Eastern District of Texas

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur woman has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay over $1.4 million in restitution in a wire fraud scam in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joanne Schiwart, 28, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 10, 2025.  Schiwart was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,464,761.47.

According to information presented in court, as part of the fraud scheme over the course of a year, Schiwart wired over $1.4 million from an elderly victim’s retirement accounts by contacting the investment company by phone and using personally identifying information to impersonate the victim and mislead the investment company into thinking they were speaking with the account holder. Among other things, Schiwart used the stolen money to purchase multiple vehicles for herself and as gifts for others.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Billy Ray Robinson, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 10, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in July 2024, law enforcement received information that Robinson was hiding methamphetamine on property near his residence in Jasper County.  That information led to the seizure of over 2,000 grams of methamphetamine hidden on the property.

At the time, Robinson was on federal supervised release after having served time in federal prison for a 2015 conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  As a result, Robinson’s supervised release term will be revoked, and he will be sentenced to serve an additional term of imprisonment to run consecutively to today’s sentence.

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety - Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.

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One-time laboratory CEO Christopher Grottenthaler, formerly of Frisco, Texas, has agreed to pay $4.25 million to resolve False Claims Act litigation with the United States alleging illegal payments to doctors for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Two physicians — Hong Davis, M.D., of Plano, Texas, and Elizabeth Seymour, M.D., of Denton, Texas — and seven marketers — Courtney Love, of Dallas, Texas, Stephen Kash, of Winnie, Texas, Laura Howard, of Lucas, Texas, Jeffrey Parnell, of Tyler, Texas, Stanley Jones, of San Antonio, Texas, Jordan Perkins, of Conroe, Texas, and Ruben Marioni, of Spring, Texas — have agreed to pay an additional $1,818,462 to settle the United States’ laboratory kickback allegations against them in the case. The settling parties have agreed to cooperate with the Department of Justice’s investigations of, and litigation against, other participants in the alleged schemes. With these settlements, the Department of Justice has secured over $59 million in civil False Claims Act settlements for kickbacks to healthcare providers disguised as managed service organization (MSO) investment distributions, including recoveries from 50 physicians.

“The Department of Justice will continue to pursue and prioritize healthcare fraud, including redressing illegal kickbacks,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Kickbacks to doctors can undermine medical decision-making, subject patients to wasteful medical treatments, and squander taxpayer money.”

“These settlements reflect the firm commitment of the Eastern District of Texas to punish those who use fraudulent means to profit at the expense of federal healthcare programs funded by the hard-working taxpayers of the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “We will continue to pursue those who steal from federal healthcare programs through these types of schemes to pay improper kickbacks to providers.”

“Laboratory testing is an essential part of patient care, not a vehicle for greed and exploitation,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to investigate kickback schemes and false claims made to federal healthcare programs.”

“The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting the integrity of TRICARE, the healthcare benefit program for military members, retirees, and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of DCIS’s Southwest Field Office. “Decisions that prioritize financial gain over patient health erodes taxpayer trust and negatively affects military readiness. DCIS, alongside our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue those who commit fraud and exploit this critical healthcare program.”

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

Christopher Grottenthaler, the former Chief Executive Officer of True Health Diagnostics, LLC (True Health), a laboratory in Frisco, Texas, agreed to pay $4.25 million to resolve allegations that he caused false claims for laboratory testing to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE from January 2015 to May 2018. Grottenthaler allegedly agreed to a kickback scheme in which marketers, including True Health’s own employees, offered and paid doctors kickbacks disguised as MSO distributions to induce the doctors’ laboratory testing referrals. Grottenthaler allegedly facilitated True Health’s continued participation in the MSO kickback scheme after receiving warnings that the marketers “are a powder keg waiting to explode on us” and that “people are gonna go to prison.” The settlement also resolves allegations that Grottenthaler arranged for True Health to pay kickbacks disguised as consulting fees, processing and handling fees, and waivers of copayments and deductibles, to induce laboratory testing referrals.

The settlement with Grottenthaler resolves certain allegations in a lawsuit originally filed by STF LLC under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The False Claims Act permits the United States to intervene in and take over the action, as it did here with respect to Grottenthaler. STF LLC, whose members are Christopher Riedel and Felice Gersh, M.D., will receive a $148,750 share of the Grottenthaler settlement. The United States also added claims to the lawsuit against additional defendants and some of those are resolved in the settlements announced today. The lawsuit, which continues as to other defendants, is captioned United States, et al. ex rel. STF LLC v. True Health Diagnostics LLC et al., No. 4:16-cv-547 (E.D. Tex.).

The settlements announced today resolve the United States’ allegations in the lawsuit that two physicians took kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute from laboratory marketers’ purported MSOs in return for laboratory testing referrals. Dr. Hong Davis agreed to pay $124,627 to resolve allegations that from October 2015 to March 2017, she received thousands of dollars in payments from two purported MSOs, Ascend MSO of TX LLC (Ascend MSO) and Herculis MG LLC, in return for ordering laboratory tests from Little River Healthcare (Little River), a critical access hospital in Rockdale, Texas, and Boston Heart Diagnostics Corporation (Boston Heart), a clinical laboratory in Framingham, Massachusetts. Dr. Elizabeth Seymour agreed to pay $234,215 to resolve allegations that from April 2016 to January 2018, she received thousands of dollars in payments from two purported MSOs, Ascend MSO and Eridanus MG LLC, in return for ordering laboratory tests from Little River, True Health, and Boston Heart. The civil settlement amounts that Drs. Davis and Seymour agreed to pay are in addition to amounts they were ordered to pay in a criminal proceeding captioned United States v. Susan Hertzberg, et al., No. 6:22-cr-3-JDK (E.D. Tex.).

Lastly, the following seven marketers and their associated entities agreed to pay a total of $1,459,620 to resolve the United States’ allegations in the civil litigation that they paid kickbacks disguised as MSO payments to doctors to induce the doctors’ laboratory testing referrals: Former True Health Account Executive Courtney Love; former True Health Director of Strategic Accounts Stephen Kash; former Boston Heart Area Sales Manager Laura Howard; former Boston Heart sales representative Jeffrey Parnell; Stanley Jones, part-owner with Parnell of Texas marketing company LGRB Management Services LLC; and Jordan Perkins and Ruben Marioni, co-owners of Texas marketing company Next Level Healthcare Consultants LLC. The settlement amounts for Kash and Howard were based on their ability to pay. The civil settlement amounts for Kash, Howard, Parnell, and Perkins are in addition to amounts they were ordered to pay in criminal proceedings captioned United States v. Susan Hertzberg, et al., No. 6:22-cr-3-JDK (E.D. Tex.), and/or United States v. Christopher Grottenthaler, et al., No. 6:22-cr-135-JDK (E.D. Tex.).

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

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

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

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Sunset, Louisiana, man has been charged with federal violations related to a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Bracelon Armon Charles, 22, was named in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with two counts of carjacking, two counts of brandishing or using a firearm during a violent crime, and Hobbs Act robbery.

The indictment alleges that in October of 2023, Charles and a juvenile, engaged in a violent crime spree that included the attempted carjacking of a vehicle in Beaumont, the shooting of the vehicle’s owner, another carjacking in Port Arthur, and an attempted robbery of a convenience store in Beaumont.

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

If convicted, Charles faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Beaumont Police Department; the Port Arthur Police Department; and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – An Orange, Texas, convicted felon has been charged with federal drug and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Mario Peeples, 35, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a controlled substance on a premises where children are present.

The indictment alleges that in February and July 2025, Peeples, a previously convicted felon, was found in possession of a total of three firearms and methamphetamine intended for distribution. As a convicted felon, Peeples is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

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

If convicted, Peeples faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Beaumont Police Department, and the Orange Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Honduran national serving a federal prison sentence in the Eastern District of Texas has been sentenced for possessing contraband, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Viljar Eduardo Rosales-Lara, 35, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited object in prison and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 2, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Rosales-Lara, while serving a federal prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Beaumont, was found to have 15 individually wrapped bundles of methamphetamine during a pat-down search inside his prison cell.  

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

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.

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PLANO, Texas – Two aliens from Honduras illegally present in the United States and one Dallas-area man have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a theft and fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Gustavo Adolfo Torres-Sadres, 38, of Honduras, and Julian Sanchez, 38, of Duncanville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and Paul Anthony Oliva Bejarano, 28, of Honduras, pleaded guilty to conspiracy. All three were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.  Torres-Sadres received 78 months in federal prison, Sanchez received 21 months in federal prison, and Bejarano received 18 months in federal prison. 

According to information presented in court, the three men participated in a VIN (vehicle identification number) flipping scheme in which they conspired to steal vehicles and replace the VINs on the stolen vehicle with the VIN from a salvaged vehicle.  Members of the conspiracy then sold the stolen vehicles as purportedly rebuilt vehicles. 

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

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PLANO, Texas – A Williston, North Dakota, man has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in a money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Daniel Boadu, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on August 29, 2025.   Boadu was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4.7 million.

According to information presented in court, from at least August 2015 through February 2021, Boadu conspired with others to defraud individuals in what is commonly known as a romance scam.  In a romance scam, culprits post fake profiles on various dating websites throughout the United States and the world.  The profiles are used to lure unsuspecting victims looking for romance or companionship.  After contacting the victim online, the culprit uses various forms of communication such as email, instant messaging, text messaging, smart phone applications and phone calls to build trust and form a relationship.  Once trust has been gained, the culprit will convince the victim to provide money for various reasons.  The victim then transfers funds or deposits money into bank accounts within the United States.  The bank account holder in the United States will then transfer the fraudulently obtained funds to the culprit facilitating the fraud, often keeping a portion of the funds for themselves.  In this scam, Boadu was one of the bank account holders in the United States.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anand Varadarajan.

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PLANO, Texas – A Murphy man has been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding investors of over $4 million in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Sameer Praveen Sethi, 42, was convicted of seven counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering by a jury following a lengthy trial before U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on December 10, 2024.  On August 28, 2025, Judge Jordan sentenced Sethi to 151 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, over several years, Sethi engaged in a fraud scheme targeting investors of oil and gas joint ventures.  Evidence presented at trial showed that Sethi would create a joint venture, prepare investment documents along with his staff, have his sales staff market the investments, and then spend the money raised from investors almost entirely on personal and business expenses.  Evidence showed the investment documents contained significant misrepresentations and false statements.  Although over $4 million was raised over the course of the joint ventures, investors received almost no returns. 

“The sentence handed down by Judge Jordan follows years of investigation by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and a lengthy trial, and shows the serious nature of Sameer Sethi’s crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with the IRS-Criminal Investigation office and the FBI to investigate and prosecute the kinds of investor fraud that occurred in this case and to seek justice for the public and for the innocent victims of these crimes.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Texas State Securities Board, and the FBI.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Guatemalan national, illegally living in Port Arthur, has been sentenced for unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Wilmer Armando Xitumul-Godinez, 24, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported alien and was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 28, 2025.  Godinez will be deported once he has served his sentence.

According to information presented in court, Godinez was deported by immigration officials in September of 2024.  However, federal agents again encountered Godinez reentering the United States in October of 2024.                                                

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

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Port Arthur Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Pleasant Grove couple has received lengthy federal prison sentences for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Holly Candice Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to life in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 27, 2025.

Ricardo Ruiz, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 376 months in federal prison by Judge Mazzant on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Ruiz and his wife, Lopez, were leaders in a drug trafficking organization in Pleasant Grove, distributing kilogram quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.  The couple used at least five stash houses in the area to store and distribute illegal narcotics that were imported into the United States from Mexico.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Dallas Police Department, Mesquite Police Department, McKinney Police Department, Rowlett Police Department, Lewisville Police Department, and Denton County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul B. Morris.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man has been sentenced to over 33 years in federal prison for firearms and drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Leotis Cornelius McMahon, 48, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on February 5, 2025.  McMahon was sentenced to 400 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in 2023, law enforcement was investigating McMahon for distributing narcotics within Southeast Texas.  On January 5, 2024, following a prolonged surveillance operation, a traffic stop was conducted on McMahon in Lumberton where he was found to be transporting nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine.  After the traffic stop, a search warrant for McMahon’s residence in Buna was obtained and executed.  Law enforcement discovered materials used in the distribution of narcotics as well as four separate firearms, one being an AR style pistol. One of the firearms seized from McMahon’s residence was stolen.

McMahon was operating what was described as a mobile illegal drug shop.  The amounts of controlled substances, along with the tools used in trafficking such as scales and bags used for distribution, seized from McMahon indicated that he was dealing significant quantities of drugs for profit.

Further investigation revealed McMahon is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations; Lumberton Police Department; Jasper County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Lee and John B. Ross.

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PLANO, Texas – A Carrollton woman has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jessica Marie Ruiz, 43, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in 2021, Ruiz and her husband, Wesley Ruiz, were operating a methamphetamine trafficking organization while Wesley Ruiz was incarcerated for the murder of a Dallas police officer.  Wesley Ruiz used a contraband cell phone to communicate with Jessica Ruiz and their Mexico-based methamphetamine source of supply to move 18-wheeler trucks hauling kilogram quantities of methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border.  Jessica Ruiz would then receive the drug shipments from truck drivers in North Texas and store the methamphetamine at her Carrollton residence before it was trafficked across the United States, including into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for re-distribution within the prison.

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

This case was investigated by the North Texas Strike Force and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Nacogdoches felon has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jonathan McArthur Brewer, 55, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on June 30, 2024, local law enforcement responded to a “shots fired” call and observed Brewer fleeing the scene in a vehicle matching the description of the suspect.  A high-speed chase ensued, and Brewer was stopped.  A search of the vehicle revealed a firearm and a large amount of methamphetamine.  Further investigation revealed Brewer is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.  

Brewer was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2025, and faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Victor Guardado Zepeda, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery; conspiracy to carry a firearm during a crime of violence; two counts of Hobbs Act robbery; and two counts of brandishing firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to a total of 231 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Zepeda led a violent crime spree in which he and others robbed two convenience stores in Denton and Lewisville of over $100,000.  During the robberies, the assailants entered the stores, brandished firearms, and placed an employee on her knees at gunpoint, while the others went into the manager’s office and severely beat one of the employees.

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

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Crockett felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Clifford Heniser, 35, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on March 15, 2025, Heniser entered the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and requested their “federal reports.” A dispatcher asked Heniser to wait for a deputy to arrive.  Heniser became angry and left the building before returning with a firearm.  He then exited the building again and began firing the firearm in the parking lot.  Multiple law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene and Heniser was disarmed.  Two firearms were seized from Heniser, and he was arrested.  Further investigation revealed Heniser is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.  

Heniser was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Houston County Sheriff’s Office; Crockett Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Carrollton man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Traylan Xavier Mosley, 21, pleaded guilty to advertising child pornography and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 26, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Mosley used photos he found online to pretend he was an attractive girl to entice teen and pre-teen boys to send him photos and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct. He then packaged the boys’ photos and videos in a compilation thumbnail image with the individual boy’s name written on top.  Customers on various social media platforms would then purchase those packages, either one at a time, or in the case of one customer – the entire collection for $950 – and receive a link to access the content.  Federal agents identified more than 45 children across the United States who were victimized by Mosley.  Other children were unable to be identified, and leads were sent to foreign law enforcement partners when the children were located outside the United States.

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

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

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TYLER, Texas – A Texarkana, Texas convicted felon has been charged with federal child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

John Matthew Emerson, 41, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that Emerson, while on supervised release for a previous possession of child pornography conviction, was found with a cellular phone that contained images of child pornography.   

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

If convicted, Emerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

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

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TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, unlawfully living in Longview, has been charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Humberto Hernandez-Fornue, 43, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on August 14, 2025, Hernandez-Fornue was found illegally in the Eastern District of Texas and in possession of a firearm.

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

If convicted, Hernandez-Fornue faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Tyler Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.

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

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

Omar Galvan-Rodriguez, 41, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on May 9, 2025, Galvan-Rodriguez was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Galvan-Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation.

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

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

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

Jorge Martinez-Abundis, 38, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on February 14, 2025, Martinez-Abundis was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been deported on at least four previous occasions.

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

If convicted, Martinez-Abundis faces up to 20 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.

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

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TYLER, Texas – A Jacksonville convicted felon has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Cody Nerren, 34, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2025, Nerren was found in possession of a firearm in Cherokee County. Further investigation revealed Nerren had been previously convicted of several felonies and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.     

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

If convicted, Nerren faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

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

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TYLER, Texas – An Indian citizen living in McKinney has been charged with a federal tax violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Anil Surabhi, 43, an Indian citizen with permanent resident status in the United States, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with attempting to evade taxes.

The indictment alleges that Surabhi, while controlling an IT services company headquartered in Georgia, used funds from the company to fund his private personal investments, pay personal expenses, and make investments in real estate.  Surabhi did not report those funds as income on his individual income tax returns.

If convicted, Surabhi faces up to 5 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

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

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

Jefferson Funes-Mejia, 32, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on April 16, 2025, Funes-Majia was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Funes-Mejia faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation.

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

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

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TYLER, Texas –A Mexican national illegally living in Longview, has been sentenced for unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Refugio Jara-Palafox, 45, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry following removal and was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025.  Jara-Palafox will be deported once he has served his sentence.

According to information presented in court, on August 13, 2024, Jara-Palafox was arrested in Gregg County.  Following the arrest, it was determined that he had been deported on five prior occasions and has multiple convictions including two DWIs, indecent exposure, leaving the scene of an accident, and presenting false documentation at a port of entry.                                                 

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

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

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

Eric Pryor, 52, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on November 17, 2023, local law enforcement responded to a call regarding reckless driving. When they arrived at the location, they were shown doorbell security camera footage of an individual later identified as Pryor, stepping out of a car and firing four shots at a truck. The truck went through the front yard of the residence to avoid the shots.  The two vehicles were soon located on Highway 135 and Pryor admitted to firing the handgun at the truck.  Further investigation revealed Pryor had several prior felony convictions, including burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance, theft of a firearm, evading arrest with a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Pryor is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

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

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Preston Allen, 58, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 19, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on February 3, 2025, Allen was arrested at his Lufkin home after law enforcement officers arrived to execute a warrant. Upon arrival, deputies found Allen standing outside the home with an AR-15 style rifle.  Allen was ordered to put the rifle on the ground and was taken into custody.  Further investigation revealed Allen is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.   

Allen was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

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

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Marsel Brejon Davis, 33, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale on August 19, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on August 31, 2023, a search of Davis’s residence was conducted after he was observed selling narcotics to another person.  During the search, officers located 31.16 grams of fentanyl.  Davis admitted to possessing the fentanyl for the purpose of distributing it to others.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid commonly used as an analgesic or anesthetic that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.

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SHERMAN, Texas –A McKinney convicted felon has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joe Anthony Plascencia, 32, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to 137 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, on August 14, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Plascencia was arrested after local law enforcement responded to a concerned 911 call from a Plano business.  Upon arrival, officers located several firearms, including a pistol and a hunting rifle, as well as a large camo bag, ammunition, and body armor.  Further investigation revealed Plascencia was a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

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

This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver.

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Grand Prairie, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Joel Calzada-Macias, 46, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on October 10, 2024, Calzada-Macias was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Calzada-Macias faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stevan Buys.

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Denton County, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Luis Piedra-Sosa, 51, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on June 23, 2025, Piedra-Sosa was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Piedra-Sosa faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stevan Buys.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Michael Antoine Lovelady, 53, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 14, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on March 14, 2025, Lovelady was arrested during a traffic stop for outstanding warrants.  During the arrest, Lovelady attempted to flee and was apprehended, and a firearm was discovered in his waistband.  Further investigation revealed Lovelady was a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.

Lovelady was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lufkin Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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SHERMAN, Texas – An El Salvadoran national, illegally living in Carrollton, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

David Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, 43, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on April 18, 2025, Lopez-Hernandez was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Lopez-Hernandez faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stevan Buys.

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Collin County, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Vicente Marquez-Gonzales, 49, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on June 3, 2025, Marquez-Gonzales was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Marquez-Gonzales faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana Oliver.

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Guatemalan national, illegally living in Collin County, has been charged with unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Anibal Gonzalez-Corado, 54, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on February 1, 2025, Gonzalez-Corado was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Gonzalez-Corado faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana Oliver.

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Grayson County convicted felon has been charged with unlawfully possessing a machine gun in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Xavier Donnell Porter, 32, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition and possession of a machine gun.

The indictment alleges that on December 5, 2024, Porter was found in possession of a machine gun.  Further investigation revealed he is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

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

If convicted, Porter faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana Oliver.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A career criminal, with at least 10 felony convictions in Jefferson County, has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kendrick Malbrough, 29, of Humble, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 14, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on October 30, 2024, law enforcement officers observed a vehicle commit traffic violations and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at the intersection of Concord and Steelton in Beaumont.  The driver, Malbrough, eventually exited the vehicle while it was still rolling and attempted to flee on foot, discarding a pistol in the process.    During his arrest, Malbrough was found in possession of $1,990 cash and he had attempted to hide almost 5 grams of crack cocaine in a baggie in his mouth. Further investigation revealed Malbrough had at least 10 felony convictions in Jefferson County beginning in 2014.  As a convicted felon, Malbrough is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

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

This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.

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BEAUMONT, Texas –A Mexican national, illegally living in Diboll, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Eduardo Barajas-Macias, 32, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported alien before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 13, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Barajas-Macias was located in Diboll on March 26, 2024, after an investigation revealed he had been previously deported from the United States to Mexico in 2023.

Barajas-Macias faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation at sentencing.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; FBI; and Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Carter. 

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Pollock, has been charged with an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose de Jesus Pineda-Torres, 43, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on July 11, 2025, Pineda-Torres was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported three times.

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

If convicted, Pineda-Torres faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Beaumont, has been charged with an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Enrique Guevara-Camargo, 51, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien.

The indictment alleges that on July 2, 2025, Guevara-Camargo was found in the Eastern District of Texas after having been previously deported.

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

If convicted, Guevara-Camargo faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration & Customs Enforcement.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been charged with federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Steven Wade Earle, 30, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The indictment alleges that on January 2, 2025, Earle was found in possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.  Then again on February 25, 2025, Earle was found in possession of at least another 50 grams of methamphetamine.  

If convicted, Earle faces up to life in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Jasper County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Division; Texas DPS-Highway Patrol; and U.S. Marshals Service.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Silsbee convicted felon has been charged with carjacking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Justin Keith Colley, 37, was named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on June 20, 2025, Colley used a firearm to forcefully commit carjacking.  Further investigation revealed Colley had been previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.    

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

If convicted, Colley faces up to life in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Silsbee Police Department, and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin.

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Dallas man has been found guilty of federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Deldrick Damond Lewis, 40, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III on August 6, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Lewis was identified as a methamphetamine supplier during an investigation of drug trafficking activities in the Grayson County area.  Lewis sold approximately 490 grams of methamphetamine during a drug trafficking transaction.  Additionally, prosecutors presented evidence at trial that included Lewis’ social media accounts, text messages, and other evidence from his cellular phones.

At sentencing, Lewis faces up to life in federal prison.  The statutory maximum 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 FBI, Texoma Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Sherman Police Department and the Dallas Police Department SWAT Team.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Smith and Stevan Buys.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man and woman have been charged with federal violations related to a June 2025 carjacking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jason Lee Smith, 28, and Joanna Kyle Glover, 33, were named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas.

The indictment alleges that on June 28, 2025, Smith, armed with a firearm, and Glover forcefully took a vehicle from another person.  Smith and Glover were both charged with carjacking and Smith was also charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

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

If convicted, the defendants face up to 15 years in federal prison for the carjacking violation.  Smith also faces up to life in federal prison for the firearms charge.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont convicted felon has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Charles Terrance Leaven, 39, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that on March 11, 2024, Leaven was found in possession of a firearm in Beaumont.  Further investigation revealed Leaven had been previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.   

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

If convicted, Leaven faces up to life in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Beaumont Police Department; and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.

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

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Nacogdoches, has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Antonio Hernandez-Perez, 47, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on January 30, 2025, Hernandez-Perez possessed a firearm while being an alien illegally in the United States.

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

If convicted, Hernandez-Perez faces up to 15 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Carter.

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

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TYLER, Texas – A Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Enrique Adrian Gomez, 29, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 30, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Gomez met two minor victims online in September 2021 and continued communicating with them through November 2021. Both minors were less than 13 years old at the time.  Gomez communicated with the victims through text messaging and social media applications. During these real-time online conversations, the victims were persuaded to engage in prohibited sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.

“The ease with which Gomez was able to communicate with the minor victims here is a reminder of the constant threat that social media applications can pose to children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “Under the guise of online friendship, Gomez persuaded these children to engage in adult acts that no child should be doing, let alone be doing online.  Our office is committed to stopping criminals like Gomez in their tracks, but the most important tool to stop online predators is an active and engaged parent. Nothing protects children better than a parent who sets and enforces limits on a child’s online activities and actively monitors their social media presence.”

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

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security—Homeland Security Investigations and the Ilion, New York Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.

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TYLER, Texas – A Longview man who sold fake prescription drugs has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Kym Andrew Wallace, also known as Trigga, 28, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 30, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Wallace admitted to selling what were supposed to be prescription pills, which a 17-year-old juvenile consumed them and died from a fentanyl overdose on May 29, 2024.  Following the overdose of the juvenile victim, investigators analyzed pills purchased from Wallace and determined they contained fentanyl.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid commonly used as an analgesic or anesthetic that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The pills purchased from Wallace were round and light blue, bearing the markings “M” and “30,” which are the same manufacturer’s markings for 30 milligram tablets of generic oxycodone.

“Thirty years in a federal prison cannot compare to the lifetime sentence of grief that the victim’s family faces as the result of Wallace’s actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “Wallace deserves every day of this 360-month sentence.  Our office, and our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively work to protect our communities from drug traffickers like Wallace.”

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

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

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SHERMAN, Texas – A Sherman man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Ryan Deshaun Edd, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, on July 30, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in November 2022, law enforcement received information that Edd was trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine in the Grayson County area.  On November 16, 2022, Edd’s vehicle was stopped for traffic violations on U.S. Highway 75 in Sherman.  Zacheriah Alexander, of Denison, was driving the vehicle and Edd was a backseat passenger.  During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement officers located a large plastic bag containing 1.22 kilograms of methamphetamine and a loaded revolver.  Further investigation revealed that Alexander had been working with Edd to sell methamphetamine for approximately six months before being arrested.  Alexander was previously sentenced by Judge Mazzant to 135 months in federal prison for his role in the offense.  Edd will begin serving his federal prison sentence after he completes a 45-year state sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon committed in Sherman in January of 2023.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sherman Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.

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BEAUMONT, Texas – A Galveston man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Alan Anthony Gomez, 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 30, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in November 2022, Gomez was the passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation in Liberty County.  There was an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and the driver and passenger gave conflicting stories of where they had been.  A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, air fresheners, and bundles containing nine kilograms of powder cocaine.  Gomez told law enforcement the bundles were cocaine and not fentanyl.

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

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