Southern District of Texas

McALLEN, Texas – A local tax preparer admitted to preparing false and fraudulent tax returns on behalf of taxpayers, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Linda Lopez was the owner and operator of a tax preparation business known as Premier Tax Solutions, which operated from 2012 through 2022 in and around Mission. 

Lopez admitted that in or around February 2017, she prepared a federal tax return for a taxpayer that included multiple instances of false and fraudulent information, including false employee business expenses and false residential energy credit qualifying expenses.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez set sentencing for July 18. At that time, Lopez faces up to three years in prison and a possible $100,000 maximum fine.

She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – The former chief operating officer of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) is facing new tax charges in relation to a bribery scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury returned the 33-count superseding indictment against Brian Busby, 43, and HISD contract vendor Anthony Hutchison, 61, this morning. They are expected to make their appearances before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future. 

Both were originally charged Dec. 14, 2021, alleging they conspired to engage in a bribery scheme. Busby allegedly helped award HISD construction and grounds maintenance contracts to Hutchison in return for cash bribes and hundreds of thousands of dollars in home remodeling. The new charges allege they filed false tax returns that underreported their income – income related to the scheme. Hutchison also overstated cost of goods sold on his returns.

Specifically, Hutchison obtained cash he used to pay bribes to HISD officials by writing company checks to vendors, who cashed the checks and provided the cash to Hutchison. Hutchison falsely stated on the memo line of the checks that they were in payment for work that had been performed on HISD properties. He then caused the checks to be improperly deducted on corporate tax returns as business expenses.  

Hutchison also caused his gambling losses to be improperly deducted on corporate tax returns as alleged business expenses his companies incurred on HISD construction or landscaping projects. 

Busby concealed his involvement in the bribery scheme by making cash deposits of bribe proceeds into multiple bank accounts and by filing false tax returns that failed to declare the cash bribes and other benefits as income. 

To date, five others have pleaded guilty in relation to the scheme - Rhonda Skillern-Jones (former HISD Board of Education president), 39, Houston; Derrick Sanders (officer of construction services), 50, Alfred Hoskins, (general manager of facilities, maintenance and operations), 58,  Gerron Hall (area manager for maintenance - south), 48, all of Missouri City; and Luis Tovar (area manager for maintenance - north), 39, Huffman.

As part of their pleas, Hoskins, Sanders, Hall, Tovar and Skillern-Jones admitted to conspiring with Busby and Hutchison to accept Hutchison’s bribes for helping to award, or not interfering in the award of, HISD contracts to Hutchison.

Once Busby and Hutchison learned of the federal criminal probe, they took steps to interfere in the investigation, according to the charges. 

Busby and Hutchison are charged with conspiracy, bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and witness tampering. Hutchison is further charged with wire fraud. If convicted, they face up to five, 10 and 20 years, respectively, for the conspiracy, bribery and witness tampering charges. Hutchison also faces up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud. The charges added today add possible 3-year-prison terms for each of the tax charges, upon conviction.

All of the charges also carry a $250,000 maximum possible fine.

The FBI and the IRS - Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Robert S. Johnson is prosecuting the case. AUSA Kristine Rollinson is handling forfeiture matters.

Busby and Hutchison are presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

The FBI requests any information the public may have about this scheme or other public corruption crimes affecting the greater Houston community and surrounding areas. Anyone with such information may report it at HoustonCorruption@FBI.gov or may submit the information anonymously by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at Tips.FBI.gov.

McALLEN, Texas – A 33-year-old McAllen resident has admitted to illegally exporting firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Brenda Belinda Barba entered a guilty plea to attempting to unlawfully exporting a Glock 9mm pistol, Glock .22 caliber pistol, four Glock pistol magazines and 550 rounds of various caliber ammunition.

On Nov. 29, 2021, Barba attempted to exit the United States at the Anzalduas Port of Entry. At that time, she told law enforcement she had nothing to declare, to include firearms and ammunition.

However, upon inspection of the vehicle, authorities discovered two pistols, magazines and ammunition concealed in her handbag. She admitted she had purchased the firearms at an Academy Sports and Outdoors store and was planning to take them to her family’s ranch in Mexico.

Barba was not a licensed gun exporter and did not have permission to export the guns to Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez will impose sentencing July 18. At that time, Barba faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

She was permitted to remain on bond 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.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The owner and administrator of Texas-based Merida hospice and home health entities have been named in a multi-million-dollar whistleblower lawsuit, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Rodney Mesquias and Henry McInnis, both 51, and formerly from Harlingen, were convicted of criminal health care fraud and conspiracy charges following a lengthy trial in Brownsville on Nov. 6, 2019.

“All health care providers who submit claims to the Medicare program are on notice that when they enroll in Medicare, they are subject to both criminal and civil consequences for the submission of false and fraudulent claims,” said Lowery.

The civil complaint filed today, alleges Mesquias and McInnis conspired to violate the civil False Claims Act by submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary hospice and home health services. It also alleges they paid illegal kickbacks to Merida medical directors for patient referrals and created false patient medical records in support of the false and fraudulent claims. These included hospice and home health certifications that were material to Medicare payments.

Mesquias and McInnis are currently in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons serving 240 months and 180 months, respectively, for their criminal convictions. Mesquias also has been ordered to pay $120 million in restitution to the Medicare program. 

The United States is also entitled to recover triple the damages for violations of the civil False Claims Act as well as civil monetary penalties between $11,803 and $23,607 for each false claim submitted to Medicare.

The Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, FBI and Texas Health and Human Services Commission conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Redlinger is handling the matter.  

HOUSTON – A 40-year-old previous Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison following his admission that he received and possessed child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. 

Joshua Tannery pleaded guilty Nov. 16, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. sentenced him to 97 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information including a victim impact statement detailing the sexual abuse Tannery committed on a child. The court noted he had a duty to the victims whose voices are not always heard. He hoped the prison term discouraged others from following in his footsteps, gave Tannery the opportunity to change and showed there were consequences to Tannery’s conduct. He will also serve five 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. Tannery will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

In September 2019, law enforcement initiated an investigation of child pornography sharing which led them to Tannery. They executed a search warrant and seized his electronic devices. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children, some as young as 10 years of age.  

Following Tannery’s arrest, a sexual assault victim came forward reporting that Tannery had abused her years ago.

Tannery 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 FBI conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zahra Jivani Fenelon 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.

HOUSTON – A 67-year-old podiatrist from Cypress has agreed to pay $865,000 to resolve allegations that she submitted false medical claims for the use of electro-acupuncture devices, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Dr. Judith Rubin is a podiatrist who practices in Cypress. 

From March 1, 2018, to Nov. 30, 2019, Rubin billed Medicare for the surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes. This surgical procedure usually requires the use of an operating room. Medicare typically pays thousands of dollars per procedure.

However, neither Rubin nor her staff performed these surgical procedures. Instead, patients received devices used for electro-acupuncture, which only involves inserting needles into patients’ ears and taping the neurostimulator behind them with an adhesive. 

To date, this is the eighth case the Southern District of Texas has resolved for similar false claims. The other matters included settlements with a Katy anesthesiologist, Laredo pain doctor, Houston pain doctor, Houston chiropractor, Rockport chiropractor,  Woodlands pain doctor and Cypress marketing representative.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation with the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and Qlarant, the Unified Program Integrity Contractor for Medicare. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Gray handled the matter.

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

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted  26-year-old local man for conspiring to distribute narcotics and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before convicting Jonathan Rodriguez, Corpus Christi, following a three-day trial. 

At trial, the jury heard that Rodriguez was a co-conspirator in a multi-person crack cocaine trafficking scheme. From 2016 to 2019, Rodriguez managed a Corpus Christi residence from where drugs were distributed.

In May 2019, law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire between rival drug dealers at the property. A search of the residence revealed various amounts of crack cocaine and meth.

The jury also heard that Rodriguez had maintained a commercial storage unit in Corpus Christi. A search of the unit revealed $1.26 million in U.S. currency, more than 600 grams of cocaine, 52 rifles, shotguns and pistols.

At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury Rodriguez was merely a narcotics user, not a distributor and the evidence was insufficient. However, they saw video evidence of Rodriguez distributing narcotics within the house and surveillance footage at the commercial storage unit.

The jury did not believe defense claims and found him Rodriguez guilty as charged.  

U.S. District Judge Davis S. Morales presided over trial and set sentencing for June 29. At that time, Rodriguez faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Marck and Dennis E. Robinson prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –  A third individual has admitted his guilt in a large-scale narcotics distribution operation involving multiple properties throughout Corpus Christi, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Javon Hicks aka Drank Nitti Kasino, 40, Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton to maintaining a premises to distribute illicit narcotics and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Co-conspirator Dwayne Thompson aka Muddy Kasino, 39, and Zackari Williams aka Arm and Hammer Zone, 29, both of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty to the same charges March 9 and March 30, respectively. Hicks and Thompson forfeited personal items including cars, guns, jewelry and cash valued at more than $123,000 following their pleas.

The conspirators were part of a hip-hop group that produced music under the Kasino World label. They used various houses and apartments throughout Corpus Christi to record their songs and videos. However, the investigation revealed the group members also used the locations to distribute crack cocaine and meth with at least 100 sales per day.

U.S. District Judge David Morales set sentencing for Hicks and Thompson June 1 and June 30, respectively, while Williams will be sentenced June 22.

At their respective hearings, Hicks and Thompson face up to 25 years in prison, while Williams could receive up to a 20-year-term. All three also face a possible $500,000 maximum fine. Each man has been and will remain in custody pending their hearings. 

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

HOUSTON – Two individuals have been arrested following the return of an indictment alleging conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Law enforcement took Felicia Garza, 36, into custody at her home in Houston. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Y. Ho tomorrow at 2 p.m. 

Dylan Kinlock, 29, Orlando, Florida was arrested at his home March 30.

The seven-count indictment alleges Garza and Kinlock devised a scheme to solicit others to fraudulently apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided. The two allegedly utilized victims’ personal information to create falsified documents and apply for a PPP loan on their behalf.

The false documents allegedly included fictitious Schedule C tax forms reporting profit or loss from a business, 1099-MISC forms and invoices reporting incorrect income to qualify for the loans, according to the charges. Kinlock allegedly solicited each of his victims to execute a contract with him in which they agreed to share a portion of their PPP loans.

The indictment alleges Kinlock participated in at least 241 fraudulent PPP loan applications resulting in the distribution of approximately $4,844,274 of CARES Act money. The indictment alleges Kinlock pocketed nearly $939,379 from the victims for whom he assisted in securing the defrauded PPP loans, according to the charges.

If convicted, Kinlock and Garza face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum fine.

IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and Jay Hileman are prosecuting the case.

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

HOUSTON – A  42-year-old Manvel resident has been ordered to prison following his conviction of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Toan Tran pleaded guilty Jan. 4, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ordered Tran to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the blatant, fraudulent scheme and the fact that Tran preyed on his friends and co-workers. Several of the victims testified about the hardships his theft had caused for them and their families. After hearing from several of the victims, Judge Hughes noted the Tran’s “treachery” by stealing from friends and co-workers.

At the time of his plea, Tran admitted that in 2017 he used a fake investment account to convince a local businessman to sell him a media outlet. Tran showed the businessman funds in the account, but they had been altered. They fraudulently displayed $7 million when, in fact, he never had over $100,000 at any one time. Tran subsequently bankrupted the business and defaulted on the payments.   

Tran also admitted to using the same scheme to persuade several co-workers to invest in his company from 2015 through 2017. Some victims invested their life savings and never saw any return.

In total, investors lost over $705,000 as a result of Tran’s scheme.  

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

FBI - Texas City conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas H. Carter prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – A 54-year-old man has admitted to engaging in the sale of firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Craig Lindsey Cornelison admitted he unlawfully sold at least 200 guns from September 2019 to December 2020.

The investigation began after Cornelison purchased over 90 lower receivers within a four-month period in approximately March 2020. He sold firearms primarily as private sales at gun shows throughout the Houston area. Law enforcement discovered numerous firearms were being trafficked overseas to foreign countries, including Iraq. 

The United States seeks to forfeit over 100 firearms that were involved in the unlawful business and approximately $147,747 in proceeds gained from the sales.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen accepted the plea and set sentencing for Aug. 8. At that time, Cornelison faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Schammel and Heather Winter are prosecuting the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A total of 10 Mexican nationals and associates of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion have been ordered to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy involving the importation of crystal meth, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana imposed an 80-month-term of imprisonment for Juan Jose Garcia Lerma, 45, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, while Jorge Luis Castellanos De La Mora, 37, Michoacan, Mexico, received 67 months. Not U.S. citizens, they are expected to face removal proceedings following their prison terms.

The other eight received their sentences last week. Roberto Ivan Rodriguez Ramirez, 27, and Manuel Enrique Ayala Rodriguez, 45, both of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, were each sentenced to 192 months. Giovani Mendez Hornelas, a non-U.S. citizen residing in Angier, North Carolina, was sentenced to 108 months on April 1. Daniel Morales Hinojosa, 52, Santos Salazar, 35, Victor Hinojosa, 36, Omar Hiracheta-Cruz, 38, and Armando Animas Hernandez, 33, were sentenced earlier in the week. Daniel Hinojosa and Salazar were each ordered to serve 262-month-terms of imprisonment, while Victor Hinojosa, Hiracheta-Cruz and Hernandez received 210, 192 and 120 months, respectively. All are also expected to face removal proceedings.

At the hearings, Judge Saldana noted the extensive conspiracy which relied on many  truck drivers to succeed. Saldana noted that each played a role that contributed to the smuggling of large amounts of drugs from the Michoacan area into the United States for distribution to cities throughout the United States. Whether truck drivers, stash operators or couriers co-conspirators were in some way responsible for these deadly drugs reaching distribution centers. Daldana noted the horrible effects that such drugs have had in certain regions and populations of the country. 

The investigation began in 2017 when authorities identified Juan Manuel Salazar Alvarez as the operator of the conspiracy. Alvarez directed a large-scale organization comprised of truck drivers, stash house operators and transportation coordinators responsible for smuggling fentanyl, heroin, meth and cocaine.

The drugs were concealed in fire extinguishers, wooden blocks, vehicle batteries and hydraulic jacks. The co-conspirators worked as truck drivers to transport the drugs from Michoacán and Jalisco to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and into Laredo. In Texas, the conspirators stashed the drugs in storage units, tractor trailers or other locations. Drivers then transported the narcotics to distribution centers across the United States including Houston; Dallas; Memphis, Tennessee; Kentucky; and North Carolina.

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

Alvarez will be sentenced at a later date.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Gelo Podre (Rotten Ice) with the assistance of Laredo Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Interpol Mexico City and the Mexican National Guard.

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.

Deputy Criminal Chief for the South Texas Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Mary Lou Castillo is prosecuting the case.

McALLEN, Texas – A former deputy with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Baldemar Cardenas, 36, Mission, admitted that in January 2020, he conspired with members of a drug trafficking organization.  

Members of the group would receive kilogram quantities of highly-pure cocaine. They would then utilize small portions of the drugs to create sham cocaine with very low purity. 

Cardenas would ensure authorities seized the fake bundles. The seizure would allow the co-conspirators to avoid responsibility for stealing the cocaine from their source of supply and allow the distribution of the stolen cocaine for profit. 

In order to further the scheme and in exchange for $10,000, Cardenas provided information to law enforcement in order to effectuate the seizure of the sham bundles. Cardenas falsely claimed a confidential source provided the information. Based on the information he gave, law enforcement seized the multi-kilogram sham bundles of cocaine.

Laboratory testing conducted on the bundles revealed a cocaine purity level of only 1.5%.    

U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 14. At that time, he faces a minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigation conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, and Mission Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. is prosecuting the case.

The plea is a result of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Muchos Primos. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States. It uses 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 – Local critical infrastructure partners and area business owners have participated in a training session to increase cybersecurity posture and awareness on how to tackle such cyberattacks, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.   

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), hosted the roundtable training today in order to educate private industry partners on what to do in the event of a cyberattack upon their businesses. 

“We are excited to partner with HSI and other federal agencies to help protect Houston’s often vulnerable critical infrastructure assets,” said Lowery. “From our international airports, unique power grid and robust oil and gas sector, Houston is home to some of the country’s most valuable assets.”

“As criminal organizations and other bad actors become more sophisticated in their ability to launch cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure and private business, it is crucial for HSI to work closely with our federal partners and the private sector to develop resilient and adaptive defenses against malicious cyberspace activity and network intrusions,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson. “Hosting today’s roundtable with the USAO was an important step, and we will continue to seek opportunities to enhance collaboration with our law enforcement partners and other stakeholders to prevent potential network intrusions and ensure greater unity of effort in response to cyber incidents.”

On a weekly basis, numerous cyberattacks occur on businesses all across the Southern District of Texas. There must be a quick response team in place to immediately address the intrusion in order to circumvent major damage and losses. The USAO routinely works with other prosecutors and law enforcement in the district to stay ahead of potential cyber threats. 

As the global economy enters day 35 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, businesses must be reminded to be diligent about their networks and to know their response plans, have a paper copy available and review their cyber-related insurance policies.

The USAO has established contact lines for assistance 24 hours a day. If you have fallen victim to an intrusion, inadvertently diverted funds to an unknown third-party or suffered a ransomware attack, please email directly or call the hotline at 713-542-5213.  

HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Houston man has been ordered to prison for committing sexual exploitation and coercion and enticement of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Thomas Douglas Butler pleaded guilty April 14, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennet sentenced Butler to 480 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information including a statement detailing the severe emotional distress that now exists among the victim and her relatives from the trauma Butler inflicted. “The defendant in this case took advantage of my daughter’s weaknesses and caused her lifelong damage,” it read. The mother further noted her daughter returned home a “very different child.”

In handing down the prison terms, the court noted Butler had been “on a path to this moment based on his criminal history.” Butler will 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.

Butler met the 14-year-old female victim through a social media website known as FaceFlow. During those communications, posed as a 23-year-old male, befriended her and convinced her to run away with him. Butler subsequently traveled to pick her up and broght her to a Houston hotel where he had been residing for approximately one year.

The victim said Butler provided alcohol to her immediately and on numerous occasions while she was with him and gave her very little food. Law enforcement was quickly able to rescue her.

A search warrant executed at the hotel room revealed several documents and electronic devices which led to the discovery of a second out-of-state victim. Butler had also groomed that minor female to engage in sexually-charged conversations and sexually-illicit behavior online such as exposing her genitals in a lewd and lascivious manner during Skype video calls. Butler recorded the Skype calls with the victim. If she did not comply, Butler threatened to notify the victim’s parents or others of their relationship and distribute the videos he created from the Skype calls.

Butler 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.

The FBI 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.

McALLEN, Texas – A 23-year-old local resident has been ordered to federal prison after holding two men against their will and demanding ransom, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Miguel Angel Castillo pleaded guilty Jan. 29, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced him to 240 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted this was Castillo’s third time in federal court following two prior convictions for alien smuggling. Further, the instant offense occurred while Castillo was on federal probation.

In August 2019, two men illegally entered the United States in hopes to reunite with their families in New Jersey and California. As part of the smuggling attempt, they stayed at Castillo’s stash house in Donna.

From Aug. 1-15, 2019, Castillo held the men against their will and forced them to call their family members to request ransom monies. Castillo threatened both men with a firearm and said he would kill them if they did not comply.

One victim’s family members paid over $6,000 ransom for his release.

On Aug. 15, 2019, the two men were transported to a motel in Donna. There, they were eventually able to obtain a phone and call for help.

Castillo 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 assistance from the Donna Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 54-year-old Corpus Christi man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Fabian Garcia Ramos pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Ramos to a 180-month term of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.  At the hearing, the court heard that a motorist was placed in fear of his life – seeing Ramos with a rifle pointed at his vehicle followed by a gunshot. In handing down the sentence today, the court determined Ramos to an armed career criminal.

On April 30, 2021, law enforcement received reports of gunshots fired towards heavy traffic on U.S. Highway 181 near Portland and responded to the scene. There, they found Ramos nearby in a vehicle. He attempted to flee, but authorities stopped him after a short pursuit.

Upon searching his vehicle, they found cocaine, U.S. currency, over 160 rounds of ammunition, two rifles and one loaded .380 caliber pistol. The Remington rifle was also in violation of federal firearms regulations for a shortened barrel.

Ramos had previously been convicted in state court for numerous felonies, including aggravated robbery and burglaries. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Portland Police Department and Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning prosecuted the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.

HOUSTON – A local man has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of preparing and filing false income tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Mario Clark pleaded guilty Jan. 13.

Today, U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller sentenced Clark to 25 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about Clark’s criminal history, which included convictions for murder, battery and aggravated robbery. Judge Miller further ordered Clark to pay $203,336 in restitution to the IRS. 

At the time of his plea, Clark admitted that he prepared fraudulent tax returns for clients under a business known as Precision Tax Group. The false income tax returns he prepared for himself and others caused a total loss $203,336 in tax revenue from the IRS.

In both tax returns prepared for himself and others, Clark made false claims for business income loss, unreimbursed employee expenses, itemized deductions, and gifts by cash or check. 

IRS-Criminal Information conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles J. Escher and Adam L. Goldman prosecuted the case.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 21-year-old local man has been sent to federal prison for production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Marcos Daniel Gomez pleaded guilty Oct. 27, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. sentenced Gomez to serve 192 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including a statement from the victim’s mother detailing the pain and overwhelming sadness brought about by Gomez’ abuse. Gomez will serve 30 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

From June 1 to 20, 2020  Gomez solicited a four-year-old boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct which he recorded with his cell phone.

Gomez 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 – Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano 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.

HOUSTON - Infinity Experiences Inc. has reached an agreement under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to improve communication regarding physical accessibility, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.   

The Infinite is a unique 3-D immersive virtual reality space exploration experience. Infinity Experiences Inc. designed The Infinite based on various NASA missions. The event embarked on a world tour starting in December 2021. It will make stops in three cities per year until 2026, the first of which was in Houston.

The investigation began after an individual with a disability complained that the exhibit was inaccessible. The Infinite’s website did not fully disclose to the public how the exhibit was accessible to individuals with disabilities. This potentially deterred them from attending the exhibit.

However, Infinity Experiences cooperated and promptly addressed the issue, immediately agreeing to revise their website to include a detailed FAQ regarding accessibility and the logistics of attending the event. 

The investigation was conducted under Title III of the ADA of 1990 which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by private places of public accommodation. Under Title III, The Infinite is a place of public accommodation and is subject to the requirements of the ADA.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is committed to vigorously enforcing the ADA and welcomes public comments or complaints. To file a comment or complaint, or to learn more about the ADA, individuals can contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas at (713) 567-9140 or via email.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Karpati and Paralegal Specialist Ray Babauta handled this matter.

LAREDO, Texas – Two soldiers stationed in Texas have been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery

Isaiah Gore, 21, and Denerio Williams, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2021, another co-conspirator Ivory Palmer, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 10. All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Marmolejo noted that Gore and Williams, as soldiers in the Army, were “not the average citizen,” which justified a tougher sentence. Judge Marmolejo also emphasized that everyone involved in the scheme knew that wearing a uniform would assist in evading detection or arrest.

The investigation began June 13, 2021. On that day, authorities caught Emmanuel Oppongagyare and Ralph Gregory Saint-Joie smuggling undocumented aliens in the trunk of a vehicle at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located in Hebbronville. At the time of arrest, both men were wearing their U.S. Army uniforms.

Oppongagyare later admitted Gore recruited them to pick the aliens up from McAllen and drive them to San Antonio. Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie were indicted and pleaded guilty Aug. 11 and 12, respectively, in 2021. Both are currently awaiting sentencing before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña.

A joint investigation later confirmed Oppongagyare, Saint-Joie, Williams and Palmer each served a role in the conspiracy as drivers who would travel to locations in Texas to transport the aliens in exchange for money. Authorities further confirmed that Gore actively recruited people to pick up undocumented aliens.

Both Gore and Williams were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Gore has since been discharged from the Army.

Palmer is currently pending sentencing.

Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Bajew and Mark Hicks prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – A 56-year-old former Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison after admitting he received and possessed child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. 

Robert Gasper Peri pleaded guilty Dec. 9, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison sentenced him to 135 months in federal prison. Peri will also serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison terms, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will further be ordered to pay restitution to the victims and will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

Peri had access to children for more than 30 years as a music teacher.

The investigation revealed he had been communicating and trafficking child pornography with other individuals.

In October 2019, law enforcement learned Peri’s email address was distributing suspected child pornography. Authorities executed a search warrant of his email address and at his residence, at which time they seized various electronic devices.

Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 706 images and 143 videos of child pornography including children under the age of five, sadism and masochism.

Peri was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender 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 Zahra Jivani Fenelon 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.

HOUSTON –  A 23-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for admitting his role in a brutal kidnapping of a woman from her residence in Katy, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Hipolito Gutierrez pleaded guilty Nov. 26, 2019.  

Today, Judge Sim Lake sentenced Gutierrez to a 10-year-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

At the hearing, the court heard details of the violent abduction in which Gutierrez and Nico Namitle-Morales kidnapped the female victim at gunpoint from her vehicle as she drove into her garage. Gutierrez and Namilte-Morales transported the victim to Dallas and held her captive for three days while demanding ransom payments.   

Gutierrez is the last man to be sentenced for his role in the crime. In December 2021, the court ordered Namitle-Morales to serve a 20-year sentence for his role as the main gunman and mastermind of the kidnapping.

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

The FBIconducted the investigation with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Texarkana Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Peneguy prosecuted the case.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jose Alfredo Cardenas-Martinez aka El Contador has been indicted in the Southern District of Texas on various charges related to his position as the head of the Cardenas family drug trafficking operation known as the Cartel del Golfo, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury sitting in Brownsville returned the nine-count indictment Nov. 10, 2021. Cardenas-Martinez is currently in custody in Mexico pending litigation on the U.S.’s extradition request.

According to the charges, Cardenas-Martinez, 42, has been the head of the Gulf Cartel aka Cartel del Golfo or CDG since 2015. He became CDG’s leader following the arrest and later conviction of Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez aka El Cos. Costilla-Sanchez was CDG’s leader following the arrest and conviction of Cardenas-Martinez’s uncle - Oziel Cardenas-Guillen. Cardenas-Guillen is currently in federal custody serving his sentence. Costilla-Sanchez was also convicted in the Southern District of Texas and is awaiting sentencing. The Gulf Cartel is headquartered in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Cardenas-Martinez is charged in an international conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, cocaine and fentanyl. The indictment also alleges he possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth, five kilograms of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. 

As head of the CDG, Cardenas-Martinez allegedly coordinated the shipment of narcotics to the United States for illegal sale across the country. According to the charges, the conspiracy to transport cocaine, meth and fentanyl into the United States began in 2015 and continued through 2021.

“The arrest of Jose Alfredo Cardenas-Martinez serves a tough blow to the Gulf Cartel Organization,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “It is the culmination of a successful international drug investigation which should disrupt the Gulf Cartel’s ability to smuggle drugs into Texas and other communities.”

“Through the joint investigation from our office in Harlingen, in coordination with our Attaché in Mexico and other partners, we were able to gather significant evidence that was instrumental in the case against “El Contador,” said Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to coordinate to dismantle any suspected transnational criminal organizations that threaten public safety.”

If convicted, Cardenas-Martinez faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine. The indictment also includes a notice of forfeiture of any proceeds he made and property used to facilitate his drug trafficking business.

This prosecution is part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation Cold Blooded. 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.

The DEA and HSI conducted the joint investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Betancourt 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 – Three Texas residents have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy to transport 30.1 kilograms of pure meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Jose Ramon Garcia, 41, and Jorge Armando Lozano, 39, both of Hebbronville, pleaded guilty July 16, 2020, while Rolando Cadena 46, Laredo, pleaded guilty Aug. 14, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña ordered Cadena to serve a 235-month-term of imprisonment, while Garcia and Lozano received respective terms of 97 and 135 months. They each must also serve five years of supervised release after their term of imprisonment.

In handing down the sentence, the court noted that all three were not young men with poor judgment or drug addictions, but instead had good jobs with no reason to participate in narcotics smuggling. At the hearing, Cadena claimed he had been coerced into pleading guilty and completely denied involvement in the crime. Judge Saldaña  reviewed the evidence and said she had “no doubt” he was guilty.

The investigation revealed Cadena, Garcia and Lozano had been discussing the transportation of meth. Ultimately, Lozano coordinated the transfer of 22 bundles of meth from Cadena to Garcia in Laredo.

Garcia then traveled east towards Hebbronville. Authorities subsequently stopped him for a traffic violation near Oilton. At that time, Garcia admitted he was transporting narcotics to Dallas and indicated where they were hidden inside of his vehicle.

Previously released on bond, Cadena 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. Lozano and Garcia were permitted to voluntarily surrender in the near future.

Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Webb County Constables Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Harrison and April Ayers-Perez prosecuted the case.

HOUSTON – A ringleader and his brother-in-law have been indicted for their participation in a multi-state scheme involving mortgage fraud, credit repair and government loan fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Steven Tetsuya Morizono, 59, Mission Viejo, California, and Albert Lugene Lim, 53, Laguna Niguel, California, set for an arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam S. Sheldon today at 2 p.m. 

Two others - Heather Ann Campos, 43, and David Lewis Best Jr., 58, both of Houston -  are fugitives with warrants remain outstanding for their arrest. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 281-512-8525.

The indictment remains sealed to others charged but not as yet in custody.

The 33-count indictment, returned March 16, alleges Morizono and Lim led the conspiracy. Using the alias Jeff, Morizono was the leader and namesake for the scheme purporting to do business as Jeff Funding, according to the charges. In reality, Jeff funding allegedly operated a multi-layered scheme to defraud mortgage lending businesses, banks, Small Business Administration (SBA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

The indictment alleges co-conspirators recruited clients for credit repair using company names of KMD Credit, KMD Capital and Jeff Funding, among others. They allegedly “cleaned” their clients’ credit histories by filing false identity theft reports with the FTC. After fraudulently inflating client credit worthiness, the co-conspirators fraudulently obtain credit cards, disaster loans and mortgages for themselves and their clients, according to the charges. They were allegedly able to accomplish this through false statements and fake documents. 

Morizono and his crew maintained control of the properties purchased in their clients’ names, according to the charges. The purpose, the indictment alleges, was for the purpose of building a real estate portfolio worth millions of dollars and enriching themselves with rental income.  

If convicted, Morizono and Lim face up to 30 years in federal prison and a possible $1 million maximum fine.  

The Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Housing and Urban Development – OIG and SBA – OIG conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FTC – OIG and IRS – Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and Jay Hileman are prosecuting the case.

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

McALLEN, Texas – Two Houston-area residents have pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 777 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Eduardo Figueroa Jr, 26, Cleveland, and Cynara Lucia Sarmiento, 23, Conroe, pleaded guilty to both counts of possession with intent to distribute meth.

Figueroa hired Sarmiento as his personal assistant and tasked her with leasing the warehouse space and forming Hive Logistics, a business warehouse located in Houston.

On May 12, 2021, authorities executed a search at the location and discovered 777 kilograms of meth, 10 kilograms of cocaine, ledgers, two pistols and five magazines. The meth was located inside metal barrels marked as mango puree.

As part of the plea, Figueroa admitted the meth was part of a larger shipment he had received, of which approximately 800 kilograms had already been delivered to several individuals. Sarmiento admitted to creating a ledger for the drugs and delivering them on at least one occasion with Figueroa.

The estimated street value of the meth is $29 million.

Sentencing has been set for June 1 before U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa. At that time, Figueroa and Sarmiento each face up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Figueroa has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing, while Sarmiento was permitted to remain on bond.

This case is part of an exportation and straw purchasing of firearms investigation from March 2021 in which where Figueroa was identified as a recruiter. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to straw purchase five shotguns on Nov. 22, 2021.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia is  prosecuting the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A South Korean woman and a local Texan have been indicted for trafficking counterfeit goods, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment against Bok Nyo Kim, 72, a legal permanent residing in Laredo, and Henry Yuseok Kim, 45, Laredo. Both were originally charged by criminal complaint. They are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga for their initial appearance on the indictment in the near future.

The investigation began Feb. 3. At that time, Henry Kim, part-owner of Fashion Outlet, allegedly sold a counterfeit t-shirt purporting to be Louis Vuitton. Authorities then seized approximately 346 items of counterfeit merchandise from the store, according to the charges. The indictment alleges that during the seizure, Bok Kim identified herself as part-operator of Fashion Outlet.

According to the complaint, both admitted to selling counterfeit clothing at Fashion Outlet for financial gain and shared control over the business. Bok Kim allegedly admitted to purchasing counterfeit merchandise from wholesalers in California. The indictment further alleges both individuals had knowledge of a prior seizure notice authorities had sent.  

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

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac 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 68-year-old legal permanent resident of Houston has been convicted of theft of public money, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before convicting Greek citizen Panagiota Tsigelis following a two-day trial on all 34 counts as charged. 

The jury heard that Tsigelis collected benefits intended for a Social Security retiree. However, that individual had passed away in September 2008. 

At trial, a Social Security claims representative explained that once a beneficiary passes away, their retirement benefits are supposed to cease. A records review in 2017 showed that the deceased individual was still receiving Social Security retirement benefits directly deposited into his checking account.

The jury also heard from a federal agent who led the investigation and from a local manager from J.P. Morgan Chase bank. According to testimony, Tsigelis claimed she was married to the individual in Greece before he passed away. She said she thought she was still eligible for the benefits as his surviving spouse. 

However, she untimely admitted she was never married to him and fabricated relationship because she was scared.

At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury Tsigelis simply did not understand the rules due to a language barrier and genuinely believed she was entitled to the money. The jury ultimately convicted her as charged.

U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison presided over the trial and set sentencing for June 7. At that time, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison. She could also face loss of her legal status in the United States.

Tsigelis was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Sandel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas H. Carter prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas - A 32-year-old McAllen attorney has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery of a public official, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Roel Alaniz pleaded guilty April 27, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez ordered Alanis to serve a total of 30 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted how the serious violation of his conduct and the series of continuing bribes in return for the alien rosters he received merited some incarceration time.   

At the time of his plea, Alaniz admitted he paid immigration detention employees for alien detainee roster lists. Benito Barrientez, 43, Lyford, and Damian Ortiz, 31, Weslaco, were two employees of the Willacy County Regional Detention Center who sold the lists to Roel Alaniz or his sister - Cynthia Alanis, 28, Los Fresnos - who was also an attorney in the Rio Grande Valley.

The detainee lists were from the El Valle Detention Center-Raymondville and the Port Isabel Detention Center-Los Fresnos. They contained names, dates of birth, country of origin and A-numbers of alien detainees. The attorneys would then visit them, or instruct others to do so, in order to solicit them to hire his law firm for representation in immigration proceedings.

Barrientos, Ortiz and Exy Adelaida Gomez, 45, Los Fresnos, were also convicted and are pending sentencing. Each faces up to 15 years in federal prison and possible $250,000 maximum fine. Cynthia Alanis was previously sentenced.

Roel Alaniz was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement–Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 33-year-old Huntsville resident has admitted to being a felon in possession of multiple firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

On March 10, 2021, authorities pulled over a vehicle for having an expired Texas temporary tag. Alonzo Gonzalez III was a passenger in the vehicle.

Law enforcement officers noticed the occupants of the vehicle were behaving suspiciously and brought a K9 to the scene. The K9 alerted to the rear of the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of seven firearms concealed inside the trunk. Those included two 12-gauge shotguns, a .243 rifle, .223-5.56 rifle and three 7.62x54R rifles. Authorities later determined that two of the weapons were stolen.

Gonzalez admitted he had placed the firearms in the trunk and planned to sell them in South Texas.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Ramos will impose sentence on June 22. If found to be an armed career criminal, Gonzalez will face a minimum of 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Kleberg County Attorney Specialized Crimes & Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Gould is prosecuting the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 45-year-old man has been indicted on alien smuggling charges, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment against Hugo Daniel Torres. He was originally charged by criminal complaint. He is expected to appear for his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos on the indictment in the near future.

On March 2, Torres allegedly attempted to drive an ambulance through the Interstate Highway 35 Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located in Laredo. The charges further allege authorities became suspicious after the passenger of the vehicle appeared nervous and did not provide proof of citizenship.

At secondary inspection, law enforcement determined the passenger and one other woman posing as a patient were non-U.S. citizens and were in the United States illegally, according to the charges.

If convicted, Torres faces up to 10 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac 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 46-year-old Corpus Christi resident has entered a guilty plea to conducting an illegal gambling business and conspiring to steal government property, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Nathan Nichols admitted that from March 2018 to August 2019, he operated illegal gambling businesses in Corpus Christi. He also pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal sensitive government property from the U.S. Army installation at Ft. Hood in June 2021.

Nichols was the co-owner of Theo's Bar and owner/operator of Lady Luck, both facilities containing illegal gaming devices. The establishments contained sweepstakes games which people play by using computers and monitors rather than casino-style equipment. The games are software-based and function as traditional slot-machine games or “8-liners.” However, the action of the slot-machine reels are simulated on a computer screen rather than on mechanical reels. Those playing the machines place bets before each spin and receive winnings in cash.  

In a separate case, Nichols also admitted he conspired with others to steal sensitive U.S. Army property valued at $2,176,000. He had been in contact with one of the persons responsible for the theft and requested pictures of the property before agreeing to buy it for resale. Once he obtained the items, Nichols subsequently listed them for sale on eBay.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Nichols’ residence in July 2021. At that time, they discovered sensitive military equipment including laser range finders, thermal scopes, night vision scopes, night vision goggles and laser aiming devices. All of the property belonged to the U.S. Army.  

As part of his guilty pleas, Nichols agreed to forfeit a total of  $2,185,218.73 as proceeds from his illegal activity. Sentencing has been set for June 21 before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. At that time, Nichols faces up to five years in prison for each conviction.

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

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department on the gambling case. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the stolen property investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) Joel Dunn and Christopher Marin are prosecuting the cases with the assistance of Asset Forfeiture AUSA Yifei Zheng.  

McALLEN, Texas – A 23-year-old Edinburg man has been ordered to federal prison for engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Carlos Daniel Uribe-Garza pleaded guilty June 7, 2021, admitting to the crime and that it had resulted in a pregnancy.

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered him to serve a 121-month sentence. At the hearing, the court heard about Uribe-Garza’s repeated phone calls with the victim. During those conversations, he attempted to influence her not to cooperate with law enforcement and instructed her to send letters to the judge retracting her previous statements. Evidence was also presented that indicated Uribe-Garza was emotionally manipulative towards the victim and had associates confront her and her family at their residence. Judge Crane considered comments from the victim’s mother indicating how Uribe-Garza’s conduct was obsessive, manipulative and toxic. After considering all the evidence, the court determined Uribe-Garza engaged in the obstruction of justice.

Judge Crane also heard that Uribe-Garza had previously engaged in another illicit sexual relationship with a 16-year-old minor in 2019, which also resulted in a pregnancy. Uribe-Garza told that girl not to tell anyone of their relationship because he could “catch a case.” The court deemed him a repeat and dangerous sex offender against minors and imposed a sentencing enhancement.

In imposing the prison term, the court noted Uribe-Garza is predatory toward minors. Following his imprisonment, Uribe-Garza will serve five years on supervised release, during which time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

Uribe-Garza spoke at sentencing and told the court his only regret was attempting to bring the victim into the United States.

Uribe-Garza met the minor victim at her 15th birthday party in Reynosa, Mexico, and then began contacting her via social media. From December 2020 to February 2021, Uribe-Garza pursued a sexual relationship with the victim, traveling from Texas to Mexico on multiple occasions.

She became pregnant that February.

Uribe-Garza attempted to bring the minor into the United States at the Hidalgo Port of Entry on February 24, at which time authorities took him into custody. Uribe-Garza had disguised the victim as a male United States citizen by cutting her hair, dressing her in men’s clothing, and providing her with false documentation.

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

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devin V. Walker and Amy L. Greenbaum 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 Corpus Christi jury has returned a guilty verdict against a 45-year-old citizen of Cuba for failing to appear in court as ordered, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The federal jury deliberated for approximately 20 minutes following one-day of trial before convicting Noriel Ramos-Garcia as charged.

Ramos-Garcia had been facing charges related to the unlawful transportation of individuals. A U.S. magistrate judge had permitted him release upon positing bond pending further criminal proceedings. As part of his conditions, he was ordered to stay in contact with authorities and attend all court hearings.

However, he did not appear for his court date Jan. 21, 2021.

At trial, a U.S. probation officer testified that in November 2020, Ramos-Garcia ceased all communications with them. Law enforcement was unable to locate him until September 2021.

The jury heard Ramos-Garcia left the United States and traveled to Cuba in November 2020 and returned September 2021. Law enforcement arrested him upon landing in the United States.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that Ramos-Garcia went to Cuba with the intent of delivering medicine for his family members who had been infected with Covid-19. Ramos-Garcia claimed he intended to fly back three days later, but the flights were cancelled. He told the court he did not intend to miss his court date. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for June 15. At that time, Ramos-Garcia faces up to five years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Ramos-Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case.

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that a federal court in Houston, Texas, entered a permanent injunction barring a credit repair company and its CEO from representing that it can repair or improve consumers’ credit scores. The court also entered a preliminary injunction that prohibits the defendants from making large or non-essential expenditures to preserve assets for consumer redress.

In a civil complaint filed March 1 and unsealed on March 14, the Department of Justice alleged that that Alexander V. Miller, 42, of Missouri City, Texas, and his company Turbo Solutions Inc. violated the Credit Repair Organizations Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, the FTC Act and the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule in connections with defendants’ marketing and sales of credit repair services. On March 4, the court issued a temporary restraining order imposing financial restrictions on defendants, which remained in place through the resolution of the preliminary injunction hearing.

The complaint alleges that the defendants used internet websites and telemarketing to falsely claim that the defendants could improve consumers’ credit scores by removing all negative items from consumers’ credit reports. According to the complaint, the defendants also filed or caused to be filed fake identity theft reports with the FTC. The complaint further alleges that the defendants routinely took prohibited advanced fees for their credit repair services and did not make required disclosures regarding those services. Many consumers allegedly paid defendants a fee ranging from several hundred dollars to $1,500, but did not receive the higher credit scores defendants promised.

“Credit repair scams affect consumers who already are suffering from low credit scores,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will use all tools at its disposal to stop credit repair agencies from engaging in unlawful conduct targeting financially vulnerable consumers.”

“IdentityTheft.gov is a resource for consumers, not scammers,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Those who abuse this resource by filing fake reports can expect to hear from us.”

The government is represented in the civil matter by Trial Attorneys Marcus Smith and Amy Kaplan, Senior Trial Counsel Stephen Tosini, Senior Litigation Counsel Claude Scott, Assistant Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Kincheloe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. The FTC is represented by Gregory A. Ashe.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit its website at https://www.FTC.gov.  

McALLEN, Texas – A former McAllen youth league coach illegally residing in Pharr has been sent to federal prison for sexual exploitation of children, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Oscar Hinojosa pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Alvarez sentenced Hinojosa to 210 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including a victim letter detailing the impact this case on the minor child involved. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the soccer coach was in a position of trust which he abused by grooming the child as well as her mother. Hinojosa will 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. Hinojosa will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

From March 2020 through June 2021, Hinojosa communicated and cultivated a relationship with a 15-year-old minor.

Hinojosa was the victim’s soccer coach. Over time, Hinojosa told her he loved her and expressed his sexual desire for her. During their communications, Hinojosa instructed the minor victim to send a sexually-explicit photo of her genitalia in a specific pose. She ultimately did as requested on this occasion and others.

While communicating with this victim, Hinojosa also attempted to cultivate a similar relationship to another one of the minor females on his soccer team. While he was unsuccessful, he expressed his love for her as well.

Hinojosa is not a citizen of the United States and does not have legal status to reside here.  

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

Mission Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton T. Turner 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 – The owner and operator of The Tax Company in Corpus Christi is set to appear in federal court on charges of tax fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Berlinda Luikens is charged in a 41-count indictment returned March 9. She is set to appear for her arraignment today at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton.

The charges allege she submitted false Form 1040 tax returns by including fraudulent Schedule C and Schedule F items, including fictitious businesses. This resulted in higher tax refund amounts her clients were not entitled to receive, according to the charges.

Luikens allegedly caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue loss.

“IRS - Criminal Investigation (CI) takes the job of investigating criminal violations of our nation’s tax laws seriously because tax fraud steals from programs that help every American,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Rodrick Benton. “We will continue working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to help identify suspected tax criminals and protect taxpayers’ money.”

If convicted, Luikens faces up to three years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count of conviction.

IRS-CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck 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 – Five men have pleaded guilty and received significant sentences for their involvement in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.  

Ramon De La Cerda, 48, McAllen; Jose Rolando Gonzalez, 43, and Juan Alberto Mendez, 49, both of Mission; Salomon Robles, 35, San Juan; and Margil Reyna, 38, Toledo, Ohio, admitted their roles in the Tri City Bombers (TCB) racketeering conspiracy and were immediately sentenced.

Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake sentenced each man to 30 years in federal prison.

In handing down the sentences, Judge Lake found De La Cerda and Gonzalez to be ranking members of the TCB, while Reyna and Robles were members of the criminal organization. Mendez was a drug distributor for the Gulf Cartel and associate of the criminal enterprise.

“With the pleas today, these five people have admitted their involvement in a slew of senseless violent crimes, including murders committed in furtherance of the TCB criminal enterprise,” said Lowery. “We and our federal and state law enforcement partners will continue our unrelenting efforts to eradicate gang violence in the district and hold accountable all those who threaten the safety and well-being of our citizens.”

“Members of our Rio Grande Valley community deserve to live free of threats from criminal organizations,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson. “The FBI thanks our partners on the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for their collective efforts to keep members of this organization off the streets.”  

The court found Mendez hired De La Cerda, Gonzalez and Robles to kill on two occasions. The criminal enterprise kidnapped and murdered a man in McAllen and attempted to murder a woman in Mission. The woman was shot six times, but survived.

Gonzalez was also involved in the distribution of 27 kilograms of cocaine in October 2016 in Victoria.

In 2012, Reyna participated in an ongoing marijuana trafficking conspiracy and home invasion burglary that resulted in the death of the homeowner in Edinburg. The homeowner’s son was also shot, but survived.

The TCB is a national gang active in multiple states that was formed in the early 1980s in the Pharr, San Juan and Alamo areas of South Texas. The TCB have an organized decision-making hierarchy, including a person in charge of each city and leaders within the organization who determine whether its members violated the gang’s rule and deserved punishment. To instill loyalty, including participation in gang’s criminal activities and adherence to its strict rule structure, TCB leaders determine and order the severe beating of members and associates for acts of disobedience or non-observance of TCB rules.

The scope of the TCB’s crimes is wide-ranging and consistent in its nationwide operation. This RICO conspiracy includes murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, firearm crimes, money laundering and other crimes in furtherance of the organization’s enterprise. The TCB brought money into the gang through murders, drug trafficking, home invasion robberies and money laundering.

To date, 35 individuals have been convicted in the case.

All five men sentenced today have been in custody since their arrests and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI led the OCDETF investigation dubbed “Operation Bomb Disposal,” along with IRS-Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Weslaco and Pharr. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anibal J. Alaniz and Casey N. MacDonald prosecuted the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Brendan Woods and other members of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.  

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 62-year-old man pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle two Iranian citizens into the country, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Gholamreza Hosseinpour, Fairfax, Virginia, pleaded guilty to two counts of transporting illegal aliens within the United States.

As part of his plea, he admitted that on Dec. 19, 2021, he flew from his home state to Texas. He rented a vehicle in San Antonio and drove to McAllen to pick up two individuals that had crossed into the United States from Mexico. Hosseinpour then drove them north to the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Sarita.

There, law enforcement conducted an initial inspection, at which time the two individuals could not answer questions about their citizenship. Authorities ultimately determined each individual was from Iran and illegally present in the United States.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing June 9. At that time, Hosseinpour faces up to five years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Robinson and Molly Smith are prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – A 39-year-old man has been ordered to prison for illegally breaching federal security and gaining entry to the FBI building in Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Nestor Mariano Vidal Batista pleaded guilty Feb 24. 2022.

Today, U.S. Circuit Judge Gregg Costa, sitting by designation, ordered Vidal to serve 14 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Vidal is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Batista had previously been convicted of alien smuggling. In handing down the sentence, the court noted how his actions posed a risk to others.

On June 23, 2021, Batista stole a Dodge Ram 2500 pick-up truck shortly before attempting to lodge an in-person complaint at the FBI office in Houston. Upon his arrival, security referred him to local authorities. Batista then re-entered the truck, circled the area and tried to force entry. He sped forward and crashed the truck into the front security gates of the FBI building. Shortly thereafter, he was able to exit the truck and enter the visiting area in the lobby. Authorities then subdued him and took him into custody.

As a result of his actions, he caused $7,929.90 in damages.

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

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Porto prosecuted the case.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Two women have been sent to prison following their convictions of conspiracy and committing $1.2 million in food stamp fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Ana Rioja, 51, Brownsville, and Maria Consuelo de Ureno, a legal permanent resident of Brownsville, 55, pleaded guilty May 12, 2021, to conspiring to commit and committing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud.

Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. handed Rioja a 30-month term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. Ureno received 37 months followed by a three-year-term of supervised release. Ureno could also face loss of her legal status in the United States and removal proceedings following her release from prison. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Olvera ordered Rioja and Ureno to pay $975,401 and $1,284,282.15 in restitution, respectively.

Beginning in February 2016, the investigation revealed Ureno, Rioja and other co-conspirators exchanged SNAP benefits for cash by using a point of sale device at a local meat market Rioja owned. Additionally, authorities discovered Ureno and co-conspirators conducted fraudulent transactions at Sam’s Wholesale Club.

The investigation discovered 715 fraudulent transactions that were linked to 83 unique SNAP benefit recipients which conspirators redeemed for cash or food. Ureno’s fraudulent purchases totaled to approximately 49.1 tons of American cheese slices, 22.3 tons of pinto beans, 1.6 tons of Folgers coffee, 1.4 tons of instant mashed potatoes and over 5,000 gallons of mayonnaise which she would sell to a partner and transport to Mexico.

Between September 2014 and August 2019, both Rioja and Ureno conducted approximately $1.2 million in fraudulent transactions.

Ureno has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Rioja was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender at a date to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ana C. Cano and Jose A. Esquivel prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two Corpus Christi residents have been ordered to prison for their involvement in a drug conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Jesus Sustaita III, 26, pleaded guilty Nov. 23, 2021, while his sister - Anna Sustaita, 24, entered her plea Oct. 20, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales sentenced each to serve 135 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony about multiple shootings in which the siblings had previously been involved. The court also heard about other investigations in which they were believed to be selling narcotics over the past several years.

The investigation began back in July 2021 when authorities learned that Alec Garcia, a known felon, was in possession of firearms based on multiple social media posts. Further investigation revealed he and the Sustaitas were selling narcotics out of their residence.

Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence in Corpus Christi in August 2021. The home was located across the street from a local elementary school. At that time, law enforcement found over 50 grams of meth; nearly two kilograms of pills that had the appearance of candy and contained fentanyl, alprazolam and meth; LSD; approximately two kilograms of marijuana as well as numerous THC products, nine firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armor and U.S. currency. All of the firearms were unsecured, eight of which were loaded. 

At the time of the search, an 8-year-old was living in the home.

Garcia, 30, Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the conspiracy last month and is set to be sentenced later this year.

Jesus and Anna Sustaita 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.

HOUSTON – Four individuals have been sentenced for illegally purchasing weapons for others aka straw purchasing, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Maribel Santana-Cerano, 45, Ariceli Santana, 47, Carlos Joel Hernandez, 26, and Johnny Talavera, 28, all of Houston, pleaded guilty in 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes imposed the statutory maximum 120-month term of imprisonment for Santana-Cerano. Santana and Talavera received sentences of 12 months and a day, while Hernandez was ordered to serve six months. In imposing the sentence for Santana-Cerano, the court noted her role in the scheme, the number of firearms attributed to her and her knowledge of the trafficking scheme among other factors that warranted her maximum sentence. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Hughes noted the impact these firearms would have on American and Mexican lives. 

The investigation began July 31, 2018. At that time, Santana-Cerano was a passenger on a bus headed to Mexico. Authorities conducted an X-ray inspection which revealed 34 pistols and 31 magazines inside black luggage. Santana-Cerano denied the luggage was hers but displayed suspicious behavior.  

Upon further investigation, law enforcement was able to trace firearms purchases from various federally-licensed firearms dealers to Santana-Cerano, Santana, Hernandez and Talavera. Authorities also retrieved falsely represented ATF 4473 forms that each had completed. The documents claimed they were the purchasers of the firearms when, in fact, they were not.  

Upon her to return to the United States and arrest, Santana-Cerano admitted to straw purchasing firearms for an individual residing in Mexico. She would then store and accumulate the firearms at her residence before their transport into Mexico. She also reported that her sister, Santana, purchased more firearms for her. Santana stated each individual was given money and directed to purchase specific firearms.

The group was ultimately held responsible for the illegal purchase of 82 firearms that were destined for Mexico. 

Straw purchasing occurs when someone professes to be purchasing a firearm for themselves, when in actuality, they provide it to someone else, usually not legally able to do it themselves.

Santana-Cerano was taken into custody at the conclusion of her sentencing hearing, while the others were permitted to remain on bond pending dates to surrender in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 43-year-old Falfurrias resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of transporting illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Pedro Galindo pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton handed Galindo a sentence of 41 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court noted he had prior convictions for burglary, robbery and conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens. 

On Sep. 3, 2021, Galindo was driving a black Chevrolet Impala Northbound on U.S. Highway 281 near San Manuel. During that time, law enforcement observed a low-riding vehicle that appeared to contain more occupants than its seating capacity allowed.

When a registration check on the vehicle returned with no record on file, law enforcement attempted to pull the vehicle over for further inspection. Galindo failed to yield and drove north at an accelerated speed before eventually losing control. At that time, he allowed eight passengers to exit the vehicle. Authorities determined all passengers were illegally present in the United States.

After speeding through the Falfurrias checkpoint, Galindo continued to flee in his vehicle at nearly 148 miles per hour. A vehicle immobilization device brought the car to a halt where officers were able to arrest Galindo. 

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

Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 36-year-old man has been charged with bulk cash smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Modesto Zepeda for smuggling $30,025 into the United States from Mexico.

Originally charged by criminal complaint, he made his first appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos Feb. 16. He is expected to appear for his initial appearance on the indictment in the near future.

On Feb. 14, Zepeda attempted to enter United States through the Gateway to the Americas Port of Entry in Laredo as a pedestrian, according to the charges. There, he allegedly gave a negative declaration for possessing currency over $10,000.

The charges allege law enforcement searched him and found a total of $30,025 hidden inside his wallet, pants pocket and underwear.

If convicted, Zepeda faces up to five years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac 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 31-year-old Phoenix, Arizona, man has admitted he attempted to bring $242,325 worth of narcotics into the country via a Laredo-area port of entry, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Jose Correjudo-Trinidad, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 53.5 kilograms of meth.

As part of his plea, Correjudo-Trinidad admitted that on Dec. 15, 2021, he attempted to drive a vehicle through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located on Texas State Highway 16 near Hebbronville. At that time, authorities searched inside his trunk and found a large speaker box, which Correjudo-Trinidad admitted did not work. Further inspection yielded approximately 14.7 kilograms of crystal meth, 39.15 kilograms of liquid meth and nearly 300 rounds of ammunition.

Correjudo-Trinidad admitted he had been recruited to transport the drugs from McAllen to Dallas in exchange for $12,000. He purchased the ammunition for himself and planned on smuggling it to Mexico.

The combined meth had a total weight of 53.5 kilograms with an approximate value of $242,325.

Sentencing will be set for a later date before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. At that time, Correjudo-Trinidad faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A 52-year-old legal permanent resident of North Carolina has been charged with human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Today, a federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment against Aurelio Barajas-Pulido. He was originally charged by criminal complaint. He is expected to appear for his arraignment in the near future before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga.

The complaint alleges that on Feb. 8, Barajas-Pulido attempted to drive a tractor trailer through the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint in Laredo. Upon arrival, he allegedly displayed suspicious behavior. A K-9 then alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans, according to the charges.

Upon further inspection, law enforcement discovered 80 undocumented citizens in the trailer including three unaccompanied minors, one of whom was pregnant, according to the charges. All were allegedly determined to be in the United States illegally.

If convicted, Barajas-Pulido faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He could also lose his status to reside in the United States.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac 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 41-year-old Laredo resident has entered a guilty plea for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Simon Medina III was a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Today, he admitted he helped others illegally bring commercial goods into the United States from Mexico.

Medina admitted that between May 25 and Aug. 6, 2020, he allowed several individuals to enter the United States with contraband in their vehicles on approximately 20 occasions. Although not assigned to the entry lanes at the Laredo Port of Entry, Medina would open a lane and allow his co-conspirators to pass through without inspecting their cargo. Medina also accepted gratuities from his partners.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing June 1, at which time Medina faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Medina was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The Department of Homeland Security - Office of Professional Responsibility and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON – “In case you missed it,” one of the largest-scale drug enforcement operations, a life sentence for a child exploitation predator and an extradited Clan Del Golfo associate who was sent to U.S. prison are just a few of the notable matters the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced this week. 

Some of the other criminal matters involved firearms, kidnapping, stalking, child pornography, bulk cash smuggling, public corruption, escape, tax fraud, immigration and several instances of meth smuggling.

“These criminal cases are just a small sample of what we do each and every day,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. “Through the pandemic or any other personal or professional challenge, the dedicated workers of the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) are hard at work every day alongside our partners in law enforcement to ensure our streets are safer and those that commit federal crimes answer for their actions. We hope the messages we send not only inform the public of our mission, but serve as a deterrent to those that even think about violating federal law.”

Also announced this week was the cooperative and collaborative effort with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). “This is not an investigation into the rodeo,” said Lowery. “In fact, HLSR has been very receptive and helpful. They want the NRG grounds and facilities to be accessible and are very willing to work with us throughout this review process.”

ICYMI:

Houston - Dozens arrested in 105-count narcotics indictment

Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi man gets life for exploiting Filipino children

Houston - Clan Del Golfo associate ordered to prison for international cocaine distribution

Brownsville – Young man pleads guilty after crashing into patrol unit

Victoria – South Texas woman convicted for arranging smuggling attempt that led to death

Laredo - Texan admits guilt to multiple charges under Project Safe Childhood

Corpus Christi - Prisoner pleads guilty to escaping from halfway house

McAllen – La Joya trustee convicted of extortion

Houston - Tax preparer sent to prison for tax fraud…again

Corpus Christi - Foreign citizen imprisoned on weapon charge

Galveston - Out of state man indicted for stalking local victim

Laredo - Kidnappers admit to holding four migrants hostage at gunpoint

Corpus Christi - Felon sentenced for trafficking meth

Galveston - Santa Fe resident sentenced for receiving child pornography via Kik

Laredo - Driver convicted of transporting kilos of drugs

Corpus Christi -Un“lucky” fugitive pleads guilty to double firearms charges

Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi man gets life for exploiting Filipino children

McAllen - Million dollar smuggler sent to prison

Corpus Christi - Meth dealer heads to prison

Corpus Christi - South Texas woman admits to trafficking over $2 million in meth

Civil Houston - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to undergo ADA compliance review

The SDTX handles criminal, civil and appellate matters and typically prosecutes more cases against more defendants than most other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide. The district represents 43 counties and more than nine million people and covers 44,000 square miles. It comprises seven divisions with federal district courts in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo. The SDTX, headquartered in Houston, has offices in all seven divisions. The cases announced this week cover all of those areas.