Southern District of Texas

LAREDO, Texas – A 52-year-old resident of Laredo has entered a guilty plea to passport fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Elizabeth Ann Berbel is also known as Ana Elizabeth Gomez-Garcia, Ana Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, Ana Elizabeth Gomez, Anna Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, Anna Elizabeth Gomez, Elizabeth Berbel, Elizabeth Ann Gomez, Tina Gomez-Manns and Anna Gomez.

On March 22, 2019, Berbel applied for a passport in Laredo. Part of the application required her to include the names of her parents, her place of birth and her Social Security number. However, as part of her plea, she admitted she included information that actually belonged to another person.

Berbel had been using the victim’s Social Security number and other information as early as 2001.

The investigation further revealed that in August 2005, law enforcement had stopped at Berbel at the Laredo Port of Entry. At that time, she was carrying multiple forms of identification, including a Social Security card with the victim’s number. Berbel admitted she was not the person on the identification documents and that she was in fact Ana Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, a citizen and national of Mexico. She also acknowledged having other identification documents hidden in her car. Berbel claimed she waited just a week or two before returning to the United States by using these other documents.

Authorities were also able to locate and identify several of Berbel’s biological family members. The investigation confirmed her true identity and not the one she had been assuming by using the victim’s information.

Part of Berbel’s guilty plea includes an agreement to turn over all identification documents that are in her possession.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Dec. 4. At that time, Berbel faces up to 10 years for the passport fraud. She will also receive a mandatory two years for the aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

Berbel has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Department of State conducted the investigation with assistance from the Social Security Administration and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A 35-year-old Pharr resident has pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents during a drug investigation, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Pablo Talavera Jr. was a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper. As part of his plea today, Talavera admitted he lied to FBI agents regarding his knowledge of his family’s involvement in drug trafficking.    

“Talavera lied to the FBI during a critical moment - betraying his badge and breaching the public trust,” said Hamdani. “In doing so, Pablo Talavera chose his father’s criminal organization over the people he was sworn to protect. Now, this office will hold him to account for his corruption.”

In 2019, the law enforcement initiated an investigation targeting an organization responsible for the transportation of multi-kilogram quantities of drugs from the Rio Grande Valley to Tennessee. Talavera’s father was the organization’s leader.

The investigation revealed Talavera had used his position as a DPS trooper to assist his father by running license plates of vehicles believed to be that of law enforcement. Talavera originally denied knowledge of his father’s participation in drug trafficking. However, he ultimately admitted this fact and that he had assisted him by running the license plate checks. 

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez will impose sentencing on Nov. 7. At that time, Talavera faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

Talavera’s father was previously convicted of drug trafficking and is now serving a 21-year federal sentence.  

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the Texas Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Salazar is prosecuting the case.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

LAREDO, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a 22-year-old resident of Laredo for distributing fentanyl which caused the death of a juvenile, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Authorities arrested Jose Antonio Carlos III today. He is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

The two-count indictment, returned Aug. 22, alleges Carlos distributed fentanyl, a schedule II controlled substance, to another individual May 16. That person was a juvenile who subsequently died after using the drug, according to the charges.

Carlos is also charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

If convicted of the distribution resulting in death, Carlos faces up life in federal prison with a mandatory minimum of 20 years. He could also be ordered to pay up to a $1 million fine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, Laredo Police Department and Webb County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

More information on the dangers of fentanyl can be found on the DEA’s website. #OnePillCanKill

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

McALLEN, Texas - A 51-year-old Rio Grande City resident and employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been charged with bribery of public officials and witnesses, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. 

Roberto Rodriguez, 51, turned himself in to authorities today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at 9 a.m. Also taken into custody and appearing today are Jose Sandoval, 70, and Daniel Diaz, 67, both USDA contractors from Rio Grande City.

A federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment Aug. 22.

Rodriguez was a USDA rural development loan specialist, according to the charges. From on or about January 2021 and continuing through Aug. 22, Rodriguez accepted bribe payments from Sandoval and Diaz. In return, Rodriguez allegedly referred applicants of the USDA 504 Single Family Housing Repair Grant and Loan program to the contractors.   

Rodriguez did knowingly, corruptly and in violation of his official duty, accept payments from Sandoval and Diaz, according to the allegations. The contractors allegedly paid the bribes with the intent to influence official acts after the federally-funded repairs were completed.  

If convicted, all face up to 15 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. The indictment also includes a notice of restitution of all funds related to the charges.

The FBI conducted the investigation along with Texas Office of the Attorney General, USDA - Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Housing and Urban Development – OIG with the assistance of Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Cook Profit is prosecuting the case.   

The investigation is part of the Border Corruption Task Force (BCTF) and Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces. The BCTF is comprised of multiple state and federal agencies that serve to disrupt and dismantle corrupt domestic public officials that operate along the southwest border. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage. 

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

HOUSTON – A 48-year-old California resident has pleaded guilty in a nationwide ticket scam that included a Texas A&M football game, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Derrick Langford admitted he used email to obtain stolen credit card information from victims across the United States. He used that data and false identities to buy tickets for sporting events, concerts and other entertainment venues across the United States. He then re-sold the tickets on internet-based resale sites like Ticket Liquidator. 

One such event tied to Langford was the Texas A&M football game against Clemson Sept. 8, 2018. During the hearing today, Langford admitted he created false buyer accounts and used stolen credit card numbers to buy tickets to that game and then resold the fraudulently-purchased tickets on resale sites to unsuspecting buyers. 

Texas A&M discovered the fraud and invalidated the tickets. However, some had already been sold to unsuspecting buyers which caused the university to incur a 100% loss on the fraudulent tickets.

As the scheme continued, Langford received stolen credit card information and personal identifying information of more than 75 victims in one of his email accounts. 

U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 14. At that time, Langford faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. 

Langford was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas A&M University Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Quincy Ollison and Belinda Beek are prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON - A 27-year-old suburban Houston man has been ordered to federal prison after his convictions of production, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Andrew Joel Galvan pleaded guilty Sept. 21, 2022, to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count each of receipt and possession of child pornography.

Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown sentenced him to 360 months on each of the sexual exploitation of a minor counts to run concurrently and a total of 120 months for the receipt and possession of child pornography combined. The sexual exploitation counts will run consecutively to other term for a total 480-month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard how Galvan had reached out to 10 different prepubescent females requesting them to send naked photos and videos of themselves to him. In imposing the sentence, Judge Brown commented on how Galvan’s conduct is very different than others who just collect child pornography. 

Galvan was furthered ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to the internet. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

In April 2020, the mother of an 8-year-old child contacted law enforcement after discovering sexually explicit chats between her daughter and an unknown individual on Instagram. Authorities later identified that person as Galvan. 

A search of the minor’s cell phone revealed several private chats in which Galvan was soliciting naked photos and videos of the minor. He would direct the minor on how to position herself and requested multiple images. She ultimately did as he requested.  

Law enforcement then obtained a search warrant for Galvan’s Instagram account which was only two months old. They found numerous conversations between Galvan and several prepubescent children in which Galvan would solicit child pornography and direct these minors on how to take the images and videos.   

Galvan admitted he would portray himself as a 13, 14 or 15-year-old boy and targeted girls between the ages of 8 and 13. He also admitted to sending these children pictures of his private parts.

Authorities ultimately discovered 10 victims, all under the age of 12, from whom Galvan solicited child pornography.

Law enforcement also conducted a forensic exam on Galvan’s electronic devices found 7,500 images and 650 videos of young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images and videos include children under the age of 12, bondage, bestiality and acts of violence such as the penetration of the victims. 

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations – Galveston, Pearland Police Department and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children task force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Luis Batarse prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

McALLEN, Texas – Two individuals involved in a state-wide chain of physical therapy clinics have been charged with defrauding a federal worker’s compensation program, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Authorities took Ricardo Cano, 46, McAllen, and Rosita Cano Meeks, 56, Edinburg, into custody today. They are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at 1 p.m.

The 18-count indictment charges Cano and Meeks with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 10 counts of health care fraud. Cano is also charged with seven counts of money laundering. 

The indictment alleges between 2014 and 2019, the clinics operated under the name Texas Federal Wellness Center. During that time, they allegedly billed more than $80 million to the Department of Labor – (DOL) Office of Worker’s Compensation Program for physical therapy services provided to injured federal employees. 

According to the indictment, Cano and Meeks allegedly caused the clinics to submit inflated claims for therapy, fictional medical visits, excessive therapy and fraudulent durable medical equipment. The charges allege Cano and Meeks directed clinic employees to falsify patient checkout times on medical records to conceal the inflated therapy claims. Meeks was in charge of, and oversaw, the fraudulent billing, according to the indictment.

The charges also allege Cano is not a physician. He was only a physician’s assistant and allegedly instructed employees to refer to him as Dr. Cano.

According to the indictment, Cano entered into an arrangement with a physician  to falsely give the appearance a licensed doctor oversaw, managed and controlled the clinics, as Texas law requires. The charges allege Cano is, in fact, the true owner of the enterprise which he managed and controlled.  

As part of the scheme, Cano allegedly coordinated with that physician to obstruct a Texas Medical Board inquiry into a complaint about Cano’s role in operating the clinics and submitting false corporate records. The indictment also alleges Cano transferred approximately $43 million from the Texas Federal Wellness Center clinics to various bank accounts in Cano’s name or in the name of clinics Cano controlled. 

If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and substantive counts of health care fraud. Cano also faces up to 10 years for each conviction of money laundering.

The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (OIG), FBI, Department of Homeland Security-OIG and DOL-OIG conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

HOUSTON – A 26-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Ja-Anthony Ledell Kennedy pleaded guilty April 24.

Today, U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal sentenced Kennedy to 180 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard about the harm to victims of this type of crime. In handing down the prison term, Judge Rosenthal noted efforts to promote respect for the law, deter similar future crimes and fashion a just sentence considering all factors.

Kennedy was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of the prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Kennedy will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

In 2020, authorities learned of files being stores online that contained images of child pornography. Those files were linked to Kennedy.

The investigation revealed he had been sending and receiving images and videos of child pornography on the Kik messaging application from 2020 to 2021. Kennedy admitted to trading child pornography in the Kik chats to continue to receive access to this material.

Kennedy had 76 videos and 60 images of child pornography in his online accounts. Some included victims as young as two years old.

Previously released on bond, Kennedy is expected to surrender this afternoon pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Lu and Sherin S. Daniel prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

HOUSTON – A 33-year-old man who illegally resided in Houston has pleaded guilty to interstate travel with intent to engage in a sex act with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

In June 2020, Wilmer Rivera-Hernandez took a 15-year-old female on what was supposed to be a date. However, the event ended up being a three-day trip across the country against the victim’s will.

The young female told Rivera-Hernandez to take her home, but he refused and drove her out of the Houston area. During the drive, he bought alcohol and forced her to drink it, threatening her and her family if she refused to obey him. He kept her in a state of intoxication so she could not recognize where she was. He also kept her cell phone which prevented her from seeking help. 

On one evening during the trip, Rivera-Hernandez took the minor victim to a motel near Little Rock, Arkansas, where he raped her.

She attempted to get help on two occasions after getting temporary access to her phone. One was unsuccessful, but she was eventually able to text her family members and told them he could kill her and to call the police. Authorities were quickly able to find Rivera-Hernandez and the victim in his car which was parked at a truck stop in Knoxville, Tennessee.

While in custody, Rivera-Hernandez also attempted to obstruct justice. He arranged for the distribution of fabricated WhatsApp messages purporting to be that of the minor victim. In them, he made it appear the minor had recanted her claims of kidnapping and rape and hoped it would lead to the dismissal of the charges. He was unsuccessful when the investigation revealed the messages originated from him.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. will impose sentencing Nov. 20. At that time, Rivera-Hernandez faces up to life in federal prison.   

Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. Sheriff’s Offices in Montgomery County, Texas, and Knox County, Tennessee, assisted with the victim’s rescue. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharad Khandelwal and Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON –A 31-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions on two counts of Hobbs Act robberies as well as discharging a firearm during one of the crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Dominique Andrews pleaded guilty May 2, admitting he robbed two Auto Zone locations in Houston.

U.S. District David Hittner has now handed Andrews a 180-month term of imprisonment for the two robberies. He also received 120 months for the firearms discharge which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. The total 300-month prison term will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Andrews had a significant criminal history of violence and stated that an upward variance from the sentencing guidelines was warranted. In addition, he ordered restitution to the victims in both robberies.

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Crime Gun Strike Force will continue to aggressively investigate armed robbery crews not only to remove criminals from the streets but to reduce the trauma endured by the victims involved in these violent crimes,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski.

On Feb. 4, 2022, Andrews entered the Auto Zone on Cullen Boulevard and robbed an employee at gunpoint. He produced a silver semi-automatic firearm and demanded money from the victim. Fearing for her life, the employee complied. Andrews also took two car scanners. During the robbery, he discharged a round from his firearm.

The same day, Andrews went to another Auto Zone on Telephone Road. He again produced a silver semi-automatic firearm and demanded money from the employee victim. Andrews discharged several rounds from the firearm he was carrying while in the commission of the robbery. Andrews got more money and fled.

Andrews has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

ATF and the Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.

The ATF Crime Gun Strike Force is an ATF led, multi-agency approach, that utilizes crime gun intelligence and investigative resources to combat firearms related violent crime in the Greater Houston Area. 

This case is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts and enhancing training, public awareness and education. It stems from the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Porto is prosecuting the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 37-year-old man illegally present in the United States has been sentenced for returning to the United States without permission, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Elvis Cristian Hernandez-Ayala pleaded guilty June 1.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Hernandez-Ayala to serve 37 months in federal prison. He was also on supervised release for a prior illegal re-entry conviction and also received 12 months for that violation, six months to be served consecutively. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his total 43-month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence regarding Hernandez-Ayala’s frequent illegal re-entries and his troubling criminal history, including a prior conviction for sexual assault in which Hernandez-Ayala had raped another undocumented alien in a stash house. 

On April 5, Hernandez-Ayala attempted to circumvent the Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint near Falfurrias. Authorities found him and three others walking through the brush on a ranch.  

The investigation revealed he had been previously removed from the United States eight times following his convictions such as felony possession of a controlled substance, driving while intoxicated and sexual assault.   

Hernandez-Ayala will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Pena prosecuted the case.

GALVESTON – A 71-year-old Pearland resident has been sent back to prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Dan McClure pleaded guilty May 17.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown has now ordered McClure to serve 262 and 240 months for the receipt and possession convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 262-month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that McClure has had a sexual interest in children since the late 1980s. This led him to not only sexually abuse at least three minor females, but collect child pornography over the last two decades.  McClure was further ordered to serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

The investigation began when authorities learned of an individual who had uploaded a child pornography image. They determined the owner of the IP address associated with it was a registered sex offender living in Pearland identified as McClure. 

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence and seized numerous devices, including one McClure had hidden in the ceiling. Forensic examination revealed two of the devices contained child pornography. They ultimately found a total of 831 images of child pornography, 736 of which contained prepubescent minors. Approximately 100 included sadomasochistic conduct.

McClure will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherri L. Zack and Kimberly Ann Leo are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

GALVESTON, Texas - A 66-year-old Seabrook man has pleaded guilty to a violation of captain of the port order in connection with his illegal charter cruise business, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Gordon Johnson admitted to operating the MV SPANISH PRINCESS without complying with an order of the highest ranking U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officer in the Houston-Galveston area. Johnson made false statements to authorities claiming he did have paying passengers on his ship. He also instructed passengers, one of whom was a police officer, to inform USCG personnel they were not paying passengers.

“The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) is firmly committed to partnering with law enforcement agencies to identify and stop those who pose a hazard to the boating public,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Jeanfreau, CGIS Gulf Region. “Ensuring mariners are fully qualified to safely operate passenger vessels is of upmost importance to the USCG.”

As part of his plea, Johnson also admitted he engaged in another scheme in which he took money from a couple for a trip that never occurred. The couple paid him $20,000 to transport them on the MV SPANISH PRINCESS to Roatan, Honduras, where they were going to live. The trip did not happen, and Johnson only returned $1,000 of their money.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 1. At that time, Johnson faces up to 10 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He could also be ordered to forfeit the MV SPANISH PRINCESS.

Previously released on bond, Johnson was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. 

The CGIS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam L. Goldman prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas – Two men have been convicted of importing nearly $1 million worth of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

The federa jury deliberated for approximately 10 minutes before returning guilty verdicts against Noe Jesus Martinez-Montelongo, 35, and Fidel Rodriguez-Saldana, 34, following a three-day trial.   

On Nov. 28, 2022, Martinez and Saldana attempted to enter the United States at the Columbia Solidarity port of entry in Laredo, driving a tractor-trailer without a load. Authorities referred them to secondary inspection where a K-9 alerted to the tractor.  

Law enforcement conducted a scope and discovered a secret compartment in each diesel tank of the tractor. Authorities were able to extract some of the liquid which tested positive for meth.

They ultimately seized a total of 413 kilograms (910 pounds) of liquid meth which filled 22 buckets.

The estimated wholesale value is approximately $1 million.  

Martinez and Saldana claimed no knowledge of the liquid at trial, reporting that they were simply supposed to pick up a legitimate load in Laredo. The jury did not believe their claims and found them guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time, both Martinez and Saldana face up to life in prison. They will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Makens and Brandon Bowling are prosecuting the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A 36-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy involving the transportation of undocumented aliens throughout South Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

A federal jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes before returning guilty verdicts Dec. 14, 2022, against Andres Beltran Jr., and Jose Luis Beltran Mondragon, 28, both of Houston, following a three-day trial.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Beltran to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted the sophistication and organization it took to plan and execute the multiple alien transport events.

Mondragon was previously ordered to serve the same sentence.

“These men were hands-off coordinators who thought they could hire others to do their dirty work and not get caught,” said Hamdani. “The swift jury verdict and today’s 10-year prison sentence, the maximum, shows otherwise. This office is committed to prosecuting every part of a human smuggling operation, from the drivers to the ones pulling the strings.”

On several occasions from February through June 2020, Beltran, Mondragon and others transported multiple groups of undocumented aliens from Rio Grande City north toward Laredo for the anticipated final destination of Houston. The Beltran smuggling organization housed the undocumented aliens at a ranch in Rio Grande City until additional members of the organization would then transport the undocumented aliens north.

Both Beltran and Mondragon would drive down from Houston, coordinate with the drivers, scout the area for law enforcement and accompany the transport drivers back north in tandem. The Beltran smuggling organization would typically transport the aliens in the bed of trucks through private ranch roads in an effort to circumvent the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoints.

The jury heard evidence of a rollover accident caused during a transport event which resulted in serious injury to one of the aliens.

Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement apprehended over 100 undocumented aliens attributable to the organization. 

At trial, Beltran and Mondragon attempted to convince the jury they just happen to be in the area of the smuggling events each and every time. The jury did not believe the defense claims and found them guilty as charged.

Beltran and Mondragon have both been and will remain in custody pending transfer to U.S. Bureau of Prisons facilities to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP and Starr County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia and Matthew Phelps prosecuted the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A 31-year-old Pharr man has been ordered to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Christian Shauntrell Garcia pleaded guilty May 2.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Garcia to serve 50 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information about Garcia’s history of drug trafficking and gun violence. In imposing the prison term, the court noted he represented an ongoing threat and needed a sentence to “provide for the safety of the community.”

Authorities believed Garcia had discharged a firearm at a residence in Pharr in 2021. On Nov. 26, 2021, authorities attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop, but he fled. A high-speed chase ensued, and law enforcement was able to take him into custody. At that time, they found a firearm in his possession along with an array of various controlled substances.

As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

Garcia was prosecuted as part of a joint Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Attorney’s Office initiative known as Operation: Knock Down. It started in 2022 and focuses federal resources on armed and violent offenders in the Rio Grande Valley.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Guerra Jr. prosecuted the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A 35-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for his role in transporting meth in multiple tractor trailer loads, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Roel Longoria pleaded guilty June 23, 2022.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Longoria to serve 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard of Longoria’s extensive criminal history including three prior felony convictions. In delivering the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted Longoria’s serious pattern of criminal behavior and disregard for the law.  

Judge Alvarez previously sentenced Dorian Hazel Ruiz-Chavez, 36, a citizen of Mexico unlawfully in the United States, Mario Alberto Ortiz, 43, Edinburg, and Luis Ramos, 35, Donna, to 190, 168 and 70 months, respectively.

In September 2020, law enforcement initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in the Rio Grande Valley. They were believed to be involved with the importation of narcotics from Mexico utilizing commercial tractor trailers with hidden compartments.

Ruiz-Chavez coordinated with a Mexican narcotics supplier who would send the tractor trailers into the United States. Once there, Ruiz-Chavez worked with additional individuals to store and transport the trailers further north. Longoria and Ortiz were tasked to find willing drivers to transport the narcotics north after they entered the United States.

On Nov. 12 2020, authorities seized a tractor trailer after it entered the United States through the Laredo Port of Entry. The trailer contained 147 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. On April 26, 2021, authorities seized a tractor trailer after it entered through the Pharr Port of Entry. The trailer contained 90 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. Both trailers were allegedly transported at the direction of Ruiz-Chavez.

Following the trailer seizures, the organization changed tactics and began to transport narcotics in smaller loads within passenger vehicles.

On May 13, 2021, authorities apprehended Ramos as he transported 45 kilograms of meth in his personal vehicle.

Longoria has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.

A Texas man pleaded guilty today to evading his federal income taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2013 to 2018, Peter Joseph Tignini worked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, earning approximately $4,783,031 in income that he deposited into foreign bank accounts. From2013 through 2017, Tignini filed tax returns falsely reporting that his income was only approximately $100,000 each year, an amount near or below the Foreign Earned Income (FEI) exclusion, which allows a U.S. citizen who lives and works in a foreign country for the majority of a year to exclude a portion of their income earned outside the United States from their taxable income. Tignini did not file a return for 2018. As a result, Tignini caused a tax loss to the IRS of $1,169,348.

After IRS Special Agents interviewed Tignini, he used an internet application to alter his employment contract and payroll documents to make them appear as if Tignini’s former employer was responsible for submitting his tax returns and paying the corresponding taxes due. Tignini then caused his attorneys to provide the fraudulent documents he had created to the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the IRS. After investigators asked a witness about the internet application Tignini used to create the phony documents, Tignini attempted to delete the documents from his account.

Tignini faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Houston Field Office made the announcement.

IRS-CI is investigating the case.

Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorney Brian Flanagan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Goldman for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 49-year-old Texas man and former employee for Vitol Inc. is set to appear in federal court for allegedly conspiring to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and for allegedly violating the FCPA, the Travel Act and the money laundering statutes in connection with a scheme involving Mexican government officials. 

Javier Aguilar is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho in Houston at 2 p.m. today.

The five-count indictment, returned Aug. 3, alleges Aguilar was a former manager and oil trader for Vitol Inc., the U.S. affiliate of the Vitol group of companies which together form one of the largest energy trading firms in the world. The former employee allegedly agreed with others to bribe Mexican officials in order to win business advantages related to contracts with the Mexican government instrumentality, PEMEX Procurement International (PPI). He is also charged with money laundering in connection with the scheme. 

Between August 2017 and July 2020, the charges allege Aguilar and others knowingly, willfully and corruptly offered and paid bribes to and for the benefit of Mexican officials. He allegedly intended to obtain and retain business for Vitol related to Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), a state-owned oil company of Mexico, and PPI, a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of PEMEX with its principal place of business in Houston.

Aguilar allegedly met with procurement managers at PPI between September 2017 and April 2018 and agreed to pay bribes for confidential, inside information to assist Vitol in winning business from PPI, including a contract to supply ethane to PEMEX through PPI. In particular, Aguilar allegedly agreed to make payments totaling approximately $600,000 in order to assist Vitol in winning the ethane contract.

To promote the bribery scheme and to conceal the proceeds derived from it, Aguilar and his co-conspirators caused the bribes to be paid through a series of transactions and shell companies, according to the charges.

Aguilar is charged with violating the FCPA and conspiracy to do so, which both carry a possible five-year-federal prison sentence as does a conviction of violation of the Travel Act. If convicted of either of the two money laundering charges, he could receive up to 20 years in prison.  

The FBI’s International Corruption Unit - Miami Field Office conducted the investigation.

Deputy Chief Suzanne Elmilady and Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Sherin Daniel for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case along with Assistant Chiefs Derek Ettinger and Jon Robell and Trial Attorney Clayton Solomon of the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Deputy Chief Adam Schwartz and Trial Attorney D. Hunter Smith from the Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Section with assistance from AUSAs Jonathan P. Lax and Matthew R. Galeotti from the Eastern District of New York.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

LAREDO, Texas – A 27-year-old Cotulla resident has been ordered to prison for possessing child pornography, including content he created from his abuse of a minor victim, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jose Luis Lara pleaded guilty Feb 1, 2022.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has now imposed a 20-year-term of imprisonment, the maximum allowed under the statute. In handing down the sentence, the Judge noted the extremely disturbing nature of Lara’s acts toward a minor child, remarking that she would have given him more time if she could.

Authorities identified Lara in 2021 after they learned of an individual sharing child pornography online who may have also abused a child.

On July 21, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home in Cotulla and discovered and seized several electronic devices. They also showed him a photo of a minor child whom Lara then acknowledged he knew.

Lara admitted to filming videos of him abusing that child. He said he filmed them in Big Wells before moving to Cotulla.   

Law enforcement ultimately identified a total of 1,151 images and 699 videos containing child pornography, including the videos Lara had filmed himself.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michal Makens prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 40-year-old man illegally residing in Edinburg has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of trafficking meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Pedro Castillo-Lopez pleaded guilty March 9 to possession with intent to distribute approximately 31.83 pounds of meth.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered Castillo-Lopez to serve 96 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Castillo-Lopez is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Castillo-Lopez will now have a felony conviction for and could spend the rest of his life in prison if he commits another felony or drug crime.

On Oct. 26, 2021, law enforcement observed Pedro Castillo-Lopez arrive at a hardware store parking lot located in Harlingen. Castillo approached another vehicle and transferred two commercial vehicle batteries from his vehicle to that one.

Authorities were able to confiscate the batteries. They broke one open and found what tested positive for the characteristics of heroin and meth. Further analysis later confirmed both drugs.

Castillo-Lopez had been previously removed from the country and did not have lawful presence in the United States. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.

GALVESTON, Texas - A 44-year-old legal permanent resident from the Dominican Republic has been sentenced in a cocaine and heroin conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

A federal jury convicted Emilio Ramon Torres following an 11-day trial in August 2022. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and one or more kilograms of heroin as well as possession with intent to distribute 16 kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown has now ordered him to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison. He could also lost his status to reside in the United States.

The investigation focused upon a group of distributors and their associates, primarily citizens of the Dominican Republic, who used common sources of drugs in Mexico to supply their customers in numerous states other than Texas. This group of distributors sold cocaine and heroin throughout the United States but operated out of the Houston area.

Torres worked within the drug trafficking organization by stashing cocaine at his apartment in Houston. He received shipments of cocaine and held them at his residence until instructed about how much to make available for delivery to customers.

The defense attempted to convince the jury Torres was an honest person who would not engage in drug distribution. The jury did not believe those claims and found Torres guilty as charged.  

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation dubbed “Wrecking Ball” with the assistance of the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

McALLEN, Texas - Two Mexican men have been ordered to prison for their roles in an alien smuggling conspiracy which resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Francisco Javier Quintanilla-Alcocer, 39, and Brandon Cibriano-Gonzalez, 22, pleaded guilty March 3 and Feb. 3, respectively.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now imposed a sentence of 74 months for Cibriano-Gonzalez. Quintanilla-Alcocer received 87 months for the alien smuggling conspiracy in addition to 24 months for illegally re-entering the United States. Judge Alvarez ordered the sentences in part consecutive for a cumulative 100-month term of imprisonment.   

Both are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment.  

At the hearing, the court considered additional evidence including details of the life-altering and permanent injuries the survivors sustained in the accident. Judge Alvarez also considered Cibriano-Gonzalez’s prior apprehensions as a brush guide and that he attempted to lead another group of migrants into the county less than a month after the accident. In handing down the sentences, Judge Alvarez noted Quintanilla-Alcocer’s disregard for the well-being of the migrants, emphasizing the effects and harm their conduct has had on the victims and their families.  

Orlando Andres Garcia, previously admitted his guilt in relation to the scheme and is set for sentencing before Judge Alvarez Nov. 14. He faces up to life in federal prison and will remain in custody pending the hearing.

“Two migrants died on the side of a dirt road in Mission, Texas, because of a smuggler’s reckless attempt to avoid arrest,” said Hamdani, “Human smugglers - they don’t care about anyone’s life but their own, and after leading authorities on a car chase, crashing and rolling a vehicle full of migrants, Quintanilla-Alcocer fled the scene, leaving those he transported for dead. Remember this: human smugglers - you are not welcome in the Southern District of Texas, and this office will continue its efforts to hold these criminals accountable with convictions and long sentences."

On Oct. 22, 2021, Cibriano-Gonzalez acted as a brush guide to smuggle a group of 10 non-U.S. citizens from Mexico into the United States. He guided them to a pick-up location in Palmview. There, Quintanilla-Alcocer and Garcia arrived and were driving a Chevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Malibu, respectively. The aliens and Cibriano-Gonzalez loaded into the vehicles and left the scene. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but both vehicles failed to yield and a high-speed chase ensued, reaching a speed of 130 miles per hour.

Quintanilla-Alcocer eventually turned onto a dirt road in Mission where the Chevrolet Impala rolled and crashed into a homeowner’s fence. Authorities located a total of seven individuals on scene. Three had been ejected, two of whom died at the scene.

Quintanilla-Alcocer was not located at that time. However, evidence in the vehicle led law enforcement to him. Phone records also indicated that Quintanilla-Alcocer and Garcia had been consistently communicating throughout the high-speed pursuit. During these conversations, Garcia instructed Quintanilla-Alcocer to go faster.  

Three months following the crash, a third migrant succumbed to his injuries.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Palmview Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee Fry and Devin Walker prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old commercial truck driver has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of alien smuggling and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Fabian Alvarado pleaded guilty Feb. 27.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered him to serve a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing Alvarado’s extensive criminal history including prior federal convictions for drug trafficking and alien smuggling.

On Dec. 9, 2022, Alvarado drove a tractor-trailer into the inspection lane of the U.S. Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Falfurrias. There, authorities observed Alvarado acting suspiciously during routine inspection. A K-9 also alerted to the vehicle.

Law enforcement then referred him to the secondary inspection area where they discovered five aliens concealed in the sleeper portion of the tractor. They also found a bag in the passenger seat which contained 45 grams of meth and a firearm along with Alvarado’s wallet. In the glove compartment were cellular phones and identification documents taken from the aliens as they were loaded into the sleeper berth.        

“Today’s prison sentence sends a resounding message to human smugglers and drug traffickers everywhere who believe they can circumvent our nation’s laws without detection or penalty,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Corpus Christi Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Hein. “Working in conjunction with our partners at Border Patrol, this individual was quickly identified at the southern border as a suspected drug trafficker and human smuggler, convicted of his crimes and will spend the next 10 years in federal prison.”

Alvarado will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – The leader in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

MD Azad, 26, an Indian national who illegally resided in Houston, pleaded guilty Aug. 15, 2022, admitting he participated in a fraud ring from 2019-2020 which operated out of various cities including Houston.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt has now ordered Azad to serve 188 months in federal prison. Azad, a citizen of India, is expected to face removal proceedings following the prison term. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described Azad as the U.S.-based ringleader working with a call center in India. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the many letters and victim impact statements it had read showing the financial devastation to elderly and vulnerable victims throughout the United States because of this fraud scheme.

“The victims in this case were devastated, financially and otherwise,” said Hamdani. “This fraud ring repeatedly preyed on elderly and vulnerable people in the United States who spoke of threats of bodily harm if they did not comply with demands for more money. Our hope, and that of many of the victims, is deterrence so as to stop others who would think of doing similar harm in our community and beyond.”

The scheme targeted elderly victims throughout the United States and elsewhere.

The ring tricked and deceived victims using various ruses and instructed them to send money via wire through a money transmitter business such as Western Union or MoneyGram, by buying gift cards and providing to the fraudsters or by mailing cash to alias names via FedEx or UPS.

Part of the scheme involved fraudsters contacting victims by phone or via internet sites for computer technical support and directing victims to a particular phone number. Once victims contacted the fraudsters, they were told various stories such as they were communicating with an expert that needed remote access to their computer in order to provide technical support services. The fraudsters then gained access to victims’ personal data and bank and credit card information.

Victims typically paid a fee to conspirators for the fake technical support but were later told they were due a refund. Through paying for “technical support” or through the “refund” process, the ring gained access to the victim’s bank account(s) and credit cards and manipulated the accounts to make it appear the victim was paid too large a refund due to a typographical error. Victims were then instructed to reimburse the ring by various means.

Victims were sometimes re-victimized multiple times and threatened with bodily harm if they did not pay.

Indian citizen Anirudha Kalkote, 26, also pleaded guilty in relation to the conspiracy as did Sumit Kumar Singh, 26, Himanshu Kumar, 26, and MD Hasib, 27, all also Indian nationals who illegally resided in Houston. They are pending sentencing.

All five individuals will remain in custody.

The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States including the Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office of Augusta County, Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Quincy Ollison prosecuted the case. 

The case is brought as a part of the Elder Justice Initiative. Its goal is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.

In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice launched National Elder Fraud Hotline to help combat fraud against older Americans and provide services to victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, we encourage you to call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372–8311).

The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time. Services are available for speakers of English, Spanish and other languages. 

HOUSTON – A 42-year old Houston man has been handed a significant sentence for his role in a counterfeit opiate conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jason Curtis Caldwell pleaded guilty Jan. 6 to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now sentenced him to a 210-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by five-years of supervised release. Prior to handing down the sentence, Judge Hittner emphasized several times to Caldwell and his attorney that it only takes one fentanyl pill to kill.

Caldwell was running a multi-drug distribution operation out of Caldwell’s car shop, North West Customz. He was known to carry a firearm during his operations and distributed kilogram amounts of meth as well as counterfeit opiate pills that contained fentanyl.

“With approximately 500 fatal overdoses each year in Houston alone linked to fentanyl, we cannot overstate the danger it presents to our communities,” said Hamdani. “We will not stop fighting to protect the citizens of the Southern District of Texas. This case was a great example of that effort and demonstration of the collaboration between federal and local agencies in bringing a meth and fentanyl distributor to justice.”

The investigation began after agents discovered Caldwell was supplying meth to another individual who was distributing counterfeit opiate pills. Those pills contained meth.

Further law enforcement efforts revealed Caldwell sold counterfeit opiate pills on two difference occasions to two others. Those individuals have also been convicted.

Previously released on bond, Caldwell was taken into custody following the sentencing where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Texas Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Houston Police Department and Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jimmy Leo prosecuted the case.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

McALLEN, Texas – A 41-year-old Honduran asylee residing in Houston has been sentenced for smuggling aliens for the third time, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Marlon Enrique Gallegos-Rapalo pleaded guilty May 23. Gallegos was previously convicted of smuggling aliens in 2015 and 2017. Gallegos had been granted withholding of removal under U.S. asylum laws, preventing immigration authorities from removing him.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now sentenced him to 78 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard how Gallegos had committed these offenses while under the protection of immigration laws. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Gallegos had “committed a serious abuse of the system.” He is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence.

On July 19, 2022, law enforcement discovered a stash house in McAllen being used to hide 35 migrants illegally present in the United States. Further investigation revealed Gallegos was the lease holder on the house and that he was directing the co-defendant Jose Ever Hernandez-Escobar to provide food and clothes to the migrants. Authorities also found that Gallegos and Hernandez harbored over 200 migrants at this residence during the conspiracy.

“Gallegos was given an incredible opportunity that some don’t have to make a new life in the United States,” said Hamdani. “Instead, he wasted that chance and continued to smuggle migrants, resulting in his third conviction and a lengthy prison term. We will not stop our fight against migrant smuggling, especially those who engage in such a large scale operation.”

Gallegos-Rapalo has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Hernandez-Escobar, 22, Honduras, also pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing Sept. 19.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Precinct 3 Hidalgo County Constables’ Office and the McAllen Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jongwoo Chung and Theodore Parran III prosecuted the case as part of the Human Smuggling Prevention Program (HSPP). The primary goal of HSPP is to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling organizations on our Southwest Border through close cooperation with Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection-Office of Field Operations and local law enforcement partners.

HOUSTON – A 30-year-old Houston resident has been handed a significant sentence for his role in a meth distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.  

Aslay Jordan Salas pleaded guilty June 28, 2022.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now sentenced Salas to 293 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court found Salas was a large-scale meth distribution supplier and was “pumping poison into the community for years.”

At the time of his plea, Salas admitted to supplying meth in a drug transaction that occurred Nov. 20, 2017, at a location on Little York Drive in Houston. He specifically transported the meth to the location and departed shortly after the deal took place. 

Officers stopped Salas after the drug transaction and subsequently located a Beretta 9mm pistol in his vehicle. 

Salas will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI led the investigation in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Office of Inspector General, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Houston Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Day is prosecuting the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 23-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute 210 grams of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jacob Soliz pleaded guilty April 28.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Soliz to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how the circumstances of Soliz’s arrest suggested he was selling large quantities of meth. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the severity of the crime.

On Sept. 4, 2022, Soliz was a passenger in a sedan driving in Corpus Christi around 11:30 p.m. Authorities conducted a traffic stop after observing the vehicle was traveling without any headlights activated.

Law enforcement then observed the smell of burnt marijuana and ultimately conducted an inspection of the vehicle. At that time, they discovered multiple baggies of meth totaling 210 grams, baggies of marijuana totaling approximately 150 grams and a loaded AR-15 rifle. They also discovered approximately $2,500 located in Soliz’s pocket.

At the time of his plea, Soliz admitted the meth and rifle belonged to him.

Soliz will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Corpus Christi Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Tyler Foster prosecuted the case. AUSA Barbara DePena handled the sentencing.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 27-year-old Falfurrias resident has been ordered to federal prison for illegally possessing firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Johnny Rey Garza pleaded guilty April 26.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Garza to serve 70 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. 

On March 10, 2022, law enforcement received multiple calls reporting theft of a firearm and shots fired at two different residences, both involving Garza. Upon responding to the shooting, they observed a man with a wound to the right foot and left arm. The victim identified Garza as the shooter and the person who stole his pickup truck.

The vehicle matching the description of the victim’s truck was involved in a accident near Falfurrias. Law enforcement arrived at that scene and observed Garza exit the truck with a handgun in his hand. He then fled. Authorities pursued but ultimately lost sight of him.

They then deployed a drone which Garza attempted to shoot as it tracked his whereabouts. A brief struggle ensued, but law enforcement was eventually able to apprehend him and take him into custody.  

They soon located the firearm in a fresh dirt mound. They identified it as the stolen weapon from the calls reported earlier that evening.

As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.

Garza has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from Falfurrias Police Department, Brooks County Sheriff’s Office and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 38-year-old resident of Laredo has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On May 26, authorities executed a search warrant at Jose Pedro Garcia’s residence. At that time, they found multiple small plastic baggies, each containing various types of suspected narcotics. Authorities seized, separated, weighed and ultimately identified them as heroin, meth, cocaine base and fentanyl.

Garcia had been selling drugs for approximately 10 years and had sold meth, crack cocaine and “China White” aka fentanyl. Garcia admitted he started with cocaine, but moved on to fentanyl because it gave people a stronger high and was more popular. He had color coded the bags so he could differentiate between the drugs.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Nov. 7. At that time, Garcia faces a minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison as well as a maximum $5 million fine. Garcia will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.

The case was prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

More information on the dangers of fentanyl can be found on the DEA’s website. #OnePillCanKill

VICTORIA, Texas – Two Corpus Christi residents have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On March 14, Jason Elijah Talley, 43, was the driver with Crystal Nichole Samora, 33, as passenger in a Lexus in Victoria. Authorities conducted a traffic stop after observing the vehicle following too closely.

Law enforcement detained Talley and ordered him to sit in the grass. At that time, they discovered a bag suspected of containing meth in the area where Talley was sitting.

A physical search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of Xanax bars, heroin, a myriad of pills, meth and multiple handguns. Authorities discovered a carboard box found directly behind the passenger seat which contained cookies in one layer and five large plastic containers containing a substance in another. Law also enforcement observed two plastic bags containing a substance and a Sig Sauer firearm in a purse.

The investigation revealed the firearm was stolen out of Corpus Christi. The substance was confirmed as 5,806 grams of meth with a purity level of 94 percent.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing in November. At that time, Talley and Samora face up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Both have been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Victoria Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher and Patti Booth are prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 20-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm during the robbery of a local discount store, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On Dec. 4, 2022, Marvieon Simien entered the Family Dollar on Hiram Clarke Road in Houston. He grabbed several items and approached the register but departed without them. He returned to his vehicle for several minutes before re-entering the store wearing a mask.

He selected another item from the shelf and walked to the register. He then pulled his mask down, spoke to the store clerk and retrieved the handgun from his waistband. She felt intimidated and was in fear for her life, so she backed away from him. At that time, Simien reached over the counter, removed a nominal amount of money from the register and fled the scene.

Video footage linked Simien to the robbery. The clerk was also able to identify him.

The gun and stolen cash were never recovered.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner will impose sentencing Oct. 26. At that time Simien, faces a minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Simien has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Houston Police Department Task Force conducted the investigation. This is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts and enhancing training, public awareness and education. It stems from the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Porto and Brian Hrach prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 27-year-old San Diego man has been ordered to federal prison after illegally possessing a short-barreled shotgun, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Chris Davila Jr. pleaded guilty April 24.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Davila to serve a total of 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, the court admonished the Davila about the dangerousness of his conduct and the promise of future encounters with law enforcement if he continues.   

On Feb. 26, 2022, authorities conducted a traffic stop and soon discovered a short-barreled shotgun between Davila’s driver’s seat and the center console of the car. Davila is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law. 

The investigation revealed that on a previous occasion, Davila had also been discovered with a prohibited firearm in his vehicle - a “sawed-off” shotgun.

“The firearms recovered in this investigation were especially dangerous,” said Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “Our community was made much safer by getting those firearms and the convicted felon who possessed them off the streets.”

Davila remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

ATF conducted the investigation along with police departments in San Diego and Alice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.

McALLEN, Texas – Two coordinators have been sentenced for organizing and participating in the smuggling of several hundred people, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Derly Crescencio Medina, 27, McAllen, and Jessica Dinora Pena-Rodriguez, 48, Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty May 23 and May 30, respectively.  

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Medina to serve a term of 108 months in prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Pena-Rodriguez received a 78-month-term of imprisonment. Not a U.S. citizen, she is expected to face removal proceedings following her sentence. In imposing the prison terms, Judge Crane noted that it was clear they were co-leaders and organizers for a long period of time.

Both acted a facilitators for the organization from at least August 2021 to their arrest in February 2023.

The investigation revealed Medina and Pena organized and participated in smuggling several hundred people during that time. The duo controlled the entire breadth of the smuggling operation - from posting smuggling advertisements on social media to coordinating their crossings of the Rio Grande and transportation to stash houses in the McAllen area to arranging transportation around immigration checkpoints deeper into the United States.

The duo also handled large amounts of human smuggling payments. They received tens of thousands of dollars in smuggling fees from smuggled undocumented aliens and wired significant sums to smuggling associates in Mexico.

Pena and Medina also harbored undocumented aliens at their residence awaiting transport further into the United States. Medina even transported aliens himself. In one instance in December 2021, law enforcement arrested him near the Rio Grande transporting seven undocumented aliens in his vehicle. Medina provided a false Mexican identity and avoided prosecution at that time by allowing himself to be wrongly removed to Mexico. He re-entered the United States using his true identity hours later.

The Pena-Medina network included numerous other co-conspirators, including nine others who have also been successfully investigated and prosecuted.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation with assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, Hidalgo County Constable’s Office and police departments in Mission and Premont. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Parran III is prosecuting the case.

注：本新闻稿已翻译成多种语言。请参阅以下附件。

华盛顿——司法部宣布已就涉及本德堡县 (Fort Bend County, FBC) 法院的民权事务做出最终决议。FBC 法院遵守了 2021 年 6 月签订的《协定备忘录 (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA)》中的所有条款，鉴于此，司法部将关闭本事务。 

司法部最初立案调查的依据是，有人指控 FBC 法院以民族血统为由歧视英语水平有限 (limited English proficiency, LEP) 的人员，并对一名投诉人进行报复，这违反了 1964 年《民权法案 (Civil Rights Act)》第六章 (Title VI) 中禁止任何联邦财政援助的接受者对种族、肤色和民族血统进行歧视的条款。一起投诉指控 FBC 地区法院拒绝为一名有 LEP 的刑事被告提供他在认罪听证会上需要的越南语口译员，并称被告或其律师必须寻找一名越南语口译员并支付费用。2021 年 6 月 29 日，司法部与 FBC 签署了一项 MOA 以解决该调查问题，该 MOA 要求 FBC 对针对有 LEP 的法庭用户的语言使用政策进行重大修改。

从那以后，FBC 已做出了重大修改，以改善对有 LEP 的法庭用户的语言使用情况，并遵守第六章的要求。例如，FBC：

• 在所有民事和刑事案件中，按照法院语言援助政策规定，向任何有 LEP 的人员免费提供口译服务，无论其收入状况如何；
• 修订其语言使用计划；
• 针对法院工作人员提供语言使用培训，并编写《法官语言使用指南 (Judge’s Guide to Language Access)》；
• 维护一个公共网页，解释如何申请获取口译或笔译服务；
• 在其网站上提供多种语言版本的语言使用投诉表；和
• 为确保遵守第六章，FBC 的员工还接受了涉及第六章的报复培训。  

“本德堡县法院采取的新政策和做法有助于为英语水平有限的人员提供有意义的语言使用机会，”司法部民权司助理部长克里斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 表示。“我希望其他法院系统以本德堡县为榜样，采取行动免费为法院使用者提供口译服务。在我们国家，诉诸司法的权利不应仅因您的英语熟练程度而受到限制或被剥夺。”

“本德堡县是得克萨斯州最多元化的县之一，几乎一半的人口来自西班牙、东亚和南亚。作为一名检察官、一名移民和印度裔工人阶级父母的儿子，我亲眼目睹了将英语作为第二语言的美国最新居民所面临的挣扎，以及他们对口译员的需求，尤其是在法庭诉讼期间，”得克萨斯州南区联邦检察官阿拉姆达尔 S. 哈姆达尼 (Alamdar S. Hamdani) 表示。“由于得克萨斯州南区联邦检察官办公室和民权司的检察官们的辛勤工作，所有居民，无论其民族血统如何，都可以充分诉诸法院系统，处理包括家庭法院事务、刑事案件和一般民事案件等所有事务。  我期待着与其他县和法院管理办公室合作，在整个得克萨斯州南区推广这些工作。”

本事务由民权司和得克萨斯州南区联邦检察官办公室的律师共同处理。 

有关民权司的其他信息可造访其网站 www.justice.gov/crt 查阅，有关英语水平有限和第六章的信息可造访 www.lep.gov 网站查阅。公众可登录 civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 或得克萨斯州南区联邦检察官办公室（www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section）举报可能存在的侵犯民权行为。

注：本新聞稿已翻譯成多種語言。請參閱以下附件。

華盛頓——司法部宣佈已就涉及本德堡縣 (Fort Bend County, FBC) 法院的民權事務做出最終決議。FBC 法院遵守了 2021 年 6 月簽訂的《協定備忘錄 (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) 》中的所有條款，鑒於此，司法部將關閉本事務。

司法部最初立案調查的依據是，有人指控 FBC 法院以民族血統為由歧視英語水準有限  (limited English proficiency, LEP)  的人員，並對一名投訴人進行報復，這違反了 1964 年《民權法案 (Civil Rights Act)》第六章 (Title VI) 中禁止任何聯邦財政援助的接受者對種族、膚色和民族血統進行歧視的條款。一起投訴指控 FBC 地區法院拒絕為一名有 LEP 的刑事被告提供他在認罪聽證會上需要的越南語口譯員，並稱被告或其律師必須尋找一名越南語口譯員並支付費用。2021 年 6 月 29 日，司法部與 FBC 簽署了一項 MOA 以解決該調查問題，該 MOA 要求 FBC 對針對有 LEP 的法庭使用者的語言使用政策進行重大修改。

從那以後，FBC 已做出了重大修改，以改善對有 LEP 的法庭使用者的語言使用情況，並遵守第六章的要求。例如，FBC：

• 在所有民事和刑事案件中，按照法院語言援助政策規定，向任何有 LEP 的人員免費提供口譯服務，無論其收入狀況如何；
• 修訂其語言使用計畫；
• 針對法院工作人員提供語言使用培訓，並編寫《法官語言使用指南 (Judge’s Guide to Language Access)》；
• 維護一個公共網頁，解釋如何申請獲取口譯或筆譯服務；
• 在其網站上提供多種語言版本的語言使用投訴表；和
• 為確保遵守第六章，FBC 的員工還接受了涉及第六章的報復培訓。 

「本德堡縣法院採取的新政策和做法有助於為英語水準有限的人員提供有意義的語言使用機會，」司法部民權司助理部長克裡斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 表示。「我希望其他法院系統以本德堡縣為榜樣，採取行動免費為法院使用者提供口譯服務。在我們國家，訴諸司法的權利不應僅因您的英語熟練程度而受到限制或被剝奪。」

「本德堡縣是德克薩斯州最多元化的縣之一，幾乎一半的人口來自西班牙、東亞和南亞。作為一名檢察官、一名移民和印度裔工人階級父母的兒子，我親眼目睹了將英語作為第二語言的美國最新居民所面臨的掙扎，以及他們對口譯員的需求，尤其是在法庭訴訟期間，」

德克薩斯州南區聯邦檢察官阿拉姆達爾 S. 哈姆達尼 (Alamdar S. Hamdani) 表示。「由於德克薩斯州南區聯邦檢察官辦公室和民權司的檢察官們的辛勤工作，所有居民，無論其民族血統如何，都可以充分訴諸法院系統，處理包括家庭法院事務、刑事案件和一般民事案件等所有事務。我期待著與其他縣和法院管理辦公室合作，在整個德克薩斯州南區推廣這些工作。」

本事務由民權司和德克薩斯州南區聯邦檢察官辦公室的律師共同處理。 

有關民權司的其他資訊可造訪其網站 www.justice.gov/crt 查閱，有關英語水準有限和第六章的資訊可造訪 www.lep.gov 網站查閱。公眾可登錄 civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 或德克薩斯州南區聯邦檢察官辦公室（www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section）舉報可能存在的侵犯民權行為。

ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുക: ഈ പത്രക്കുറിപ്പ് വിവിധ ഭാഷകളിലേക്ക് വിവർത്തനം ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട്. ചുവടെയുള്ള അറ്റാച്ചുമെന്റുകൾ കാണുക.

വാഷിംഗ്ടൺ – ഫോർട്ട് ബെൻഡ് കൗണ്ടി (Fort Bend County, FBC) കോടതികൾ ഉൾപ്പെടുന്ന പൗരാവകാശ വിഷയത്തിൽ അന്തിമ പരിഹാരം നേടിയതായി നീതിന്യായ വകുപ്പ് അറിയിച്ചു. 2021 ജൂണിലെ മെമ്മോറാണ്ടം ഓഫ് എഗ്രിമെന്‍റിന്‍റെ (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) എല്ലാ നിബന്ധനകളും FBC പാലിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്, തൽഫലമായി, വകുപ്പ് വിഷയം അവസാനിപ്പിക്കുകയാണ്.

പരിമിതമായ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് പ്രാവീണ്യം (limited English proficiency, LEP) ഉള്ളവരോട് അവരുടെ മാതൃരാജ്യത്തെ അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കി FBC കോടതികൾ വിവേചനം കാണിക്കുന്നു എന്നും, ഫെഡറൽ സാമ്പത്തിക സഹായം സ്വീകരിക്കുന്ന ഏതൊരു വ്യക്തിയും വംശം, നിറം, മാതൃരാജ്യം എന്നിവയുടെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലുള്ള വിവേചനം കാട്ടുന്നത് നിരോധിക്കുന്നതായ 1964 ലെ പൗരാവകാശ നിയമത്തിന്‍റെ ടൈറ്റിൽ VI (ടൈറ്റിൽ VI) ലംഘിച്ച് പരാതിക്കാരനോട് പ്രതികാരം ചെയ്യുകയും ചെയ്തുവെന്നുമുള്ള ആരോപണങ്ങളുടെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലാണ് വകുപ്പ് ആദ്യം വിഷയം തുറന്നത്. LEP ഉള്ളവരോട് അവരുടെ മാതൃരാജ്യത്തെ അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കി FBC കോടതികൾ വിവേചനം കാണിക്കുകയും 1964 ലെ പൗരാവകാശ നിയമത്തിന്‍റെ ടൈറ്റിൽ VI) (ടൈറ്റിൽ VI) ലംഘിച്ച് പരാതിക്കാരനോട് പ്രതികാരം ചെയ്യുകയും ചെയ്തുവെന്ന ആരോപണത്തിന്‍റെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലാണ് ഡിപ്പാർട്ട്മെന്റ് ആദ്യം വിഷയം തുറന്നത്. ഫെഡറൽ സാമ്പത്തിക സഹായം ലഭിക്കുന്ന ഏതൊരു വ്യക്തിയുടെയും വംശം, നിറം, മാതൃരാജ്യ വിവേചനം. 2021 ജൂൺ 29-ന്, LEP ഉള്ള കോടതി ഉപയോക്താക്കൾക്കായി FBCയുടെ ഭാഷാ പ്രാപ്യതാ നയങ്ങളിൽ ഗണ്യമായ മാറ്റങ്ങൾ ആവശ്യമായ ഒരു MOA ഉപയോഗിച്ച് വകുപ്പും FBCയും അന്വേഷണം ഉപസംഹരിച്ചു.

അതിനുശേഷം, LEP ഉള്ള കോടതി ഉപയോക്താക്കൾക്കുള്ള പ്രാപ്യത മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതിനും ടൈറ്റിൽ VI ആവശ്യകതകൾ പാലിക്കുന്നതിനും FBC കാര്യമായ മാറ്റങ്ങൾ വരുത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഉദാഹരണത്തിന്, FBC:

• കോടതിയുടെ ഭാഷാ സഹായ നയത്തിൽ വിവരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ, എല്ലാ സിവിൽ, ക്രിമിനൽ കേസുകളിലും, LEP ഉള്ള ആർക്കും അവരുടെ വരുമാനം കണക്കിലെടുക്കാതെ തന്നെ, ഒരു ചെലവും കൂടാതെ ഇന്റർപ്രെട്ടർ സേവനങ്ങൾ നൽകുന്നു;
• അതിന്‍റെ ഭാഷാ പ്രവേശന പദ്ധതി പരിഷ്കരിച്ചു;
• കോടതി ജീവനക്കാർക്കായി ഒരു ഭാഷാ പ്രാപ്യതാ പരിശീലനവും ജഡ്ജിയുടെ ഭാഷാ പ്രാപ്യതയ്ക്കുള്ള ഗൈഡും സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു;
• വ്യാഖ്യാനം അല്ലെങ്കിൽ വിവർത്തന സേവനങ്ങൾ എങ്ങനെ അഭ്യർത്ഥിക്കണമെന്ന് വിശദീകരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു പൊതു വെബ്‌പേജ് പരിപാലിക്കുന്നു;
• അതിന്‍റെ വെബ്‌സൈറ്റിൽ നിരവധി ഭാഷകളിൽ ഭാഷാ പ്രാപ്യതാ പരാതി ഫോം നൽകുന്നു; കൂടാതെ
• ടൈറ്റിൽ VI അനുവർത്തിക്കുണ്ടെന്ന്, FBC ജീവനക്കാർക്ക് ടൈറ്റിൽ VI പ്രതിക്രിയാ പരിശീലനവും ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടെന്ന് ഉറപ്പാക്കാൻ.

“ഫോർട്ട് ബെൻഡ് കൗണ്ടി കോടതികൾ സ്വീകരിച്ച പുതിയ നയങ്ങളും സമ്പ്രദായങ്ങളും LEP ഉള്ള ആളുകൾക്ക് അർത്ഥപൂർണ്ണമായ ഭാഷാ പ്രാപ്യത നൽകാൻ സഹായിക്കുന്നു,” നീതിന്യായ വകുപ്പിന്‍റെ പൗരാവകാശ വിഭാഗത്തിലെ അസിസ്റ്റന്റ് അറ്റോർണി ജനറൽ ക്രിസ്റ്റൻ ക്ലാർക്ക് പറഞ്ഞു. “മറ്റ് കോടതി സംവിധാനങ്ങൾ ഫോർട്ട് ബെൻഡ് കൗണ്ടി മാതൃക പിന്തുടരുകയും കോടതി ഉപയോക്താക്കൾക്ക് യാതൊരു ചെലവും കൂടാതെ ഇന്റർപ്രെറ്റർ സേവനങ്ങൾ നൽകുന്നതിന് നടപടി സ്വീകരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുമെന്ന് ഞാൻ പ്രത്യാശിക്കുന്നു. ഇംഗ്ലീഷിലുള്ള നിങ്ങളുടെ പ്രാവീണ്യത്തെ അടിസ്ഥാനപ്പെടുത്തിയ നമ്മുടെ രാജ്യത്ത് നീതിയിലേക്കുള്ള പ്രാപ്യത പരിമിതപ്പെടുത്തുകയോ നിഷേധിക്കുകയോ ചെയ്യരുത്.”

“ഫോർട്ട് ബെൻഡ് കൗണ്ടി ടെക്സസിലെ ഏറ്റവും വൈവിധ്യമാർന്ന കൗണ്ടികളിലൊന്നാണ്, അവിടുത്തെ ജനസംഖ്യയുടെ പകുതിയോളം സ്പാനിഷ്, കിഴക്കൻ ഏഷ്യൻ, ദക്ഷിണേഷ്യൻ വംശജരാണ്. ഒരു പ്രോസിക്യൂട്ടർ, കുടിയേറ്റക്കാരൻ, ഇന്ത്യയിൽ ജനിച്ച, തൊഴിലാളിവർഗ മാതാപിതാക്കളുടെ മകൻ എന്നീ നിലകളിൽ, രണ്ടാം ഭാഷയായി ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സംസാരിക്കുന്ന അമേരിക്കയിലെ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ താമസക്കാരുടെ പോരാട്ടങ്ങളും, കോടതി നടപടിക്രമങ്ങളിൽ വ്യാഖ്യാതാക്കളുടെ ആവശ്യകതയും ഞാൻ നേരിട്ട് കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്,” ടെക്സാസിലെ സതേൺ ഡിസ്ട്രിക്റ്റിന് വേണ്ടിയുള്ള യു.എസ് അറ്റോർണി അലംദാർ എസ്. ഹംദാനി പറഞ്ഞു. “യുണൈറ്റഡ് സ്റ്റേറ്റ്സ് അറ്റോർണി ഓഫീസ് ഓഫ് ടെക്സാസിലെ സതേൺ ഡിസ്ട്രിക്റ്റിലെയും സിവിൽ റൈറ്റ് ഡിവിഷനിലെയും പ്രോസിക്യൂട്ടർമാരുടെ കഠിനാധ്വാനത്തിന്‍റെ ഫലമായി, കുടുംബ കോടതി കാര്യങ്ങൾ, ക്രിമിനൽ, പൊതു സിവിൽ കാര്യങ്ങൾ. എന്നിവയെല്ലാം കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യുന്നതിനായി എല്ലാ താമസക്കാർക്കും, മാതൃരാജ്യം പരിഗണിക്കാതെ, കോടതി സംവിധാനത്തിലേക്ക് പൂർണ്ണമായ പ്രാപ്യത ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കും. ടെക്സാസിലെ സതേൺ ഡിസ്ട്രിക്റ്റിലുടനീളം ഈ ശ്രമങ്ങൾ ആവർത്തിക്കാൻ മറ്റ് കൗണ്ടികളുമായും ഓഫീസ് ഓഫ് കോർട്ട് അഡ്മിനിസ്ട്രേഷനുമായും ചേർന്നു പ്രവർത്തിക്കാൻ ഞാൻ പ്രതീക്ഷയോടെ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു.”

ഈ വിഷയം സിവിൽ റൈറ്റ്സ് ഡിവിഷനിലെയും ടെക്സാസിലെ സതേൺ ഡിസ്ട്രിക്റ്റിനുള്ള യു.എസ്. അറ്റോർണി ഓഫീസിലെയും അഭിഭാഷകർ സംയുക്തമായാണ് കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്തത്.

സിവിൽ റൈറ്റ്സ് ഡിവിഷനെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള കൂടുതൽ വിവരങ്ങൾ അതിന്‍റെ വെബ്‌സൈറ്റായ www.justice.gov/crt ലും പരിമിതമായ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് പ്രാവീണ്യം, ടൈറ്റിൽ VI എന്നിവയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള വിവരങ്ങൾ www.lep.gov ലും ലഭ്യമാണ്. പൊതുജനങ്ങൾക്ക് സാധ്യതയുള്ള പൗരാവകാശ ലംഘനങ്ങൾ civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ൽ അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ടെക്സാസിലെ സതേൺ ഡിസ്ട്രിക്റ്റിന് വേണ്ടിയുള്ള യു.എസ്. അറ്റോർണി ഓഫീസുമൊത്ത് www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section ൽ റിപ്പോർട്ട് ചെയ്യാം.

નોંધ: આ પ્રેસ રિલીઝનો વિવિધ ભાષાઓમાં અનુવાદ કરવામાં આવ્યો છે. નીચે જોડાણો જુઓ.

વોશિંગ્ટન – ન્યાય વિભાગે જાહેરાત કરી કે તેણે ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી (Fort Bend County, FBC) કોર્ટને સંડોવતા તેના નાગરિક અધિકારોના મામલે અંતિમ ઠરાવ મેળવ્યો છે. FBC એ જૂન 2021ના કરાર મેમોરેન્ડમ (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) ના તમામ શરતોનું પાલન કર્યું છે અને પરિણામે, વિભાગ આ બાબતને બંધ કરી રહ્યું છે.

ડિપાર્ટમેન્ટે શરૂઆતમાં આ મામલો એવા આરોપોના આધારે ખોલ્યો હતો કે FBC કોર્ટ મર્યાદિત અંગ્રેજી પ્રાવીણ્ય (limited English proficiency, LEP) ધરાવતા લોકો સાથે તેમના રાષ્ટ્રીય મૂળના આધારે ભેદભાવ કરે છે અને 1964 ના નાગરિક અધિકાર અધિનિયમ (શીર્ષક VI) ના શીર્ષક VI ના ઉલ્લંઘનમાં ફરિયાદી સામે બદલો લીધો જે ફેડરલ નાણાકીય સહાયના કોઈપણ પ્રાપ્તકર્તા દ્વારા જાતિ, રંગ અને રાષ્ટ્રીય મૂળના ભેદભાવને પ્રતિબંધિત કરે છે. એક ફરિયાદમાં આરોપ છે કે FBC ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ કોર્ટે વિયેતનામીસના દુભાષિયાના LEP સાથેના ફોજદારી પ્રતિવાદીને અરજીની સુનાવણી માટે જરૂરી હોવાનો ઇનકાર કર્યો હતો અને કહ્યું હતું કે પ્રતિવાદી અથવા તેના વકીલે વિયેતનામીસ દુભાષિયાને શોધીને તેના માટે ચૂકવણી કરવી પડશે. 29 જૂન, 2021ના રોજ, વિભાગ અને FBC એ MOA સાથે તપાસનું નિરાકરણ કર્યું જેમાં LEP સાથે કોર્ટના વપરાશકર્તાઓ માટે FBC ની ભાષા ઍક્સેસ નીતિઓમાં નોંધપાત્ર ફેરફારોની જરૂર હતી.

ત્યારથી, FBC એ LEP સાથે કોર્ટના વપરાશકર્તાઓ માટે ઍક્સેસ સુધારવા અને શીર્ષક VI ની આવશ્યકતાઓનુંપાલન કરવા માટે નોંધપાત્ર ફેરફારો કર્યા છે. ઉદાહરણ તરીકે, FBC:

• કોર્ટની ભાષા સહાયતા નીતિમાં વર્ણવ્યા મુજબ તમામ સિવિલ અને ફોજદારી કેસોમાં, આવકને ધ્યાનમાં લીધા વિના, LEP ધરાવતા કોઈપણને કોઈ પણ કિંમતે દુભાષિયાની સેવાઓ પૂરી પાડે છે;
• તેની ભાષા એક્સેસ પ્લાનને સુધાર્યો;
• કોર્ટના કર્મચારીઓ માટે ભાષા ઍક્સેસ તાલીમ અને ભાષા ઍક્સેસ માટે ન્યાયાધીશની માર્ગદર્શિકા બનાવી;
• સાર્વજનિક વેબપેજ જાળવી રાખે છે જે સમજાવે છે કે અર્થઘટન અથવા અનુવાદ સેવાઓની વિનંતી કેવી રીતે કરવી;
• તેની વેબસાઇટ પર ઘણી ભાષાઓમાં ભાષા ઍક્સેસ ફરિયાદ ફોર્મ પ્રદાન કરે છે; અને
• શીર્ષક VI નું પાલન સુનિશ્ચિત કરવા માટે, FBC સ્ટાફે પણ શીર્ષક VI પ્રતિશોધની તાલીમ પ્રાપ્ત કરી છે. 

ન્યાય વિભાગના નાગરિક અધિકાર વિભાગના આસિસ્ટન્ટ એટર્ની જનરલ ક્રિસ્ટન ક્લાર્કે જણાવ્યું હતું કે “ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી કોર્ટ દ્વારા અપનાવવામાં આવેલી નવી નીતિઓ અને પ્રથાઓ મર્યાદિત અંગ્રેજી પ્રાવીણ્ય ધરાવતા લોકો માટે અર્થપૂર્ણ ભાષા ઍક્સેસ પ્રદાન કરવામાં મદદ કરી રહી છે. હું આશા રાખું છું કે અન્ય કોર્ટ સિસ્ટમ ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટીના ઉદાહરણને અનુસરે અને કોર્ટના વપરાશકર્તાઓને કોઈ પણ ખર્ચ વિના દુભાષિયા સેવાઓ પ્રદાન કરવા પગલાં લે. આપણા દેશમાં ન્યાયની પહોંચ ફક્ત તમારી અંગ્રેજીમાં પ્રાવીણ્યને કારણે મર્યાદિત અથવા નકારી ન હોવી જોઈએ.”

ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુએસ એટર્ની અલમદાર એસ. હમદાનીએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે “ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી ટેક્સાસમાં સૌથી વધુ વૈવિધ્યસભર કાઉન્ટીઓમાંની એક છે જ્યાં લગભગ અડધી વસ્તી સ્પેનિશ, પૂર્વ એશિયન અને દક્ષિણ એશિયન મૂળની છે. વકીલ, ઇમિગ્રન્ટ અને ભારતીય મૂળના, શ્રમિક વર્ગના માતાપિતાના પુત્ર તરીકે, મેં, પ્રથમ હાથે, અમેરિકાના નવા નિવાસીઓ કે જેઓ બીજી ભાષા તરીકે અંગ્રેજી બોલે છે, અને ખાસ કરીને કોર્ટની કાર્યવાહી દરમિયાન દુભાષિયાઓની જરૂરિયાત માટેના સંઘર્ષ જોયા છે. ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુનાઇટેડ સ્ટેટ્સ એટર્ની ઑફિસમાં અને સિવિલ રાઇટ ડિવિઝનમાં વકીલઓની સખત મહેનતને કારણે, તમામ રહેવાસીઓ, રાષ્ટ્રીય મૂળને ધ્યાનમાં લીધા વિના, ફેમિલી કોર્ટની બાબતો, ફોજદારી અને સામાન્ય સિવિલ બાબતોથી માંડીને બધું જ હેન્ડલ કરવા માટે કોર્ટ સિસ્ટમની સંપૂર્ણ ઍક્સેસ હશે. હું અન્ય કાઉન્ટીઓ અને ઑફિસ ઑફ કોર્ટ એડમિનિસ્ટ્રેશન સાથે કામ કરવા આતુર છું જેથી ટેક્સાસના સમગ્ર દક્ષિણ ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટમાં આ પ્રયાસોની નકલ કરવામાં આવે."

આ બાબત સિવિલ રાઇટ્સ ડિવિઝનના એટર્ની અને ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુએસ એટર્ની ઑફિસ દ્વારા સંયુક્ત રીતે હાથ ધરવામાં આવી હતી. 

નાગરિક અધિકાર વિભાગ વિશે વધારાની માહિતી તેની વેબસાઇટ www.justice.gov/crt પર ઉપલબ્ધ છે, અને મર્યાદિત અંગ્રેજી પ્રાવીણ્ય અને શીર્ષક VI વિશેની માહિતી www.lep.gov પર ઉપલબ્ધ છે. જનતાના સભ્યો નાગરિક અધિકારોના સંભવિત ઉલ્લંઘનની જાણ civilrights.justice.gov/report/ પર કરી શકે છે અથવા ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુએસ એટર્ની ઑફિસને www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section પર જાણ કરી શકે છે.

नोट: इस प्रेस विज्ञप्ति का विभिन्न भाषाओं में अनुवाद किया गया है। नीचे अनुलग्नक देखें।

वॉशिंगटन – न्याय विभाग ने घोषणा की है कि उन्होंने फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी (Fort Bend County, FBC) की अदालतों से जुड़े अपने नागरिक अधिकार मामले का अंतिम समाधान हासिल कर लिया है। FBC ने जून 2021 के समझौते का ज्ञापन )Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) की सभी शर्तों का अनुपालन किया है और इसके परिणामस्वरूप, विभाग इस मामले को बंद कर रहा है।

शुरुआत में विभाग ने इन आरोपों के आधार पर मामला शुरू किया था कि FBC की अदालतों ने अंग्रेज़ी में सीमित दक्षता (limited English proficiency, LEP) वाले लोगों के राष्ट्रीय मूल के आधार पर उनके साथ भेदभाव किया तथा संघीय वित्तीय सहायता के किसी भी प्राप्तकर्ता द्वारा नस्ल, रंग और राष्ट्रीय मूल के भेदभाव पर रोक लगाने वाले, 1964 के नागरिक अधिकार अधिनियम (शीर्षक VI) के शीर्षक VI के उल्लंघन में एक शिकायतकर्ता के खिलाफ़ जवाबी कार्रवाई की। एक शिकायतकर्ता ने यह आरोप लगाया था कि FBC ज़िला अदालत ने LEP वाले एक आपराधिक प्रतिवादी को एक याचिका की सुनवाई के लिए ज़रूरी वियतनामी दुभाषिया प्रदान करने से इनकार कर दिया था और यह कहा था कि प्रतिवादी या उसके वकील को एक वियतनामी दुभाषिया ढूँढना होगा और उसके लिए भुगतान करना होगा। 29 जून, 2021 को, विभाग और FBC ने एक ऐसे MOA के साथ जाँच का समाधान किया जिसके लिए LEP वाले अदालत के उपयोगकर्ताओं के लिए FBC की भाषा पहुँच नीतियों में महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तनों की आवश्यकता थी।

तब से, FBC ने LEP वाले अदालत के उपयोगकर्ताओं के लिए पहुँच में सुधार और शीर्षक VI की शर्तों का अनुपालन करने के लिए महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन किए हैं। उदाहरण के लिए, FBC:

• LEP वाले किसी भी व्यक्ति को उन सभी दीवानी और फौजदारी मामलों में, आय की परवाह किए बिना, मुफ़्त दुभाषिया सेवाएं प्रदान करती है जो अदालत की भाषा सहायता नीति में वर्णित हैं;
• ने अपनी भाषा पहुँच योजना को संशोधित किया है;
• ने अदालत के कर्मचारियों के लिए भाषा पहुँच प्रशिक्षण और भाषा पहुँच के लिए न्यायाधीशों की मार्गदर्शिका तैयार की है;
• एक सार्वजनिक वेबपेज को कायम रखती है जो यह बताता है कि दुभाषिया या अनुवाद सेवाओं के लिए अनुरोध कैसे करें;
• अपनी वेबसाइट पर कई भाषाओं में एक भाषा पहुँच शिकायत फ़ॉर्म प्रदान करती है; और
• शीर्षक VI का अनुपालन सुनिश्चित करने के लिए, FBC के कर्मचारियों को शीर्षक VI प्रतिशोध प्रशिक्षण भी प्राप्त हुआ है। 

न्याय विभाग के नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग के सहायक अटॉर्नी जनरल क्रिस्टन क्लार्क ने कहा, “फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी की अदालतों द्वारा अपनाई गई नई नीतियाँ और कार्यप्रणालियाँ अंग्रेज़ी में सीमित दक्षता वाले लोगों के लिए सार्थक भाषा पहुँच प्रदान करने में सहायता कर रही हैं।” “मुझे उम्मीद है कि अन्य अदालत प्रणालियाँ फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी के उदाहरण का अनुसरण करेंगी और अदालत के उपयोगकर्ताओं को मुफ़्त दुभाषिया सेवाएं प्रदान करने के लिए कदम उठाएंगी। हमारे देश में न्याय तक पहुँच केवल अंग्रेज़ी में आपकी दक्षता के कारण सीमित नहीं होनी चाहिए या उससे इनकार नहीं किया जाना चाहिए।”

टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी आलमदार एस. हमदानी ने कहा, “फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी टेक्सास में सबसे विविध काउंटियों में से एक है जहाँ लगभग आधी आबादी स्पेनिश, पूर्वी एशियाई और दक्षिण एशियाई मूल की है। एक अभियोक्ता, एक आप्रवासी और भारतीय मूल के, कामकाजी वर्ग के, माता-पिता के बेटे के रूप में, मैंने दूसरी भाषा के रूप में अंग्रेजी बोलने वाले अमेरिका के नवीनतम निवासियों के संघर्षों, और, विशेष रूप से अदालत की कार्रवाई के दौरान, दुभाषियों की आवश्यकता को प्रत्यक्ष रूप से देखा है। टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी कार्यालय और नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग में अभियोक्ताओं के परिश्रम के कारण, सभी निवासियों को, चाहे वे किसी भी राष्ट्रीय मूल के हों, पारिवारिक अदालतों के मामलों से लेकर फौजदारी और सामान्य दीवानी मामलों तक हर पहलू का प्रबंधन करने के लिए अदालत प्रणाली तक पूरी पहुँच होगी। मैं टेक्सास के पूरे दक्षिणी ज़िले में इन प्रयासों को दोहराने के लिए अन्य काउंटियों और न्यायालय प्रशासन कार्यालय के साथ काम करने की आशा करता हूँ।”

इस मामले को नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग और टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी कार्यालय के वकीलों द्वारा संयुक्त रूप से प्रबंधित किया गया था। 

नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग के बारे में अतिरिक्त जानकारी www.justice.gov/crt पर उनकी वेबसाइट पर उपलब्ध है, तथा अंग्रेज़ी में सीमित दक्षता और शीर्षक VI के बारे में जानकारी www.lep.gov पर उपलब्ध है। आम लोग civilrights.justice.gov/report/ या www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section पर टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी कार्यालय में नागरिक अधिकारों के संभावित उल्लंघनों की रिपोर्ट कर सकते हैं।

نوٹ: اس پریس ریلیز کا مختلف زبانوں میں ترجمہ کیا گیا ہے۔ ذیل میں منسلکات دیکھیں۔

واشنگٹن - محکمہ انصاف نے اعلان کیا کہ اس نے فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی (Fort Bend County, FBC) کی عدالتوں سے متعلق اپنے شہری حقوق کے معاملے میں ایک حتمی تصفیہ حاصل کر لیا ہے۔ FBC نے جون 2021 کے یادداشت کے معاہدے (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) کی تمام شرائط کی تعمیل کی ہے اور اس کے نتیجے میں محکمہ اس معاملے کو بند کر رہا ہے۔

محکمے نے ابتدائی طور پر ان الزامات کی بنیاد پر معاملہ دیکھنا شروع کیا کہ FBC عدالتوں نے انگریزی زبان کی محدود صلاحیت (limited English proficiency, LEP) رکھنے والے لوگوں کے ساتھ ان کی آبائی قومیت کی بنیاد پر امتیازی سلوک کیا اور 1964 کے سِول رائٹس ایکٹ (ٹائٹل VI) کے ٹائٹل VI کی خلاف ورزی کرتے ہوئے شکایت کنندہ کے خلاف جوابی کارروائی کی جو وفاقی مالی معاونت کے کسی وصول کنندہ کی جانب سے نسل، رنگ یا آبائی قومیت کی بُنیاد پرتفریق کیے جانے کی مُمانعت کرتا ہے۔ ایک شکایت میں الزام لگایا گیا کہ FBC ڈسٹرکٹ عدالت نے LEP کے حامل ایک فوجداری مدعا علیہ کو ویتنامی مترجم کی فراہمی سے انکار کر دیا جس کی اسے درخواست کی سماعت کے لیے ضرورت تھی اور کہا کہ مدعا علیہ یا اس کے وکیل کو ایک ویتنامی مترجم کو تلاش کرنا اور اس کے لیے ادائیگی کرنا چاہیے۔ 29 جون 2021 کو، محکمہ اور FBC نے ایک MOA کے ذریعے تحقیقات کو حل کیا جس میں LEP کے حامل عدالتی صارفین کے لیے FBC کی زبان تک رسائی کی پالیسیوں میں اہم تبدیلیاں درکار کی گئیں۔

اس کے بعد سے، FBC نے LEP کے حامل عدالتی صارفین کی رسائی کو بہتر بنانے اور ٹائٹل VI کے تقاضوں کی تعمیل کرنے کے لیے اہم تبدیلیاں کی ہیں۔ مثال کے طور پر، FBC:

• تمام دیوانی اور فوجداری مقدمات میں، جیسا کہ عدالت کی زبان کی مدد کی پالیسی میں بیان کیا گیا ہے، آمدنی سے قطع نظر، LEP کے حامل فرد کو بھی بغیر کسی قیمت کے مترجم کی خدمات فراہم کرتی ہے؛
• نے اپنے  زبان تک رسائی کے منصوبے پر نظر ثانی کی ہے؛
• نے عدالتی عملے کے لیے زبان تک رسائی کی تربیت اور زبان تک رسائی کے لیے جج کی رہنمائی تشکیل دی ہے؛
• نے ایک عوامی ویب پیج  بنایا ہے جو وضاحت کرتا ہے کہ تشریح یا ترجمے کی خدمات کی درخواست کیسے کی جائے؛
• اپنی ویب سائٹ پر کئی زبانوں میں زبان تک رسائی کا شکایتی فارم فراہم کرتی ہے؛ اور
• ٹائٹل VI کی تعمیل کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے، FBC کے عملے نے ٹائٹل VI کی جوابی کارروائی کی تربیت بھی حاصل کی ہے۔ 

محکمہ انصاف کے سِول رائٹس ڈویژن کے اسسٹنٹ اٹارنی جنرل Kristen Clarke نے کہا، "فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی کی عدالتوں کی طرف سے اختیار کی گئی نئی پالیسیاں اور طرز عمل انگریزی کی محدود صلاحیت رکھنے والے لوگوں کے لیے زبان تک بامعنی رسائی فراہم کرنے میں مدد کر رہے ہیں۔" "مجھے امید ہے کہ دیگر عدالتی نظام فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی کی مثال کی پیروی کریں گے اور عدالتی صارفین کو بغیر کسی قیمت کے مترجم کی خدمات فراہم کرنے کے لیے اقدام اٹھائیں گے۔ ہمارے ملک میں انصاف تک رسائی کو صرف انگریزی میں آپ کی مہارت کی وجہ سے محدود یا انکار نہیں کیا جانا چاہیے۔"

"فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی ٹیکساس کی متنوع ترین کاؤنٹیوں میں سے ایک ہے جہاں تقریباً نصف آبادی ہسپانوی، مشرقی ایشیائی اور جنوبی ایشیائی نژاد ہے۔ ایک پراسیکیوٹر، ایک تارک وطن اور ہندوستانی نژاد، محنت کش طبقے کے والدین کے بیٹے کے طور پر، میں نے امریکہ کے نئے باشندوں کی جدوجہد کو خود دیکھا ہے جو انگریزی کو دوسری زبان کے طور پر بولتے ہیں، اور انہیں مترجم کی ضرورت، خاص طور پر عدالت کی کارروائی کے دوران، ہوتی ہے،" ٹیکساس کے جنوبی ضلع کے لیے امریکی اٹارنی Alamdar S. Hamdani نے کہا۔ "امریکہ کے اٹارنی دفتر برائے جنوبی ضلع ٹیکساس اور سِول رائٹس ڈویژن میں پراسیکیوٹرز کی انتھک محنت کی وجہ سے تمام رہائشیوں کو، قطع نظر آبائی قومیت کے، فیملی کورٹ کے معاملات، فوجداری اور عمومی سول معاملات ہینڈل کرنے کے لیے عدالتی نظام تک مکمل رسائی حاصل ہو گی۔ میں ٹیکساس کے جنوبی ضلع بھر میں ان کاوشوں کے لیے دیگر کاؤنٹیز اور آفس آف کورٹ ایڈمنسٹریشن کے ساتھ کام کرنے کا منتظر ہوں۔"

یہ معاملہ سِول رائٹس ڈویژن اور ٹیکساس کے جنوبی ضلع کے لیے امریکی اٹارنی کے دفتر کے وکلاء کے ذریعے مشترکہ طور پر ہینڈل کیا گیا۔ 

سِول رائٹس ڈویژن کے بارے میں اضافی معلومات اس کی ویب سائٹ www.justice.gov/crt پر دستیاب ہیں، اور انگریزی کی محدود صلاحیت اور ٹائٹل VI کے بارے میں معلومات www.lep.gov پر دستیاب ہیں۔ عوام کے اراکین شہری حقوق کی ممکنہ خلاف ورزیوں کی اطلاع civilrights.justice.gov/report پر یا امریکی اٹارنی کے دفتر برائے جنوبی ضلع ٹیکساس

ملحوظة:  تُرجم هذا البيان الصحفي إلى لغات مختلفة. انظر المرفقات الواردة أدناه.

واشنطن - أعلنت وزارة العدل عن التوصل إلى قرار نهائي مع محاكم مقاطعة فورت بيند (Fort Bend County, FBC) في ضوء قانون الحقوق المدنية. التزمت محاكم FBC بجميع شروط مذكرة الاتفاق (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) الموقَّعة في يونيو 2021، وعليه تؤكد وزارة العدل أنه تم حسم هذا الأمر.

فتحت وزارة العدل هذا الأمر في الأصل بناءً على الادعاءات التي تفيد بممارسة محاكم FBC التمييز ضد محدودي إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية (limited English proficiency, LEP) على أساس أصلهم القومي، وممارسة أنشطة انتقامية ضد المشتكين بما يخالف أحكام الباب السادس من قانون الحقوق المدنية لعام 1964 الذي يمنع التمييز بين متلقي المساعدة المالية الفيدرالية على أساس العرق أو اللون أو الأصل القومي. نصت إحدى الشكاوى على أن محكمة مقاطعة FBC رفضت توفير مترجم فوري فيتنامي لجلسة استماع أحد المتهمين الجنائيين ممن ينتمون إلى LEP، وذكرت أنه يجب على المتهم أو محاميه البحث عن مترجم فوري فيتنامي ودفع أتعابه. في 29 يونيو 2021، أجرت الوزارة بالتعاون مع محاكم FBC تحقيقًا وتم التوصل إلى مذكرة الاتفاق التي ألزمت هذه المحاكم بإجراء تغييرات جوهرية في سياساتها الخاصة بتوفير خدمات لغوية لمن ينتمون إلى LEP.

منذ ذلك الحين، قامت محاكم FBC بإجراء تغييرات جوهرية لتحسين توفير الخدمات اللغوية لعملائها الذين ينتمون إلى LEP والامتثال لمتطلبات الباب السادس. فعلى سبيل المثال، قامت محاكم FBC بما يأتي:

• توفير خدمات الترجمة الفورية مجانًا لأي شخص ينتمي إلى LEP، بغض النظر عن دخله، في جميع القضايا المدنية والجنائية كما هو موضح في سياسة المساعدة اللغوية للمحكمة؛
• مراجعة خطتها الخاصة بتوفير الخدمات اللغوية؛
• توفير تدريب على الخدمات اللغوية لموظفي المحكمة وإعداد دليل للقاضي خاص بتوفير الخدمات اللغوية؛
• إنشاء صفحة عامة على الويب تشرح كيفية طلب خدمات الترجمة الفورية أو التحريرية؛
• توفير استمارة شكاوى خاصة بتوفير الخدمات اللغوية بعدة لغات على موقعها الإلكتروني؛ و
• تلقى موظفو محاكم FBC أيضًا تدريبًا لمعرفة الأنشطة الانتقامية التي يحرمها الباب السادس من القانون وضمان الامتثال لأحكام هذا الباب.

وصرَّحت كريستين كلارك، مساعدة النائب العام لدائرة الحقوق المدنية في وزارة العدل قائلةً: "تساعد السياسات والممارسات الجديدة التي اعتمدتها محاكم مقاطعة "فورت بيند" على توفير الخدمات اللغوية بشكل موثوق لمحدودي إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية". واستكملت حديثها "آمل أن تحذو أنظمة المحاكم الأخرى حذو مقاطعة "فورت بيند" وأن تتخذ إجراءات لتوفير خدمات الترجمة الفورية لعملائها مجانًا. يجب ألا تمثل إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية حاجزًا يعرقل أو يحول دون الوصول إلى عدالة حقيقية في بلدنا".

من جانبه صرح ألامدار إس حمداني، المدعي العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس قائلاً: "إن مقاطعة فورت بيند إحدى أكثر المقاطعات تنوعًا في تكساس؛ إذ ينحدر نصف سكانها تقريبًا من أصل إسباني وشرق آسيوي وجنوب آسيوي. وبصفتي مدعيًا عامًّا ومهاجرًا وابنًا لأبوين من أصول هندية وينتميان إلى الطبقة العاملة، فقد لمست بنفسي معاناة المهاجرين مؤخرًا إلى أمريكا الذين يتحدثون الإنجليزية لغةً ثانيةً، وحاجتهم إلى مترجمين فوريين، خاصةً في أثناء جلسات المحاكمة". وأردف قائلاً: "بفضل العمل الشاق الذي يبذله المدعون العامون في مكتب النائب العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس وفي دائرة الحقوق المدنية، سيتمتع جميع السكان، بغض النظر عن أصلهم القومي، بجميع مزايا نظام المحاكم من أجل تسوية جميع قضايا محكمة الأسرة والمسائل الجنائية والمدنية العامة. أتطلع إلى العمل مع المقاطعات الأخرى ومكتب إدارة المحاكم ليسيروا على نهج جميع محاكم المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس".

تعاون محامون من دائرة الحقوق المدنية ومكتب النائب العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس لبحث هذه المسألة.

تتوفر معلومات إضافية عن "دائرة الحقوق المدنية" على موقعها الإلكتروني على هذا الرابط www.justice.gov/crt، كما تتوفر معلومات عن محدودي إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية والباب السادس من القانون علىwww.lep.gov . يمكن للعامة الإبلاغ عن الانتهاكات المحتملة للحقوق المدنية علىcivilrights.justice.gov/report/  أو التواصل مع مكتب النائب العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية

LAREDO, Texas – A 48-year-old Mexican national has been sent to prison following his conviction for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute meth for Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Homero Guerra-Moreno pleaded guilty Dec. 6, 2022.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Guerra-Moreno to serve 324 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Guerra-Moreno is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described how, from 2013 to 2018, Guerra-Moreno was responsible for monthly transportation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of crystal meth into the United States from Mexico.

“Today we dealt a blow to the Mexican cartels. Guerra-Moreno trafficked drugs into local communities like Laredo, Texas, for years, trafficking about 15,000 kilograms of meth for the CJNG, a ruthless Mexican cartel,” said Hamdani. “He tried to run and hide abroad, but the prosecutors and investigators of the Southern district of Texas are relentless; law enforcement located and detained him before he could escape. Guerra-Moreno’s capture and sentence sends a message to those who work with the cartels, you can run, but you cannot hide.”

“Reaching the source of supply is crucial in stopping the flow of devastating drugs into our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Houston Division. “The exemplary collective and persistent efforts between DEA and its federal partners brought down one of CJNG’s most significant meth source of suppliers in South Texas."

The investigation revealed a complex conspiracy which began in 2014. Authorities identified Guerra-Moreno as the source of supply for several drug trafficking organizations importing “ice” from Mexico through the United States. Guerra-Moreno worked in association with the CJNG and personally recruited traffickers to transport meth into Laredo.

Guerra-Moreno resided in Mexico and evaded capture for years. On May 26, 2022, law enforcement detained Guerra-Moreno at Tocuman International Airport as he was attempting to depart for Mexico. He was subsequently deported to Texas to face conspiracy charges.

Guerra-Moreno will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The DEA conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals Service, Laredo Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama Immigration, Panama National Police Interpol Unit and the Panamanian government.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, mutlti-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 29-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced to federal prison following her conviction on four different child pornography convictions, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Elexis Kiera Sidney pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child as well as distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography May 24, 2022.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Sidney to serve a total of 480 months in federal prison - 360, 120, 120 and 120 months for the sexual exploitation of a child, distribution, receipt and possession convictions, respectively. The distribution, receipt and possession convictions will run concurrently for a total of 120 months which will run consecutive to the 360 months imposed in the sexual exploitation of a child conviction for a total of 480 months. At the hearing, the court heard from the mother of a three-year-old relative that Sidney had recorded herself sexually abusing. This woman detailed how she felt betrayed by what Sidney did to her daughter when she was supposed to be babysitting her. 

During the hearing, the court noted a psychological evaluation Sidney underwent in which the doctor concluded she was at an average to high risk to reoffend. The court also heard how Sidney has a strong interest in children and has had since she was 10-years-old.

Sidney was further ordered to pay $18,ooo in restitution to the victims and will serve the rest of her life on supervised release for the sexual exploitation conviction following completion of his prison term. During that time, she will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her access to children. Sidney will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

“The depravity of what this woman did to her own relatives – two and three-year-old children - is abhorrent,” said Hamdani. “Instead of protecting the toddlers, she used them to feed her sick sexual deviancy, one she displayed on social media. Thankfully, we can now protect these young lives and mitigate future dangers by helping put Sidney where she belongs for the next few decades – behind federal prison bars.”

Sidney came to the attention of law enforcement in December 2018 when authorities had observed her posting sexually-explicit material involving children in a private Kik chat group. 

After posting an image of herself naked in the bathroom, she then posted a video of herself again in the same situation. However, this time, a nude, pre-pubescent male child approximately two years of age was with her while she was touching herself. Other videos included the minor and Sydney touching each other in a sexual manner.

On Dec. 10, 2018, authorities went to her residence, at which time she admitted to creating the videos and utilizing the Kik account. At the residence at the time was the minor victim who was identified as her relative.

A forensic examination of her electronic devices and online storage account revealed Sidney had been distributing and receiving child pornography in the Kik chat group since November 2018. Authorities also found additional images and videos of Sidney sexually abusing the same minor victim as well as two images of a three-year-old minor relative.

Law enforcement also found approximately 100 images and 120 videos of child pornography.

Sidney will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

Note: This press release has been translated in various languages. See attachments below.

HOUSTON – The Justice Department announced it has secured a final resolution in its civil rights matter involving the Fort Bend County (FBC) courts. FBC has complied with all the terms of a June 2021 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and as a result, the department is closing the matter.

The department initially opened the matter based on allegations that FBC courts discriminated against people with limited English proficiency (LEP) based on their national origin and retaliated against a complainant in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) which prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination by any recipient of federal financial assistance. One complaint alleged that the FBC District Court denied a criminal defendant with LEP a Vietnamese interpreter he needed for a plea hearing and said that the defendant or his attorney must find and pay for a Vietnamese interpreter. On June 29, 2021, the department and FBC resolved the investigation with an MOA that required significant changes to FBC’s language access policies for court users with LEP.

Since then, FBC has made significant changes to improve access for court users with LEP and to comply with Title VI requirements. For example, FBC:

• Provides interpreter services at no cost to anyone with LEP, regardless of income, in all civil and criminal cases as described in the court’s language assistance policy;
• Revised its language access plan;
• Created a language access training for court staff and a Judge’s Guide to Language Access;
• Maintains a public webpage that explains how to request interpretation or translation services;
• Provides a language access complaint form in several languages on its website; and
• To ensure Title VI compliance, FBC staff have also received Title VI retaliation training.

“The new policies and practices adopted by the Fort Bend County courts are helping to provide meaningful language access for people with limited English proficiency,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I hope other court systems follow Fort Bend County’s example and take action to provide interpreter services to court users at no cost. Access to justice in our country should not be limited or denied simply because of your proficiency in English.”

“Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse counties in Texas where almost half the population is of Spanish, East Asian and South Asian origin. As a prosecutor, an immigrant and the son of Indian-born, working-class parents, I have seen, first-hand, the struggles of America’s newest residents who speak English as a second language, and the need for interpreters, especially during court proceedings,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Because of the hard work of the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and at the Civil Right Division, all residents, irrespective of national origin, will have full access to the court system to handle everything from family court matters, criminal and general civil matters. I look forward to working with other counties and the Office of Court Administration to replicate these efforts throughout the Southern District of Texas.”

This matter was handled jointly by attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. 

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available here. 

Translations:

• العربية
• 简体字
• 簡體字
• Gujarati
• हिन्दी
• Malayalam
• Español
• Tagalog
• اُردُو
• Tiếng Việt

The Justice Department announced it has secured a final resolution in its civil rights matter involving the Fort Bend County (FBC) courts. FBC has complied with all the terms of a June 2021 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and as a result, the department is closing the matter.

The department initially opened the matter based on allegations that FBC courts discriminated against people with limited English proficiency (LEP) based on their national origin and retaliated against a complainant in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) which prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination by any recipient of federal financial assistance. One complaint alleged that the FBC District Court denied a criminal defendant with LEP a Vietnamese interpreter he needed for a plea hearing and said that the defendant or his attorney must find and pay for a Vietnamese interpreter. On June 29, 2021, the department and FBC resolved the investigation with an MOA that required significant changes to FBC’s language access policies for court users with LEP.

Since then, FBC has made significant changes to improve access for court users with LEP and to comply with Title VI requirements. For example, FBC:

• Provides interpreter services at no cost to anyone with LEP, regardless of income, in all civil and criminal cases as described in the court’s language assistance policy;
• Revised its language access plan;
• Created a language access training for court staff and a Judge’s Guide to Language Access;
• Maintains a public webpage that explains how to request interpretation or translation services;
• Provides a language access complaint form in several languages on its website; and
• To ensure Title VI compliance, FBC staff have also received Title VI retaliation training.

“The new policies and practices adopted by the Fort Bend County courts are helping to provide meaningful language access for people with limited English proficiency,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I hope other court systems follow Fort Bend County’s example and take action to provide interpreter services to court users at no cost. Access to justice in our country should not be limited or denied simply because of your proficiency in English.”

“Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse counties in Texas where almost half the population is of Spanish, East Asian and South Asian origin. As a prosecutor, an immigrant and the son of Indian-born, working-class parents, I have seen, first-hand, the struggles of America’s newest residents who speak English as a second language, and the need for interpreters, especially during court proceedings,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Because of the hard work of the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and at the Civil Right Division, all residents, irrespective of national origin, will have full access to the court system to handle everything from family court matters, criminal and general civil matters. I look forward to working with other counties and the Office of Court Administration to replicate these efforts throughout the Southern District of Texas.”

This matter was handled jointly by attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. 

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the for the Southern District of Texas at www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.

Nota: Este comunicado de prensa ha sido traducido a varios idiomas. Consulte los archivos adjuntos.

El Departamento de Justicia anunció que ha alcanzado una resolución definitiva sobre el asunto de derecho civil que involucra a los tribunales del condado de Fort Bend (Fort Bend County, FBC). El FBC ha cumplido con todos los términos de un memorando de entendimiento (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) de junio de 2021 y, como resultado, el departamento da fin al asunto.

Inicialmente, el departamento abrió el asunto tras denuncias de que los tribunales del FBC discriminaban a personas con dominio limitado del inglés (limited English proficiency, LEP) por su país de origen y habían tomado represalias por un reclamo, lo cual infringe el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 (el Titulo VI), que prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color o país de origen por parte de cualquier beneficiario de ayuda financiera federal. Una denuncia sostenía que el Tribunal de Distrito del FBC le negó a un acusado por un delito penal con LEP un intérprete de vietnamita que necesitaba para una audiencia de declaración y afirmó que el acusado o su abogado debían buscar y pagar un intérprete de vietnamita. El 29 de junio de 2021, el departamento y el FBC resolvieron la investigación con un MOA que requirió cambios significativos en las políticas de acceso lingüístico del FBC para los usuarios de los tribunales con LEP.

Desde entonces, el FBC ha hecho importantes cambios para mejorar el acceso de usuarios de los tribunales con LEP y para cumplir con las disposiciones del Título VI.  Por ejemplo, el FBC:

• ofrece servicios de interpretación sin costo a cualquier persona con LEP, independientemente de sus ingresos, en todos los casos civiles y penales, como se describe en la política de asistencia lingüística del tribunal;
• modificó su plan de acceso lingüístico;
• creó una capacitación sobre acceso lingüístico para el personal del tribunal y una Guía para Jueces sobre el Acceso Lingüístico;
• mantiene una página web pública en la que se explica cómo solicitar servicios de interpretación o traducción;
• proporciona un formulario de reclamo de acceso lingüístico en diversos idiomas en su sitio web; y
• para garantizar el cumplimiento con el Título VI, el personal del FBC también debe recibir capacitación sobre represalias basada en el Título VI. 

“Las nuevas políticas y prácticas adoptadas por los tribunales del condado de Fort Bend contribuyen a proporcionar un acceso lingüístico significativo a las personas con dominio limitado del inglés”, explicó Kristen Clarke, Fiscal General Adjunta de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Espero que otros sistemas judiciales sigan el ejemplo del condado de Fort Bend y tomen medidas para proporcionar servicios de interpretación sin costo a los usuarios de tribunales. El acceso a la justicia en nuestro país no debería verse limitado o denegado simplemente por su dominio del inglés”.

“Fort Bend es uno de los condados con mayor diversidad en Texas: casi la mitad de la población es de origen hispano, de Asia del este o de Asia del sur. Como fiscal, inmigrante e hijo de padres indios y de clase trabajadora, he visto con mis ojos la lucha de los residentes más recientes de los Estados Unidos, cuya lengua madre no es el inglés, y la necesidad de intérpretes, en especial durante los procesos judiciales”, afirmó el Fiscal Federal por el Distrito Sur de Texas Alamdar S. Hamdani. “Debido al trabajo duro de los fiscales en la Oficina de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas y en la División de Derechos Civiles, todos los residentes, independientemente de su país de origen, tendrán acceso pleno al sistema judicial, para asuntos de toda clase, incluidos los de derecho familiar, penal y civil. Anhelo trabajar con otros condados y con la Oficina de Administración Judicial para replicar estas medidas en todo el Distrito Sur de Texas.

Este asunto fue resuelto conjuntamente por abogados de la División de Derechos Civiles y la Oficina de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas. 

Hay información adicional disponible sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt, y puede encontrar información disponible sobre el dominio limitado del idioma inglés y el Título VI en www.lep.gov. Los ciudadanos pueden denunciar posibles violaciones de derechos civiles en civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o en la Oficina de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas en www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.

Lưu ý: Thông cáo báo chí này đã được dịch sang nhiều ngôn ngữ khác nhau. Vui lòng xem tập tài liệu đính kèm bên dưới.

WASHINGTON – Bộ Tư pháp thông báo Bộ đã đạt được giải pháp cuối cùng trong vấn đề dân quyền liên quan đến các tòa án tại Quận Fort Bend (Fort Bend County, FBC). FBC đã tuân thủ tất cả các điều khoản của Bản Ghi Nhớ Thỏa Thuận (Memorandum of Agreement, hoặc MOA) vào tháng 6 năm 2021, và do đó, Bộ sẽ kết thúc vấn đề này.

Ban đầu, Bộ đặt vấn đề dựa trên các cáo buộc rằng tòa án FBC phân biệt đối xử với những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế (limited English proficiency, hoặc LEP) dựa trên nguồn gốc quốc gia của họ và thực hiện trả đũa người khiếu nại vi phạm Tiêu đề VI của Đạo luật Dân quyền năm 1964 (Tiêu đề VI) nghiêm cấm phân biệt đối xử về chủng tộc, màu da và nguồn gốc quốc gia bởi bất kỳ người nhận hỗ trợ tài chính liên bang nào. Một khiếu nại cáo buộc rằng Tòa án quận FBC đã từ chối cấp cho bị cáo hình sự với trình độ tiếng LEP một thông dịch viên tiếng Việt mà anh ta cần cho phiên điều trần nhận tội và nói rằng bị cáo hoặc luật sư của anh ta phải tìm và tự trả tiền cho một thông dịch viên người Việt. Vào ngày 29 tháng 6 năm 2021, Bộ và FBC đã giải quyết cuộc điều tra này bằng một MOA yêu cầu những thay đổi đáng kể đối với chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của FBC dành cho người tham dự phiên tòa có trình độ tiếng LEP.

Kể từ đó, FBC đã thực hiện những thay đổi quan trọng để cải thiện khả năng tiếp cận của những người tham dự tòa án có trình độ tiếng LEP và để tuân thủ các yêu cầu của Tiêu đề VI. Ví dụ, FBC:

• Cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bất kỳ ai có trình độ tiếng LEP, bất kể thu nhập, trong tất cả các vụ án dân sự và hình sự như được mô tả trong chính sách hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ của tòa án;
• Sửa đổi kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của mình;
• Đã tạo một khóa đào tạo tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho nhân viên tòa án và một Hướng dẫn của Thẩm phán về Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ;
• Duy trì trang mạng công cộng giải thích cách yêu cầu dịch vụ phiên dịch hoặc dịch thuật;
• Cung cấp mẫu đơn khiếu nại về quyền truy cập ngôn ngữ bằng một số ngôn ngữ trên trang mạng của mình; và
• Nhằm để đảm bảo tuân thủ Tiêu đề VI, nhân viên FBC cũng đã được đào tạo về trả đũa theo Tiêu đề VI. 

Trợ lý Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Kristen Clarke thuộc Bộ phận Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp cho biết: “Các chính sách và thông lệ mới được tòa án Quận Fort Bend áp dụng đang giúp cung cấp khả năng tiếp cận ngôn ngữ có ý nghĩa cho những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế. “Tôi hy vọng các hệ thống tòa án khác sẽ noi gương Quận Fort Bend và hành động để cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch viên miễn phí cho những người sử dụng tòa án. Quyền tiếp cận công lý ở đất nước chúng ta không nên bị hạn chế hoặc từ chối chỉ vì trình độ tiếng Anh của quý vị.”

“Quận Fort Bend là một trong những quận đa dạng nhất ở Texas, nơi gần một nửa dân số là người gốc Tây Ban Nha, Đông Á và Nam Á. Là một công tố viên, một người nhập cư và là con trai của các bậc cha mẹ thuộc tầng lớp lao động, sinh ra ở Ấn Độ, tôi đã tận mắt chứng kiến cuộc tranh đấu của những cư dân mới nhất của Hoa Kỳ nói tiếng Anh như ngôn ngữ thứ hai và nhu cầu về phiên dịch viên, đặc biệt là trong phiên tòa, thủ tục tố tụng,” Luật sư Hoa Kỳ Alamdar S. Hamdani đại diện cho Quận phía Nam Texas cho biết. “Nhờ sự làm việc chăm chỉ của các công tố viên tại Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ cho Quận phía Nam Texas và tại Bộ phận Dân quyền, tất cả cư dân, bất kể nguồn gốc quốc gia, sẽ có toàn quyền tiếp cận hệ thống tòa án để xử lý mọi việc từ tòa án gia đình. các vấn đề, hình sự và các vấn đề dân sự nói chung. Tôi mong muốn được làm việc với các chính quyền quận khác và Văn phòng Hành chính Tòa án để nhân rộng những nỗ lực này trên khắp Quận phía Nam của Texas.”

Civil Rights Division (Ban Dân Quyền) thuộc Sở Tư Pháp đã phối hợp với Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ thuộc Quận Phía Đông của Louisiana để giải quyết vấn đề này. 

Thông tin bổ sung về Ban Dân Quyền có sẵn trên trang web của họ tại www.justice.gov/crt, và thông tin về trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế và Title VI có tại www.lep.gov. Công chúng có thể báo cáo các vi phạm dân quyền có thể xảy ra tại trang mạng civilrights.justice.gov/report/ hoặc với Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ cho Quận phía Nam của Texas tại www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.

Tandaan: Ang press release na ito ay isinalin sa iba't ibang wika. Tingnan ang mga kalakip sa ibaba.

Inihayag ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan na nakakuha na ito ng pinal na resolusyon sa usapin ng mga karapatang sibil nito na kinasasangkutan ng mga korte ng County ng Fort Bend (Fort Bend County, FBC). Sinunod ng FBC ang lahat ng tuntunin ng isang Hunyo 2021 na Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at bilang resulta, isinasara ng kagawaran ang usapin.

Una nang binuksan ng kagawaran ang usapin batay sa mga alegasyon na ang mga korte ng FBC ay may diskriminasyon laban sa mga taong may limitadong kahusayan sa Ingles (limited English proficiency, LEP) batay sa kanilang bansang pinagmulan at gumanti laban sa isang nagrereklamo na lumalabag sa Titulo VI ng Batas sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng 1964 (Titulo VI) na nagbabawal ng diskriminasyon sa lahi, kulay at bansang pinagmulan ng sinumang tumatanggap ng pederal na tulong pinansyal. Isang reklamo ang nagparatang na ang Korteng Pandistrito ng FBC ay ipinagkait sa isang kriminal na nasasakdal na may LEP ang isang Vietnamese na interpreter na kailangan niya para sa isang plea hearing at sinabi na ang nasasakdal o ang kanyang abogado ay dapat maghanap at magbayad para sa isang Vietnamese interpreter. Noong Hunyo 29, 2021, niresolba ang pagsisiyasat ng kagawaran at FBC gamit ang isang MOA na nangangailangan ng malalaking pagbabago sa mga patakaran sa pag-access sa wika ng FBC para sa mga gumagamit ng korte na may LEP.

Simula noon, gumawa ang FBC ng mga makabuluhang pagbabago upang mapabuti ang pag-access para sa mga gumagamit ng korte na may LEP at upang sumunod sa mga kinakailangan sa Titulo VI. Halimbawa, ang FBC:

• ay nagbibigay ng mga serbisyo ng interpreter nang walang bayad sa sinumang may LEP, anuman ang kita, sa lahat ng sibil at kriminal na kaso gaya ng inilarawan sa patakaran sa tulong sa wika ng korte;
• ay binago ang plano sa pag-access sa wikanito;
• ay lumikha ng ng isang pagsasanay sa pag-access sa wika para sa mga kawani ng korte at isang Gabay ng Hukom sa Pag-access sa Wika;
• ay nagpapanatili ng pampublikong webpage na nagpapaliwanag kung paano humiling ng mga serbisyo ng interpretasyon o pagsasalin;
• ay nagbibigay ng form ng reklamo sa pag-access sa wika sa ilang wika sa website nito; at
• upang matiyak ang pagsunod sa Titulo VI, nakatanggap din ang mga kawani ng FBC ng Titulo VI na pagsasanay sa paghihiganti. 

“Ang mga bagong patakaran at kasanayan na pinagtibay ng mga korte ng Fort Bend County ay nakakatulong na magbigay ng makabuluhang akses sa wika para sa mga taong may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles,” sabi ni Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke ng Sangay ng mga Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan. “Umaasa ako na sundin ng ibang mga sistema ng korte ang halimbawa ng Fort Bend County at kumilos upang magbigay ng mga serbisyo ng interpreter sa mga gumagamit ng korte nang walang bayad. Ang pagkakaroon ng katarungan sa ating bansa ay hindi dapat limitahan o ipagkait dahil lamang sa iyong kahusayan sa Ingles.”

“Ang Fort Bend County ay isa sa mga pinaka-diverse na county sa Texas kung saan halos kalahati ng populasyon ay nagmula sa Espanya, Silangang Asya at Timog Asya. Bilang isang tagausig, isang imigrante at anak ng mga ipinanganak sa India, uring manggagawang magulang, nakita ko, mismo, ang mga pakikibaka ng mga pinakabagong residente ng Amerika na nagsasalita ng Ingles bilang pangalawang wika, at ang pangangailangan para sa mga interpreter, lalo na sa panahon ng paglilitis ng korte,” sabi ni US Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas. “Dahil sa pagsusumikap ng mga tagausig sa Opisina ng Abogado ng Estados Unidos para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas at sa Sangay ng Karapatang Sibil, lahat ng residente, anuman ang bansang pinagmulan, ay magkakaroon ng ganap na access sa sistema ng korte upang pangasiwaan ang lahat mula sa mga usapin ng korteng pampamilya, mga usaping kriminal at pangkalahatang sibil. Inaasahan ko ang pakikipagtulungan sa ibang mga county at ng Opisina ng Pangasiwaan ng Korte upang gayahin ang mga pagsisikap na ito sa buong Katimugang Distrito ng Texas.”

Ang usaping ito ay magkasamang pinangasiwaan ng mga abogado sa Sangay ng mga Karapatang Sibil at ng Opisina ng Abogado ng US para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas. 

Ang karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Sangay ng mga Karapatang Sibil ay makukuha sa website nito sa www.justice.gov/crt, at ang impormasyon tungkol sa limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles at Titulo VI ay makukuha sa www.lep.gov. Ang mga miyembro ng publiko ay maaaring mag-ulat ng mga posibleng paglabag sa karapatang sibil sa civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o sa Opisina ng Abogado ng US para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas sa www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 38-year-old Harlingen resident is now in custody on allegations he created false profiles to steal government money, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. 

Authorities arrested Lee Marvin Nichols today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 4.  

According to the three-count indictment, returned June 27, Nichols was a claims specialist at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Harlingen.

Nichols allegedly created fictitious profiles for two children that did not exist. The indictment alleges Nichols linked the profiles of the fictitious children to a recently deceased man and a disabled woman living in Mexico in an attempt to create survivor benefits application.

Nichols used debit cards issued to the children to withdraw funds, according to the charges. When he would obtain the funds, he allegedly attempted to disguise himself by using hats pulled down over his face, sunglasses, balaclavas and other clothing to conceal his appearance. 

In addition to Social Security benefits, the IRS issued economic stimulus payments of $1,400 to each fictitious child, according to the indictment. 

Nichols is charged with one count of theft of government property which carries a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, he must also serve a mandatory two years which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

The SSA-Office of Inspection General conducted the investigation with the assistance of IRS-Criminal Investigation and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad Gray, Ben Sandel, Andrew Swartz and Jose Esquivel are prosecuting the case.  

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.