Western District of Texas

DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 324 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On March 2, 2021, Caleb Eduardo Gomez-Sanchez, 35, attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico via the Eagle Pass port of entry. Initially, Gomez-Sanchez followed directions and exited the vehicle for a secondary inspection, but when he was asked to remove his jacket to check his pockets, Gomez-Sanchez jumped back into the car and drove into oncoming traffic, attempting to flee back to Mexico.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers reacted by positioning their vehicle to block Gomez-Sanchez from fleeing further. Gomez-Sanchez rammed his vehicle into the parked CBP unit while two officers were still seated inside the vehicle. Both officers sustained injuries during the collision. Gomez-Sanchez eventually crashed into a concrete barrier at the Mexican port of entry on the other side of the bridge. Mexican authorities immediately returned Gomez-Sanchez to U.S. authorities.

CBPOs discovered a sock in Gomez-Sanchez’s coat pocket containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Analysis of the suspected methamphetamine identified the substance as methamphetamine hydrochloride, with a total weight of 64.48 grams and a purity level of approximately 99%.

On Sept. 13, 2021, Gomez-Sanchez pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

“The federal agents along our southern border risk their lives on a daily basis to limit the infiltration of drugs, weapons, and the illegal entry of undocumented noncitizens into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the diligence of our CBP Officers at Eagle Pass for their efforts in this case, along with the Mexican law enforcement officers for their assistance in returning this defendant to U.S. custody for prosecution.”

"Actions that threaten the safety and well-being of law enforcement, and the general public are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee for Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio. “HSI in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will prioritize the investigation and prosecution of any individual who chooses to harm the public and officers at the Port of Entry.”

HSI and CBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Garner prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment charging an El Paso man with 10 counts related to the alleged operation of a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.

According to court documents, Timothy France Johnson, 61, through his businesses, BOLO Entertainment LLC, BOLO Sports LLC and Shoot N’2 Sports LLC, allegedly defrauded more than thirty investors by fraudulently representing that their investments would be used to promote pre-season NBA games. The indictment alleges that Johnson held himself out as a third-party promoter of NBA pre-season games and convinced unwary investors to invest money with him to sponsor said pre-season games.

The indictment alleges Johnson collected more than $3 million in investor funds, using approximately $1 million of the deposited investment funds to pay fake investment profits to other clients and using the remainder of the investment funds for personal use. He’s alleged to have never disclosed the misappropriation or the extent of the losses of the investors’ funds.

Johnson is charged with seven counts of wire fraud and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The defendant made his initial court appearance on April 9 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Castaneda of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the seven wire fraud charges and up to 10 years in prison for each of the three money laundering charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Romero and Micaela Glass are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Uvalde man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 151 months in prison for distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents, Marco Jesus Perales, 27, distributed approximately 138 videos depicting child sexual abuse material between June 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. In February 2020, Homeland Security Investigations in Eagle Pass received a report from a messaging application regarding the transmission of child pornography.

The report indicated that Perales sent three hyperlinks to multiple users within a group chat on Sept. 9, 2019. Analysis of the recovered hyperlinks revealed that they contained child pornography. One of the recovered hyperlinks distributed by Perales contained a folder with 62 videos visually depicting male and female minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In approximately 60 of the videos, the minors are clearly and obviously prepubescent. The other recovered hyperlink distributed by Perales contained a folder titled "Good Stuff,” which contained 76 additional videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Perales was arrested June 30, 2020 and pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography on June 24, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

HSI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A La Vernia man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 300 months in prison after being found guilty by a jury of four counts of receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, Jacob Wayne Peek, 44, was arrested by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office in October 2021 for charges related to aggravated sexual assault of a child. At the time of his arrest, Peek’s cell phone and an associated SIM card were collected as evidence and originally reviewed pursuant to a state search warrant. Through the forensic image review of the phone, investigators found a large amount of child sexual abuse material and contacted FBI San Antonio for investigative assistance.

In January 2022, a federal search warrant was obtained and executed for the devices collected from Peek. Within one folder, approximately 16,000 image files were located, 793 of which were determined to be child sexual abuse material. Peek was transferred to federal custody March 7, 2022 and was convicted on all four counts in a jury trial, August 2022.

“Peek possessed a shocking number of images of children enduring sexual abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “By receiving and viewing the images he compounded the harm inflicted on those children by the predators who perpetrated and recorded the dreadful acts against them. I am grateful that the court imposed a 25-year sentence of imprisonment for these unconscionable offenses.”

“Thanks to a young victim who had the courage to report abuse to trusted adults – and the subsequent actions of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office – Jacob Peek will no longer be able to victimize children and will spend years in prison,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank our partners at the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case and their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe from child predators.”

The FBI and Wilson County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Thompson and Bettina Richardson prosecuted the case.

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

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MIDLAND, Texas – An Odessa man was sentenced in a federal court in Midland to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in the death of a local minor.

According to court documents, law enforcement and medical personnel responded to an Odessa residence for a suspected drug overdose on Oct. 2, 2023. The 16-year-old male victim was found nonresponsive and was transported to the hospital where he later died. Forensic pathologist reports and the medical examiner confirmed fentanyl as the cause of death.

An investigation revealed that Nathaniel Martinez, 18, sold fentanyl pills to the juvenile the night before.

Codefendant Jae Lynn Esparza aka Nova, 22, also of Odessa was identified as the supplier of the pills. Esparza was sentenced on March 7 to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the fentanyl conspiracy causing death.

“The substantial sentences handed down in this case reflect the gravity of it, but the punishment cannot bring back the child who died,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This death of a child is a recurring nightmare for far too many parents and families across this country who are losing loved ones to fentanyl. We will continue to vigorously pursue and prosecute the suppliers and dealers of this deadly drug.”

The Odessa Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Mahoney prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – An Odessa man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to three counts of cyberstalking. Investigating agencies are seeking help from anyone who may have been victimized by Hugo Iram Cardona Jr., 21.

According to court documents, Cardona used a two-factor authentication (2FA) scheme to gain access to various young females’ Snapchat accounts to steal their intimate photographs and videos. Cardona then contacted the females using numerous social media accounts on interactive computer services, such as Instagram and Snapchat, and demanded that they “apologize,” or he would publicly release the content. In most cases, Cardona would also demand his victims video chat with him while engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed at least 15 victims located in El Paso, Colorado and Arizona. The investigation determined the victims were initially contacted by Cardona from Instagram accounts “idkprii85,” “designoiram,” “juniorrriram,” “urfavpapi,” “urdvddyjunie” and “juniorrhernandez” as well as Snapchat accounts “juniepri,” “asap_juniorrr” and “juniorrriram.” Victims were also contacted from multiple TextNow numbers. The Instagram accounts, Snapchat accounts and TextNow numbers were all determined to be registered to Cardona. Cardona’s offenses occurred from on or about Aug. 15, 2020 through on or about June 1, 2023.

If you have had or know anyone who has had contact with Cardona Jr. or any of the above-listed usernames while using Snapchat, Instagram or TextNow between 2020 and 2023, please complete this victim questionnaire.

The FBI/HSI are legally mandated to identify victims of crime in federal investigations. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and other rights under federal and/or state law. Your responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify you as a potential victim. Based on the responses provided, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information. Victim identities are private, and case-related information is confidential.

Cardona is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3 and faces up to 10 years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric McLoughlin for the HSI El Paso Division made the announcement.

The FBI, HSI, El Paso Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Romero and Nallely Barbosa are prosecuting the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – An Austin man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 192 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in death and 120 months for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The two sentences will run concurrently.

According to court documents, on April 24, 2022, Joseph Alex Hernandez, 27, sped away from and attempted to evade Medina County Sheriff’s deputies for approximately seven minutes after they attempted a traffic stop. Hernandez reached speeds between 90 and 100 mph along the highway and access road, crossing the steep grassy median several times, and running a red traffic light. A rear tire on his vehicle eventually gave out, and Hernandez lost control, resulting in the vehicle crashing after flipping multiple times in the grassy median.

Hernandez had been transporting 13 undocumented noncitizens during the chase, including eight who were laying down in the covered truck bed. Three of the passengers were airlifted from the scene and the rest were transported via ambulance to local hospitals. While providing medical treatment, Emergency Medical Services personnel discovered that Hernandez was carrying a loaded pistol. Several days later, two of the smuggled migrants died in the hospital from their injuries.

Hernandez was charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death, transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death, and being felon in possession. He pleaded guilty Oct. 23, 2023 to the conspiracy and firearm charges.

“This case is another unfortunate and tragic example of how dangerous smuggling humans across the border has become,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The defendant in this case put thirteen lives at risk in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Sadly, his actions led to two of those individuals paying the ultimate price.”

“This sentencing highlights HSI’s commitment to use every tool in our arsenal to investigate and dismantle transnational criminal organizations involved with human smuggling,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “This case shows the lack of regard these organizations have for the people they have been paid to smuggle.  There will be no safe haven in our communities for criminals who seek to evade our nation's laws and whose greed results in tragedy.”

HSI and the Medina County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Brown prosecuted the case.

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Oncology San Antonio, PA and its affiliated physicians have agreed to pay $1.3 million, and CorePath Laboratories, PA has agreed to pay $2,746,275.22 plus accrued interest, in civil settlements with the United States and the State of Texas to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

The United States alleged that Oncology San Antonio, a hematology and oncology practice, entered an unlawful kickback arrangement with CorePath Laboratories, a San Antonio-based diagnostic reference laboratory, in August 2016. CorePath Laboratories provided in-office bone marrow biopsy services at Oncology San Antonio practice locations and performed subsequent diagnostic testing on the biopsies. According to the United States, CorePath Laboratories agreed to pay $115 for each biopsy referred by Oncology San Antonio and its physicians. The payments for each referred biopsy were paid to the private practice entities of three Oncology San Antonio physicians.

The United States contended that the payments for referrals of biopsies constituted kickbacks within the meaning of the Anti-Kickback Statute and that the terms of the written agreement between Oncology San Antonio and CorePath Laboratories failed to meet any statutory safe harbor. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by a federal health care program, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. Claims submitted in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute may give rise to liability under the False Claims Act.

The civil settlement with Oncology San Antonio and its physicians also resolves allegations that Dr. Jayasree Rao, through Oncology San Antonio and her own oncology and hematology practice entity, provided medically unnecessary tests, services, and treatments to Medicare, TRICARE, and Texas Medicaid beneficiaries in the San Antonio Metro Area, and billed the federal healthcare programs for the medically unnecessary tests, services and treatments.

“Illegal financial incentives to physicians undermine the integrity of our healthcare system and impair the objective judgment of the community’s healthcare professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “These settlements demonstrate my office’s commitment to protect federal healthcare programs against such violations, as well as other efforts to defraud these programs.”

Dr. Rao and her practice entity also entered a three-year Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). 

“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute involving oncology services can waste scarce federal health care program funds and corrupt the medical decision-making process,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "Individuals who participate in the federal health care system are required to obey laws meant to preserve both the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients."

“The TRICARE Program is vital to the health and well-being of our warfighters, retirees, and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Shilling of the Southwest Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General. “Today's settlement announcement highlights the steadfast commitment of DCIS and our investigative partners to holding accountable those who seek to enrich themselves by jeopardizing the healthcare of TRICARE beneficiaries and defrauding American taxpayers.”

The civil settlement with Oncology San Antonio and its physicians also resolves claims brought under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act by Dr. Slavisa Gasic, a physician formerly employed by Dr. Rao.  The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act permit private parties to file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a share of any recovery.  The qui tam case is captioned Unites States and Texas. ex rel. Gasic v. Oncology San Antonio, P.A., and Jayasree N. Rao, M.D., No. SA-16-CV-001140-XR (W.D. Tex.). 

This matter was investigated through the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas; the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services San Antonio Field Office; the Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service San Antonio Resident Agency; and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas Civil Medicaid Fraud Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Van De Walle negotiated the settlements on behalf of the government.

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

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

SAN ANTONIO – A Houston man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children.

According to court documents, Xzavier Martin-Mari Drescher, 32, revealed his sexual interest in minor females through online conversations with FBI covert employees beginning in May 2022. During one of the conversations, Drescher sent the FBI employee 11 videos of himself in a room with a clothed prepubescent female. Drescher also admitted that he had gone “hands on” with the girl within the past 24 hours.

FBI agents located Drescher in Houston and confirmed he had used his phone to produce multiple videos depicting sexual acts with a prepubescent minor on or about July 9, 2022. Additionally, Drescher’s phone contained other child sexual abuse material that he had received via the Internet.

Drescher was arrested July 15, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty Oct. 18, 2023 to one count of sexual exploitation of children, a charge which carries a penalty of 15 to 30 years in federal prison. In addition to the imposed 30-year imprisonment, Drescher was ordered to pay $50,000 restitution to the victim.

“This defendant preyed on a young child by producing sexual abuse material, then sent it into the stream of commerce, using the illicit images for sexual gratification.,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The 30-year sentence imposed by the court appropriately reflects the immense harm and long-term trauma inflicted on children who are sexually exploited by predators.”

“Xzavier Martin-Mari Drescher victimized innocent children,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “Those who exploit and abuse these most vulnerable among us are a danger to society. The FBI is committed to putting them behind bars where they can no longer cause harm.”

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.

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

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Five individuals were arrested in Laredo, Hebbronville, and Falls City, Texas, last week for allegedly trafficking military grade firearms to a drug cartel in Mexico.

According to court documents, Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr., also known as Jerry, 23, of Laredo, allegedly coordinated the acquisition of more than 100 firearms throughout Texas to be smuggled across the international border and delivered to a drug trafficking cartel in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Perez’s organization allegedly used straw purchasers, including co-defendants Francisco Alejandro Benavides, also known as Frankie, 23, and Mark Anthony Trevino Jr., 24, to procure the firearms from a variety of sources in the Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas. Court documents allege that the organization would acquire guns from unlicensed dealers of firearms, or from federal firearm licensees, where straw purchasers would make false representations to secure the firearms.

“Stopping the trafficking of high-caliber and military grade firearms to Mexico is a top priority for the Justice Department — and especially the ATF and HSI agents and Department prosecutors that lead Operation Southbound,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Working with our Mexican partners, we will disrupt and dismantle the drug cartels responsible for so much destruction in both nations, and as demonstrated by these charges, we will bring to justice the alleged firearms traffickers who would arm those cartels.”

“Preventing firearms from getting into the black market is one of ATF’s top priorities,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “When guns are diverted to unlawful markets in Mexico, they are often going to arm dangerous drug cartels. ATF will continue to work with all our partners, like those at HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to bring important cases like this and hold gun traffickers accountable.”

“The successful outcome of these arrests is a direct result of the steadfast efforts of HSI and our federal partner to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of transnational criminal organizations that pose a threat to public safety both here and abroad,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “These arrests send a strong message to weapons traffickers that law enforcement will work aggressively with our federal law enforcement partners to combat this egregious and dangerous criminal activity.”

Luis Matias Leal also known as Wicho, Poncho, and El Tio, 30, allegedly provided cash and instructions to facilitate the conspiracy, while Antonio Osiel Casarez, 26, would smuggle the firearms into Mexico and return to the United States with bulk cash.

The high-powered firearms allegedly acquired by Perez’s organization included FNH SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, FNH M294S rifles, and M1919 rifles.

Perez, Casarez, Leal, Benavides, and Trevino were all named in a superseding indictment filed March 6. They were arrested March 20. 

The five new defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

Perez, Casarez, Leal, and Benavides are further charged with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Perez faces two additional firearms trafficking charges. Leal, Benavides, and Trevino are also charged with falsifying information when buying a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and an additional count of straw purchasing. All of the charges also carry a fine up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Co-defendants Jose Emigdio Q. Mendoza, Gerardo Antonio Ibarra Jr., and Gerardo Corona Jr. were initially named in an earlier indictment. Mendoza was allegedly engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license, selling military-grade weapons to members of the Perez conspiracy. Ibarra and Corona were allegedly straw purchasers for the organization.

Several of the defendants are alleged to have contacted Mendoza to purchase the firearms, including SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, and M249 rifles. Mendoza is alleged to have sold at least 22 such firearms to his co-conspirators from December 2022 to March 2023 and received approximately $169,900.00, at a markup from the retail price of the guns so he could derive a profit for himself.

Mendoza was arrested in San Antonio on March 11, 2023. Ibarra and Corona were arrested in September and October 2023, respectively.

Deputy Attorney General Monaco, ATF Director Dettelbach, HSI Executive Director Berger, and U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

ATF and HSI are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve for the Western District of Texas is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

SAN ANTONIO – Five individuals were arrested in Laredo, Hebbronville and Falls City Wednesday for allegedly trafficking military grade firearms to a drug cartel in Mexico.

According to court documents, Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr. aka “Jerry,” 23, of Laredo, allegedly coordinated the acquisition of more than 100 firearms throughout Texas to be smuggled across the international border and delivered to a drug trafficking cartel in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Perez’s organization allegedly used straw purchasers, including co-defendants Francisco Alejandro Benavides aka “Frankie,” 23, and Mark Anthony Trevino Jr., 24, to procure the firearms from a variety of sources in the Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas. Court documents allege that the organization would acquire guns from unlicensed dealers of firearms, or from federal firearm licensees, where straw purchasers would make false representations to secure the firearms.

Luis Matias Leal aka “Wicho” aka “Poncho” aka “El Tio,” 30, is alleged to have provided cash and instructions to facilitate the conspiracy, while Antonio Osiel Casarez, 26, would smuggle the firearms into Mexico and return to the United States with bulk cash.

The high-powered firearms allegedly acquired by Perez’s organization included FNH SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, FNH M294S rifles, and M1919 rifles.

Perez, Casarez, Leal, Benavides, and Trevino were all named in a superseding indictment filed March 6. They were arrested March 20.  

The five new defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms with a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.

Perez, Casarez, Leal, and Benavides are further charged with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States for up to five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for up to 20 years imprisonment. Perez faces two additional firearms trafficking charges. Leal, Benavides, and Trevino are also charged with falsifying information when buying a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment; and an additional count of straw purchasing. All of the charges also carry a fine up to $250,000.

Co-defendants Jose Emigdio Q. Mendoza, Gerardo Antonio Ibarra Jr. and Gerardo Corona, Jr. were initially named in an earlier indictment. Mendoza was allegedly engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license, selling military-grade weapons to members of the Perez conspiracy. Ibarra and Corona were allegedly straw purchasers for the organization.

Several of the defendants are alleged to have contacted Mendoza to purchase the firearms, including SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, and M249 rifles. Mendoza is alleged to have sold at least 22 such firearms to his co-conspirators from December 2022 to March 2023 and received approximately $169,900.00, at a markup from the retail price of the guns so he could derive a profit for himself.

Mendoza was arrested in San Antonio on March 11, 2023. Ibarra and Corona were arrested in September and October 2023.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WACO, Texas – Shrieve Chemical Company, LLC, a Drug Enforcement Administration-registered importer and distributor of listed chemicals, has agreed to pay $300,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.

In December 2022, DEA diversion investigators conducted an on-site inspection of a Shrieve Chemical facility in Marlin, Texas. Following the inspection, investigators alleged that Shrieve Chemical violated certain regulatory recordkeeping requirements relating to the importation and distribution of listed chemicals; manufactured gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a List I chemical, by repackaging and relabeling, without registering as a manufacturer; and made a drop shipment of GBL to a customer without first importing the chemical to Shrieve Chemical’s registered location.

Listed chemicals are chemicals designated by the DEA that, in addition to legitimate uses, can be used in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances. List I chemicals are mostly precursor chemicals that serve as key ingredients used to produce controlled substances. List II chemicals are mostly reagents or solvents.

“Companies must be vigilant in following rules meant to ensure that precursor chemicals do not fall into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office will continue to investigate and pursue alleged violations involving listed chemicals, even absent evidence of diversion or misuse, to protect the community.”

“The accountability of these chemicals is instrumental in ensuring the safety of our citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux for the DEA Houston Division. “Too often these chemicals are used for the purpose of manufacturing harmful illegal drugs that end up in our communities and neighborhoods.”

DEA’s San Antonio District Office Diversion Control Unit led the investigation of this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Parnham and Erin Van De Walle negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 300 months in prison for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, Stephen Aaron Potts, 35, used Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing software to distribute 194 files, representing 2.63 TBs of materials, containing CSAM to an undercover law enforcement computer between Nov. 17, 2021, and Jan. 19, 2022.

On May 4, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a federal search warrant at Potts’ residence, seizing numerous electronic devices, including 22 external hard drives, two computers, one laptop, four flash drives, three smartphones, and five micro-SD cards. Forensic analysis of one 2.5 TB device contained 9,085 video files and 31,861 image files of CSAM.

Potts was arrested May 4, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2022 to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. In an interview with federal agents, Potts stated that he would leave his computer on and enable the P2P software to download CSAM 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

“Crimes involving the possession of child pornography, or child sexual abuse material, are never victimless,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By constantly downloading and sharing child sexual abuse material, this defendant inflicted immense damage on many vulnerable children. Thanks to our partners at HSI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, we have put an end to this predator’s heinous acts and, hopefully, given those victims some of the relief they are due.”

“Today’s sentence serves as a reminder to all predators. We will not allow crimes against children to go unpunished,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alejandro M. Amaro for HSI San Antonio. “While this significant sentence cannot repair the damage done to the children exploited by these images, it is a warning to those who engage in this behavior: HSI and our law enforcement partners will be relentless in our pursuit of online predators.”

HSI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson prosecuted the case.

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

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Brownwood man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 420 months in prison for conspiring to import and possess methamphetamine for a drug trafficking organization.

According to court documents, Jacob Andrew Mendoza, 37, of Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico was held accountable for supplying multiple illicit drugs to be smuggled into the U.S., including 56.8 kilograms of methamphetamine along with heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and “Ice” with a purity level of 99%.  

Mendoza was indicted in December 2020 for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine. He was taken into federal custody May 26, 2021 in San Angelo and pleaded guilty to both charges of the indictment on Oct. 17, 2022.

“Mendoza was a career offender and the leader of a Mexican drug trafficking organization that set out to profit from trafficking their drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our partners at Homeland Security Investigations, federal law enforcement has dismantled another DTO and aggressively prosecuted many of its members.”

“This lengthy sentence highlights the success of HSI’s collaborative efforts in combating drug trafficking along the southern border,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “HSI is committed to holding those accountable who recklessly push this poison into our communities.”

HSI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming and Larry Fadler prosecuted the case.

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Jonestown man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 30 months in prison for possessing an unregistered destructive device, namely a pipe bomb, that detonated in a hospital parking garage.

According to court documents, Raymond Luke Garner, 39, parked his pickup truck in a parking garage at St. David’s Hospital in Austin on Aug. 9, 2023. A short time later, there was an explosion in the back of Garner’s truck. Investigators found the remains of a pipe bomb near the truck. They also found a quantity of a homemade high explosive, circuit boards/timers, electric matches, and other items.

While detained by police, Garner contacted another individual to ask that person to move a box out of Garner’s home. That box was later found to contain, among other things, a quantity of the high explosive, precursor chemicals, and electric matches. Searches at other locations revealed a recipe for the high explosive, remote control devices, and other components for destructive devices.

Garner pleaded guilty on Oct. 2, 2023.

“The law prohibits the possession of unregistered homemade pipe bombs for a good reason: they put the community at serious risk,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the collaboration of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in this investigation. Rest assured my office will hold accountable individuals who build and possess these devices in violation of the law.”

“Improvised explosive devices are illegal and extremely dangerous,” said Special Agent in Charge Mike Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “ATF is committed to investigating and holding accountable the persons responsible for explosives accidents involving the manufacture of illegal explosive devices which can result in serious injury, death, and extensive damage to property. This incident serves as a prime example of the successful collaboration between all our law enforcement partners.”

“Garner’s use of unregistered and unstable explosive material jeopardized the safety of individuals who may have been near his vehicle,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We are grateful to our partners at the ATF, members of our Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Austin and Cedar Park Police Departments, for their vigilant work to keep our communities safe."

The ATF and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation with valuable assistance from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Cedar Park Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan prosecuted the case.

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DEL RIO, Texas – Four family members were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to federal prison for their roles in operating an extensive human smuggling organization (HSO).

According to court documents, Eva Maria Galeas, 43, of San Antonio; Lisa Marie Ortega, 25, of San Antonio; and Sandra Galeas-Mejia, 48, of Mexico, and Norma Galeas-Mejia, 52, of Honduras, were identified as co-conspirators of Roberto Galeas-Mejia, 47, of Honduras.

Roberto, who is the husband to Eva, stepfather to Lisa Ortega and brother of the other two defendants, led a San Antonio-based HSO, overseeing activities that included the transportation and harboring of undocumented noncitizens and the coordination of payments.

Eva, Lisa, Sandra and Norma played roles accepting and withdrawing human smuggling proceeds. Funds were funneled through the conspirators’ bank accounts and used to pay load drivers and stash house operators, to rent stash houses and to further aid the HSO. Funds were also used for personal expenses such as vehicle purchases. Over the course of the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations thwarted multiple smuggling loads and arrested numerous co-conspirators and undocumented noncitizens.

Eva Maria Galeas and Sandra Galeas-Mejia were arrested in San Antonio on June 11, 2019, along with Lisa Marie Ortega. Norma Galeas-Mejia was arrested June 17, 2019 in Houston. On July 27, 2022, a federal jury found Roberto Galeas-Mejia, Eva Maria Galeas and Lisa Marie Ortega guilty of all three counts of a superseding indictment: conspiracy to transport illegal migrants, conspiracy to harbor illegal migrants, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Sandra Galeas-Mejia and Norma Galeas-Mejia both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.

Eva Maria Galeas was sentenced to 180 months in prison and Lisa Marie Ortega was sentenced to 156 months in prison. Sandra Galeas-Mejia was sentenced to 84 months in prison, and Norma Galeas-Mejia was sentenced to 78 months. Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses also ordered the forfeiture of $603,593.00 in U.S. currency, which was discovered in a safe during the home search of Roberto Galeas-Mejia, Eva Maria Galeas, and Lisa Marie Ortega. Additionally, Eva Galeas and Lisa Ortega were assessed money judgements in the amounts of $97,668 and $21,388, respectively.

Roberto Galeas-Mejia remains in federal custody while he awaits his sentence hearing.

“These defendants, along with Roberto Galeas-Mejia, built a family enterprise through human smuggling operations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our federal partners at HSI and Border Patrol, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the Galeas human smuggling business ultimately failed. All five members of the family will serve extensive federal prison sentences, joining many of their co-conspirators after several years of apprehensions and disruption to their efforts.”

“This sentencing is a great example of how HSI uses its agency partnerships to bring criminals to justice in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “The defendants in this case put our national security at risk by illegally bringing people to the U.S. without any inspection. HSI is committed to combatting this type of crime throughout the border.”

HSI investigated the case with valuable assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, Maverick County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Pass Police Department, Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Holly Pavlinski, Antonio Franco and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.

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PECOS – Victor Alfonso Magana-Ahumada, 37, from Denison, Iowa was sentenced in federal court in Pecos this week to 46 months in prison for attempting to illegally cause guns to be smuggled from the U.S. to Mexico.

According to court documents, Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Presidio Port of Entry referred a Ford 450 travelling towards Mexico, to secondary inspection.  The truck was pulling a trailer filled with packages destined for Mexico.  The packages were part of a shipment being transported by a transnational shipping company.  During the inspection, officers found six pistols, pistol magazines, one semi-automatic rifle and rifle magazines concealed in packages amongst the cargo.

Further investigation by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed Magana arranged with the transnational shipping company for the transport of the packages that contained the concealed firearms to Mexico.  Investigation also revealed Magana had purchased two of the firearms found secreted in the shipment packages.

On November 29, 2023, Magana pleaded guilty to one count of smuggling goods from the United States.  Magana has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 28, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and HSI Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, El Paso Division, made the announcement.

HSI, with assistance from HSI–Sioux City Division and Spencer, Iowa Police Department, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.

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ALPINE, Texas – A Marfa man was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 97 months in prison for one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.

According to court documents, FBI agents executed a search warrant and discovered Patricio Javier Serrano, 36, was in possession of multiple photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse material stored on his cell phone and in his phone’s web browser. Serrano, who had been a volunteer youth softball coach, was arrested May 11, 2023 and has since remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty to both charges in the indictment without a written plea agreement in October.

U.S. District Judge David Counts sentenced Serrano to 37 months in prison for the possession charge and 60 months for the transportation charge. Serrano will serve both sentences consecutively.

“This case demonstrates that predators cannot transmit or receive child sexual abuse material and hide behind their screens without risk of prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their collaboration to help make this community and our children safer.”

“It’s unsettling when you learn that someone working so closely with our children and in our communities can possess such predatory tendencies,” said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge. “The FBI special agents in the Alpine Resident Agency, along with our Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Marfa Police Department make it a top priority to protect children from victimization by working to investigate predators involved with the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material and ensure they are held accountable for their heinous actions. FBI will continue to dedicate our resources to identify these individuals and bring them to justice.”

The FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and Marfa Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum and Kevin Cayton prosecuted the case.

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

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ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in Pecos to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Sandra Araceli Diaz Vazquez, 37, of Chihuahua, Mexico, was suspected of delivering narcotics within the U.S. On Dec. 5, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop along Interstate 20 near Colorado City after observing Diaz Vazquez commit two moving violations. Diaz Vazquez consented to a vehicle search, which resulted in the discovery of approximately 20.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 5.6 kilograms of fentanyl concealed within the fuel tank.

Diaz Vazquez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29 and faces 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

HSI and the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum is prosecuting the case.

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ALPINE, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 135 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, U.S. Border Patrol agents inspected a vehicle driven by Jorge Alberto Garcia-Gamez, 45, at a checkpoint near Marfa. During the inspection, agents discovered 76 vacuum-sealed bundles containing 37.85 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle’s fuel tank. An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that Garcia-Gamez was transporting the methamphetamine for a Mexican drug trafficking organization. Garcia-Gamez was arrested Sept. 29, 2023 and pleaded guilty Nov. 17.

“This case is reflective of the essential roles Border Patrol and HSI agents play in the mission to protect our communities across the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our partners, this prosecution has taken another drug trafficker off the streets for more than a decade, further disrupting the operations of Mexican cartels.”

“This sentence should serve to dissuade anyone considering smuggling narcotics into our country,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric McLoughlin for the HSI El Paso Division. “HSI special agents will continue to collaborate with our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners to stop the funneling of highly addictive and lethal drugs across the southern border.” 

HSI and the USBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Greenbaum prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to one count related to his involvement in the organization responsible for the smuggling of at least 66 migrants in June 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 47 adults and six children.

According to court documents, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal aka Cowboy, 38, was a member of the human smuggling organization responsible for the failed smuggling attempt on June 27, 2022 that illegally brought adults and children from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico into the U.S. Rivera-Leal would meet tractor trailers that had transported migrants to San Antonio and further transport small groups of migrants to Houston in his personal vehicle.

Rivera-Leal pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens placing lives in jeopardy. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Rivera-Leal is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in this case. Other co-defendants whose cases are still pending include Homero Zamorano Jr., 47, who served as the driver of the tractor trailer; Felipe Orduna-Torres aka Cholo aka Chuequito/Chuekito aka Negro, 29; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega aka El Don aka Don Gon, 54.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division made the announcement.

HSI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and has received tremendous support from Customs and Border Protection; Border Patrol; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; the San Antonio Police Department; the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; the San Antonio Fire Department; the Marshall Police Department; and the Palestine Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears and Amanda Brown are prosecuting the case.

These charges resulted in coordination with Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime. JTFA consists of federal prosecutors and attorneys from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the Southwest Border (District of Arizona, Southern District of California, Southern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas), from the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Division, along with law enforcement agents and analysts from DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 160 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for conspiring to murder overseas and provide material support to terrorists.

According to court documents, Imad Eddin Wadi, 67, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Damascus, Syria, conspired to commit murder with terrorist groups and funnel funds to members and affiliates of U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations, including al-Nusrah Front, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  

On May 25, 2023, after a nine-day trial, Wadi was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to murder and maim in a foreign country, one count of conspiracy to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist groups, and one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to terrorists.

“By his own admissions, this defendant has been knowingly supporting this jihadi terrorist group for years,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “American citizens may never provide support to terrorist organizations, financial or otherwise, nor decide whose lives to target overseas. Thanks to the dedication and investigative skill by our partners in the FBI JTTF, Wadi’s financial support of terrorists has ceased, and he will spend the rest of his life under our watch.”

“The FBI’s top priority is to protect the United States from a terrorist attack. This sentencing highlights the FBI’s unyielding commitment to stop those who fund or assist foreign terrorist organizations or their affiliates,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Division. “We are profoundly grateful for our partners on the San Antonio Joint Terrorism Task Force who work with us every day to protect the American people and who did exceptional work on this case.”  

The FBI JTTF investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and William Harris prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – A Canyon Lake woman was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 24 months in prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.

According to court documents, Dawn Marie Munoz, 54, operated a tax preparation business, filing IRS forms for an organization and several of its members. In preparing and submitting joint IRS Form 1040 individual income tax returns for her clients, Munoz materially underreported her clients’ income paid as stipends from the organization.

Munoz was arrested April 12, 2022 and pleaded guilty May 10, 2023 to one count of a 16-count indictment. In addition to her imprisonment, Munoz was also ordered to pay $227,197.65 to four victims.

“Munoz was an experienced tax preparer who engaged in fraudulent business practices and took advantage of the longtime clients who trusted her,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This investigation by our law enforcement partners at FBI El Paso and IRS Criminal Investigation, along with the punishment delivered by the judge, shows that anyone who tries to undermine our tax system risks prosecution with serious penalties.”

“The defendant took advantage of her position to personally enrich herself at the expense of the citizens of El Paso,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Divison. “The public can be rest assured the defendant was held accountable for the crimes she committed. The FBI thank our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation for assisting in the investigation to stop Munoz from stealing from hard working employees for her own greed.”

“Munoz lied and stole from her clients in ways that should make everyone question and double check every aspect of their tax returns this year. She prepared fraudulent returns for clients, convinced them to write checks to pay money to the IRS that they didn’t owe, stole the money, and filed false returns herself to cover her tracks,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “This level of deceit, on the part of Munoz, may likely reverberate far beyond West Texas.”

The FBI and IRS CI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – Former San Antonio Attorney Christopher John Pettit, 56, was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 50 years in prison for fraud and money laundering.

For more than two decades, Pettit made numerous misrepresentations that persuaded his clients to deposit money with his firm, Chris Pettit and Associates, PC, which funds the clients believed would be used for services such as living trusts, irrevocable trusts, estate planning services, investments, and real-estate transactions, but which Pettit instead misused for his own enrichment and as part of a Ponzi-type scheme.

In one scheme, Pettit opened trustee accounts with client funds and simply moved the money to his own accounts, rather than using the funds for the benefit of the trust. Other fraudulent schemes included falsely promising to invest client money in high percentage bonds and instead wiring the funds to his personal account. He also falsely represented himself as a Qualified Intermediary for a 1031 real-estate exchange, which he used to convince clients to wire millions of dollars from asset sales into accounts he controlled and then misused for his own enrichment. Pettit would use his victimized clients’ funds to pay other client debts as well as to support an extravagant lifestyle. The schemes resulted in an estimated loss to the victims of between $20 million and $65 million. Pettit pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2023, to three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.

“This case began with one victim filing a complaint before the investigation unraveled a massive and deceptive criminal scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department for first recognizing the depth of the fraud in this case, and to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office for referring the case to the FBI. The punishment handed down by Judge Garcia reflects the seriousness of the offense and is the product of steadfast collaboration by our partners at the local, state and federal levels.”

“Christopher Pettit used his position of trust as an attorney to defraud his clients of millions of dollars, in some cases their life savings, all for his own selfish benefit. Today’s sentence reflects the resolve of the FBI to bring to justice anyone who would take advantage of their position to line their own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Division. “We want to thank our partners at Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas State Securities Board for their continued assistance in keeping our communities safe.”

The FBI investigated the case in conjunction with the Texas State Securities Board, Texas Department of Public Safety and Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A Kerrville man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 42 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, theft of government property and possession of stolen mail.

According to court documents, Scott Mitchell Brown, 38, was a pharmacy technician at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Kerrville. Using his position, Brown devised a scheme to steal narcotics that were being shipped from the pharmacy to VA patients, stealing the narcotics and selling them for profit to individuals in the Kerr County area.

One of the individuals was his codefendant John Swiencki. Swiencki introduced Brown to another codefendant, David Jeffrey Hughes Jr. Brown and Hughes proceeded to break into mailboxes and steal prescribed narcotics from veterans, using patient records obtained by Brown to identify the mailboxes.

In September 2022, Swiencki was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Hughes was sentenced to 35 months in prison in December 2022.

“Brown's misuse of his position with the VA is a repugnant betrayal by a public servant against our nation’s veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “These veterans rely on the care and compassion of the VA to assist them with ailments and disabilities. Instead, the veterans victimized by Brown and his codefendants were met with cruelty and greed. My office and the Department of Justice will continue to seek justice for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

“Medical professionals stealing controlled substances intended for our nation’s veterans cannot be tolerated. This sentence should send a strong message that those who would abuse their positions of trust will be caught and held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the VA Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks its law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this joint investigation.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, VA Police, Kerr County Sheriff's Office, Kerrville Police Department, and Kerr County District Attorney's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fidel Esparza III prosecuted the case.

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Ukrainian national was extradited to the United States from the Netherlands after being indicted for crimes related to fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, Mark Sokolovsky, 28, conspired to operate the Raccoon Infostealer as a malware-as-a-service or “MaaS.” Individuals who deployed Raccoon Infostealer to steal data from victims leased access to the malware for approximately $200 per month, paid for by cryptocurrency. These individuals used various ruses, such as email phishing, to install the malware onto the computers of unsuspecting victims. Raccoon Infostealer then stole personal data from victim computers, including log-in credentials, financial information, and other personal records. Stolen information was used to commit financial crimes or was sold to others on cybercrime forums.

In March 2022, concurrent with Sokolovsky’s arrest by Dutch authorities, the FBI and law enforcement partners in Italy and the Netherlands dismantled the digital infrastructure supporting the Raccoon Infostealer, taking its then existing version offline.

Sokolovsky is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and one count of aggravated identity theft. He made his initial court appearance Feb. 9, and is being held in custody pending trial.

Through various investigative steps, the FBI has collected data stolen from many computers that cyber criminals infected with Raccoon Infostealer, including more than 50 million unique credentials and forms of identification. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the data stolen by Raccoon Infostealer and continues to investigate. The FBI has created a website where anyone can input their email address to determine whether it is contained within the U.S. government’s repository of Raccoon Infostealer stolen data: https://raccoon.ic3.gov/home.  Victims of the Raccoon Infostealer can find more information at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/victim-assistance-raccoon-infostealer.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Division, and Special Agent in Charge Paul DelleDonne for The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division would also like to thank the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attachés in Rome; The Hague, Kyiv, and Warsaw for their critical assistance; and the following foreign partners: Ministry of Justice of Italy; Special Unit for the Protection of Privacy and Technological Fraud of the Italian Guardia di Finanza; Procura della Repubblica di Brescia; the Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Security; Dutch National Police; and Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WACO, Texas – A federal jury in Waco convicted three Temple men on all counts for crimes committed in violation of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and the Hobbs Act.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Atorius Marquis Williams aka Lil Man, 23, Demonta Daniels aka Tado aka Tato, 24, and Trashawn Lamar Alexander aka Mad Max, 29, were members and associates of a criminal organization referred to as Killas With Aggression (KWA), an organization engaged in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce by, among other things, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to rob persons engaged in the distribution of controlled substances.

Williams, Daniels and Alexander conspired to commit four murders, multiple violent assaults, extortion, drug trafficking and armed robberies in furtherance of the criminal enterprise.  Specifically, the indictment alleges four overt acts to include murder—one committed by Williams on Sept. 30, 2017, in Belton; the second, committed by Williams and Alexander on Dec. 10, 2017, in Temple; the third, committed by Williams and Daniels on Jan. 16, 2018, in Temple; and the fourth, committed by Williams, Daniels and Alexander on Jan. 31, 2018, in Temple.

Additionally, the defendants conspired to affect commerce by robbery, committing acts of physical violence and threatening to commit acts of physical violence to steal controlled substances and proceeds from persons engaged in illegal drug distribution. Williams, Daniels and Alexander were also convicted of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, namely robbery. Alexander was  convicted of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Seven other codefendants in the case have already been sentenced following guilty pleas. Dominic Johnson was sentenced in January 2023 to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Desmond Wilkerson was sentenced in September 2023 to 71 months in prison for racketeering conspiracy; James Roy Whitfield Jr was sentenced on February 13 to 102 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting; Jason Mayse was sentenced on February 13 to 40 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; Jyaraciel Whitfield was sentenced in September 2023 to 144 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting; Christopher Meyers was sentenced in August 2022 to 144 months in prison for racketeering conspiracy; and Reginald Williams was sentenced in September 2023 to 96 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI, Temple Police Department, Belton Police Department, Bell County Organized Crime Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Cameron Police Department, and Hearne Police Department are investigating the case with valuable assistance from the Killeen Police Department and Bell County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Blanton and Siddharth Dadhich are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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SAN ANTONIO – A Pearsall man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 24 years in prison for one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, Elberto Roy Trevino Jr. aka Lil Roy, 50, conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in July 2022. Specifically, on July 4, 2022, Trevino coordinated via text message to sell a substance to an individual. The individual believed they were purchasing cocaine from Trevino. Later that day, the individual was found deceased. From the scene, officers recovered loose powder and a rock-like substance that each tested positive for fentanyl, and another white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

On the same day, two other individuals were found deceased inside their Pearsall residence. Officers removed a bag that contained .21 grams of white powdery substance that tested positive for fentanyl.

On July 27, 2022, officers executed a search warrant at Trevino’s residence, recovering approximately 44.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine, 46.4 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, a bag containing miscellaneous ammunition, and a handgun that had been reported stolen out of San Antonio.

Trevino pleaded guilty on Aug. 30, 2023 to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. At the sentence hearing, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentenced Trevino to 120 months in prison for the felon in possession of a firearm charge, and 292 months for the conspiracy charge. Both penalties will run concurrently.

“Several people in the Pearsall community lost their lives over one Fourth of July weekend because of a single batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “While the victims chose to engage in illicit drug use, had it not been for the miniscule amount of deadly fentanyl they ingested, they likely would still be alive today. This is a very dangerous poison that everyone must be cautious of, and, with the efforts of our partners, we will continue to disrupt the infiltration of fentanyl into our communities.”

"This case demonstrates the ongoing fentanyl threat facing our country today and the complete disregard for human lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division. “A batch laced with fake fentanyl instantly claimed the lives of four people, three of whom Trevino was responsible for. We understand this sentence won't be a closure for the families forever grieving these tragic losses. Still, we want this sentence to be a clear reminder to those who are thinking about selling fake fentanyl to realize there will be grave consequences awaiting."

The DEA, Pearsall Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Hail prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A New Braunfels woman was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 18 months in prison for failure to account for and pay over withholding taxes.

According to court documents, Rachel Nicole Woolard, 50, owned and operated a healthcare staffing company called Reliance Therapy Staffing, LLC. From the first quarter of 2018 through the first quarter of 2020, she willfully failed to account for and pay over employment taxes for nine tax periods, resulting in a total tax loss of $924,752.76. At the sentence hearing, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Woolard to pay the full amount in restitution to the U.S. Treasury.

“This defendant largely ignored the financial accountability that comes with owning and operating a business,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It is critical to understand, especially in the middle of tax season, your responsibility when it comes to paying taxes. If you choose to pocket taxes that you owe, our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation will uncover your fraud and we will hold you accountable with serious consequences.”

"Woolard made a conscious decision to evade paying nearly $1 million in taxes, enabling her to live a more lavish lifestyle. She knowingly engaged in illegal activity and now she must pay the price," said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. "This sentencing, occurring during tax season, emphasizes the dedication of CI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensuring tax criminals are held accountable for their actions.”

IRS CI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Harris prosecuted the case.

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AUSTIN, Texas – The United States reached a letter agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The agreement requires the hotel to train its staff and provide equal service to customers with disabilities.

The Department of Justice received an ADA complaint alleging that after reserving an accessible room, when an individual with a disability attempted to check-in, the Hilton Garden Inn provided a standard room that lacked bathroom grab bars or shower accommodations. This left the complainant without a usable bathroom during her stay. The complaint prompted an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. The ADA requires that hotels provide access to individuals with disabilities, including honoring reservations, providing fully accessible rooms, and making accommodations.

“For people with disabilities, travel can be stressful due to concerns that they won’t have basic accommodations, such as a place to sleep at night or access to appropriate hygiene facilities,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “People with disabilities should not be denied these necessities in lodging. The ADA ensures that all people traveling with disabilities who are traveling can find hotels that will provide equal access to their rooms and facilities.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Liane Noble represented the government during the resolution process.

For more information about the ADA, visit www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A Kaufman man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 97 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens.

According to court documents, Fredi Zagala-Servin, 40, was a longtime leader and organizer of a human smuggling organization (HSO) that smuggled hundreds of undocumented noncitizens from Laredo to San Antonio inside tractor trailers. He would speak with a co-conspirator in Mexico and provide another co-conspirator with pick-up locations for the drivers to load migrants into the tractor trailers in Laredo. He would then monitor the load throughout the transport and relay updates between the parties. Zagala-Servin was involved in the coordination of at least 10 human smuggling events for financial gain with the HSO. He was arrested June 23, 2022 and has remained in federal custody.

In May 2021, the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division began investigating the criminal activity of the HSO. HSI was able to link at least 19 human smuggling events involving the actual apprehension of more than 900 aliens to the HSO. Between May 2021 and June 2022, HSI interdicted nine of the HSO's tractor trailers carrying smuggled noncitizens. The loads ranged from approximately 30 to more than 100 migrants travelling in a single trailer.

In addition to imprisonment, Zagala-Servin was ordered three years supervised release and a money judgement of $410,250.

“This human smuggling organization put the lives of hundreds of migrants in jeopardy by transporting them across south Texas in tractor trailers,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It is important that people like this defendant, who endanger those lives for profit, are held accountable by our justice system. I commend our partners at HSI and all of Joint Task Force Alpha for their investigative skills and their tireless efforts to uncover this criminal conspiracy.”

“This sentencing sends a clear message to those thinking of engaging in human smuggling activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “HSI and our law enforcement partners take an aggressive stance against human smuggling, and we will continue to work together to investigate and ultimately dismantle these criminal organizations.”

HSI and JTFA investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Brown prosecuted the case.

These charges resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA).  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. JTFA is comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California. Dedicated support is also provided by numerous components of the Criminal Division that are part of JTFA, led by HRSP, and supported by ODPAT, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners.  To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 270 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 210 convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. 

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man who served as a soldier in a transnational criminal organization (TCO) pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to kidnapping resulting in death.

According to court documents, Armando Leonardo Moreno aka Cholo, 21, conspired with other TCO members on or around Sept. 13, 2021, to kidnap a subject from an El Paso stash house. The kidnappers drove the subject to another address, dragged him out of the vehicle and beat him in the front yard of the home before taking him inside and beating him further. On Sept. 16, 2021, the subject was found deceased in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with multiple gunshot and stab wounds.

Moreno faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Codefendant Michelle Karen Avila was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison, while codefendant Ruben Pimentel was sentenced to 188 months. Codefendants Alberto Rodriguez and Ricardo Matthew Gutierrez remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations, the El Paso Police Department, the New Mexico State Police, and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Valenzuela and Ian Hanna are prosecuting the case.

These charges resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA).  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. JTFA is comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California. Dedicated support is also provided by numerous components of the Criminal Division that are part of JTFA, led by HRSP, and supported by ODPAT, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners.  To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 270 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 210 convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. 

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Fort Worth woman was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 292 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine into the U.S.

According to court documents, Sally Renae Smith, 54, conspired with others to import 3.422 kilograms of methamphetamine which had a purity of 100%. Smith exchanged text messages with a co-conspirator trafficking methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico, instructing her to drive to her motel room in Del Rio once she made it through the point of entry.

Smith was arrested on September 8, 2020, and has remained in federal custody since her arrest. She pleaded guilty on July 21, 2021. Smith's three co-conspirators also pleaded guilty and remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing.

“This prison sentence of more than two decades is indicative of how serious we are in dismantling these drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our partners at Homeland Security Investigations for their work in the investigation of this case. Importing illicit drugs into this country has severe consequences, which, alongside our law enforcement partners, we will enforce.”

“HSI will continue to aggressively pursue narcotics traffickers,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “Our work is not done, and our resolve in attacking the drug trade is as strong as ever. HSI will continue to investigate, arrest and prosecute those involved in narcotics trafficking to keep our communities safe.”

HSI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 130 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, Gary Everett Rinker, 56, sold approximately 200 pills containing 19.8 grams of fentanyl to a buyer at an El Paso hotel. The criminal complaint filed July 12, 2023 alleged that over a separate three-day period Rinker sold quantities of counterfeit Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 mg tablets to the buyer, totaling approximately 55 grams of fentanyl.

Rinker was arrested in July 2023 and pleaded guilty Nov. 1, 2023.

“This defendant was a prominent fentanyl dealer in the El Paso community who will spend the next decade off our streets, largely due to his extensive drug-related criminal history dating back to 2007,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I commend the joint efforts of our partners at FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the dedicated attorneys of the Western District who continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders.”

“Fentanyl continues to be a considerable threat to our communities, ending the lives of our neighbors, friends and loved ones who, in many cases, aren’t even aware they’re taking the drug,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. “FBI El Paso and our Drug Enforcement Administration partners are working together will come after anyone supplying poison to innocent lives and bring them to justice.”

“Our Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT) does not just investigate fatalities caused by fentanyl,” said Towanda Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “By putting Mr. Rinker behind bars, FORT worked proactively to potentially save lives. Rinker was not the first fentanyl dealer targeted by our FORT, and he won’t be the last.”

The FBI and DEA investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Watts prosecuted the case.

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Tennessee man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to six months in prison for simple assault on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.

According to court documents, on March 20, 2022, Michael Goins, Jr., 35, of Spring Hill, assaulted a flight attendant on a Southwest Airlines flight. The aircraft landed at Austin Bergstrom International Airport and was sitting on the airport apron awaiting the availability of an arrival gate. Goins, a passenger, loudly uttered several expletives during a cell phone call which was overheard by passengers seated near him. A passenger traveling with children was disturbed by the language used by Goins, which led to his aggressive response toward the passenger. During an altercation, Goins intentionally and deliberately pushed his closed fist into a flight attendant’s upper abdomen and pushed her back, causing her pain.

The six-month prison sentence is the statutory maximum. In addition to his imprisonment, Goins was ordered to pay $650.00 in restitution.

“This prison sentence reflects the seriousness of these types of crimes and promotes respect for the law,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Airline passengers and employees should be able to travel safely, and this violent behavior cannot be tolerated.”

"As a passenger on an active flight, Mr. Goins disruptive behavior escalated into a violent outburst directed at a flight attendant,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI is dedicated to ensuring Americans can go to work and travel by plane without the fear of being attacked. We are grateful to our partners at the Austin Police Department for their work on this case – and their ongoing dedication to keeping our citizens safe.”

The FBI and Austin Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Pierce prosecuted the case.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for illegal re-entry into the United States.

According to court documents, Gabriel Aguado-Contreras, 42, of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Brackettville in January 2019. During processing at the Brackettville Border Patrol Station, he was identified as having been previously deported multiple times since 2006. Additionally, Aguado-Contreras had previously been convicted of multiple felonies.

Aguado-Contreras was arrested Jan. 18, 2019 and has remained in federal custody since. His 10-year prison sentence includes credit for time served since his arrest.

“This defendant was not only a repeat offender on the illegal re-entry charge but carried with him numerous other felonies,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The lengthy sentence is certainly reflective of the charge, and I appreciate the work of our partners at the Border Patrol in helping us keep our communities and citizens safe.”

USBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.

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PECOS, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 41 months in prison for cocaine trafficking.

According to court documents, Ana Cristina Alarcon Rios, 24, of Chihuahua, was stopped for speeding along Highway 90 in Alpine by a Brewster County Sheriff’s Deputy. A canine search of her vehicle revealed 10 bundles containing 11.1 kilograms of cocaine destined for Denver, Colorado. Rios pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2023 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

“This sentence serves as a warning to anyone who would consider trafficking illicit drugs into the U.S.,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our partners at the local and federal levels, these offenders run a high risk of being apprehended and prosecuted for their crimes.”

HSI and the Brewster County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Greenbaum and Dustin Farahnak prosecuted the case.

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ALPINE, Texas – A Terlingua man was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 87 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, Harold Lee McMullen, 74, possessed more than 400 images depicting the sexual abuse of children. He was subjected to a search warrant after a Texas Department of Public Safety agent identified his computer’s IP address as exchanging CSAM over BitTorrent. McMullen was arrested Aug. 15, 2023 and pleaded guilty Sept. 14, 2023.

“The sexual abuse of children is horrific and individuals like Mr. McMullen who further traffic such despicable material continue the harmful exploitation of these innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Along with our partners, we will continue to hold offenders accountable for their actions.”

HSI and Texas DPS investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.

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

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DEL RIO, Texas – A California woman was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 76 months in prison for her role as a stash house operator and facilitator for a human smuggling organization (HSO).

According to court documents Veronica Pech, 57, of Ridgecrest, California, operated several stash houses in Del Rio and facilitated the harboring and transport of undocumented noncitizens. Pech had organized pickups from the brush of many migrants, harbored them at her stash houses, and ultimately arranged for them to be transported into the interior of the U.S. From Jan. 1, 2021, through March 30, 2021, Pech harbored approximately 500 undocumented noncitizens.

As a leader and organizer, Pech was also responsible for the finances of the HSO’s harboring operation in Del Rio, paying the rent of a stash house, paying guides and load drivers, paying for the migrants’ food and drinks, and ensuring funds were appropriated and sent to the organization’s upper leadership.

On March 30, 2021, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Pech and apprehended 35 undocumented migrants she was harboring at her main stash house.  She pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. In addition to the imprisonment, Pech was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Co-defendant Dakota Leon, 31, who operated as a load driver for the HSO, was sentenced in March 2023 to 46 months for conspiracy to transport aliens.

"Pech ran multiple stash houses and played many key roles in the operation of the organization that, in just three months, smuggled more than 500 migrants through Del Rio.” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Special thanks to the U.S. Border Patrol criminal investigators for disrupting and dismantling a major human smuggling organization operating from Del Rio to Comanche."

“Not only did these human smugglers conspire to undermine our nation’s immigration laws multiple times for their own profit, but they did so by thinking they would get away with their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “Thanks to the outstanding teamwork between HSI and BP, these smugglers will be spending the next several years behind bars.”

“Consequences are necessary to combat transnational criminal organizations,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley for the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector. “I am proud of how our strong law enforcement partnerships made this success possible and brought justice for our community.”

HSI and USBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Pearland man was sentenced in federal court in Austin to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution after being convicted of wire fraud.

According to court documents, Clinton Finch Herzog, 49, defrauded investors in his dental practices of hundreds of thousands of dollars between 2016 and 2018. Herzog’s investors agreed to make capital investments in limited liability companies created by Herzog to manage dental practices.  Herzog promised, among other things, that the relevant limited liability companies would not commingle investor funds with assets of any other person. Herzog routinely violated the limited liability company agreements by commingling investor funds with his own personal funds and by diverting investors’ money for his own personal use, including to pay for expensive meals, airline tickets and travel expenses, liquor, and jewelry.

In addition to imposing the 36-month prison sentence, the court sentenced Herzog to a supervised release term of three years and ordered him to pay $2,182,760.63 in restitution.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case.

*The mention of “Austin Dental Practices” in the headline of this press release does not infer that Mr. Herzog was the owner of the business named Austin Dental, and the two are not implied to be associated with each other.

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DEL RIO, Texas – Two defendants convicted of drug trafficking were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to a combined 25 years in prison for participating in a year-long conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, a coconspirator identified Roberto Tovar, 47, as one of several individuals to whom she provided methamphetamine for the purpose of distribution within the Del Rio area. Between June 2019 and June 2020, Tovar was involved in two transactions with undercover law enforcement agents. Melissa Villarreal, 36, was also named by another codefendant.  Between June 2019 and June 2020, indicted co-conspirator Melissa Villarreal was involved in six undercover transactions. On five occasions, Villarreal sold a total of 253.7 grams of a substance which tested positive for methamphetamine. On the sixth transaction, she sold another 259.1 grams of methamphetamine.

Tovar pleaded guilty on June 24, 2021. He was sentenced to 168 months in prison. Villarreal pleaded guilty March 28, 2022. She was sentenced to 135 months. Codefendants Rose Vasquez Baker, Ray Nathan Garcia, Bryan Alexander Gomez, and Ruben Reyes remain in federal custody as they await their sentence hearings.

“In addition to the destruction that narcotics trafficking brings to our communities, the human cost on families, their children, and all individuals struggling from addiction to illegal drugs is immeasurable,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By proactively investigating this prolific narcotic trafficking organization operating in and around Del Rio, our partners with Homeland Security Investigations has helped to disrupt and dismantle their dangerous drug trafficking activities.”

HSI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty yesterday to charges stemming from two separate indictments – one charging fraud and the other charging bribery.

According to court documents, Javor McCoy, 42, while trying to avoid a civil court appearance in Dallas, transmitted a criminal summons to an employee with the Dallas County Court showing he had to appear in court for a Western District of Texas federal indictment.  The summons contained a false and fraudulent electronic signature of a United States magistrate judge and was altered to display a fictious appearance date for McCoy.

McCoy was previously charged on another case involving bribery of a public official.  McCoy owned Ready 2 Go Transport Central LLC (R2G Central), a purported Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, providing transportation for veterans, including ambulance and wheelchair transportation. 

His co-defendant on the bribery case, Glenn Dartone Johnson, 49, of San Antonio, was the contracting officer with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA).  McCoy paid Johnson approximately $100,000 for information regarding the VA bid process and for Johnson’s assistance in influencing the VA bid process to help R2G Central win competitive bids from the VA.

McCoy pleaded guilty to one count of fraud in connection with identification documents or authentication features and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official. A sentencing date has not been set.  McCoy faces a maximum prison term of 15 years on the fraud count and a maximum prison term of five years on the bribery charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Johnson pleaded guilty on December 20, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official.  Johnson is set for sentencing on March 14, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division made the announcement.

The FBI and VA-OIG are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Porier are prosecuting the case.

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PECOS – An Anthony, NM, man was sentenced this week to 327 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine.

According to court documents, Gilberto Hernandez, aka “G”, 30, was the leader of the Hernandez drug trafficking organization (DTO).  From August 2021 until November 2022, the Hernandez DTO trafficked approximately 58 kilos of cocaine throughout Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. 

On May 26, 2023 Hernandez pleaded guilty to eight counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Five other co-defendants of Hernandez have been sentenced and one is awaiting sentencing.  Cesar Rodarte, aka El Gordo, 38, of Anthony, NM, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced this week to 151 months in prison.

Daniel Ochoa Meza, 37, of Monahans, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced this week to 135 months in prison.

Anthony Bustos, Sr., aka Tony, 60, of Monahans was sentenced on September 22, 2023 to 87 months in prison.  Bustos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Armiro Bernal Cabello, 45, of Fort Stockton, was sentenced on August 29, 2023 to 121 months in prison.  Cabello pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Juan Jose Mora, 41, of Vado, NM, was sentenced on May 23, 2023 to 27 months in prison.  Mora pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

George Daniel Mendoza, 31, of Deming, NM, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  Mendoza is set to be sentenced on February 27, 2024.

“In a little over a year, the Hernandez DTO peddled over 127 pounds of cocaine throughout Texas, Mexico and Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.  “I applaud the DEA for their diligence and persistence in taking down this drug organization.”

“If you attempt to set up a criminal enterprise in one of our communities, you will be introduced to the men and women of the DEA,” said Towanda Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “We will stop at nothing to shut you down and make sure you face the same justice handed down to Mr. Hernandez.”

The DEA’s Alpine Resident Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.

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PECOS – A Kermit man was sentenced this week in federal court in Pecos to 115 months in prison for possession and distribution of methamphetamine and an additional 24 months in prison for a supervised release violation stemming from a felon in possession charge he was sentenced for in 2022 in Midland. 

According to court documents, Brian Lee McGill, 43, while serving a term of supervised release on his 2022 conviction in Midland for being a felon in possession of a firearm, failed to stop for deputies with the Winkler County Sheriff’s Department during a traffic stop for speeding.  Deputies pursued McGill, who was riding a motorcycle, at speeds as high as 115 miles per hour as McGill drove recklessly on the wrong side of the road and disregarded stop signs.  Pursuit came to an end when the motorcycle either ran out of gas or had a mechanical failure.  After securing the area, deputies recovered over 25 grams of crystal meth from McGill. 

McGill pled guilty to possession and distribution of methamphetamine, for which the Court sentenced him to imprisonment for a term of 115 months.  For having violated his term of supervised release on the firearm conviction the Court sentenced him to serve an additional 24 months in prison.

“We continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to take deadly drugs off the streets of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.  “McGill’s lack of concern for others is apparent.  His attempted escape from law enforcement put citizens and officers at risk.  His peddling of toxic drugs puts our whole community in danger.”

“Illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine are killing Americans at alarming rates,” said Towanda Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “Mr. McGill contributed to that, so he must now pay the price. The men and women of the DEA remain committed to disrupting the operations of all other drug dealers in our community.”

DEA’s Alpine Resident Office and the Winkler County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced yesterday in a federal court in San Antonio to 360 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, a $45,000 restitution to victims and ordered to pay a total of $55,100 in special assessments for his role in the production of child pornography.

According to court documents, Abiel Alejandro Saldivar, 33, who worked as a dentist in San Antonio, messaged numerous minors on various social media applications telling them he had nude images of them, and that he would post them if they did not engage in and record sexual activity for him. Saldivar was arrested on Jan. 21, 2022, and has remained in custody since. He pleaded guilty to the charge May 3, 2023.

“The defendant, a local pediatric dentist, was aggressively and ruthlessly sexually exploiting children via social media,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.  “This case demonstrates the benefits of collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement to serve victims and hold perpetrators, especially those who prey on the most vulnerable of our society, accountable.” 

“The significant sentence imposed on Abiel Saldivar sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those individuals who exploit children.  Saldivar will serve the next 30 years in federal prison for his reprehensible acts” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge, Craig Larrabee. “We remain committed to working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who victimize our children.”

HSI; Whatcom County, WA Sheriff’s Office; and the Texas Attorney General’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson prosecuted the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced yesterday in a federal court in San Antonio to six and a half years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and arson affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

According to court documents, Sean Aaron Smith, 30, maliciously attempted to damage and destroy, by means of fire, multiple cellular telephone towers around San Antonio between April 2021 and May 2022.

Smith was arrested in a traffic stop on May 13, 2022.  During the traffic stop, law enforcement officers located a handgun on the floorboard in front of the driver’s seat.  Executing a search warrant for Smith’s apartment on May 15, 2022, investigators found additional firearms.  Smith knowingly possessed the firearms after being previously convicted of two felony crimes where he served more than a year imprisonment on each. Smith pleaded guilty on Aug. 17, 2023 to six counts of arson of cellphone towers and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

“My office will not tolerate attacks on our critical infrastructure seeking to shut down our cellular telephone system and endangering our citizens who need to use our 911 emergency systems,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.

“An attack on the infrastructure of a community has the potential for devastating effects,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division. “Sean Smith tried multiple times to burn cell phone towers down around San Antonio, in support of his anti-5G ideology. When he was caught, he had a handgun in his vehicle, despite his status as a convicted felon. We want to thank the San Antonio Fire Department Arson squad, FBI, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Rangers for their continued assistance in keeping our communities safe.”

The San Antonio Fire Department Arson Squad, FBI, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Rangers investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A former San Antonio doctor was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 30 months in prison for conspiring with others to dispense controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose. 

According to court documents, Paul Silva, 48, admitted that he unlawfully and fraudulently issued more than 500 prescriptions for more than 40,000 dosage units of controlled substances, primarily opioids, in the names of living and deceased family members, former patients and others, after his medical license expired and then was suspended. Co-conspirators picked up the prescription medications and distributed them to unknown individuals and not to legitimate patients of the doctor.

Silva’s co-defendants Denton Thomas, 38, and Nicholas Klumpp, 32, both of San Antonio, pleaded guilty earlier.  Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of dispensing and possession with intent to dispense a controlled substance without lawful medical purpose and aiding and abetting.  He is scheduled for sentencing in April 2024.  Klumpp pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to dispense and to possess with intent to dispense and distribute controlled substances without lawful medical purpose and one count of dispensing and possession with intent to dispense a controlled substance without lawful medical purpose and aiding and abetting.  On September 25, 2023, Klumpp was sentenced to 27 months on both counts to run concurrently.

“The nonmedical use of opioids and opioid addiction has become a nationwide epidemic.  Overdose deaths in this country have eclipsed automobile deaths as the leading cause of death.  By dispensing opioids and other controlled substances that were meant for legitimate medical treatment and working to have them distributed on the streets for profit, Silva has contributed to this epidemic and endangered many lives,” said. United States Attorney Jaime Esparza.  “My office will continue to work closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies to attempt to slow this epidemic by going after physicians and others who divert prescription drugs from their legitimate medical purpose to the streets.”

“Despite losing his medical privileges in the State of Texas, Silva continued to prescribe hundreds of highly addictive prescription pills to himself and fictitious patients, further fueling the opioid problem facing our country," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division. “Our collaborative efforts will continue to hold those who hurt our communities by defrauding the system accountable.”

DEA investigated the case.

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ALPINE – Sonya Conchita Murillo, 32, who was a substitute teacher for the Marfa Independent School District, pleaded guilty last week to one count of production of child pornography.

According to court documents, during an investigation involving Murillo’s former boyfriend, Patricio Javier Serrano, 36, for possessing child sexual abuse materials, videos also were found of Murillo sexually abusing a minor. 

Murillo pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. A sentencing date has not been set. Murillo faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Murillo has been in federal custody since her arrest on June 7, 2023.

Serrano, who was charged in a separate indictment, was arrested on May 11, 2023, and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.  Serrano, a former Marfa youth softball coach, pleaded guilty on October 27, 2023, to one count of transportation of child pornography, aiding and abetting and one count of possession of child pornography.  He faces no less than five and up to 20 years in prison for the transportation charge, and up to 20 years in prison for the possession charge.  Serrano’s sentencing date is set for February 27, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales, El Paso Field Office; and HSI Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, El Paso Division, made the announcement.

The FBI, HSI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Marfa Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Greenbaum and Kevin Cayton are prosecuting the case.

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

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WACO, Texas – An Austin woman was arrested this week on criminal charges related to her alleged embezzlement of federal funds for personal use while serving as the executive director of the Killeen Housing Authority (KHA).

According to court documents, DeAdra Johnson, 52, allegedly stole thousands of dollars designated for KHA programs and used them for personal use. A federal indictment alleges that Johnson used the stolen funds to pay for personal vehicle downpayments; vehicle repairs and loan payments; monthly rent; electricity and internet service bills; home furniture purchases; and the purchase of a flight for personal travel.

Now defunct, KHA managed more than 50 public housing residential units and administered housing programs enabling low-income families to lease or purchase safe and affordable housing. KHA had an annual contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from which it received several hundred thousand dollars annually in assistance from the federal government.

Johnson is charged with nine counts of theft of government property and one count of false statement. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison for each theft of government property charge and up to five years for the false statement charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Bertrand Nelson for the Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Southcentral Region and Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division made the announcement.

HUD OIG and the FBI are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Gloff and Siddharth Dadhich are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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SAN ANTONIO – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to four counts related to his involvement in the smuggling of at least 66 migrants in June 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 47 adults and six children.

According to court documents, Riley Covarrubias-Ponce aka Rrili aka Rilay, 31, was a member of the human smuggling organization responsible for the failed smuggling attempt that illegally brought adults and children from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico into the U.S. In the days leading up to June 27, 2022, Covarrubias-Ponce coordinated with other members of the organization regarding the migrants who were being smuggled to Laredo for further transport to San Antonio. Additionally, he traveled from Houston to accompany the loaded tractor trailer as it transported the migrants north on Interstate Highway 35, ultimately ending up at the unloading location on Quintana Road in San Antonio, where it was discovered that many of the smuggled migrants had died.

Covarrubias-Ponce pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death; one count of conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy; one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death; and one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Another defendant in the case, Christian Martinez, 29, pleaded guilty to the same charges in September 2023. Other co-defendants whose cases are still pending include Homero Zamorano Jr., 47, who served as the driver of the tractor trailer; Felipe Orduna-Torres aka Cholo aka Chuequito/Chuekito aka Negro, 29; Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal aka Cowboy, 38; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega aka El Don aka Don Gon, 54. Relatedly, Juan Francisco D’Luna Bilbao pleaded guilty to the same charges as Martinez and Covarrubias-Ponce in addition to a firearms charge in June 2023.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division made the announcement.

HSI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and has received tremendous support from Customs and Border Protection; Border Patrol; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; the San Antonio Police Department; the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; the San Antonio Fire Department; the Marshall Police Department; and the Palestine Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears and Amanda Brown are prosecuting the case.

These charges resulted in coordination with Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime. JTFA consists of federal prosecutors and attorneys from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the Southwest Border (District of Arizona, Southern District of California, Southern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas), from the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Division, along with law enforcement agents and analysts from DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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