awardees, “These 179 award recipients embody the best of the Department of Justice. Today’s honorees have earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, you have earned the gratitude of your fellow citizens — whose communities you have made safer, whose lives you have improved, and whose trust you have rewarded. ”

Bradley Visosky, of the Plano office, was recognized for his superior performance as an Appellate Assistant United States Attorney and, in particular, his handling of the appeal in a groundbreaking prosecution of Colombian nationals who trafficked thousands of kilograms of narcotics through the Eastern District of Texas and into the rest of the United States. Twenty-seven Colombian defendants were charged with drug trafficking crimes, including conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and manufacturing and distribution of cocaine to be imported into the United States. Four went to trial and were convicted. All appealed. In voluminous briefing, the appellants raised issues covering almost every aspect of the trial, including the constitutionality and extraterritorial reach of 21 U.S.C. §§ 959 and 963, venue, sufficiency of the evidence, jury instructions, and sentencing. AUSA Visosky’s well-written, concise brief and able presentation during oral argument—under intense questioning from the Fifth Circuit panel—resulted in a successful outcome.

“Bradley Visosky is the go-to guy in the Eastern District of Texas for expertise in many areas of the law,” said Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “Bradley’s adroit handling of this appeal ensured our district’s ability to protect the citizens of the Eastern District of Texas. He selflessly handles his own appellate cases, and when requested, comes to the aid of his peers to provide valued assistance. The district is honored to have Bradley chosen for a 2017 Director's award, and we are thrilled to have him as an outstanding Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas.”

EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.

SHERMAN, Texas — A 42-year-old Lewisville, Texas man has been found guilty of child exploitation charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

Jose Victor Hernandez-Cuellar was found guilty by a jury of production of child pornography. The verdict was reached on June 14, 2017, following a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant.

According to information presented in court, on Nov. 6, 2015, federal agents executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence based on a national investigation into individuals trading child pornography online. During the search, Hernandez advised agents that he had accessed the website for several years and obtained child pornography from it, but that his efforts were part of research for a story he was writing. During a forensic review of the seized devices, agents discovered images of child pornography that Hernandez had photographed. Agents spoke with Hernandez again and he admitted that he took the images of a minor child with a camera that he owned. Hernandez identified the child to law enforcement and stated he photographed the child at his residence in Lewisville.

Under federal statutes, Hernandez faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison. This is the maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress and 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 being prosecuted 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Miller and Lesley Brooks.

TYLER, Texas – A 33-year-old Carrollton, Texas woman has pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Nimrose Khan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, and engaging in monetary transactions. Khan entered her guilty plea today before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell.

On Aug. 4, 2016, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest and search warrants in Plano, Carrollton, Dallas and Tyler, Texas as a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Plano Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

According to information presented in court, from at least April 2013, Khan and her co-defendants, conspired to distribute synthetic drugs at two retail establishments in the Eastern District of Texas: Minute Stop/Valero Gas Station located at 11874 Hwy 64 West in Tyler, Texas and Ashes Smokes and Tattoos located at 1428 Avenue K in Plano, Texas. Khan and four others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 3, 2016

Under federal statutes, Khan 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 being investigated by DEA, Plano Police Department, IRS, ATF, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby. #####

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 23-year-old Eagle Pass, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Raul Alfonso Moreno-Bres pleaded guilty on Jan. 25, 2017, to interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprise and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, on Oct. 12, 2016, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling westbound on Interstate-10 in Orange County near mile marker 873. During the traffic stop, deputies learned the vehicle was owned by a passenger, Moreno Bres. Moreno Bres said he was a college student and that he had been in Atlanta on vacation. Moreno Bres gave consent to search the vehicle, during which deputies located $121,903 in currency. Afterwards, Moreno Bres said he had gone to Atlanta on orders from an unspecified Mexican drug cartel to pick up the money and deliver it to Mexico and that he knew the money was proceeds of unlawful activity.

This case was investigated by the DHS/HSI/ICE and Orange County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Rapp.

TYLER, Texas - A 41-year-old Jacksonville, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Abdul Kariem Lugman pleaded guilty on Jan. 12, 2017, to possession with intent to distribute approximately 24 grams of cocaine and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, on Dec. 21, 2015, law enforcement officers responded to a complaint of suspected drug dealing at the Home Place Inn in Jacksonville. As deputies approached the reported room, they observed the door was open and Lugman could be seen sitting in a chair with a small white rock-like substance in his hand near a digital scale. Lugman rushed towards the open door and was taken into custody. A search warrant was executed at the hotel room and officers discovered crack cocaine, cash, digital scales, a police scanner, firearms and other drugs and drug paraphernalia.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Police Department, and Texas Department of Public Safety – Law Enforcement Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

TYLER, Texas - A 34-year-old Tyler, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Nyrearae Lewis pleaded guilty on Jan. 5, 2017, to possession with intent to distribute crack and powder cocaine and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, on May 5, 2016, Lewis transported approximately 130 grams of cocaine to a residence in Tyler, Texas, with the intent to sell the cocaine. Once Lewis arrived at the house, he was assisted by the homeowner in converting some of the cocaine to approximately 44 grams of crack. The homeowner declined to purchase any of the cocaine so Lewis left with the cocaine he brought to the residence, including the 44 grams of newly converted crack cocaine. Shortly thereafter the vehicle Lewis was in was stopped for a traffic violation and the cocaine was located under the passenger seat where Lewis was seated. Lewis was indicted on Aug. 17, 2016 and charged with drug trafficking violations.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Tyler Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety – Law Enforcement Division, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 45-year-old Vidor, Texas man has been sentenced to prison for federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Ben Doyle Vaughn, III, pleaded guilty on Jan. 5, 2017, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, on Mar. 3, 2016, officers with Orange County (Texas) Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant for a residence located at 130 Clair St., Vidor, Texas that was known to be occupied by Vaughn. Prior to executing the search warrant, law enforcement officers observed a vehicle they knew to be driven by Vaughn traveling at a high rate of speed and committing other traffic violations. The vehicle was pulled over and Vaughn was found to be the driver of that vehicle. Vaughn was arrested for the traffic violations, gave the officers permission to drive his truck back to his house and also gave the officers consent to search his vehicle. A search of the residence revealed methamphetamine paraphernalia and marijuana inside a shop located at the back of a carport that Vaughn claimed to be his and provided the keys to unlock it. A small amount of methamphetamine was also discovered in Vaughn’s bedroom on his nightstand in the house. As the search continued, two K-9s were called to the scene and alerted on a vehicle, known to be driven by Vaughn, parked under the carport in front of Vaughn’s shop. One of the K-9’s alerted to the area surrounding that vehicle. As the officers moved the vehicle to search under and around the vehicle, officers observed a patch of disturbed dirt underneath one of the vehicle tires. This area was searched and officers dug up a metal can containing two plastic bags containing what was believed to be methamphetamine inside. Another quantity of methamphetamine was located in a bag and attached to the underside of the truck Vaughn was driving when he was brought back to the house for the search.

This case was investigated by DHS/ICE/HSI, Beaumont Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.

TYLER, Texas – A 56-year-old Fishers, Indiana man has been sentenced to federal prison for committing perjury in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

David Hernon, formerly of Richardson, Texas, pleaded guilty on Dec. 29, 2015, to making false declarations before the court and was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, in 2011, Hernon’s co-defendant and former business partner, Albert Davis, 56, formerly of Richardson, Texas, through his company, LBDS Holding Company, LLC, filed a federal suit against Korean-company ISOL Technology, Inc. (LBDS Holding Company, LLC v. ISOL Technology, Inc., et al., Case No. 6:11-CV-428) in the Eastern District of Texas, alleging breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition. During the 2014 trial of the case, Davis and Hernon testified falsely about business dealings with Cerner Corporation and offered false exhibits to support LBDS’s claim for damages. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury awarded LBDS a verdict of $25 million. When the perjury was discovered, attorneys for ISOL filed an emergency motion for sanctions against LBDS. The district court vacated the verdict, dismissed LBDS’s case with prejudice, and awarded ISOL $738,706.47 in attorney’s fees.

Davis and Hernon were charged in the Eastern District of Texas in 2015 with making false declarations before court. Davis’s case remains pending.

Davis, David Tayce, 67, of Lucas, Texas, Hernon, and Richard Bryant, 41, and his wife, Christina Bryant, 41, both of Sachse, Texas, were charged in a related case in the Western District of Missouri for conspiring to commit wire fraud. From Aug. 25, 2008 to Feb. 19, 2015, Davis and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to use Cerner Corporation’s reputation and standing in the medical field to manipulate business transactions and court proceedings in their favor.

On Apr. 24, 2017, Davis, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays in the Western District of Missouri to 12 years in federal prison. The court also ordered Davis to pay $19,151,555 in restitution to the victims of the fraud scheme.

On Apr. 25, 2017, Tayce, Hernon, Richard Bryant, and Christina Bryant were sentenced in separate appearances before Judge Kays. Tayce was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison and ordered to pay $19,151,555 in restitution. Hernon was sentenced to four years and four months in federal prison and ordered to pay $6,487,224 in restitution. Richard and Christina Bryant were each sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $8,079,197 in restitution.

In a related matter, in the summer of 2013, Davis and Tayce, approached Community Trust Bank regarding financing for iHeart Care cardiovascular surgical centers that Davis and Tayce planned to develop across North Texas. The plan, as outlined by Davis and Tayce, was to open multiple iHeart cardiovascular surgical centers and team up with physicians at each location who would invest in the surgical centers and refer patients to the cardiovascular practices. Over the course of the next year, Davis, Tayce, and Rachelle Dashner, 44, of Dallas, Texas, prepared loan documents related to various iHeart Care locations in Denton, Ennis, Mesquite, and Mansfield. Davis, Tayce, and Dashner identified numerous physicians as guarantors in the loan documents without the physicians’ knowledge and authorization. The loan documents were submitted to Community Trust Bank, and based upon various false and fraudulent representations, Community Trust Bank funded numerous loans to iHeart. In many instances, the iHeart facilities for which financing was obtained were never built or made operational. In total, Davis, Tayce, and Dashner submitted fraudulent loan documents to Community Trust Bank and secured five fraudulent loans totaling over $7,500,000.

Dashner was charged in the Eastern District of Texas with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. She pleaded guilty on May 18, 2017. At sentencing, Dashner faces up to five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, in cooperation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew P. Wolesky of the Western District of Missouri and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Davis of the Western District of Arkansas.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 43-year-old federal prison chaplain has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Eric S. Patrick, of Nederland, Texas, pleaded guilty on Jan. 19, 2017, to bribery of a public official and was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, in July 2015, investigators at the U.S. Penitentiary in Beaumont, Texas seized two gallon bags of tobacco and rolling papers from inmates at the prison. An investigation revealed that Patrick, while employed by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as a chaplain at the prison, was smuggling tobacco and cigarettes into the prison for inmates. To facilitate the scheme, Patrick set up several scam post office boxes and charged inmates $1,500 in each instance.

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Craft.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 67-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Lawrence Allen DeShetler pleaded guilty to mail fraud today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin.

     According to information presented in court, DeShetler has been a certified financial planner (CFP) and investment advisor since 1994, and has been president of DeShetler & Company, Inc. since 1988. In his capacity as a CFP and investment advisor, DeShetler would advise clients on investment strategies and act as a broker for financial products, such as annuities and insurance policies. However, beginning in 2014, DeShetler began soliciting funds from clients by convincing them they could see higher returns on their money if they allowed him to invest it. Based on DeShetler’s advice, the clients then withdrew money from their existing investment accounts and gave him the proceeds. DeShetler then deposited the funds in bank accounts in his name and under his exclusive control, and then used the money for his personal benefit. In total, DeShetler fraudulently obtained $1,907,003.71 from five clients, including two from the Jefferson/Orange county area of the Eastern District of Texas.

     Under federal statutes, DeShetler 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 was investigated by the Bureau of Investigation; Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas State Securities Board, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.

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TYLER, Texas – A 29-year-old Dallas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Sharjeel Jeff Ali pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, and engaging in monetary transactions. Ali entered his guilty plea today before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell.

     On Aug. 4, 2016, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest and search warrants in Plano, Carrollton, Dallas and Tyler, Texas as a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Administration, Plano Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

     According to information presented in court, from at least April 2013, Ali and his co-defendants, conspired to distribute synthetic drugs at two retail establishments in the Eastern District of Texas: Minute Stop/Valero Gas Station located at 11874 Hwy 64 West in Tyler, Texas and Ashes Smokes and Tattoos located at 1428 Avenue K in Plano, Texas. Ali and four others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 3, 2016

     Under federal statutes, Ali 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 being investigated by DEA, Plano Police Department, IRS, ATF, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

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TYLER, Texas – A 58-year-old Tyler, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Saleem Jeffer Jiwani pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, and engaging in monetary transactions. Jiwani entered his guilty plea on May 31, 2017 before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell.

     On Aug. 4, 2016, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest and search warrants in Plano, Carrollton, Dallas and Tyler, Texas as a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Administration, Plano Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

     According to information presented in court, from at least April 2013, Jiwani and his co-defendants, conspired to distribute synthetic drugs at two retail establishments in the Eastern District of Texas: Minute Stop/Valero Gas Station located at 11874 Hwy 64 West in Tyler, Texas and Ashes Smokes and Tattoos located at 1428 Avenue K in Plano, Texas. Jiwani and four others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 3, 2016

     Under federal statutes, Jiwani 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 being investigated by DEA, Plano Police Department, IRS, ATF, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

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PLANO, Texas – A jury has found a 26-year-old Norman, Oklahoma man guilty of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

­­­­­ Jermaine Webster Harris was found guilty by a jury following a nine-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone in Plano. Harris had been named in a 17-count indictment in which he was charged with conspiracy to carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit theft of firearms, conspiracy to possess stolen firearms, car-jacking, use and carry of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, theft of firearms, and possession of stolen firearms.

According to information presented in court, Harris, along with his co-defendants, committed numerous home invasion robberies, burglaries, and two car-jackings in and around Plano and Frisco, Texas. Harris was armed during the car-jackings.

Under federal statutes, Harris faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

“Congratulations to all who contributed to achieving this conviction,” said Brit Featherston, Acting U.S. Attorney, “When violent criminals endanger the citizens of this community, they better keep watch over their shoulder, because the weight of the federal government, and all of law enforcement, is coming to get them.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Bedford Police Department, the Plano Police Department, the Frisco Police Department, and the Lewisville Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Tracey Batson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ernest Gonzalez.

TYLER, Texas – Two Longview, Texas men have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Quintus Dewayne Shaw, 30, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine near a playground and felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love on May 23, 2017.

     Jonathan Lavel Wilson, 35, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine near a playground today before Judge Love.

     According to information presented in court, on Mar. 6, 2017, Shaw and Wilson participated in the distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Longview playground. On Jan. 12, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant at a Longview residence by the Gregg County C.O.D.E. Unit, Shaw possessed a firearm. Shaw and Wilson were indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 17, 2017, and charged with drug trafficking violations.

     Under federal statutes, the defendants each face 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 was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division, Gregg County C.O.D.E. Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

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TYLER, Texas – A long-time Smith County Precinct One Constable has pleaded guilty to federal criminal tax violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Henry Phillip Jackson, 65, of Tyler, Texas pleaded guilty to four counts of willful failure to file federal income tax returns today before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell.

According to information presented in court, Jackson, who has served as an elected constable since 1999, received income from 2010-2013 that required him to file federal income tax returns for those years. However, Jackson failed to file those returns and now owes more than $160,000 in taxes.

Under federal statutes, Jackson faces up to one year in federal prison for each count 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 was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan.

SHERMAN, Texas – A federal grand jury returned an 18-count superseding indictment charging four Frisco, Texas men with federal hate crime and conspiracy charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherson today.

Anthony Shelton, 19; Nigel Garrett, 21; Chancler Encalade, 20; and Cameron Ajiduah, 18, were named in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury today charging them with conspiring to cause bodily injury to persons because of the sexual orientation of those persons.

According to the indictment, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 2017, the defendants committed home invasions in Plano, Frisco, and Aubrey, Texas. For each of the four home invasions, the defendants used Grindr, a social media dating platform for gay men, to falsely identify as a gay man and arrange to meet the victim at the victim’s home. Upon entering the victim’s home, the defendants assaulted the victim, restrained the victim with tape, and made derogatory statements about the victim being gay. The defendants possessed a firearm during each home invasion, and they stole the victim’s property, including his motor vehicle.

For these crimes, the defendants have been charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of these crimes. The hate crime counts carry a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison.

An indictment merely establishes probable cause, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the ATF, the Plano Police Department and the Frisco Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Batson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Saeed Mody of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

A federal grand jury returned an eighteen-count superseding indictment against Anthony Shelton, 19; Nigel Garrett, 21; Chancler Encalade, 20; and Cameron Ajiduah, 18, charging them with conspiring to cause bodily injury to persons because of the sexual orientation of those persons, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Texas, and the U.S.  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Dallas Division announced.

According to the indictment, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 2017, the defendants committed home invasions in Plano, Frisco, and Aubrey, Texas.  For each of the four home invasions, the defendants used Grindr, a social media dating platform for gay men, to falsely identify as a gay man and arrange to meet the victim at the victim’s home.  Upon entering the victim’s home, the defendants assaulted the victim, restrained the victim with tape, and made derogatory statements about the victim being gay.  The defendants possessed a firearm during each home invasion, and they stole the victim’s property, including his motor vehicle.

For these crimes, the defendants have been charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of these crimes.  The hate crime counts carry a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

An indictment merely establishes probable cause, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the ATF, the Plano Police Department and the Frisco Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Batson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Saeed Mody of the Civil Rights Division.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Acting United States Attorney Brit Featherston announced today that as part of a federal reentry initiative, the United States Attorney’s Office is working with Lamar University in Beaumont in a new and innovative program designed to reduce recidivism by improving employment outcomes for ex-offenders in the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with Lamar University’s Criminal Justice program, launched Project GROW in February. Project GROW, an acronym for "Getting Reentrants On a Working Path,” brings third- and fourth-year criminal justice and social work students into the federal prison and halfway house to work with inmates. Led by Criminal Justice Instructor Karen Roebuck, a former U.S. Probation supervisor, Lamar University professors help students use evidence-based practices to provide counseling and job readiness training for successful reentry.

In the program, as part of their coursework, students work with assigned ex-offenders to develop assessment skills to address ex-offender risks and needs. The goal is to understand what each individual needs to successfully navigate reentry. Depending on the ex-offender’s risks and needs, students create individualized case plans to address all determined barriers. The course also develops offender accountability, self-awareness, and relationship skills for family reunification.

Because lawful employment is so important to successful reentry, the students network to provide ex-offenders with interview clothing, assist the development of resumes, and conduct mock job interviews. The students also assist in job searching and even address transportation barriers by providing donated bicycles. As a direct result of these efforts, in a relatively short time, the program significantly reduced the unemployment rate at the halfway house.

“Too many former prisoners re-offend, and we will hold them accountable if they do, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many resources are available to help them succeed after prison, and pairing ex-offenders with those resources makes a difference,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “Keeping the community safe is our first priority, and addressing recidivism and helping ex-offenders re-enter that community is a part of our mission to prevent crime. This program is a good example of the community bringing resources forward to help us in that part of our mission.” 

In coordination with federal, state, and local agencies and community service providers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office supports reentry initiatives as a means of reducing recidivism and keeping communities safe. Last year, the Eastern District received targeted funding from the Department of Justice to host a reentry summit and hire a specialist to promote reentry and other crime-prevention efforts. That reentry specialist, Dayana Borges, was instrumental in the development and execution of Project GROW, which is ongoing. The U.S Attorney’s Office is also working with a community-based reentry coalition to host an “employee awareness” luncheon later this spring. That luncheon will bring together prospective employers to share information about the practical benefits of hiring ex-offenders. The event will feature success stories from a panel of employers and the ex-offenders they have hired.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Fifteen illegal aliens working under false identities have been arrested on charges out of the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney Brit Featherston today.

On the evening of May 4, 2017, federal and state agents arrested 15 illegal aliens working under false identities at the LNG facility under construction in Cameron, Louisiana. Earlier in the week, a federal grand jury in Beaumont returned indictments charging the individuals with identity theft, using social security numbers of actual citizens, and making false claims of United States citizenship in order to obtain jobs at the facility over the past three years. The defendants, who are in the United States illegally, were all working under assumed names obtained through the possession of fraudulently obtained legitimate social security numbers and matching birth certificates, primarily issued in Puerto Rico. With such primary identifying information the defendants obtained State issued identification cards from Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and other states. The use of such documents allowed the illegal aliens to pass the E-verify systems used by their employers to ascertain U.S. citizenship or alien lawful work permits. All 15 aliens were identified after being arrested under their assumed names. Some had previous encounters with immigration authorities and had returned to the United States, which can lead to further charges being added or increased sentences upon conviction of the current charges. The defendants had all been hired by subcontractors who used hiring offices in Port Arthur, Texas, to accept applications, interview, and E-verify employees who then report to the jobsite in Louisiana upon hiring. Those arrested and making initial appearances in federal court today are:

• Miguel Roblero-Morales, 36, of Guatemala;
• Mario Arnulfo Pantaleon-Castaneda, 30, of Guatemala;
• Luis Angel Pulido Cervantes, 29, of Mexico;
• Joel Pulido-Gutierrez, 27, of Mexico;
• Juan Manuel Zavala-Leon, 30, of Mexico;
• Rigoberto Romo Martinez, 41, of Mexico;
• Jose De Jesus Vega-Gutierrez, 31, of Mexico;
• Juan Alexis Juarez-Coto, 46, of Honduras;
• Felix Jiminez-Ruiz, 25, of Mexico;
• Jose Gutierrez-Valencia, 27, of Mexico;
• Bernardo Hernandez-Gallo, 37, of Mexico;
• Elizar Alvarez-Barajas, 43, of Mexico;
• Roberto Carlos Cruz Cruz, 28 of Mexico;
• Guily Tenorio-Sierra, 21, of Mexico; and
• Arturo Rebollar-Osorio, 34, of Mexico.

“Protecting critical infrastructure is a national security priority for law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “To do so we must make sure that workers in our community, and especially those working in proximity to vital national interests like our oil and chemical industries, are legal and properly vetted as required by law. Further, we must remain vigilant to these concerns to protect the economy and the law abiding worker.”

If convicted, the defendants each face up to five years in federal prison. The 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 being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Rawls.

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

TYLER, Texas – A Smith County couple has been sentenced for health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Gerard Dengler, 61, and Suzanne Dengler 52, of Tyler, Texas, pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2017, to conspiring to commit health care fraudand were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. Gerard Dengler was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. Suzanne Dengler received a sentence of five years of probation. The Denglers were also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $161,695, which represented the loss to Medicare.

According to information presented in court, the Denglers owned and operated Elite Lab Services, a clinical diagnostic laboratory based in Tyler. As a Medicare provider, the company would bill Medicare for laboratory services provided to nursing homes located throughout east Texas, including the mileage associated with providing those services. Beginning in April 2014, Gerard and Suzanne Dengler conspired to fraudulently increase route mileage that Elite Lab used to calculate the travel allowances billed to Medicare. From April through October 2014, the company then sought reimbursement from Medicare for mileage that included the falsely inflated amounts.

Under federal statutes, the Denglers each face up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing and have already agreed to pay restitution in excess of $160,000, which represents the loss to Medicare. 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.

The criminal investigation arose from a civil qui tam action filed by former Elite Lab employee Karen Malcolm. In her complaint, Malcolm alleged, among other things, that Elite Lab and the Denglers submitted false claims to Medicare from approximately 2010 through 2014. The United States intervened in the action for purposes of settlement. The Denglers and Elite Lab agreed to pay the United States $3.75 million to settle the lawsuit. As a result of the settlement, Elite Lab will be excluded from participating in Medicare for eight years; Gerard Dengler will be excluded for 10 years; and Suzanne Dengler will be excluded for eight years. The settlement also resolved a separate civil lawsuit in which the United States sought to forfeit funds and property obtained by the Denglers and Elite Lab through their fraudulent conduct.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Texas Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas. The criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Coan and Nathaniel Kummerfeld and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken McGurk. The civil settlement was negotiated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Russ. The civil forfeiture action was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bob Wells.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Texas Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth C. McGurk and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld.

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 34-year-old Kirbyville, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Stefone Dwayne Palomo pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. The leader of the conspiracy, McGee Lamar Falcon, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on March 31, 2017. Palomo is the last remaining defendant in the case to be sentenced.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2009, Falcon and his co-conspirators operated a drug trafficking organization which acquired large multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine from suppliers in Mexico for distribution to customers in the United States, including the Eastern District of Texas and Western District of Louisiana. Palomo and nine others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 2, 2015.

Law enforcement agencies became aware of the organization’s activities in September 2013. From that time forward, the investigation led to controlled purchases from members of the organization and the seizure of money, drugs, and firearms. Falcon and his distributors typically arranged customer meetings in rural locations around Kirbyville and Bon Weir, Texas.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Beaumont Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper Police Department, and Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross, Michelle Englade and John Craft.

LOS ANGELES – A concert promoter with operations in Dallas, Texas and West Hollywood has been arrested on federal wire fraud charges in a case that alleges he defrauded investors in connection with concerts and other events.

Gabriel Martin Reed, 46, a former Malibu resident who recently relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, was arrested by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Saturday afternoon in McKinney, Texas.

Reed, who does business under the name Gabe Reed Productions, was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint filed on April 19 in United States District Court in Los Angeles. The case against Reed was announced today after the complaint was unsealed during Reed’s first court appearance. The complaint charges Reed with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Over an 8½-year period, Reed represented himself as a promoter and organizer of hard rock music events, as well as wrestling matches for World Wrestling Entertainment. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Reed solicited investors in concert events by touting longstanding relationships with well-known musicians, showing props from alleged previous tours, and, in some instances, creating fabricated financial records related to music events.

The complaint alleges that Reed falsely told investors that musical artists had agreed to participate in events and that their funds would be used to provide up-front financing for the events. However, in many instances, the musical artists had not agreed to participate and, rather than using the funds for the events, Reed allegedly used the investors’ funds for personal expenses.

One Los Angeles investor agreed to put $100,000 into a concert tour Reed was calling “Titans of Rock.” However, many of the promised artists had not agreed to participate in the tour. An FBI review of bank records showed the victim’s money was used to pay for Reed’s personal expenses, including child support, costs related to a birthday, and meals at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, according to the affidavit. Over the course of several months in 2015, the $100,000 “had been depleted,” due in part to ATM withdrawals, and the FBI was “unable to identify the payment of any expenses related to a concert or tour,” the affidavit states.

The complaint alleges that Reed solicited money from at least 15 victims who suffered losses of at least $1.4 million.

Reed made his initial court appearance this morning in United States District Court in Sherman, Texas. Reed has agreed to appear in federal court Los Angeles at a date to be determined. He remains in custody until a detention hearing set for Friday in Texas.

Reed is charged with wire fraud for allegedly bilking the Titans of Rock investor and aggravated identity theft in relation to another promoter whose name Reed allegedly used in connection with the wire fraud.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If he convicted of the charges, Reed would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud count and a mandatory, consecutive two-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft charge.  Investors who provided money to Reed and believe they were defrauded should contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.

The case against Reed is being investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Poonam Kumar of the Major Frauds Section.

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 35-year-old Port Arthur, Texas man has been found guilty by a jury for federal violations related to the murder of a Port Acres woman in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Sabino Orlando Martinez was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, conspiracy to use and carry firearms during a crime of violence, and conspiracy to possess firearms during a drug trafficking crime following a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone today.  After the opening statement by the prosecutor, the defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The trial proceeded on the remaining three charges of which the jury found him guilty after approximately one hour.  

     According to information presented in court, beginning in 2001, Martinez and others started robbing women in the parking lots of stores and businesses in Port Arthur, Texas.  Evidence showed the defendants committed the robberies for the purpose of supporting their crack cocaine habits.  The robberies increased to almost daily between 2009 and 2011.  During the investigation of these crimes, it was discovered that Martinez and his co-defendants were responsible for the May 14, 2010 death of Allison Neil Clark, of Port Acres, Texas.  Clark was shot while driving on West Port Arthur Road.  Once law enforcement officers became aware of Martinez’s co-defendant’s vehicle in the area, they were quickly able to focus on Martinez’s involvement. Video surveillance from area businesses verified the vehicle’s presence in the area at the time of the shooting.  Testimony at trial was that Martinez fired the shot that killed Clark. Martinez was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 4, 2016. 

     “This conviction of Sabine Orlando Martinez concludes the prosecution of two very dangerous men, who for more than ten years terrorized innocent Jefferson County victims by robbing, threatening, exploiting, and eventually killing one of their "lambs" they targeted for attack and theft,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.  “A tenacious team of dedicated investigators, Alton Baise, of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Paul Arvizo, of the Port Arthur Police Department; and Mike Hebert, of the Port Arthur Police Department, refused to let this cold case die.  Joined by Assistant U.S. Attorney and prosecutor, Lesley Woods, this team worked night and day, turning over every stone to bring Allison's killer to justice.  That happened today!” 

     Under federal statutes, Martinez faces up to 100 years in federal prison.  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 was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods.

The Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that four men have been charged for their involvement in the illegal trafficking of alligator snapping turtles.

Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the world and can grow to weigh more than 200 pounds with a lifespan of more than 100 years. The turtles are designated as threatened with statewide extinction under Texas state law which strictly prohibits anyone from taking, capturing, transporting, or selling these turtles, or attempting to do so.

In one indictment, Travis Leger and Rickey Simon, both of Sulphur, Louisiana, and Jason Leckelt of Wilburton, Oklahoma, are charged with conspiracy and Lacey Act violations for illegally taking about 66 alligator snapping turtles in Texas and then transporting them back to their property in Sulphur, Louisiana, for sale in the Spring and Summer of 2016. In July 2016, federal agents seized 30 large alligator snapping turtles from ponds located at the defendants’ property in Sulphur, Louisiana, pursuant to a federal search warrant. The indictment also charges Leger with making a false statement to federal agents and charges Rickey Simon with destroying evidence during the execution of the federal warrant. In a separate indictment, Montaro Williams of Elton, Louisiana, is charged with a Lacey Act violation for illegally taking two alligator snapping turtles in Texas and then attempting to transport them to Louisiana for sale on Aug. 12, 2013.

Leger was arrested today in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and made his initial appearance in federal court there. Simon, Leckelt, and Williams were arrested earlier this month.

An indictment is an allegation based upon a finding of probable cause by a federal grand jury, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy, Lacey Act, and false statement charges and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the destruction of evidence charge.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Batte of the Eastern District of Texas and Senior Trial Attorney David P. Kehoe of the Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section, prosecuted the case. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 45-year-old Roma, Texas man has been sentenced to prison for federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Amador Saldana pleaded guilty on Oct. 5, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

     According to information presented in court, Saldana, also known as Mustard, because he packaged kilograms of cocaine with mustard because he believed it would defeat drug dog detection, was a large-scale distributor of cocaine based in Roma, Texas. Saldana had status with members of the Gulf Cartel and was able to import hundreds of kilograms from Mexico into Texas for distribution to customers across the Eastern District of Texas and to the Eastern part of the United States.

     This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

     This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Craft.

SHERMAN, Texas – A 34-year-old Dallas man has pleaded guilty to fraud in connection with a Denton County highway expansion project in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Wade Wylie Blackburn, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine A. Nowak.

According to information presented in court, from 2008 to 2011, Blackburn conspired with Kevin James Bollman to defraud the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT.) Blackburn and Bollman raised investment money and purchased Right-of-Way (ROW) along Interstate Highway 35 East in Denton County with the intent of quickly re-selling the ROW land tracts to TXDOT.

TXDOT acquired ROW through one of three methods: (1) Condemnation (normal acquisition); (2) Early Acquisition (EAQ); and (3) Advanced Acquisition (AAQ) through option contracts. The first two methods required environmental clearances before TXDOT was permitted to acquire the ROW and pay the landowner. The timing on these acquisitions, including the timing of the environmental clearance issued by the federal government, is unpredictable and often takes years to accomplish. The third method – the AAQ method through option contracts – permitted TXDOT to execute an option contract before environmental clearances were obtained, then pay the landowners a significant up-front option fee designed to keep the landowner from transferring or developing the property on the ROW that would later result in TXDOT likely having to pay more for the ROW. The landowner agreed not to develop the property in exchange for the up-front option fee, then closed on the sale and received the remainder of the purchase money after the environmental clearances were obtained.

As part of the scheme, Blackburn and Bollman intentionally caused false material information to be submitted to the TXDOT appraiser regarding, among other things, their development plans for the various properties. Blackburn and Bollman made these representations to the TXDOT appraiser even though they knew they had no intent to develop any of the properties. Blackburn also wrote a letter with material false statements to individuals at TXDOT. It claimed they were being forced to forego imminent development plans for the tracts, had been unable to successfully secure building permits, and were experiencing financial hardships as a result. Blackburn and Bollman also made false material oral misrepresentations to officials of TXDOT when they told them that they were experiencing financial hardships as a result of not being able to proceed with immediate development of the tracts, and that TXDOT should use the AAQ method to immediately purchase the tracts. Blackburn and Bollman made the material misrepresentations to TXDOT so they could ultimately benefit from the up-front option fee rather than wait for TXDOT acquisition by their usual course of condemnation. TXDOT used option contracts to purchase the tracts for higher prices than what Blackburn and Bollman paid for the tracts. Blackburn was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2016.

“Government programs are designed to benefit the citizens, in this case, to build critical infrastructure to be used by all,” said Acting U.S Attorney Featherston. “Taxpayers must trust that state and federal funds for building roads and highways are being used and expended in a judicious manner, and not lost to greed and manipulation. Blackburn and others used a complex scheme to defraud the taxpayers, and in doing so, corrupted the process designed to build roads for our citizens.”

Under federal statutes, Blackburn faces up to five years in federal prison. 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 being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher A. Eason and J. Andrew Williams.

TYLER, Texas - A 38-year-old Gilmer, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Shanna Peek Tidwell pleaded guilty on Dec. 6, 2016, to conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Assets to be forfeited by the defendant included U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, six automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms.

On Dec. 3, 2014, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview, Texas as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. In April 2014, law enforcement agencies, initiated an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into a synthetic drug trafficking organization based in the Gregg County, Texas area. This investigation involved extensive surveillance and controlled purchases of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, and drug paraphernalia.

The operation resulted in the arrest of Tidwell, her husband, Jeremy Chad Tidwell, 41, of Gilmer, and brother-in-law, Brian Tidwell, 45, of Arlington, Texas. Four retail stores, all located in Longview, were searched as part of the law enforcement operation. Over $1.2 million, including in excess of $450,000 in cash, multiple vehicles, and large quantities of synthetic drugs were seized.

The defendants were indicted in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on Feb. 19, 2015. Charges included conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, conspiracy to sell and offer for sale drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and maintaining a place for the distribution of a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

The DEA Task Force in Tyler includes officers from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, Kilgore Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, as well as DEA Special Agents.

Other agencies assisting in the joint investigative effort included the U.S. Attorney’s Office - Eastern District of Texas, DEA Tyler Task Force, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit (CODE), Longview Police Department, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Lakeport Police Department, Gladewater Police Department, Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ann Cozby.

TYLER, Texas - A 38-year-old Gilmer, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Jeremy Chad Tidwell pleaded guilty on Dec. 6, 2016, to conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Assets to be forfeited by the defendant included U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, six automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms.

On Dec. 3, 2014, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview, Texas as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. In April 2014, law enforcement agencies, initiated an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into a synthetic drug trafficking organization based in the Gregg County, Texas area. This investigation involved extensive surveillance and controlled purchases of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, and drug paraphernalia.

The operation resulted in the arrest of Tidwell, her husband, Jeremy Chad Tidwell, 41, of Gilmer, and brother-in-law, Brian Tidwell, 45, of Arlington, Texas. Four retail stores, all located in Longview, were searched as part of the law enforcement operation. Over $1.2 million, including in excess of $450,000 in cash, multiple vehicles, and large quantities of synthetic drugs were seized.

The defendants were indicted in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on Feb. 19, 2015. Charges included conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, conspiracy to sell and offer for sale drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and maintaining a place for the distribution of a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

The DEA Task Force in Tyler includes officers from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, Kilgore Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, as well as DEA Special Agents.

Other agencies assisting in the joint investigative effort included the U.S. Attorney’s Office - Eastern District of Texas, DEA Tyler Task Force, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit (CODE), Longview Police Department, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Lakeport Police Department, Gladewater Police Department, Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ann Cozby.

TYLER, Texas — A 35-year-old Medford, Oregon woman has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Crystal Beam pleaded guilty on Nov. 14, 2016, to conspiracy to sexually exploit children and was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Beam will be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from federal prison.

According to information presented in court, between November 2014 and January 2015, Beam conspired and agreed with Brian Casper, 27, of Tyler, Texas to use minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions and transmitting live visual depictions of such conduct.

Casper also conspired and agreed with Taylor Keeth, 22, of Indianola, Iowa, and Lacy Brooks, 31, of Searcy, Arkansas, to use minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions and transmitting live visual depictions of such conduct.

Casper pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2016, to conspiracy to sexually exploit children. Keeth pleaded guilty on Dec. 7, 2016, to conspiracy to sexually exploit children. Brooks pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2017 in the Eastern District of Arkansas, to production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

“He who harms the child, shall have a millstone tied upon his neck and he shall be cast into the deepest part of the sea,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “Although we cannot cast anyone into the sea, it is, and shall remain the highest priority that those who harm a child shall be swiftly brought to justice and punishment shall be sought.”

On Apr. 10, 2017, Casper and Keeth were sentenced by Judge Clark. Casper was sentenced to 336 months in federal prison, and Keeth was sentenced to 282 months in federal prison. Brooks is awaiting sentencing.

This case was prosecuted 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

“These cases are heart wrenching for all involved, the child advocates, the families, the investigators, the prosecutors and the courts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Featherston. “I applaud their resilience and fortitude in bringing these predators to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tyler Police Department, Port of Galveston Police Department, White County (Arkansas) Sheriff's Office, Indianola (Iowa) Police Department, and the Medford (Oregon) Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, in cooperation with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin O'Leary and Kristin Bryant of the Eastern District of Arkansas.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 37-year-old Orange, Texas man has been sentenced to prison for federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Kenneth Martin, Jr., was found guilty by a jury on July 13, 2016 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 115 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, from September 2015 to February 2016, Martin conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around the Orange County, Texas area. Evidence presented at trial indicated that Kenneth Martin, Jr., who was traveling with his cousin and co-defendant, Brandon Martin, were stopped by Orange County Sheriff's deputies for traffic violations. Brandon Martin, who was the driver of the vehicle, gave officers verbal consent to search the vehicle and officers located a magnetic key box under the left front wheel well. This is the same location from where officers observed Brandon Martin a few days earlier, retrieve suspected methamphetamine. Kenneth Martin, Jr. was searched and found to have a small amount of methamphetamine in his pocket and both Brandon and Kenneth Martin were arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail. Once at the jail, Kenneth Martin repeatedly advised officers that the substance found in the magnetic box was all his and Brandon had nothing to do with it.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Two Southeast Texas men have been sentenced to prison for federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Richard William Jones, 40, of Diboll, Texas pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2016, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

Ronny Joe Bartz, 51, of Humble, Texas pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2016, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today by Judge Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 7, 2013, San Jacinto County Sherriff’s deputies performed a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling north on Highway 59. As they attempted to pull over the vehicle, the officers observed a black bag fly out of the passenger side window and land in the grass. The driver of the vehicle continued without stopping for approximately 100 yards before stopping. The driver was identified as Richard William Jones and the passenger was identified as Ronny Joe Bartz. Officers then went back and retrieved the black bag that was thrown out of the passenger side where Bartz was sitting. The deputies opened the bag and inside located a small silver handgun, a set of digital scales, clear plastic baggies containing methamphetamine, a clear glass pipe with residue in it, and a quantity of empty clear plastic baggies.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Englade.

TYLER, Texas - A 41-year-old Gilmer, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Jeremy Chad Tidwell pleaded guilty on Nov. 17, 2016, to conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Assets to be forfeited by the defendant included U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, 6 automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms.

On Dec. 3, 2014, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview, Texas as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. In April 2014, law enforcement agencies, initiated an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into a synthetic drug trafficking organization based in the Gregg County, Texas area. This investigation involved extensive surveillance and controlled purchases of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, and drug paraphernalia.

The operation resulted in the arrest of Tidwell, his wife, Shanna Peek Tidwell, 38, of Gilmer, and Tidwell's brother, Brian Tidwell, 45, of Arlington, Texas. Four retail stores, all located in Longview, were searched as part of the law enforcement operation. Over $1.2 million, including in excess of $450,000 in U.S. currency, multiple vehicles, and large quantities of synthetic drugs were seized.

The defendants were indicted in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on Feb. 19, 2015. Charges included conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, conspiracy to sell and offer for sale drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and maintaining a place for the distribution of a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

The DEA Task Force in Tyler includes officers from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, Kilgore Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, as well as DEA Special Agents.

Other agencies assisting in the joint investigative effort included the U.S. Attorney’s Office - Eastern District of Texas, DEA Tyler Task Force, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit (CODE), Longview Police Department, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Lakeport Police Department, Gladewater Police Department, Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ann Cozby.

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 41-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to prison for federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Jesus Najar Silva pleaded guilty on Nov. 29, 2016, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, Jesus Najar Silva was identified as a supplier during an investigation into the distribution of multi-kilograms of methamphetamine in Houston and the Eastern District of Texas. Silva made four deliveries of more than one pound of methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Houston and Cleveland, Texas. Based on Title III wiretaps and other investigative tools, agents learned that at least three other individuals were involved in this organization. The recorded calls revealed that Silva negotiated the sale of a total of 6.1 kilograms of methamphetamine and four kilograms of cocaine during this conspiracy. These calls also led to the identification, arrest and prosecution of Silva's source of supply, and two other members of this conspiracy.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Houston Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Englade.

TYLER, Texas – Two Dallas men have been sentenced to federal prison for burglarizing a bank in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Curtis Eugene Thomas, 32, pleaded guilty on Sep. 29, 2016 to bank burglary and was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

Dominic Dennard Green, 31, pleaded guilty on Nov. 29, 2016 to bank burglary and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison today by Judge Clark.

Both men were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $58,376.75.

According to information presented in court, on Feb. 9, 2016, Thomas, Green and two others broke into the Jacksonville branch of Austin Bank early in the morning before the bank had opened for business. Three of the individuals were dropped off at the bank while the other waited nearby with a getaway car. After disabling the bank’s surveillance cameras and security system, the defendants stole more than $30,000 from the bank’s automated teller machine cash drawers. They then left the bank, returned to the getaway car and left the area. A local patrol unit attempted a traffic stop and a high speed chase ensued. During the chase, all four men bailed out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. One individual was apprehended at the scene and the others were arrested later

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan.

TYLER, Texas — A man and woman have been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

     Brian Casper, 27, of Tyler, Texas pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2016, to conspiracy to sexually exploit children and was sentenced to 336 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Casper will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison.

     Taylor Keeth, 22, of Indianola, Iowa, pleaded guilty on Dec. 7, 2016, to conspiracy to sexually exploit children and was sentenced to 282 months in federal prison today by Judge Clark. She will also be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from federal prison.

     According to information presented in court, between November 2014 and August 2015, Casper, knowingly conspired and agreed with Keeth, Crystal Beam, 35, of Medford, Oregon, and Lacy Brooks, 31, of Searcy, Arkansas, to use minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions and transmitting live visual depictions of such conduct.

     Crystal Beam pleaded guilty on Nov. 14, 2016, to conspiracy to sexually exploit children. Lacy Brooks, 31, of Searcy, Arkansas, pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2017 in the Eastern District of Arkansas, to production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Beam and Brooks are awaiting sentencing.

     This case was prosecuted 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

     This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tyler Police Department, Port of Galveston Police Department, White County (Arkansas) Sheriff's Office, Indianola (Iowa) Police Department, and the Medford (Oregon) Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, in cooperation with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin O'Leary and Kristin Bryant of the Eastern District of Arkansas.

BEAUMONT, Texas –A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments this week charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

Martin Gutierrez, 22, of Harlingen, Texas, was indicted on charges of assaulting a federal officer. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in federal prison. According to the indictment, in November 2016, while an inmate with the Bureau of Prisons, Gutierrez assaulted correctional officers on at least two separate occasions. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke.

Jonathan Derick Hickey, 35, of Orange, Texas, was indicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces from 10 years to life in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Jan. 17, 2017, Hickey was arrested following a traffic stop during which officers discovered a large amount of methamphetamine and cash in his vehicle. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.

Terence Millsaps, 51, of New Orleans, LA, was indicted on charges of assaulting a federal officer. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in federal prison. According to the indictment, while an inmate with the Bureau of Prisons, Millsaps assaulted a correctional officer. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke.

Eva Renee Powell, 50, of Vidor, Texas, was indicted on charges of bank robbery. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on May 30, 2016, Powell robbed the Capital One Bank in Orange, Texas. This case is being investigated by the Federal Burea of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke.

Enrique David Vanegas, 52, of El Salvador, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison to be followed by deportation. This case is being investigated by the HSI-ICE and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke.

A grand jury 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 35-year-old Kirbyville, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

McGee Lamar Falcon pleaded guilty on Oct. 16, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine and was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2009, Falcon and his co-conspirators operated a drug trafficking organization which acquired large multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine from suppliers in Mexico for distribution to customers in the United States, including the Eastern District of Texas and Western District of Louisiana. Falcon and nine others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 2, 2015.

1. enforcement agencies became aware of the organization’s activities in September 2013. From that time forward, the investigation led to controlled purchases from members of the organization and the seizure of money, drugs, and firearms. Falcon and his distributors typically arranged customer meetings in rural locations around Kirbyville and Bon Weir, Texas.

This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Beaumont Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper Police Department, and Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross, Michelle Englade and John Craft.

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 25-year-old federal inmate has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Armando Rodriguez, Jr., pleaded guilty on Mar. 6, 2017, to possession of a prohibited object and was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.

According to information presented in court, on Sep. 11, 2016, Rodriguez, a federal inmate housed in the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, was found to be in possession of a homemade knife. The knife, commonly referred to as a shank, was discovered by a corrections officer during a routine pat-down. The shank was a piece of metal that had been sharpened to a point and was designed to be used as a weapon. Such objects are prohibited in the Bureau of Prisons. Rodriguez had previously been convicted of a federal drug violation and was scheduled to complete his sentence on April 3, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.

PLANO, Texas – A 48-year-old McKinney, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

      Peter Mwedziwendira pleaded guilty on Mar. 28, 2017, to filing false personal tax returns before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest Johnson.

      According to information presented in court, Mwedziwendira admitted to filing false personal tax returns for himself for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013. In those false returns, Mwedziwendira falsely claimed that he was entitled to a Head of Household filing status and also falsely claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit in addition to false educational expenses. Mwedziwendira also admitted to preparing false tax returns for several of his clients for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 tax years. Mwedziwendira’s actions caused a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service of $248,332. He was indicted in February 2017 by a federal grand jury.

      Under federal statutes, Mwedziwendira faces up to three 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 was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Andrew Williams.

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TYLER, Texas – A Longview, Texas mother and son have been indicted on federal charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherson today.

Gracie Brisco, 54, and her son, Robert Brisco, 29, were indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 22, 2017, and charged with multiple counts of student financial aid fraud.

According to the indictment, between June 2013 and September 2015, Gracie Brisco and Robert Brisco, aided and abetted by each other and others, knowingly and willfully misapplied, stole, and obtained by fraud, false statement, and forgery funds, assets, and property provided and insured under the Pell Grant Program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs.

If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison. 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 being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Longview Police Department, and the Kilgore College Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathanial Kummerfeld.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 41-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Fabian Paredes Alvarez, also known as Fabian Hernandez Alvarez, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn.

According to information presented in court, on Dec. 28, 2015, law enforcement officers received information that a described vehicle would be traveling to Beaumont, Texas to deliver methamphetamine. Officers observed the described vehicle and performed a traffic stop on the vehicle in the Eastern District of Texas. The driver was identified as Cody Drawhorn and there were three other passengers in the vehicle. A drug-detecting K-9 was then deployed to perform an open-air search of the vehicle and while arresting one of the passengers on an active warrant, officers located a used glass smoking pipe with residue believed to be methamphetamine in her purse. Drawhorn provided the officers with consent to search his vehicle. The vehicle was then searched and officers located approximately 6.5 ounces of methamphetamine packaged in 20 individually prepackaged baggies. Additionally, officers located two firearms inside the vehicle. The first one, which was identified as a black, Hi-Point.45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number X4271020, loaded with nine live rounds in plain view between the driver and front passenger seat. The second firearm also located inside the vehicle was identified as a black, Davis Industries P .380 caliber automatic pistol, bearing serial number AP156106, loaded with five rounds. Additional ammunition, small amounts of methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia was also located inside the vehicle. Drawhorn later advised officers that he brought one of the passengers to Beaumont to drop off some methamphetamine there after they picked it up in northwest Houston from Drawhorn’s supplier he knew as “Rob Bos.” Drawhorn further admitted that he had been selling approximately one pound of methamphetamine per week that he obtained from “Rob Bos” to pay his bills. Phone analysis identified the person whom Drawhorn was receiving methamphetamine was Robert Borowski. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 7, 2016. Drawhorn pleaded guilty on Mar. 20, 2017. Robert Edward Borowski pleaded guilty on Mar. 15, 2017.

Under federal statutes, the defendants face up to 10 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 being prosecuted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) as a joint investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, weapons trafficking offenders, money laundering organizations, and those individuals responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Englade.

SHERMAN, Texas – A 51-year-old Dallas man has been indicted for investment fraud in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Carlton Chadbourne Sayers, also known as Chad Sayers was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 8, 2017, and charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity. The indictment was unsealed on Mar. 15, 2017, and Sayers was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine Nowak and entered a plea of not guilty on Mar. 16, 2017.

According to the indictment and information presented in court, Sayers is alleged to have devised a scheme to defraud numerous victims by requesting that individuals loan to or invest money with him and Wellington and Franklin Financial, a business that he controlled, representing that this money would be used to purchase and/or renovate various residential real properties, to be secured by an interest in the property. The indictment also alleges that Sayers would promise a significant rate of return (such as ten percent) to the investors, and would frequently secure multiple investments based on a single piece of real property. As set out in the indictment, however, Sayers did not invest the funds as he had represented to investors and did not provide the secured interests in real property as he represented to the investors. On some occasions, as set forth in the indictment, when Wellington and Franklin Financial or Sayers did actually own the residential properties, the property had been purchased with a pre-existing loan from a seasoned investor, and was already acting as security to that investor. Sayers is also alleged to have defrauded dozens of victims with little experience in real estate investments, who were induced by Sayers’s false claims of a secure investment, purportedly backed by the assignment of an interest in the respective real estate asset and returns that were considerably higher than what they could achieve through many other investments. The scheme is alleged to have resulted in substantial losses of over $3 million affecting dozens of victims.

If convicted, Sayers faces up to 30 years in federal prison. 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 being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Gibson.

An 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 34-year-old federal prison guard has pleaded guilty to bribery in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Anqunett Vernetta Lewis, of Houston, pleaded guilty to an Information charging her with bribery of a public official today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn.

According to information presented in court, from Feb. 22, 2015 to Nov. 9h, 2016, Lewis worked as a corrections officer for the Bureau of Prisons at the Federal Correctional Institution – Beaumont (FCI – Beaumont). During that time, she carried out the duties typical of a corrections officer – overseeing inmates, delivering food and other items to the inmates, and ensuring compliance with Bureau of Prisons and FCI – Beaumont rules, policies, and regulations.

Starting in October 2015 until January 2016, Lewis was paid by inmates to smuggle watches with cellular capabilities into FCI – Beaumont. Inmates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons are prohibited from possessing phones, watches, or other devices with cellular capabilities. Lewis admitted to smuggling in numerous watches and was paid by the inmates, or surrogates on their behalf, via wire transfer.

Under federal statutes, Lewis faces up to 5 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 was investigated by the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.

PLANO, Texas – Dallas County twin brothers were sentenced to prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Roger Harvey Wagner, of Grand Prairie, Texas and Rodney Lee Wagner, of Cedar Hill, Texas, each pleaded guilty on July 7, 2016, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and were sentenced to 48 months in federal prison on Mar. 8, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant. The 52-year-old twins were also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,895,318.62.

According to information presented in court, the Wagner brothers perpetrated what amounted to a Ponzi scheme that caused investors to lose over $2.1 million. From February through November 2010, the brothers solicited money from investors to be invested in foreign currency trading. The brothers promised investors they would be repaid their principal plus a fixed rate of return that would be paid out to them over a series of weeks. Very little of the invested money was used for foreign currency trading, and prosecutors contended the money received from the latest investors was used to repay earlier investors to keep them lulled.

"These scams, unfortunately, are in our midst,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Featherston. “I encourage all potential investors to fully investigate any investment opportunity before handing over hard earned money. If a deal sounds too good to be true, as the saying goes...it usually is! These two individuals may not wear a mask over their face and may not carry a gun, but they are as much a thief as those that do, and they deserve the just punishment handed down by the court."

This case was investigated by the Texas State Securities Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andy Williams and Tom Gibson.

HOUSTON, Texas - A Conroe, Texas couple has pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud conspiracy in the Southern District of Texas, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

Richard Kent Harris, 73, and Darlene Ann Riley, 59, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud today before U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt.

According to information presented in court, on June 22, 2012, Richard Harris entered into a contract with a home builder to construct a custom home for Harris and his wife, Darlene Riley. In August 2012, Harris and Riley became embroiled in a dispute with the home builder over the design of their house and a lawsuit ensued. The lawsuit went to arbitration, where Harris and Riley were ordered to pay the home builder $54,686.55 in damages. Approximately two weeks later Harris and Riley consulted with a bankruptcy attorney.

Harris and Riley filed for divorce on April 1, 2013, but continued to reside at the same address. In the months leading up to the divorce filing, Harris and Riley made substantial charges on their credit card, which was used for their mutual benefit. On February 26, 2013, Riley withdrew $67,000 from the joint checking account she shared with Harris and deposited it into her own sole checking account.

Following Riley’s filing for divorce, a property settlement was entered into between Riley and Harris. All material assets of the marriage were awarded to Riley, which included a 2004 Jaguar XK8, a 2007 beachcomber boat, a utility trailer, all of their furnishings, 43 paintings, jewelry, 2012 federal income tax refund, and half of his net federal pension. On June 12, 2013, Harris also transferred his interest in their homestead by special warranty deed to Riley. The divorce was finalized on June 3, 2013.

On October 15, 2013, Harris filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Texas. Harris claimed debts totaling $173,305.19 to various banks, credit cards, the home builder and other unsecured creditors. Harris failed to disclose on his bankruptcy petition the transfer of his homestead interest to Riley, the vehicle transfers, the sale of a truck for $5,500, and the $67,000 withdrawal from his joint account with Riley. A review of Riley’s bank records found that the $67,000 she transfered into her solely owned bank account was spent on mortgage payments and other joint household expenses. Riley’s transfer of the $67,000 from the joint account with Harris was done to hide those assets from being used to repay Harris’s creditors in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Further, Harris filed the bankruptcy petition with knowledge that the transfer was not disclosed to his creditors in the bankruptcy petition, as is required by law.

Under federal statutes, Harris and Riley face up to five 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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher T. Tortorice and Paul Hable.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston announced today that four individuals have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment, which was unsealed on Mar. 1, 2017, charging the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute heroin and conspiracy to money launder. These men appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin for arraignments:

Jeihka Angelica Cuero, 24, of Colombia;

Carlos Ivan Calderon Rosado, 52, of Puerto Rico;

Alexander Ramirez Valencia, 43, of Colombia; and

Harry Martinez, 41, of Colombia.

According to the indictment, from about 2014 until February 2017, the defendants conspired to distribute heroin through Southeast Texas to the New Orleans area. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized 10 kilograms of heroin and $386,000 cash.

All four men were currently residing in Houston. Martinez and Ramirez were pending final deportation hearings at the time of their arrests. Defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of these crimes.

“Heroin use in the United States has reached a 20 year high according to the 2016 World Drug Report issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said Acting U.S. Attorney Featherston. “2016 saw the number of overdose drug deaths exceeded 50,000. This number is more than violent gun deaths, and more than car crash related fatalities reported in 2016.”

1. case is being prosecuted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) as a joint investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, weapons trafficking offenders, money laundering organizations, and those individuals responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case is being investigated by DEA, HSI-OHS, Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston Police Department and Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Craft.

TEXARKANA, Texas – A 50-year-old Avery, Texas man has been convicted by a jury following a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Bobby Wayne Lance was found guilty of all eight counts in the indictment following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III today. Lance was convicted of bank robbery, carjacking, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

According to information presented in court, on Nov. 8, 2015, Lance robbed the Cinemark Movies 8 Cinema in Paris, Texas. On Nov. 14, 2015, Lance robbed the Carter’s Store and RV Park convenience store near DeKalb, Texas. On Nov. 17, 2015, Lance robbed the First National Bank of Mount Vernon, Cypress Springs Branch, in Scroggins, Texas of $73,946. Also on Nov. 17, 2015, Lance carjacked a vehicle from another individual. Lance used a handgun during each of these violent crimes. Lance was indicted by a federal grand jury on Dec. 16, 2015.

Under federal statutes, Lance faces up to 25 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 was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Paris Police Department, Texarkana, Texas Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Red River County Sheriff’s Office, Bowie County Sheriff, and the Texas Rangers. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker, Robert Wells, and Jonathan Ross.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 26-year-old federal prison inmate has pleaded guilty to possession of a shank in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Rafael Castillo, Jr., pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited object on Feb. 28, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin.

According to information presented in court, on June 20, 2016, Castillo, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, was found during a pat-down search, to be in possession of two homemade weapons measuring approximately 5.5 inches and 7 inches in length each. Castillo had the weapons concealed in his pants pocket. Each weapon, commonly referred to as a ‘shank,’ had been constructed out of metal material and had been sharpened to a point and designed to be used as a weapon. Such objects are prohibited in the Beaumont Federal Correctional Complex.

Under federal statutes, Castillo faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress and 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 was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke.