Southern District of Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 41-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for forcing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.

Mauricio Ruiz pleaded guilty Jan. 7.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva G. Ramos handed Ruiz a sentence of 360 months, noting the case’s “horrific facts.” At the hearing, the court heard emotionally-moving victim impact statements detailing how Ruiz continuously tormented the minor. Ruiz will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Ruiz will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date.  

At the time of his plea, he admitted to recording illicit videos and images over the course of several years with a minor victim. He raped the minor on multiple occasions and recorded the events. He also threatened to kill members of her family if she ever told anyone.

On Oct. 30, 2020, law enforcement arrested Ruiz at his workplace after learning he was sexually assaulting the girl. The investigation revealed Ruiz possessed more than 34 images and 20 videos of sexual abuse on his work computer.

Ruiz 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 with the assistance of the Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Dennis E. Robinson 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

LAREDO, Texas – A federal jury in Laredo has convicted a 52-year-old legal permanent resident of North Carolina for alien smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for approximately four hours before convicting Aurelio Barajas-Pulido following a one-day trial.

During that trial, the jury heard that on Feb. 8, Barajas-Pulido attempted to drive a tractor trailer through the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint in Laredo. At inspection, Barajas-Pulido demonstrated suspicious behavior. A K-9 also alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans.

Law enforcement referred him for further inspection, after which they found a total of 80 undocumented citizens in the trailer including three unaccompanied minors, one of whom was pregnant. All were determined to be in the United States illegally.

At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury that Barajas-Pulido did not have knowledge that he was smuggling undocumented persons. However, they heard testimony from material witnesses who described their journey from their home country to the tractor trailer Barajas-Pulido drove. Law enforcement also provided testimony about how his story was not logical.

The jury ultimately did not believe defense claims and found him guilty.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo presided over trial and will set sentencing for a future date. At that time, Barajas-Pulido faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

As a legal permanent resident, Barajas-Pulido could lose his status in the United States.

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

LAREDO, Texas – A federal jury in Laredo has convicted a 47-year-old for conspiring to transport and transporting undocumented aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for over three hours before convicting Roderick DeWayne Chisley, of Monroe, Louisiana, following a three-day trial.

The jury heard that on Dec. 17, 2021, authorities stopped Chisley shortly after he passed through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint on I-35.

Authorities discovered the tractor trailer he was driving was stolen. Upon further inspection, law enforcement found 52 undocumented individuals in the trailer. They were later determined to be illegally present in the country.

Chisley admitted he was going to be paid $50,000 to transport the tractor trailer from Laredo to San Antonio.

At trial, law enforcement testimony explained the laws governing the commercial trucking industry and about standard practices of truck drivers.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that Chisley had no knowledge of the 52 aliens in his trailer.

However, the jury heard additional testimony from two of the undocumented aliens. They described how the vehicle began moving almost immediately after they entered the trailer. It did not stop until they reached the checkpoint.

The jury did not believe the defense story and found Chisley guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña presided over trial and will set sentencing at a future date. At that time, Chisley faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Chisley will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Fawcett and Aaron Petters are prosecuting the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –  A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted a 39-year-old local man for possessing with the intent to distribute narcotics, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for less than two hours before convicting Jason Ramirez following a two-day trial.

The jury heard that on Feb. 29, 2020, law enforcement pursued Ramirez after he failed to yield at a stop sign. He soon crashed into a concrete fountain at a nearby park and fled on foot. Shortly after, they discovered Ramirez in a nearby neighborhood and arrested him.

At the time of arrest, authorities discovered a pistol and meth in Ramirez’s vehicle. A subsequent search of his phone revealed messages regarding the selling of drugs as well as pictures of Ramirez posing with the firearm.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that the gun and meth in the car did not belong to Ramirez. However, they saw video evidence of Ramirez fleeing from the vehicle and footage showing the discovery of the weapon and the narcotics. The jury did not believe defense claims and convicted him as charged. 

U.S. District Judge Nelva G. Ramos presided over trial and set sentencing for Aug.  2. At that time, Rodriguez faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Ramirez will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roland Swanson and Dennis Robinson are prosecuting the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 46-year-old man has been found guilty of illegal re-entry into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton deliberated for five hours before handing down a guilty verdict against Jose Villatoro-Avila following a two-day bench trial. Villatoro-Avila is a citizen of El Salvador who was found illegally present within the United States. He was previously twice convicted of the same crime.

Evidence and testimony showed that on April 6, 2021, law enforcement apprehended Villatoro-Avila in Kenedy County while he was trying to circumvent the Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint. Authorities quickly pursued and were able to apprehend him while he was still in the brush.  

The judge also heard that Villatoro-Avila had been convicted - twice - of illegal re-entry into the United States. At a previous sentencing, he told the court “I promise I will never come back here if you give me leniency.”  

However, evidence and testimony revealed he unlawfully returned to the country two more times after making that promise to the judge. The investigation further revealed he had been removed from the country multiple times beginning in 1999 and as recently as 2016.

At trial, the court heard how authorities had used his fingerprints to make the identification, thus revealing the previous deportations.

During trial, the defense attempted to convince the court there was a possibility of evidence that showed Villatoro-Avila had received permission to re-enter the United States from appropriate authorities.  The defense also attacked the credibility of fingerprint testimony and his identification at the time of his previous removals from the country.   

Judge Tipton did not believe the claims and found Villatoro-Avila guilty as charged.

Villatoro-Avila is set for sentencing Aug. 3. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  

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

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Christopher Marin are prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 43-year-old Houston resident has been sent to prison following her conviction of using stolen personal information to obtain over $1,000, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Daneshia Shane Walton pleaded guilty Jan. 18.

Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ordered Walton to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Walton was still a young woman. He hoped the statement she made to the court prior to sentencing that she was no longer the same person who committed this crime was true.

At the time of her plea, Walton admitted that on July 5, 2013, she used a victim’s name, address and Social Security number to fraudulently obtain a Mastercard at a Marshalls department store located in Houston.

On that day, Walton then used the credit card to purchase two gift cards in the amount of $600 each.

Walton was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – A 46-year-old man has been arrested for participating in a telemarketing scheme that scammed over 100 individuals and received over $1 million in fraudulently collected funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Law enforcement took Michael K. Laurendeau into custody this morning. Formerly of Pearland and now residing in Houston, he is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam S. Sheldon today at 2 p.m.

According to the 15-count indictment returned May 4 and unsealed today upon his arrest, Laurendeau is the owner of E-Business Financial LLC and Blue Star Hosting LLC.

From January 2015 to August 2019, Laurendeau and co-conspirators allegedly deceived over 134 victims by convincing them they were entitled to unclaimed money from prior investments in websites or webpage domains. Laurendeau and others told them they had to pay fees or taxes via certified checks or money orders to Laurendeau’s businesses to receive their money, according to the allegations.

Laurendeau and co-conspirators allegedly used aliases such as Richard Phelps, Ian Sharpe, Kelly Fisher and Mary Benson to victimize people who lived all over the country, many of whom were over the age of 55.

The indictment further alleges none of the victims ever received any funds from this scheme. Additionally, Laurendeau convinced many of the victims to send in additional checks after the victims did not receive any return on their first payments, according to the charges.

As a result of their scheme, Laurendeau and others allegedly received over $1.2 million. The indictment alleges the money was then spent on trips, dinners, a car and other goods.

Laurendeau is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and 14 counts of mail fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine on each count.

The Pearland Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Wakefield 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 CEO has pleaded guilty to failing to truthfully account for and to pay over withholdings of federal income and FICA taxes from the wages of his employees to the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Alejandro Joael Colbert was majority owner and CEO of Colbert Ball Tax Service in Houston. Its main purpose was franchising tax preparation businesses across the country.

According to the plea agreement, Colbert admitted that from 2015 to 2018, he failed to file employment tax returns and did not pay all taxes withheld from the wages of employees to the IRS.

Colbert admitted he caused approximately $710,000 in tax revenue loss. He has agreed to pay more than $196,000 in restitution to the IRS – the amount of withholdings from employee wages for the quarters in years 2015-2018 that remained unpaid at the time he was charged.

To date, he has paid $120,000 towards that restitution.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake set sentencing for Aug. 12. At that time, Colbert faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Colbert was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. 

IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A 25-year-old McAllen resident has been indicted for importing dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from Brazil, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Mario Alberto Molina. He is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia Medrano for his arraignment in the near future.

According to the complaint originally filed in the case, authorities performed a routine inspection of an inbound package originating from Brazil in Miami, Florida. It was allegedly destined for Molina’s residence in McAllen. The charges allege the package was purported to be marked as natural dye for tie-dye purposes, but authorities allegedly discovered a powdery substance later determined to be 4.5 kilograms of DMT.

On April 7, law enforcement executed a controlled delivery of the package at Molina’s residence, according to the complaint, after which they executed a federal search warrant. There, they allegedly found Molina and recovered the open package.

DMT is a powerful hallucinogenic drug, most often in the form of a powder when synthetically constructed, with intense effects comparable to that of other psychedelic drugs. It is the primary psychoactive ingredient in the drug ayahuasca and is a Schedule I controlled substance.  

If convicted, Molina faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $1million maximum fine.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Brostowin 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.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute meth and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. 

Alec Michael Garcia pleaded guilty Feb. 9.

Today, U.S. District Judge David S Morales ordered Garcia to serve 195 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

“Removing armed drug dealers from our streets has an immediate impact on the safety of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “ATF is absolutely committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who bring dangerous drugs and firearms into our neighborhoods are held accountable for their actions.”

Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence in Corpus Christi in August 2021. At that time, they arrested Garcia and his co-conspirators, Jesus and Anna Sustaita. During the search, they found over 50 grams of meth; nearly two kilograms of pills containing fentanyl, alprazolam and meth; LSD; approximately two kilograms of marijuana as well as numerous THC products, nine loaded firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armor and U.S. currency. 

At the time of search, authorities found that Anna Sustaita’s 8-year-old son was also living at the residence, which was located across the street from an elementary school. 

Jesus, 26, and Anna Sustaita, 24, also of Corpus Christi, were both sentenced earlier this year to 135 months in federal prison.

Garcia 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 and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Gang Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Peña prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 23-year-old Laredo resident has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens resulting in death, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Abraham J. Ahumada admitted to leaving the victims behind after a car accident.

On Nov. 13, 2021, Ahumada drove a black Nissan Murano down U.S. Highway 83. Law enforcement attempted to pull him over, but he proceeded to flee. He did not yield and instead accelerated above the speed limit.

Ahumada disregarded a red light during the pursuit along U.S. 83 and collided with a passenger vehicle crossing the intersection with the right of way. The collision resulted in three deaths.

Two individuals in Ahumada’s vehicle were pronounced dead on the scene as well as a woman who was traveling in the struck vehicle with children. The three children suffered major bodily injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.  

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing July 28. At that time, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with Customs and Border Protection and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 55-year-old Ennis resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Enrique Perez pleaded guilty Feb. 8.

Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Perez to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

On Dec. 1, 2021, Perez arrived at the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint driving a maroon Chrysler sedan. Authorities believed he was carrying illegal narcotics and referred him to secondary inspection.

There, they discovered Zip-loc packages containing a crystal-like substance in the doors and trunk of the vehicle. It was later determined to be 17.659 kilograms of meth with an estimated street value of $529,770.

At the time of his plea, Perez admitted that he agreed to transport the drugs to Houston for $6,000.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 49-year-old man living in Massachusetts has been ordered to federal prison for nearly 34 years following multiple convictions of child exploitation, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

On Nov. 18, 2021, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales found Ehab Sadeek guilty following a one-day bench trial.

Today, Judge Morales the court sentenced Sadeek to 405 months in federal prison.

Calling the matter one of the most “egregious cases” before the court, Judge Morales considered the emotionally moving victim statements which described the trauma that Sadeek’s misconduct caused the minor and her family. The court noted how Sadeek “terrorized an innocent” in committing his crime.

Sadeek will also serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which 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 and pay restitution to the minor victim.

On May 26, 2020, law enforcement responded to a call about a suspicious individual walking near a residence in a rural area of Corpus Christi. They discovered Sadeek outside the victim’s home.

The investigation revealed that Sadeek had groomed the minor and sent sexually explicit messages via social media for approximately two weeks. He then traveled from Massachusetts to Texas with the intent to engage sexually with the girl.                                                                            

Sadeek 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 George West Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Dennis E. Robinson 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a large drug conspiracy involving heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Joe Daniel Davila pleaded guilty July 23, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Davila to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that detailed Davila’s role as a distributor of narcotics at various drug houses located within Corpus Christi and Robstown.

Davila was selling the narcotics at drug premises aka “trap houses” which the Texas “Mexikan” Mafia (TMM) operated. Many of these homes were equipped with electronic security systems and had doors reinforced with braces to make possible law enforcement entry difficult. Authorities also found firearms in some of these “trap houses.” Davila would oversee the selling of drugs at some of these houses and make sure the profits of the sales would go to the leadership of TMM.

The investigation began in Robstown in 2015. Law enforcement was eventually able to discover the TMM was operating these houses in both Robstown and Corpus Christi and maintaining the premises as one of their sources of income.

The TMM has a constitution that governs the enterprise which states that 10% percent of the profits from any member’s business or interest shall be contributed to the organization. TMM collects this fee, referred to as “the dime,” from members, prospective members and sympathizers. These individuals also earn their income by trafficking in illegal drugs on their own which TMM then distributes – to include heroin, meth and cocaine.

Nine others have been convicted as part of the overall conspiracy.

Robert Martinez Hinojosa, 63, Alice; and Matthew John Sayles, 42, Raul Benavides, 48, Juan Lebrado Pena, 31, and Gilberto Saldana Jr., 41, all of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty to violating the Racketeer Influence Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute. Hinojosa received 268 months, while Sayles, Benavides, Pena and Saldana received respective sentences of  90, 108, 210 and 271 months.

Four others were convicted of conspiring to distribute narcotics - Sergio Pena, 26, Danny Ray Martinez, 32, and Serenity McCracken, 44, all of Corpus Christi; and Raul Valdez, 47, San Antonio. Pena and Martinez each received 120 month-prison terms, while McCracken is serving 36 months. Valdez is pending sentencing.

All have been and remain in custody. Davila is pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S Marshals Service; IRS - Criminal Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation known as Operation Charco Trece. Also providing assistance were sheriff’s offices in Nueces and Victoria Counties and police departments in Corpus Christi, Ingleside, Aransas Pass, Robstown and Portland. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany L. Jensen and Michael Hess 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 – Three individuals have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import heroin and fentanyl into the United States from Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, Liz Jomayra Diaz-Colon, 23, and Elias Herrera, 30, both admitted to their roles in the conspiracy. Their co-conspirator, Jonathan Guemez, 30, pleaded guilty Dec. 17, 2021. All are from Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2021, Diaz-Colon, Herrera and Guemez began working with Mexican drug traffickers to coordinate transportation of multiple drug loads into the United States.

On Aug. 20, 2021, Diaz-Colon attempted to pass through a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. A K-9 alerted to her vehicle which resulted in the discovery of 4.66 kilograms of heroin concealed in the battery of her Jeep Cherokee.

The following day, Herrera attempted to enter the United States. Authorities also discovered narcotics in his vehicle - 4.76 kilograms of fentanyl in the car’s battery.

Guemez also attempted to bring drugs into the country. Law enforcement was able to seize 3.94 kilograms of heroin from his vehicle.

The investigation connected all three people. It revealed they had been communicating with each other through WhatsApp, referring to themselves as the “Suicide Squad.”

At the time of their pleas, they admitted that they had conspired together to import a total of 8.6 kilograms of heroin and 4.76 kilograms of fentanyl into the United States. The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $1,622,880.

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will sentence Diaz-Colon July 12, along with Herrera. Guemez will be sentenced May 3. At those times, each faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life with a possible $10 million maximum fine.

All three have been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury has convicted a 36-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Port Isabel for conspiracy and transporting aliens within the country, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before convicting Maynor Bernardo Guerrero-Ramirez following a three-day trial which included six witnesses.

On July 21, 2021, law enforcement pursued a white Ford Explorer from Mission to Pharr with a group of illegal aliens that had recently crossed the Rio Grande River. Guerrero-Ramirez was the driver.  

At trial, the jury heard from what was described as an “eye in the sky.” A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aviation enforcement agent had maintained video surveillance of the vehicle as it weaved across the highway, onto frontage roads and through the neighborhoods of Pharr. Guerrero-Ramirez was driving erratically and recklessly at a high rate of speed for nearly 15 minutes before the vehicle came to a dead-end road. At that time, the occupants fled into the nearby brush.

Testimony also revealed how authorities were able to locate and apprehend Guerrero-Ramirez with the assistance of the CBP air and marine helicopter from the thick brush. The jury also saw footage of Guerrero-Ramirez as he threw his cellphone into a nearby irrigation canal when he emerged from the brush.   

Two of the undocumented aliens also testified. They described how their group crossed the Rio Grande River with the assistance of a foot guide who led them on a long walk through thick brush and mud to a roadway. There, they awaited a vehicle to transport them further into the United States.

Guerrero-Ramirez told them to duck down and hide so they could not be seen and to run when they reached the dead-end road.

The defense attempted to convince the jury Guerrero-Ramirez was under duress and only drove the vehicle out of necessity. He claimed he was not part of the smuggling conspiracy. The jury was not convinced and found him guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa presided over the trial and set sentencing for July 6. At that time, Guerrero-Ramirez faces up to 10 years in prison as well as a possible $10 million fine..

Guerrero-Ramirez has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Border Patrol and CBP Air & Marine Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee Fry and Eric D. Flores prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 27-year-old Mission woman has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute more than 31 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Cristina Inez Marquez pleaded guilty to knowingly transporting and possessing over 31 kilograms of meth and five kilograms of heroin.

As part of her plea, Marquez admitted that on Dec. 29, 2021, she drove a gray Ford Explorer northbound on Highway 281 near Alice.

Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and conducted an inspection. At that time, they discovered the fuel tank had been tampered with and removed. Upon examining the contents, authorities found 12 concealed bundles of what appeared to be crystal meth and black tar heroin. The weight of the bundles exceeded 85 pounds.

Analysis later confirmed the substances in the bundles were in fact crystal meth at 95% purity with a net weight of 31.41 kilograms and black tar heroin with a net weight of 5.95 kilograms. The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $1.3 million.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing July 20. At that time, Marquez faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

She has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A home health agency owner and patient recruiter have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit, committing health care fraud and conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury in Houston returned the five-count indictment against Okorie Oko, 63, Fresno, and Henry C. Dobbins, 57, Houston, April 26 which was unsealed today upon their arrests. They are expected to make their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray today at 2 p.m.

According to the indictment, Oko is the owner and Dobbins is a patient recruiter, respectively, of Elitte Healthcare and Service Inc.

The indictment alleges that from 2015 to 2022, Oko billed Medicare for home health care services that were never provided and created false medical records. Oko allegedly paid kickbacks to Dobbins, patients and marketers that Elitte employed to obtain new patient referrals. Oko also allegedly billed Medicare for home health care services provided to Elitte marketers while transporting and recruiting patients within the community.

The indictment further alleges Oko and Elitte fraudulently billed more than $10 million to Medicare.

If convicted, both face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Department of Health and Human Services ‐ Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and FBI. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson 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.

McALLEN, Texas – The former mayor of La Joya and two others have been ordered to federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Former mayor Jose Adolfo Salinas, 83, pleaded guilty July 19, 2021, while his daughter - Frances Salinas De Leon, 54 - and Ramiro Alaniz, 40, both admitted to their guilt June 17, 2021. All are from La Joya

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Salinas to 33 months in prison, while his daughter was ordered to serve a 39-month-term of imprisonment. Alaniz received nine months. All must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. At the hearing, the court heard additional information concerning the financial damage the fraud schemes had caused.

In assessing the financial loss, Judge Crane considered additional relevant conduct including property Salinas had sold to the City of La Joya at an inflated rate as well as De Leon’s theft from the La Joya Housing Authority while she was acting as the interim executive director. Judge Crane noted how the case demonstrates the culture of corruption that existed in La Joya at the time of the schemes, adding that while public office is for service and self-sacrifice, Salinas used his position to benefit himself and his family financially.

“Rio Grande Valley residents rightfully expect elected leaders to remain ethical and trustworthy while serving the community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s firm commitment to address public corruption and hold corrupt officials accountable.”

Salinas entered his plea in relation to a public relations contract his daughter had drafted and brokered with the city on behalf of another individual. She was, in turn, to receive some of the proceeds resulting from that deal. De Leon was not a city employee, but used her relationship with Salinas to get the contract approved so she could receive a significant amount of the contract’s proceeds. Salinas used his authority to approve and city funds to pay for the contract.

Additionally, Le Leon admitted to wire fraud in connection with loans received for a children’s day care project. During 2017, the La Joya Economic Development Corporation, which her father headed, provided approximately $341,000 in loans to De Leon and other individuals to pay for the construction of the project. De Leon stole some of the funds and also received kickbacks from some of the subcontractors.

De Leon hired Alaniz as a general contractor. He also received kickbacks from the project.

All were permitted to remain on bond pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI, Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and U.S. Department of Agriculture - OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarina S. DiPiazza, Roberto Lopez Jr. and James Sturgis prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas - A 26-year-old Honduran man has pleaded guilty to transporting undocumented aliens resulting in a death, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Darwuin Sai Kabrera-Garsia pleaded guilty to smuggling three non-U.S. citizens resulting in the death of one.

On Nov. 9, 2021, Kabrera-Garsia acted as a brush guide to smuggle three non-U.S. citizens from Mexico into the United States. Kabrera-Garsia and the group crossed Texas Highway 83. At that time, an oncoming SUV struck an individual of the group. She died at the scene.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will impose sentencing at a future date. If convicted, Kabrera-Garsia faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Kabrera-Garsia has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Isaac and Anthony G. Brown are prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A local woman has admitted to aiding and assisting in preparation of at least 50 false income tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Krystle Robinson prepared income tax returns for clients under her own tax service business.

As part of her plea, Robinson admitted that between 2013-2017, she helped prepare income tax returns under the business name Tax Tigers. After January 2017, Robinson’s business name was changed to Tax Lions.

In the fraudulent tax returns, Robinson made false claims of business losses from sole proprietorships and inflated Schedule A deductions and education credits. Robinson also admitted that she assisted in preparing a false income tax return for an undercover IRS agent.

The fraudulent tax returns resulted in a total loss of $245,995. Robinson agreed to pay restitution to the IRS. 

U.S. Circuit Judge Gregg Costa accepted the plea and set sentencing for May 18. At that time, Robinson faces up to three years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old La Joya woman has been sent to prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 19 kilograms of highly pure meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Karla Jessica Perez pleaded guilty Dec. 21, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced her to a total of 70 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that Perez purchased the vehicle in which the drugs were found, drove the vehicle into Mexico and back across the border into the United States. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Perez’s role in the planning and organizing of the offense rose above that of a minor participant. 

On June 18, Perez drove a white Jeep Patriot into the primary inspection area of the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Falfurrias. A thorough search of the SUV revealed hidden compartments in the exhaust system and body panels that concealed 16 large bundles of narcotics.

Laboratory analysis later confirmed the substance in the bundles was meth with a total weight of 19.87 kilograms. The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $1.5 million.

Perez was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender 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 BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck prosecuted the case.

Corpus Christi, Texas – A Corpus Christi man is facing up to 40 years in prison for his alleged role in several narcotics offenses, being a felon in possession firearms and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, a federal grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against Christopher Ruiz, 38. Originally charged by criminal complaint, he is expected to appear for his arraignment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the near future. 

The charges allege that on March 23, law enforcement executed an arrest warrant on Ruiz. Within his residence, authorities allegedly found various amounts of meth, heroin and crack cocaine, as well as several firearms.

If convicted, Ruiz faces up a minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison as well as a possible $5 million fine.

The FBI’s Corpus Christi Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, including members of the Corpus Christi Police Department, conducted the investigation with assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis E. Robinson 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 64-year-old Sugar Land resident has been ordered to prison following his convictions of receiving and possessing videos and images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal jury sitting in Houston convicted Gregory Eugene Baker Nov. 10, 2021, following a three-day trial.

Today, U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison ordered Baker to serve 90 months in prison for the receipt and possession of child pornography convictions. The court also heard additional information today including an impact statement from a victim. Baker had 231 photos of her in his collection. She described how she is revictimized every time individuals like Baker download and view images of her abuse. Baker will serve five  years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Baker will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

At trial, the jury heard that authorities discovered Baker’s IP address requesting child pornography files on the Freenet file sharing system which was run on the dark web. On April 4, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Baker’s residence and seized multiple devices.

Forensic examination of 13 devices revealed three virtual machines and the discovery of  380 videos and 12,762 images of young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. They included toddlers, bondage, bestiality and sadomasochism. Additionally, Baker had images of Christmas cards containing child pornography surrounded by ornaments, garland and holiday greetings. 

A forensics expert further testified that there were artifacts involving child pornography search terms as well as other peer-to-peer file sharing programs in which the device’s user requested files with titles that were consistent with child pornography. They also testified that the devices belonged to Baker. 

Baker testified in his own defense and attempted to convince the jury that although the devices were his, he did not know how the child pornography was downloaded on them. The jury did not believe his claims and found him guilty as charged.

Baker was ordered to surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility on April 29, 2022.

The Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Pearland Police Department and FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Sherri Zack 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 tab on that page.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 39-year-old man has admitted to transporting over a hundred stolen computers across state lines, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Tyler Wright Fuhrken, Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty to using $320,098 from the Port of Corpus Christi to purchase Apple computers for personal use while employed as its IT director.

The investigation revealed that from May 22, 2016, to Feb. 4, 2021, Fuhrken authorized the purchase of 162 Apple computers. He had the authority to do so as necessary for the port. However, he did not record the purchased computers in the port’s asset control system or inventory.

Authorities traced a series of suspicious PayPal deposits into Fuhrken’s bank account. They were from a computer reseller located in New York who acknowledged purchasing many Apple computers from Fuhrken. Fuhrken would invoice the reseller for the computers on PayPal and would ship the computers from Texas to the resale shop located in New York.

The reseller provided authorities with a list of the computers he purchased. They were able to identify the 162 Apple computers missing from the port. 

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentence July 27. At that time, Fuhrken faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. As part of his plea agreement Fuhrken also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $421,233.93.  

He was permitted to remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 31-year-old local man has been indicted for carjacking and illegally possessing and discharging a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, a federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment against Zachary Smith, Houston. Previously in state custody on related charges, he is expected to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on the federal indictment in the near future.  

The charges allege that on Feb. 6, Smith discharged a firearm while stealing a vehicle from the parking lot of a washateria on Melbourne Drive. He was also allegedly involved in a shooting Feb. 7 on the 2000 block of Broadway Street. On that day, Smith led law enforcement in a pursuit that came to an end when he crashed into a patrol unit, according to the charges.

The indictment alleges his is a previous felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law.

If convicted, Smith faces up to life for discharging the firearm during a crime of violence, 15 years for the carjacking and a maximum of 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.   

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Britni Cooper 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.

McALLEN, Texas – A 28-year-old former Border Patrol (BP) employee is facing charges that he deprived the constitutional rights of a Honduran teenager, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Authorities took Gregson Martinez into custody today. He is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Anne Berton tomorrow at 2 p.m.

On July 21, 2021, BP agents apprehended a 17-year-old unaccompanied Honduran citizen near Hidalgo, according to the charges. They then allegedly transported him to the Donna Processing Center.

Martinez reportedly worked at the Donna facility as a Border Patrol Processing Coordinator.

While authorities questioned him, Martinez allegedly struck the 17-year-old male across the face. 

Martinez was terminated Aug. 2, 2021.

If convicted, he faces up to a year in federal prison and a possible $100,000 maximum fine.

Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General and Customs and Border Protection - Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia is prosecuting the case. 

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

LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old Laredo resident has entered a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and by an unlawful user or addict of narcotics, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Rogelio Garza admitted that on Oct. 28, 2021, he was in possession of a 9mm Taurus Model P111 G2A black pistol.

The investigation revealed Garza was selling narcotics out of a home located on the 3000 block of North Louisiana Avenue. Authorities were able to later to perform a traffic stop, at which time they discovered the firearm with one round in its chamber. They also found two grams of meth, one gram of heroin, six rounds of ammunition in a magazine and two glass pipes in the vehicle.

Garza knew he was a convicted felon who was not allowed to own a firearm. He further acknowledged he had purchased the firearm on the street from an unknown man for $200. He said he carried it for protection.

Garza has admitted to being a high-level member of the Mexican Mafia for the past 20 years, calling himself a “captain” who was asked to be the top Mexican Mafia member in Laredo. Garza additionally admitted to being addicted to various narcotics.

Law enforcement learned that Garza has six prior felony convictions, including four convictions for narcotics distribution. As such, he is prohibited per federal law of possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Garza has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing at a later date before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña. At that time, Garza faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 24-year-old local man has been ordered to prison for sexual exploitation and coercion and enticement of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Benjamen Charles Slaughter pleaded guilty Aug. 4, 2021 to sexual exploitation of children, receipt and possession of child pornography. 

Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown sentenced Butler to 420 months in federal prison. Following the lengthy sentence, Slaughter will be on supervised release for the rest of his life, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He was also ordered to pay $15,300 in special assessments and to register as a sex offender.

Slaughter met the then 15-year-old female victim through a the social media website Skout, during which time he convinced her to become his “submissive.”  Slaughter was actively involved in the bondage, discipline, dominance and submission world and had frequented the website Collarspace, a site for similarly-minded individuals. 

Slaughter demanded one victim to engage in sex with strangers and wanted her to do so without using protection.

He had also started receiving child pornography prior to becoming an adult and created a Dropbox account to store some of his collection. Authorities conducted numerous search warrants for various social media and online storage accounts as well as Slaughter’s residence. Those revealed numerous images of child pornography, some of which involved babies and toddlers in provocative situations with animals and adult male genitalia.

Slaughter has been in custody since being determined a danger to the community and a flight risk, where 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 conducted the investigation.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack 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.

LAREDO, Texas – Two Mexican men have been ordered to prison following their convictions of conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens which resulted in multiple deaths, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Fabian Hernandez, 29, Emmanuel Ferral-Tonche, 20, both of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty Dec. 30, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 60-month term of imprisonment for both men. They are expected to face removal proceedings following their sentences.

On June 9, 2021, Hernandez and Ferral-Tonche marched a group of approximately two dozen individuals through the hot south Texas brush. Some were unable to keep going. At no time did Hernandez or Ferral-Tonche offer water or attempt to look for anyone who had fallen behind or gotten lost.

Authorities responded to multiple 911 emergency calls coming from the Hachar Ranch property in Webb County. Law enforcement discovered 24 individuals illegally present in the United States who had become lost at that location. They identified Hernandez and Ferral-Tonche as the smugglers.

Law enforcement also found the remains of three deceased people. Authorities determined Hernandez and Ferral-Tonche had guided at least two of them before they succumbed to dehydration and hyperthermia while traveling on foot.

At the hearing today, the court heard additional evidence that neither man attempted to help look for or offer water to the aliens they smuggled despite the great heat.

Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation with assistance from the Laredo Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – A local man has been taken into custody on charges of tax evasion and failure to pay employment taxes, announced Jennifer B. Lowery.

Jonathan Louis Lepow is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m. today.

According to the indictment, returned under seal March 30, Lepow operated Lepow DDS. He was allegedly the office and business manager responsible for payroll obligations and making tax payments to the IRS. Beginning in 2012, Lepow stopped paying employment taxes to the IRS, according to the charges.

The indictment further alleges Lepow avoided paying owed taxes to the IRS by opening and closing bank accounts, accepting cash payments for dental and other services and depositing revenue in bank accounts held in the name of other companies. These allegedly included Texas Center for Continuing Education, Lepow Properties LLC, American Dental Supply LLC, Lepow Management Inc. and Lepow Management LLC.

During the 2012-2016 tax years, Lepow’s outstanding employment tax obligation exceeded over $1.7 million.

If convicted, Lepow faces up to 10 years of imprisonment a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quincy L. Ollison 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.

LAREDO, Texas – Several individuals residing in South Texas and Mexico have pleaded guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to transport large quantities of marijuana forCartel del Noreste (CDN), announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Gustavo Alberto Duenes-Perez pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Fourteen others previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the same conspiracy.

“The arrests and convictions serve as a significant blow to the cartels who were trafficking massive amounts of marijuana into the Laredo area for years and using our communities to make profit,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “These individuals were a thorn that has now been ripped from the city of Laredo and surrounding areas thanks to the continuous hard work and commitment of federal and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who brought these individuals to justice.

“We are pleased to be an integral component of a complex and successful investigation which led to conviction of these 15 individuals,” said Laredo Police Department (LPD) chief Claudio Treviño. “Through our close collaborations with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we have been able to maintain enforcement and safety in our border community despite our proximity to the Mexican border. LPD lauds our Narcotics and Vice Unit for their dedication and tireless efforts towards their investigation and the seamless teamwork with our partner agencies. We are committed to enhance their efforts with future collaborations to disrupt and dismantle these criminal transnational organizations in order to maintain peace and safety for the citizens of Laredo.”

In March 2019, authorities learned CDN provided $4,500 for the purchase of a white utility truck. The organization planned to use the vehicle to pick up a marijuana load from a warehouse on San Mateo Drive in Laredo.

Law enforcement continued the investigation and monitored the vehicle over the next several months. Duenes-Perez was often the driver. On April 17, 2019, the truck was involved in a smuggling event that occurred at a ranch near State Highway 359 and Botello Road in Laredo.

There, several people loaded a Lincoln Navigator with bundles of marijuana which was driven to a local stash house. Law enforcement seized approximately 1,168 kilograms of marijuana from the ranch and an additional 969 kilograms from inside both the Lincoln Navigator and the stash house.

In total, authorities have seized approximately 11,240 kilograms of marijuana valued at approximately $11.6 million as part of the case.

All 15 co-conspirators are scheduled for sentencing before District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo in June 2022. Duenes-Perez and others could face up to life in prison and a $10 million maximum possible fine. Other convicted in relation to the investigation face up to 40 years. Duenes-Perez has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

This case was part of the Blue Indigo Task Force and brought as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Noreste. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle 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.

The DEA and LPD conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Border Patrol; Customs and Border Protection; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. National Guard; Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Constable’s Office Precincts 1 and 4; and Texas Department of Public Safety.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting this case.

HOUSTON – Two individuals have been convicted of conspiracy to commit and committing health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for 45 minutes before convicting Alfred Olotin Alatan, 62, formerly of Houston and now residing in Fulshear, and Francis Ekene, 71, Sugar Land, following a day three-day trial. Alatan was also found guilty of money laundering.

Alatan was the owner of Colony Home Health Services, while Francis was the owner of Milten Medical Clinic, both businesses located in Houston.

At trial, the jury heard that Alatan paid recruiters to bring patient information to be billed for home health services regardless of whether they needed it or not. Beneficiaries testified in trial and admitted they did not need home health services at the time the health care service providers billed them.

Additional testimony revealed Dr. John Ramirez had signed off on plan of care forms at the Milton Clinic when patients were not actually under his care.

Previous employees Susana Bermudez and Rita Kpotie Smith also testified. Bermudez admitted she and Smith operated both clinics and that Alatan was the leader of the scheme. Both Alatan and Ekene would consult Bermudez and Smith who directed them and provided assistance in carrying out the scheme within both offices.

At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury they were not involved in the daily operations and did not know the provided services were unnecessary and fraudulent.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake presided over trial and set sentencing for July 22. At that time, Alatan and Ekene face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine on each count of conviction. Alatan could also receive up to 20 years for his conviction of money laundering.

Alatan and Ekene were permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

Bermudez, both 55 and of Houston, previously pleaded guilty to their roles as co-conspirators in the scheme. Bermudez is currently serving 30 months in federal prison, while Smith is set for sentencing July 21.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tina Ansari and Grace Murphy are prosecuting the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 68-year-old Laredo man has admitted to accepting bribes, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Roberto Adams pleaded guilty to accepting over $40,000 in bribery payments while employed as a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) lead animal health technician.

Adams inspected cattle entering the United States to determine if they met the necessary health requirements to enter the country. Over the course of at least 14 months, Mexican cattle brokers paid Adams to allow cattle into the country without proper quarantine or legitimate inspection.   

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Aug. 3. At that time, Adams faces up to 15 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.  

Adams was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of USDA – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – Three individuals are now in custody in relation to the recent Comerica Bank armored car robbery in Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Malinda Cruz, 35, Houston, is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m. today. Law enforcement took her into custody April 22 following a federal indictment returned April 20.

Previously arrested via criminal complaint were Randy Long, 30, and Carl Johnson, 34, both also of Houston. They have been in custody and are expected to make an appearance on the new charges in the near future.

All are charged with aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery. Long and Johnson also face charges of aiding and abetting the discharge of firearm.

The charges stem from an armored car robbery that occurred in late March.

“After the armored car robbery and shoot-out occurred, the FBI Violent Crime Task Force and our law enforcement partners worked nonstop to arrest all three alleged suspects demonstrating the critical role that continuous law enforcement collaboration plays in restoring peace in our communities in a concise manner,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James Smith. “The FBI appreciates our law enforcement partners, especially those at the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), Houston Police Department (HPD), Texas Department of Public Safety and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who are equally committed to combating violent crime.”

On March 23, a Brinks armored car courier was servicing the ATM of the Comerica Bank located at 855 FM 1960 in Houston, according to the charges. Long was allegedly carrying a firearm and approached the courier along with Johnson. The charges allege an exchange of gun fire occurred between the three men, during which time the courier shot Johnson in the thigh. Long and Johnson were able to get away, according to the allegations.

During the robbery, Cruz allegedly acted as a look-out and scout during the robbery and was the get-away driver.  

The indictment further alleges Johnson aided and abetted interference with commerce by robbery and aided and abetted the brandishing of a firearm in relation to the robbery of an armored car Jan. 7. The courier had been servicing an ATM located at a Bank of America in Houston according to the charges. Johnson allegedly brandished a firearm and stole the cassettes and money bags from him as he was completing his job.   

Aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm carry minimums of 10 and seven years, respectively, and up to life which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

FBI, HCSO and HPD conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts 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.

McALLEN, Texas – A 29-year-old Edinburg resident citizen has been ordered to prison for importing more than $827,000 in heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Amanda Zaragoza pleaded guilty July 29, 2021.

Today, Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Zaragoza to serve 65 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Zaragoza had been previously involved in successful drug trafficking incidents, had extensive contacts within the drug trafficking organization and significant mental health and substance abuse issues. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that she played a significant part in the movement of controlled substances into the United States from Mexico.

On May 17, 2021, Zaragoza attempted to pass through the port of entry located in Pharr while driving a grey Volkswagen sedan. After she made a negative declaration, a K-9 alerted authorities to narcotics in the tires of the vehicle. Inside, an X-ray inspection revealed a total of 24.49 kilograms of heroin.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $827,259.

Zaragoza 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez prosecuted the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A 54-year-old woman has been sent to federal prison for illegally importing approximately 76 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Ana Luisa Ponce pleaded guilty Nov. 1, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Ponce to serve 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Ponce had admitted to previously transporting narcotics for the same drug trafficking organization. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Ponce, who has a significant prior criminal record, was arrested with a very large amount of a very dangerous drug.

On Aug. 25, 2021, Ponce attempted to cross into the United States through the Hidalgo Port of Entry. She claimed she was planning to visit a friend in Houston, but a K-9 alerted authorities to the presence of narcotics.

At secondary inspection, an X-ray scan revealed anomalies in the gas tank of Ponce’s vehicle. Law enforcement discovered a plastic pouch containing liquid meth weighing approximately 76 kilograms. She ultimately admitted that she knew she was transporting narcotics.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $1.4 million.

Ponce 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 and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarina S. DiPiazza prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 43-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison for possessing nearly 1300 images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Camden Chase Plumb pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Court Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Plumb serve a total of 190 months in federal prison. The court considered victim impact statements and took into account Plumb’s previous state conviction for indecency with a minor in determining his sentence. Plumb will also serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which 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 and pay $15,000 in restitution to victims.

In June 2017, authorities learned Plumb had sexually abused a minor. The investigation led to the seizure of his cell phone and a computer he had used. Forensic analysis of the devices resulted in the discovery of 1,058 images of child pornography on his cell phone, and 113 videos and 230 images of child pornography on the computer. Both devices included images depicting prepubescent children being sexually exploited.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI and Corpus Christi Police Department.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis E. Robinson and Molly K. Smith 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 – A 19-year-old man residing in San Juan has been indicted on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Originally charged by criminal complaint, a federal grand jury returned the single-count indictment against Jorge Eduardo Naranjo today. He is expected to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge on the indictment in the near future.

According to the complaint, Naranjo began communicating via Kik with someone he thought had a nine-year-old child. Naranjo operated multiple accounts on the site with the username “Bored Dude,” distributed files of child pornography and requested to meet the individual’s “little,” according to the charges.

Naranjo allegedly exchanged multiple messages clarifying his intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with the child. Naranjo traveled to a McAllen hotel and planned to do so, according to the charges. Law enforcement took him immediately into custody upon his arrival.

At his detention hearing following the filing of the criminal complaint, Naranjo was found to be a danger to community and ordered him into custody pending future criminal proceedings.

The FBI conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker 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.

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 29-year-old resident of Elkhart has been indicted for conspiring to transport over 100 non-U.S. citizens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment against Daniel Chavez. He was originally charged by criminal complaint. He is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga on the indictment in the near future.  

According to the complaint, on March 30, Chavez arrived at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint on I-35 while driving a tractor trailer. At inspection, a K-9 allegedly alerted authorities to the trailer. Law enforcement opened it found 107 individuals later determined to be undocumented aliens, according to the charges.

If convicted, Chavez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum possible fine.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett 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.

McALLEN, Texas – Several men are facing up to life in prison for their alleged roles on a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, a federal grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against Mexican citizens Oscar Obed Manzanares, 22, Jose Bernardo Gonzalez-Gomez, 55, and Jose Santiago Luna-Duran, 45; Arlando Garcia-Garcia, 40, and Martin Vela-Alanis, 58, both legal permanent residents of Edinburg; and Martin Adrusbel Vela, 35, Edinburg. Vela-Alanis was additionally indicted for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Originally charged by criminal complaint, they are expected to appear for their arraignments before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.  

The charges allege that on March 22, Manzanares traveled into the United States from Mexico in a GMC and park at a local business in McAllen. Luna-Duran then took the vehicle to a property in Edinburg, according to the charges.  

There, authorities allegedly observed individuals exchange items between the GMC and a Ford pickup truck. The charges allege Luna-Duran then brought the GMC back to Manzanares at the nearby business, while Garcia-Garcia took the Ford and continued on to a separate residence where he removed a large duffel bag from the truck.

Vela and Vela-Alanis allegedly resided on the property. Garcia-Garcia and Gonzalez-Gomez were also present, according to the charges.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence where they recovered a duffel bag containing 15 bundles of a white powdery substance, according to the charges. The bundles allegedly field tested positive for cocaine and had a weight of approximately 15 kilograms. The charges also allege they found over $90,000 and a black and gold Colt Model 1911 pistol.   

At the same time, Luna-Duran allegedly returned to the business where authorities ultimately detained him as well as Manzanares. A K-9 search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of bulk cash amounting to over $238,000, according to the charges.

If convicted, each man faces up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in Hidalgo, Mission, McAllen, Alton, Palmview and Pharr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Brostowin 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.

LAREDO, Texas – A 20-year-old Dallas resident has been sent to federal prison for illegally importing approximately 25.16 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Luke Law pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo sentenced him to serve a total of 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. As a condition of his supervised release, Judge Marmolejo ordered the defendant must speak to high schools at least three times a year about avoiding drugs and avoiding the choices he made.

On June 6, 2021, Law attempted to cross into the United States after vacationing in Monterrey, Mexico. Authorities referred his vehicle to the secondary inspection area where a K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics. An X-ray scan revealed anomalies behind the vehicle’s gas tank. Upon further investigation, law enforcement discovered a total of 29 bundles of meth wrapped in clear tape weighing approximately 25.16 kilograms.

The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $1.1 million.

Law 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 and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old Desoto man has entered a guilty plea to alien smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Dedrick Lindell Coleman pleaded guilty to smuggling 95 non-U.S. citizens in a trailer.

As part of his plea, Coleman admitted that on Jan. 14, he approached the Interstate Highway 35 Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located on mile marker 29 while driving a tractor trailer. A K-9 unit alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans and referred him to secondary inspection.

There, authorities found a total of 95 non-U.S. citizens hidden in the trailer. All were determined to be in the United States illegally. At the time of his arrest, authorities also discovered a pistol in Coleman’s possession.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing July 7. At that time, Cruz faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

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

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has returned an eight-count indictment against a 29-year-old Houston man in relation to a money laundering scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. 

Baudelaire Idriss Tchouala is set to make his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne H. Ho at 2 p.m. Authorities took him into custody yesterday.

Tchouala is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of money laundering and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

According to the indictment, Tchouala owned B.T & Sons which had several bank accounts. From July 1 through Nov. 5, 2018, he allegedly conspired with others to commit money laundering. He withdrew money from his bank accounts that were the proceeds of wire fraud, according to the charges.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years for the conspiracy to commit and committing money laundering, while the other charges carry a possible 10-year-term of imprisonment.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez 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.

McALLEN, Texas – A 47-year-old non-U.S. citizen illegally residing in Donna has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery

Jose Alejandro Ramirez pleaded guilty Nov. 13, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge J Ricardo Hinojosa ordered Ramirez to serve 130 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Ramirez is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the Ramirez played an important role in attempting to distribute the meth in this case.

On Feb. 13, 2020, an undercover federal agent met with Ramirez to negotiate the purchase of meth. At that time, Ramirez provided a sample.  

During the exchange, Ramirez bragged about his previous narcotics transporting activities throughout the Rio Grande Valley area. He also talked about his experience in trafficking humans and firearms.

The undercover agent agreed to purchase five kilograms of meth from Ramirez. While enroute to the location for the transaction, authorities intercepted Ramirez’s vehicle and located approximately five kilograms of meth in a backpack within the vehicle.

Ramirez 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 Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Greenbaum and Colton Turner prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON - The 17th individual involved in a firearms trafficking cell has entered a guilty plea to eight charges related to the scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Gustavo Gomez-Valenzuela, 49, a Mexican citizen who illegally resided in Houston, admitted to aiding and abetting a false statement on a firearms purchasing form, alien in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, aiding and abetting smuggling goods from the United States, international money laundering conspiracy and illegal reentry after removal.  

Gomez-Valenzuela was the leader of a Houston-based gun trafficking cell that was sending firearms to Mexico. As part of his plea, he admitted to providing funds to purchase hundreds of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, smuggling both firearms and ammunition to Mexico, possessing firearms and selling kilogram quantities of meth.

He received the firearms from other individuals in the organization who purchased the firearms from Khalid Abdulaziz, the owner and manager of Zeroed In Armory. While acting in the capacity of a federal firearms licensee in Houston, Abdulaziz sold the majority of the firearms to others charged in this case. Those people have admitted to working with Abdulaziz and making false statements in the purchase of firearms, thereby illegally purchasing them.

Abdulaziz previously pleaded guilty to six counts of aiding and abetting a false statement on ATF Form 4473. 

As a result of the scheme, approximately 500 firearms were purchased and ultimately trafficked to transnational criminal organizations in Mexico.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Stabe and Lisa M. Collins prosecuted the case.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, IRS – Criminal Investigation, Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. 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.

HOUSTON – A 36-year-old man has been ordered to prison for production and distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Richard Reyes Trigo pleaded guilty Sept. 22, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown sentenced Trigo to 360 and 240 months for the production and distribution convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 30-year-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information that detailed the serious and damaging nature of the offense.

In handing down the prison terms, the court noted “the seriousness of the defendant’s actions.” Trigo was further ordered to pay $3000 in restitution to the victims and will serve 10 years 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. Trigo will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

From July 13-14, 2020, Trigo had been communicating with someone he believed was a person with similar interest in child pornography. Trigo continued to engage in conversations via Kik – a site individuals with a sexual interest in children often frequent.

During this time, Trigo accessed and interacted in a social media forum that contained terms commonly associated with the sexual exploitation of children. In it, he admitted he was sexually active with his two-year-old minor female relative and had performed sexual acts on her. Trigo later sent four sexually-explicit images of the minor, some of which focused on her private area.

Trigo also claimed to be sexually active with an eight-year-old minor relative.

Trigo has been in custody since being determined a danger to the community and a flight risk. He will remain there pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherin Daniel and Sherri L. Zack 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.

LAREDO – As the filing deadline for tax season 2021 approaches, a woman has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction of preparing and filing false income tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Lisa Gonzalez pleaded guilty Sept. 9, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana sentenced Gonzalez to 12 months and a day in federal prison. Judge Saldana further ordered Gonzalez to pay $301,908 in restitution to the IRS. 

At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing that from 2012 to 2015, Gonzalez learned how to conduct her own scheme while working for another tax preparer. That individual was also convicted of the same crime. .

At the time of her plea, Gonzalez admitted she prepared fraudulent tax returns for clients under a business known as BG Tax Service. The false income tax returns resulted in a total loss of $301,908 in tax revenue for the IRS.

In the fraudulent tax returns, Gonzalez made false claims for earned income tax credit, business income losses, child tax credits, farm income, itemized deductions, residential energy credits, general business credits and American Opportunity credits.

Gonzalez was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

IRS-Criminal Information conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam L. Goldman prosecuted the case.  

HOUSTON – Jennifer B. Lowery has taken the oath of office to remain as chief federal law enforcement officer for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX).

“I am extremely grateful to the district judges for allowing me to continue to serve the SDTX and our community,” said Lowery. “It is an honor and a privilege to be the U.S. Attorney (USA). I take pride in our office and the work it does in support of our law enforcement partners, our mutual mission to protect our citizens and hold accountable those who commit federal crimes. Likewise, I am blessed to work alongside the dedicated employees in this district who are devoted to public service and to our office’s core values of professionalism, ethics and civility.”

Lowery was first appointed Acting USA Feb. 22, 2021, upon the resignation of former USA Ryan K. Patrick. Attorney General Merrick Garland then appointed Lowery to be the interim USA Dec. 26 and was to serve in that role for 120 days. The district judges in the U.S. District court for the SDTX then voted to appoint Lowery as U.S. Attorney until the appointment and qualification of a successor to the SDTX as provided by law.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal administered the oath of office April 7.

Lowery joined the SDTX in 2008, but has been with the Department of Justice since 2000. She first served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and then an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Eastern District of Texas. During this time, she was detailed to Washington D.C. and New York, New York, as a hearing officer for the 9/11 Victims’ Compensation Fund. She later worked in Washington D.C. in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and Executive Office for US Attorneys, in both their Counsel to Director’s Office and General Counsel’s Office.

While with the SDTX, Lowery has served as AUSA in the Major Offenders, Fraud and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Sections. She has also held the titles of First Assistant USA, Executive AUSA, criminal chief, deputy criminal chief of the Program Fraud Section, acting deputy criminal chief of the Major Fraud Section, senior litigation counsel and ethics advisor.

Prior to her federal service, Lowery was an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for eight years where she prosecuted hundreds of cases, including four capital murders. She served as a grand jury attorney, drug intake lawyer, drug diversion lawyer, misdemeanor chief and attorney and felony attorney.

Lowery holds a B.A. from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) and a J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston.

Lowery was honored to have her mother, niece, mentor, members of the judiciary and bar and various employees of the SDTX in attendance as she took the oath of office.

Pursuant to Vacancy Reform Act, the second in the chain of command, generally the First USA, automatically begins serving as Acting USA upon exit of a presidentially-appointed USA and serves for up to 300 days. If a new USA is not in place by that time, the Attorney General has the authority to name an interim USA to serve for up to 120 days. At that time, if no one has been presidentially-appointed to that position, the district judges vote to name someone as USA until the appointment and qualification of a successor as provided by law.

The SDTX is among the busiest in the nation. With more than 200 attorneys, the office serves more than nine million people in 43 counties from Houston to the Mexican border and prosecutes more federal criminal cases than most other districts. The SDTX currently comprises seven divisions with federal district courts in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo.

LAREDO, Texas – A 29-year-old local man has been sent to prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Manual Dominquez, Laredo, pleaded guilty Aug. 12, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered he serve 87 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the Judge noted Dominguez’s violent criminal history, the cache of weapons and ammunition in his home and the fact he was attempting to smuggle high-powered rifles into Mexico.

Dominquez was taken into custody following an undercover operation in May 2021. Someone in Mexico had sent him to pick up two Barrett .50 caliber rifles at a Home Depot parking lot. Upon arrival, Dominguez inspected the firearms and provided three stacks of $9,900, wrapped in rubber bands.

Dominguez loaded the first firearm into the back seat of his car, at which time he was taken into custody. Authorities conducted a search at his residence where they found more firearms and over 6,000 rounds of ammunition. 

The rifles were intended to go to members of the Cartel De Norte, a violent drug cartel in Mexico.

Dominguez was previously convicted in Webb County of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

He was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily report to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations and the Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony J. Evans and Brandon Bowling prosecuted the case.