Western District of Texas

MIDLAND, Texas – A Midland man and woman were sentenced in a federal court in Midland to a combined 56 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and firearm charges.

According to court documents, Nikky Nicole Lujan, 37, and Raul Gonzalez, 38, possessed and distributed more than 11 kilograms of methamphetamine in and around Midland. Gonzalez was also sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Midland police officers located and recovered methamphetamine, firearms, body armor, and thousands of dollars in currency while executing a search warrant at Gonzalez’s residence in May 2023.

Lujan and Gonzalez both pleaded guilty to multiple counts on Sept. 20, 2023. Lujan was sentenced to prison for 340 months, just over 28 years.  Gonzalez was sentenced to prison for 334 months, just under 28 years.

“I appreciate the efforts of our local law enforcement partners for disrupting the drug trafficking operations of a major meth supply chain in the Permian Basin,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The severe sentences in this case should serve as a warning to drug traffickers who operate in our communities. You will be vigorously prosecuted in this district, and you risk meeting the same demise.”

“This case serves as yet another example of the outstanding working relationship established between local law enforcement and our federal partners,” said Midland Police Chief Seth Herman. “I commend the efforts of our Midland Division Office and their unwavering dedication to protecting citizens throughout the Permian Basin.”

Midland PD investigated the case.

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

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Georgetown woman was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 41 months in prison for embezzlement by a credit union employee.

According to court documents, Tracy Mikulencak, 44, embezzled approximately $144,000 from her teller drawer and the vault while working at A+ Federal Credit Union. A+ auditors also revealed that Mikulencak had made unauthorized withdrawals from customer accounts, including a deceased account holder. In total, Mikulencak embezzled $325,708 from the credit union. In addition to her imprisonment, Mikulencak was also ordered to pay $302,668 in restitution.

“The excellent investigative work by our partners at the FBI and the Georgetown Police Department unraveled a scheme by a trusted credit union employee to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the credit union and its members,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “These crimes strike at the heart of our banking system. Those entrusted with customer funds must be held to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. The judge's sentence in this case affirms the commitment of the U.S. Attorney's office to swift and certain punishment.”

“Tracy Mikulencak used her position to steal from the elderly and from grieving family members of a deceased customer. This sentence is reflective of the FBI’s commitment to stopping criminals who take advantage of vulnerable members of society,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division. “We want to thank the Georgetown Police Department for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe.”

The FBI and Georgetown PD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Guess prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – A San Elizario man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 140 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit hostage taking.

According to court documents, Luis Lorenzo Salas, 25, operated a stash house where a human smuggling victim from Mexico was being held. Salas created a video depicting himself masked and pointing a rifle at the victim. A screenshot of the video was sent to the victim’s family along with threatening messages demanding that they pay $10,000 or the victim’s ears and fingers would be removed. Homeland Security Investigation agents located and rescued the victim along with eight other noncitizens, all of whom were unharmed. Salas was arrested April 17, 2023. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 29, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking.

“This defendant caused severe, lasting damage that will haunt his smuggling victims and their families for the rest of their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our partners at HSI, the victims in this case are safe and we’ve taken another smuggler out of operation for the next decade.”

“Human smugglers who exploit people for their personal gain and further use threats and violence to collect a ransom will be held accountable as this sentence makes clear,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens for the HSI El Paso Division. “Human smuggling poses a threat to national security, and it ultimately places a vulnerable population in harm’s way.”

HSI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mathew Engelbaum prosecuted the case.

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Defyned Brands, an Austin, Texas, company also known as 5 Star Nutrition LLC, pleaded guilty today to a three-count information charging it with distributing misbranded dietary supplements.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, the company admitted that from September 2018 to July 2020, it delivered into interstate commerce misbranded dietary supplements, which are considered a type of food under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The company specifically admitted that shipments of products known as Epivar, Alpha Shredded and Laxobolic were misbranded. According to the plea agreement, the products contained ingredients mislabeled as dietary ingredients or not listed on the product label.

The products at issue were marketed as workout supplements and sold at 5 Star Nutrition retail locations. As part of the plea, the company agreed to forfeit $4.5 million and comply with the terms of a compliance program and certain compliance reporting requirements. Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas presided over the plea.

“Consumers deserve to know what is in the dietary supplements they take,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to investigate dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors who sell products that do not comply with the law, including through criminal enforcement where appropriate.”

“For almost two years, the defendant in this case misinformed consumers with inaccurate labeling on dietary supplements,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By requiring this company to forfeit its profits from this practice, we hope to reaffirm the public’s confidence in the safety of the products they purchase.”

“U.S. consumers rely on FDA oversight of foods to ensure that they are safe and wholesome. Companies that produce, sell or distribute misbranded dietary supplements put the public health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to investigate violators of our laws and work to bring them to justice.”

FDA-OCI investigated the case.

Senior Litigation Counsel David Sullivan and Trial Attorney Manu J. Sebastian of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Harding for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

SAN ANTONIO – A California man and his San Antonio co-conspirator were sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Hector Barreto, 62, of San Juan Capistrano, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay $944,693.51 in restitution and a $100,000 fine. Miguel Gutierrez, 49, was sentenced to 10 months in prison as a condition of five year probation. He was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine and restitution of $1,194,439.51. A restraining order was entered against both defendants to ensure government oversight of their assets until the victims are made whole.

According to Court documents, Barreto, who served as the Small Business Administrator under President George W. Bush, and Gutierrez operated a charity called the Latino Coalition Foundation.  Barreto controlled the charity's bank accounts and had operational control. Barreto and Gutierrez solicited donations into that charity to be used to establish an apprenticeship program to help low income youth get critical job training and skills. Instead of using the charitable funds for charity, Barreto and Gutierrez stole much of the funds for themselves through direct and indirect payments to themselves, using the charity's credit cards for personal expenses, and payments to friends and family members. To help hide the diversion of charitable funds, Barreto and Gutierrez falsified the IRS Form 990s for the charity to make it falsely appear they had not received payments from the charity when in reality, they had received hundreds of thousands of dollars.   

Gutierrez pleaded guilty in July 2022 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. Barreto pleaded guilty in April 2023 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

“Our nations charity system is based upon trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Donors trust that those who run the charities are using their money for charity and not to line their own pockets. The defendants today were sentenced for betraying that trust. Our office will vigorously prosecute anyone who steals charitable donations to feed their own greed.”

“Many Americans want to help their communities by supporting charities and causes that they care about. They trust that their support will be used to help those in need,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division. “Hector Barreto and Miguel Gutierrez abused that trust, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of their crimes. We want to thank our partners in IRS Criminal Investigation for their continued work in protecting our nation’s citizens.”

“The tax-exempt status offered by the IRS helps citizens to know that an organization is operated to promote social welfare. Barreto and Gutierrez stole a significant portion of tax-exempt funds and eroded the trust citizens have in these organizations,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Rodrick Benton for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “CI special agents helped unravel this scheme and will continue working to protect the public’s interest by stopping these schemes cold.”

The FBI and CI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Blackwell and Bill Harris prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of cyberstalking.

According to court documents, Rashad Marquise Ray, 24, engaged in a course of conduct in which he sent numerous harassing messages to an out-of-state ex-girlfriend and her immediate family using several social media applications between Jan. 1, 2022 and July 26, 2023. On two occasions, FBI agents interviewed Ray and advised him to stop communicating with the victim. Following an interview with the agents in June 2023, in which he claimed he would voluntarily cease communications efforts with the victim, Ray sent approximately 200 more emails to the victim in less than one month. Ray was arrested Aug. 2, 2023 and has remained in federal custody.

Ray faces up to five years in prison with a maximum fine of $250,000. 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 FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Valenzuela is prosecuting the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is partnering with Bexar County and San Antonio law enforcement to urge residents to properly secure their firearms when they’re not in use.

According to data, more than 25,000 firearms have been stolen from vehicles across Texas’ four largest cities—Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio—over the past three years. In 2023, 3,146 firearms were stolen in San Antonio alone.

In many cases, investigators find that weapons used in violent crimes are those stolen from law-abiding gun owners. In August, two San Antonio police officers were injured, one of whom lost an eye, during their pursuit of a man wanted on three warrants. The gun used by the suspect against the officers turned out to be one of many that were stolen from a vehicle parked overnight outside a hotel. Stolen firearms have also been recovered from the scenes of other shootings, robberies, and murders.

Maps highlighting the areas where gun thefts are most common in Bexar County show that retail parking lots on the northwest side of San Antonio, as well as parts of Alamo Ranch, are hot spots for activity.

It takes a thief less than 15 seconds to break into a vehicle and steal a gun. While it’s common for gun owners to leave their firearms unsecured under a vehicle seat or in an unlocked compartment, legitimate gun safes concealed and fixed to the inside of a vehicle can assist in the prevention of theft.

“Leaving a firearm unsecured in your vehicle is not just negligence. It’s an open invitation to chaos and every responsible gun owner must recognize that,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Don’t make it any easier for criminals. Carry with a plan and understand that a locked car is not a locked safe.”

“We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of guns stolen from vehicles in Bexar County in the last year,” said Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales. “When a gun is stolen from a gun owner who leaves it in a vehicle, that same weapon can be used in another crime that causes serious injury or death. Please take your gun with you whenever possible or secure it in a gun safe and never leave your weapon in your vehicle overnight.”

“The fact that criminal organizations have now prioritized stealing firearms left in unsecured vehicles, has increasingly become a threat to public safety nationwide,” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. “Responsible gun ownership can decidedly reduce violent crime alone, but more importantly eliminate the opportunity of illegal weapons falling into the hands of violent criminals.”

“I’ve been to many shooting scenes. They’re terrible scenes,” said Chief William McManus for the San Antonio Police Department. “When I learn that the weapon used was stolen, it’s frustrating because it takes single responsible action to make sure the gun doesn’t get into the hands of the wrong person.”

In November, the DOJ named San Antonio as one of five new cities in its National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program. PSP is managed by the Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and has a proven track record of helping partner sites reduce crime, improve homicide clearance rates, and enhance the quality of life for community members.

In addition to combatting gun violence, PSP brings opportunities over a three-year span to broaden federal partnerships and create task forces, develop innovative technological solutions, enhance crime analysis capabilities, further community engagement, and more. The DOJ is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. The PSP initiative supports and advances the DOJ’s principles in all of its activities.

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ALPINE, Texas – An Odessa man was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 37 months in prison for importing cocaine through the Presidio Port of Entry.

According to court documents, Aaron Balderrama, 23, advised U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that he possessed “a couple bags of cheese” in his vehicle when he attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico on July 20. The officers noticed four wheels of cheese inside the vehicle and proceeded with a secondary inspection. Upon inspection it was revealed that the wheels of cheese contained seven bundles of a substance that tested positive for properties of cocaine.

“Drug traffickers regularly try to disguise their product and sneak illicit substances past our proven safeguards and trained agents,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the keen eye and awareness of our port of entry partners, we continue to prevent drugs like this from infiltrating our communities and prosecute those who challenge us.”

“HSI remains committed to combatting the drug threat, keeping our communities safe from dangerous drugs, and bringing to justice traffickers who attempt to bring them into the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for the HSI El Paso Division. “Our robust, ongoing partnership with our law enforcement partners is crucial when investigating, prosecuting and punishing drug dealers.”

HSI investigated the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment charging 13 defendants, including inmates and correctional officers, for their involvement in the smuggling of narcotics into Texas prisons.

According to court documents, inmate Juan Francisco Munoz aka “Joker,” 35, leads the Juan Munoz Drug Trafficking Organization (Munoz DTO) and is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence for murder. Using contraband cellphones that had been smuggled into the correctional facilities, Munoz and other inmates, such as Paul Govea aka “Salute,” 35, and Verndale Ray Seals, 34, are alleged to have directed and coordinated the DTO’s drug trafficking activity. The indictment alleges that the group obtained the narcotics from multiple sources of supply, including Osama Mohammed Elwan, 32, and employed correctional officers, such as Osauwa Emmanuel Williams, 48, Anival Ruiz Porras aka “Tall Guy,” 41, and Ryan Ty Melchor, 26.

The three officers allegedly met with non-incarcerated members of the DTO such as Rosa Teromina Miller, 43, and Daniel Guadalupe Flores, 30, to receive narcotics, cellphones and other contraband, then smuggle the goods into the correctional facilities in exchange for thousands of dollars. The DTO also allegedly used the mail to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into prisons. In addition to Miller, non-incarcerated members Melissa Amador, 28, Ashley Marie Arriaga aka “Ashley Zavala,” 35, Amber Tanae Huey, 34, and Aida Gerardina Gomez Ortiz, 32, allegedly packaged drug-soaked sheets of paper and mailed them to inmates who were either members or customers or the Munoz DTO.

The indictment alleges that special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration seized from defendant residences, more than 520 grams of paper sheets soaked with fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids, more than 120 grams of paper sheets soaked with heroin and synthetic cannabinoids, and 254.6 milliliters of liquid synthetic cannabinoids, along with envelopes addressed to inmates. According to the indictment, once smuggled into the correctional facility, DTO members could then sell a single sheet of drug-soaked paper for up to $1,000. During the dates covered in the indictment, Miller transferred nearly $333,000 from the peer-to-peer payment platforms used in the smuggling operation.

Munoz and Miller are each charged with six counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Munoz faces 15 years to life in prison, and Miller faces 10 years to life in prison.

Govea is charged with four counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and identity theft. If convicted, he faces 10 years to life in prison.

Elwan is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces 10 years to life in prison.

Seals is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison.

Amador is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, she faces 10 years to life in prison.

Flores is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison.

Arriaga is charged with five counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison.

Porras and Huey are each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison.

Melchor and Ortiz are each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison.

Williams is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

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 DEA, FBI, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Wichita Falls Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Nowinski 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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EL PASO, Texas – The third member of a group charged in a human smuggling case was sentenced today in a federal court in El Paso to 135 months in prison for her role in an ongoing conspiracy which resulted in the death of two migrants. 

According to court documents, Guadalupe Quezada, 35, of Mesa, Arizona, along with codefendants Veronica Quezada, 39, of Mesa, and Elizabeth Miranda Lozano, 39, of Dallas, actively participated in an ongoing conspiracy to bring in, transport, and harbor undocumented immigrants into the U.S. from Mexico from on or about November 2019 through on or about August 2021. The organization smuggled groups of migrants into the U.S. by traversing the border across the Chihuahuan Desert near Van Horn. Foot guides would direct the migrants to walk through the desert and rendezvous with drivers who then transport the immigrants to stash houses or staging areas for further harboring by stash house operators. During the time of the conspiracy, the organization twice abandoned migrants who were unable to keep pace with the group. An investigation revealed that the abandonment of the migrants under the harsh conditions resulted in their deaths.

Guadalupe Quezada would receive human smuggling proceeds in bulk as well as through financial institutions and redirect them to promote the human smuggling and to invest in real property. In addition to imprisonment, she also forfeits three Phoenix properties. Guadalupe Quezada and her two codefendants each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States resulting in death.

“The dangerous smuggling of human beings across our border has become far too prevalent and those engage in or facilitate this activity must account for their deadly dealings,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I commend the joint multi-district efforts of our local, state, and federal partners to bring this case to a successful close. We will continue working together at all levels of law enforcement to aggressively prosecute human smugglers as long as their operations persist.”

“As demonstrated by these defendants, human smugglers have a callous disregard for the value of life,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Division. “Tragically, their inhumane practices all too often result in serious injury or death. HSI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations that jeopardize the lives of others for their personal profit." 

Veronica Quezada was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison on Dec. 13. Her role was to provide logistical support to foot guides, drivers and others by registering vehicles that would be used to facilitate the human smuggling venture. She traveled daily to the U.S. from Mexico to oversee operations on behalf of the organization.

Lozano was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison on Dec. 13. Her role was to transport and harbor aliens in staging areas prior to releasing them to their final destination. She relocated to Dallas from Arizona to manage the stash house on behalf of the organization.

HSI investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol Big Bend and Tucson Sectors, Dallas Enforcement Removal Operations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department, and Hudspeth Country Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Luis Acosta and Patricia Acosta 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 260 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 180 convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. 

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court in San Antonio to 240 months in prison for distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents, David Alejandro Bautista, 32, distributed numerous files depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Conducting a search warrant, federal agents seized 21 electronic devices from Bautista’s home, revealing more than 15,000 image files and over 8,200 video files containing child sexual abuse material.

In addition to imprisonment, Bautista was ordered to pay $84,000 restitution, special assessments in the amounts of $100, $5,000 and $35,000, and he must forfeit his electronic devices.

“This lengthy two-decade prison sentence reflects the horrendous damage that has been caused and furthered by the defendant’s actions,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our law enforcement partners for their critical investigation. Together, we will continue to track down and prosecute offenders in the interest of protecting innocent children and keeping our communities safe.”

“Today, the defendant received a just punishment for his depraved actions. These sentences are important to help in the fight to protect children and to deter others from engaging in such crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “HSI will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit our most vulnerable victims.”

HSI investigated the case with valuable assistance from the San Antonio Police Department.

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 Castroville man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 60 months in prison for one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Buel DeWayne Smiley, 63, was reported to the FBI for sharing posts that expressed anti-government and pro-white sentiment and encouraged others to blow up infrastructure. In his posts, Smiley displayed books on making improvised munitions and chemicals that could be used as precursors to make explosives. The FBI determined that Smiley, a convicted felon, also was depicted brandishing firearms in his social media posts and agents observed him on his property with a gun that appeared to be one visible in the posts.

FBI agents arrested Smiley on March 9. A search of his residence revealed loaded firearms, boxes of ammunition, several books or instruction manuals about making improvised explosives, lab equipment, handwritten notes that appeared to discuss experiments with homemade explosives, and chemical precursors for explosives. Smiley pleaded guilty to the charge of felon in possession of a firearm on Aug. 15.

“This is a great example of ‘If you see something, say something,’” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to a concerned member of the community who was alarmed by the defendant's social media broadcasts calling for political violence, the FBI was able to investigate and arrest the defendant for illegally possessing firearms before he could do further harm to the community. I thank our partners at the FBI for their hard work.”

“Buel Smiley not only made threats to attack critical infrastructure, he had the materials and instructions to follow through,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division. “This sentence ensures that he won’t have the opportunity to follow through with his threats to endanger our communities. I want to thank the Medina County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.”

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Yuen prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A federal jury found a San Antonio man, previously convicted of aggravated robbery, guilty of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dylan James Rivas, 25, who was convicted of Aggravated Robbery in Bexar County in 2017, illegally possessed a firearm during a five-day span in April 2020. On April 13, 2020, Rivas attacked and pistol-whipped his girlfriend with the firearm, before shooting at her parents’ house early the next morning. Then, on April 17, 2020, Rivas shot another person with the firearm during an argument. That same day, San Antonio Police Department detectives tracked down Rivas and arrested him after he left a house on the west side of San Antonio. Detectives recovered the Glock 9mm caliber pistol that Rivas used in the shootings from inside the house.

Rivas was found guilty of one count of felon in possession of a firearm and faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment. He remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing on March 13, 2024.

The ATF and SAPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Nowinski and Eric Fuchs 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.  Anonymous tips involving gang crime and wanted fugitives can be submitted at www.stopsanantoniogangs.org.

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WACO – A Virginia man was sentenced in federal court today to 20 years in prison for distribution of sexual abuse material involving a minor. 

On November 9, 2021, Daniel Price, 37, of Galax, VA., was charged with two counts of knowingly distributing and attempting to distribute visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  On August 29, 2023, Price pleaded guilty to both charges in federal court.

According to court documents, in February 2021, a mother contacted the Waco Police Department and related her 11-year-old’s phone contained sexually explicit images and messages between her child and Price.  Investigation determined Price coerced the child to send sexually explicit photos and videos.  Price also sent images of his genitalia to the victim. 

In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright ordered Price to pay $3,000 in restitution to his victim and to serve a lifetime of supervised release after he serves his prison term.

“As this case demonstrates, those intent on harming our children don’t have to live in close proximity to their victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza.  “Price was over a thousand miles away from this minor when he perpetrated this crime.  I applaud the victim’s mother for bringing these crimes to the Waco Police Department’s attention.  As a community we all need to be vigilant in protecting our children from predators such as Price.”

The Waco Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory S. Gloff 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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EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, between November 6, 2022 and November 17, 2022, Jacob Isaiah Spencer, 25, had sexually explicit conversations on social media, to include sending lascivious photos of male genitalia, with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old child.  On November 17, 2022, Spencer arranged to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity by arranging transportation for the minor to Spencer’s home.  Agents from the FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Spencer while he waited for the minor to show up.

On August 30, 2023, Spencer pleaded guilty to one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.  He has remained in federal custody since his arrest on November 17, 2022.

“Protecting our children and our community is a top priority for our office,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza.  “We will continue to prosecute those who seek to harm our minors for their own sexual gratification.”

“The defendant in this case tried to share sexually explicit material to a minor in an attempt to progress the relationship to become sexually physical,” said John Morales, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI El Paso Field Office.  “Parents can rest easy with this man in federal prison, but there are so many more predators like him. The FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force remains committed to the fight against exploitation of our children.”

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Valenzuela 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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EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

According to court documents, during an El Paso Police Department traffic stop on September 6, 2022, Erich Calixtro, 45, was found in possession of approximately 138 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 28 grams of fentanyl. 

On September 14, 2023, Calixtro pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  Due to his extensive criminal history, the Court found that Calixtro was a career criminal offender. Calixtro has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 6, 2022.

“My office will continue to prosecute those who peddle illegal drugs in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza.  “I’m proud of the work accomplished by the El Paso Police Department and the FBI in taking another drug dealer off our streets.”

“Illicit synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl continue to drive addiction and fatal poisonings in our communities,” said John Morales, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “People like Calixtro fuel these addictions by making these poisons accessible in our communities. His disregard for how he destroys families will no longer be a concern as he spends the next 20 years in federal prison.”

The FBI and EPPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Myers prosecuted the case.

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Round Rock man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 24 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, from August 2019 to February 2021, Daniel Akira Mills, 22, participated in a criminal wire fraud conspiracy that employed SIM swaps to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars in property. Participants in the scheme gained unauthorized access to online accounts of victims through a cyber intrusion technique referred to as “SIM swapping.”
During a SIM swap attack, cyber threat actors gain control of a victim’s mobile phone number by linking that number to a subscriber identity module (SIM) card controlled by the threat actors, resulting in the victim’s calls and messages being routed to a device controlled by the threat actors.
The threat actors then use control of the victim’s mobile phone number to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the victim that are registered to the mobile phone number. Among other things, scheme participants posted unauthorized messages on their victims’ social media accounts and posted private photographs stolen from the accounts of celebrities. They also stole more than
$600,000 in cryptocurrency from dozens of victims nationwide.

In addition to imposing a prison sentence, the court ordered Mills to pay more than $530,000 in restitution to the victims.

“We now run much of our lives through smartphones. From social media to managing our finances, they have become essential tools. This can be very helpful, but also comes with many risks,” said
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By ‘SIM swapping,’ or stealing the phone numbers of victims to assume their identities, Mills and his cohorts defrauded innocent members of society and caused great harm. My office will not hesitate to hold fraudsters like Mills accountable for their irresponsible destructive actions.”

The U.S. Secret Service and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office’s REACT Task Force investigated the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned a superseding indictment charging a New Braunfels man with eight counts related to the smuggling of firearm parts into Mexico and a conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to court documents, Chandler Britain Bradford, 34, allegedly engaged in a multimillion-dollar scheme to illegally provide thousands of semi-automatic rifles to a Mexican citizen who resided in the Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico area. Bradford is alleged to have supplied enough firearm parts to arm the recipient with approximately 4,800 semi-automatic rifles, despite not having a license to export firearm parts from the United States to Mexico. Court documents allege that Bradford provided his co-conspirator with the parts, tools, and counsel needed to facilitate a full firearm manufacturing enterprise in northern Mexico, and that Bradford received more than $3.5 million from his co-conspirator.

Bradford is charged with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States; one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms; one count of conspiracy to transfer firearms for use in a felony; four counts of aiding and abetting the smuggling of goods from the United States; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. 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 are investigating the case with assistance from the Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations.

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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DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man was sentenced in federal court to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay a $35,000 special assessment for receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, Leeroy Hinojosa, 35, used the mobile app Snapchat to message two minors, knowing they were underage, and repeatedly request illicit sexually explicit photos and videos from them. The interactions led to Hinojosa receiving 129 images and 106 videos of child pornography from the victims. Hinojosa was arrested on Dec. 17, 2020 and has remained in federal custody.

“Without help from members of the community who said something when they saw something, the authorities would not have been able to investigate and prosecute this offender who repeatedly sought nude photos and videos of underage girls,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We must look out for the innocent, vulnerable children in our lives and our community. I appreciate the investigative work of our local, state and federal partners, ensuring this predator serves his time in confinement, where he can no longer harm these victims.”

“Homeland Security Investigations agents make it a top priority to work with all of our local law enforcement partners to investigate predators involved with the receipt of child pornography,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “Each year, millions of children fall prey to sexual predators, and it is imperative that we do our part to protect vulnerable children from victimization and ensure the perpetrators are punished for their heinous crimes.”

HSI, Customs and Border Protection, Del Rio Police Department, and TX DPS investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Pavlinski 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 federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment today charging a San Antonio woman with 10 counts related to a fraud scheme she allegedly conducted while working as a civilian financial program manager at Fort Sam Houston.

According to court documents, Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, allegedly stole more than $100 million in Army funds by regularly submitting fraudulent paperwork that indicated an entity she controlled, Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development (CHYLD), was entitled to receive funds from the Army. Mello claimed that CHYLD provided services to military members and their families, when, in reality, CHYLD did not provide any services. The indictment alleges that Mello instead used the funds to buy millions of dollars in jewelry, clothing, vehicles, and real estate. Additionally, Mello is alleged to have falsified the digital signature of one of her supervisors on multiple occasions.

Mello is charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft. She is scheduled for her initial court appearance Dec. 14 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Bemporad of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, Mello faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each fraud charge, up to 10 years in prison for each spending statute charge, and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge. The indictment also includes a notice of forfeiture for the proceeds and property that Mello obtained as a result of the criminal conduct alleged. 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.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Simmons and Antonio Franco 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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AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin man and two co-conspirators were sentenced in a federal court in Austin for their roles in the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

According to court documents, David Lee Jr., 46, of Austin, Virginia Zepeda, 43, of Austin, and Jackie Lynne Chester, 37, of Taylor, were identified as suppliers of counterfeit oxycodone tablets and other counterfeit prescription pills in the investigation of the overdose death of an 18-year-old Coupland male. Video surveillance footage revealed the victim approaching Lee’s vehicle at a gas station and engaging in a hand-to-hand exchange with Chester through a window of the vehicle. Four and a half tablets of counterfeit oxycodone were recovered from the victim’s residence following his death. As part of the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents conducted controlled-buys with Lee and Zepeda, indicating that the two were actively distributing fentanyl in the form of counterfeit oxycodone following the victim’s death.

Lee was sentenced to 240 months in prison; Zepeda was sentenced to 135 months in prison; and Chester was sentenced to 108 months in prison.

“These drug dealers knowingly sold several counterfeit pills, each containing incredibly lethal doses of fentanyl, to an unsuspecting victim, tragically leading to the poisoning and death of an 18-year-old,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This is another case in which a young victim leaves behind their loving family and friends, while the criminals themselves walked away with the intent to cause more harm. Thanks to our local and federal law enforcement partners, these three will now spend decades off the streets, unable to inflict any further damage in our communities.”

“These defendants were blinded by greed and sold fake fentanyl pills for a quick profit, and as a result, the victim and his family have suffered an immeasurable loss,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our country today, and it takes just a small amount to take someone’s precious life away. The disregard for human life by these defendants is apparent, and we hope these sentences serve as a closure to the family now devastated by the loss of their 18-year-old son.”

“It is the goal of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit to arrest and prosecute fentanyl dealers to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sheriff Mike Gleason for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. “Fentanyl poisonings have increased in central Texas, and we will continue to use all resources available to us, including the DEA and USAO. Task Force members are committed to serving the victims, seeking justice, and providing closure for their families.”

The DEA, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – A New Mexico man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 150 months in prison for transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to court documents, registered sex offender Alexandre Theodore Banta, 37, of Roswell, New Mexico, traveled with a juvenile from Roswell to El Paso, Texas in April 2020, engaging in sexual acts in the vehicle along the way. Banta and the juvenile spent between one and a half to two weeks in an El Paso motel, where Banta further engaged in sexual acts with the minor and arranged for the minor to have sex with other individuals in exchange for payment.

The El Paso Police Department was alerted by someone at the motel who said they had seen a young girl entering and exiting various motel rooms and overheard a tenant of one of the rooms describe a sexual encounter with her. Banta was arrested on June 12, 2020 for Sexual Assault of a Minor. He was served a federal arrest warrant on Aug. 18, 2020, and extradited to El Paso.

“This predator committed heinous sexual acts of his own with a minor, while also forcing her into prostitution out of a motel room and lining his pockets,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the vigilance of those who alerted the El Paso Police Department, and our partner agencies who conducted the ensuing investigation. This case serves as an important reminder that sexual exploitation can and does occur in our communities, and we can all play a role in prevention.”

“Child exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes in modern society, and this case exemplifies one of the worst. The sentence fits the crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for the HSI El Paso Division. “Our robust partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies continues to allow HSI special agents to ensure those responsible for victimizing children are removed from our communities and placed behind bars for a long time.”

HSI and EPPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Valenzuela 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 Fort Worth man active in the Texas National Guard was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 72 months in prison and ordered to pay a $17,000 assessment for possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers conducted a traffic stop near Del Rio on Dec. 17, 2021. Jesus Gaytan III, 23, and a minor were passengers in the vehicle and, upon questioning, disclosed that they were in a sexual relationship. A review of Gaytan’s cell phone revealed video of Gaytan and the minor involved in sexual acts. Gaytan was arrested during the traffic stop and has remained in federal custody since. He pleaded guilty on March 14, 2022 to one count of possession of child pornography.

“The possession of child pornography is a serious offense and anyone in violation will be prosecuted accordingly,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of our law enforcement partners at the state and federal levels in this case, which led to this six year sentence.”

“Individuals who commit heinous acts of violence against children will be found and brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “I am grateful for the cooperation of our federal partners whose collaboration is vital to find these criminals and keep them off our streets.” 

HSI and DPS 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 San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 210 months in prison and ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution to nine victims for distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, for more than two decades, Carlos Fabian Velez, 52, used a peer-to-peer file sharing system to traffic in child sexual abuse material and distribute hundreds of files depicting children as young as infants and toddlers. Velez was arrested on March 28, 2022 and, on Aug. 23, 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

“The sexual abuse and exploitation of children have horrific effects on the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Individuals like Mr. Velez, who choose to traffic child sexual abuse images, must understand that their choices have very serious consequences beyond a lengthy prison sentence.”

“Carlos Velez victimized some of our most vulnerable citizens for decades,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division. “This sentence is reflective of the FBI’s dedication to hold accountable predators who would exploit innocent children.” 

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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EL PASO, Texas – A Horizon City man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 46 months in prison for access with intent to view a visual depiction involving the sexual exploitation of a prepubescent minor.

According to court documents, Orlando Solis, 47, began communicating over the social messaging platform “Whisper,” with a user who identified herself as a 13-year old female. The Department of the Army Criminal Investigative Division’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit initiated the investigation and referred the matter to the FBI. The conversations were often sexual in nature, with Solis sending links to pornography sites, describing sexual acts he wanted to engage in with her, and sending graphic photos of himself. He also informed her that he had a “hidden” folder on his phone for pornography.

The FBI determined that Solis was a high school teacher and arrested him on Feb. 2. A forensic examination of his cellphone revealed child sexual abuse material depicting minors as young as five or six years old. Solis pleaded guilty July 25.

“Protecting children from sexual predators will always be a priority of this office and our partners across the district,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the joint investigative efforts of the FBI and Army CID, Solis will no longer pose a threat nor further harm innocent children. Please also take this as a reminder to talk to your children about the legitimate risks of online chat rooms and social messaging apps.”

"The FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force's mission is to protect our nation's children from adults willing to meet and engage children online with the purpose of engaging in Child Exploitation," said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. "To that end, we've accomplished the mission by ensuring Solis won't be able to commit a hands-on sexual assault of a child. Please join the FBI’s never-ending effort to keep our children safe by reporting instances of known, or suspected child exploitation at tips.fbi.gov or call 800-CALL-FBI."

“Army CID has a strong relationship with the FBI and continually works together to maximize our jurisdiction and investigate all crimes in and around U.S. Army installations” said Special Agent in Charge Olga Morales for the Army CID Southwest Field Office. “Our Army communities, and the American public, can rest assured that we continually seek out child predators and anyone that would want to do harm to members of our communities, on and off our installations.”

The FBI and Army CID investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Valenzuela 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 Dallas man was indicted in a federal court in Del Rio with four counts related to smuggling firearms into Mexico from the United States.

According to court documents, Santiago Ramirez, 26, was subjected to a vehicle inspection at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in the early morning of Oct. 30. Customs and Border Protection Officers noticed that the interior sidewall of the trailer Ramirez was hauling appeared to have been altered. Further inspection allegedly revealed 187 firearms wrapped in cellophane and hidden in the trailer’s wall.

Ramirez made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters on Oct. 31. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms; one count of trafficking firearms; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States; and one count of smuggling goods from the United States. If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for each of the two charges related to trafficking firearms. The smuggling of goods conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, while the remaining smuggling of goods count could result in up to 10 years imprisonment. All four counts also carry fines of up to $250,000 each. 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.

ATF is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Garland and Zachary Bird 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 New Braunfels man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 168 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for the receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, Jonathan Travis Flora, 35, met a Canadian minor in July 2018 while playing an online video game. Knowing each other’s ages, the two held conversations that were often sexual in nature and exchanged nude photos and videos of themselves through gaming communication features as well as a phone messaging application.

In March 2019, Flora purchased a cell phone with a Canadian area code in order to continue communicating with the child victim under the guise that Flora was a classmate. The following month, the victim’s father received an unusually high phone bill and found that the child had exchanged more than 2,000 phone messages in a 15-day period. The victim then disclosed her interactions with Flora and the Ontario Provincial Police initiated an investigation.

“Preying on children will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This case reminds us that sexual predators can be found lurking in a multitude of places, including online video games, but it also shows the dedication shared by federal, state and international law enforcement to protect children and aggressively pursue those predators who manipulate them and prey upon their innocence.”

“Individuals who commit crimes against children will be investigated and brought to justice by Homeland Security Investigations,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio Division. “This case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement entities, domestically and globally, to pursue criminals who target children.”

HSI, the New Braunfels Police Department and the Ontario Provincial Police 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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A Texas man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $470,000 in restitution for a hate crime and arson in which he set fire to the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 31, 2021.

Franklin Sechriest, 19, of San Marcos, pleaded guilty to a hate crime and arson charges on April 7. Sechriest admitted that he targeted the synagogue because of his hatred of Jews, and journals recovered from the defendant were replete with virulent antisemitic statements and views. Sechriest also possessed several decals and stickers expressing antisemitic messages.

“This defendant is being held accountable for this depraved, antisemitic attack on Congregation Beth Israel, a community with a rich history and heritage that dates back to 1876,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This hate-filled act of violence against a house of worship was an attempt to sow fear in the Jewish community and was intended to intimidate its congregants.  Attacks targeting Jewish people and arsons aimed at desecrating synagogues have no place in our society today, and the Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute antisemitic violence.”

“No one should have to fear that their daily lives will be inflicted by hate-fueled violence, or that their place of worship and community could become a target of hate,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We stand firmly committed to those impacted by this arson, and my office will continue to combat criminal acts of hate while seeking justice for the victims.”

“Hate crimes have the power to devastate and terrorize entire communities. To target a place of worship, a space meant to be a sanctuary in every sense of the word, is one of the most heinous acts that can be committed,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We remain dedicated to investigating hate crimes and will continue to work relentlessly to hold responsible those who would commit violent acts based on hate.”

According to court documents and admissions made during his plea and sentencing hearings, on Oct. 28, 2021, three days before the arson, Sechriest drove to the synagogue’s parking lot outside its sanctuary. According to Sechriest’s journals, he went there to “scout out a target.”

The night of the arson, Sechriest drove to the synagogue and was seen on surveillance video carrying a five-gallon container and toilet paper toward the synagogue’s sanctuary. Moments later, multiple surveillance videos captured the glow of a fire from the direction of the sanctuary. A security camera captured Sechriest jogging away from the direction of the fire and toward the open driver’s side door of a vehicle. A concerned citizen reported the fire, and the Austin Fire Department responded quickly to extinguish it. In Sechriest’s journal, in an entry dated Oct. 31, 2021, he wrote “I set a synagogue on fire.” In the days following the arson, Sechriest’s journal noted that he was actively monitoring media reports to track the progress of the investigation into the arson. 

The FBI San Antonio Field Office and Austin Fire Department investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case.

EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempted coercion and enticement and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, James Forrest Williams Kidd, 33, initiated a conversation with a social media profile depicting a teenage girl in late October 2022. Under the belief that he was chatting with a 13-year-old, Kidd requested nude photos of the user and invited her to his apartment to engage in various sexual acts. Additionally, Kidd sent a pornographic photo and video over the app. On the night of Dec. 29, 2022, Kidd arranged for the minor to be picked up and taken to his residence via a rideshare app using his account. FBI agents announced themselves at Kidd’s door and arrested him.

Kidd pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2023 to one count of attempted coercion and enticement and one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

“This defendant intended to lure a 13-year-old girl to his home for sexual activity using a social networking app and will now spend a decade in prison for it,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I commend the FBI for their efforts in identifying and apprehending a dangerous predator before he could harm a child in our community.”

“The FBI El Paso's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force is committed to protecting the children of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. “This defendant will spend the next 10 years in federal prison for criminal intentions he fully intended to act on to meet a minor for a sexual encounter and sharing obscene material with the minor in the process. Our community can rest easy knowing this man will be behind bars in a federal prison.”

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg 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 Midland woman and her brother, a Mexican national, were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 262 months and 324 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO).

According to court documents, Blanca Estela Maldonado, 54, of Midland, and her brother Federico Jose Maldonado-Aleman, 59, of Mexico, were part of a DTO responsible for trafficking approximately 79 kilograms of methamphetamine within the Western District of Texas between December 2016 and September 2018. The conspirators transported narcotics themselves and hired individuals to smuggle narcotics across the border, using Blanca Maldonado’s Midland residence as a primary pick-up/drop off point. Federico Maldonado-Aleman served as a supplier and facilitator of smuggling operations.

“For two years, these defendants conspired as part of a Mexican DTO using one of the individual’s homes as a distribution hub,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the collaborative investigation efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, we were able to secure incredibly substantial prison sentences for six drug traffickers responsible for pushing dangerous drugs into our communities.”

“These significant sentences send a clear message to criminal organizations that there are serious consequences for trafficking-controlled substances,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “HSI will continue to pursue transnational criminal investigations to target dangerous individuals who threaten the security of the United States.”

“The collective number of years members of this organization will spend in prison shows our collective commitment to bringing those who bring devastating drugs to our communities to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Field Office. “These sentences will now serve as a clear reminder of the consequences of choosing to poison our communities.”

Four additional codefendants involved were sentenced earlier in the case, all for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Juan Francisco Guajardo, 34, of Eagle Pass, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment on Feb. 4, 2020. April Sotelo, 42, of Seagraves, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment on Dec. 7, 2020. Kenneth Ray Cabrera, 40, of Seminole, was sentenced to 300 months imprisonment on March 1, 2022. Agatha Marie Barrientez, 37, of Midland, was sentenced to 292 months on June 30, 2022. In total, the six co-conspirators received a combined penalty of more than 141 years in prison.

HSI, DEA and USBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming, Joshua Garland and Brett Miner prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment charging a San Antonio man with 11 counts related to wire fraud and money laundering.

According to court documents, James Michael Bergeron, 42, allegedly devised a scheme to secure funds made available through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), both of which were COVID-era programs designed to provide relief to small business owners. The indictment alleges Bergeron secured the funds by making misrepresentations about the number of employees employed, as well as the average monthly payroll paid out, by various entities he controlled. In securing the RRF money, it also reports that Bergeron made misrepresentations about the annual revenue for one of these entities. Based on these misrepresentations, Bergeron, allegedly through the various entities, received millions of dollars. He then spent the funds on various unauthorized items, including real estate, vehicles and retail investment products.

Bergeron is charged with five counts of wire fraud, one count of false statement, three counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and two counts of concealment money laundering. The defendant made his initial court appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison. 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 Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.

Western District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Simmons and Bill Harris and Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner from the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division, Fraud Section 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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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to one count of wire fraud.

According to court documents, Daniel Steadley, 68, operated two companies in El Paso which marketed and sold a healthcare insurance plan known as the Unique Healthcare MEC Plan. Steadley sold the insurance plan under false claims that it complied with the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). He also falsely claimed that he was a lawyer who had previously overseen an elite team of lawyers while working for a U.S. Senator at the White House, and that he had been a commander in the Navy, as well as a SEAL team member.

Several purchasers of Steadley’s fraudulent Unique Plan suffered injuries or had diseases that required hospitalization or other medical attention. When these individuals attempted to use their Unique Plan card, hospitals and other providers did not recognize the plan and there was no coverage of their medical bills. Several Unique Plan members received medical bills that were significant, ranging from hundreds of dollars to more than $100,000. Approximately 2,600 individuals in the El Paso area purchased the Unique Plan between Dec. 1, 2014 and Aug. 31, 2020. The investigation identified $974,193.68 in victim losses.

Steadley faces up to 20 years in prison for one count of wire fraud. 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 FBI and Texas Department of Insurance are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Skillern and Michael Osterberg are prosecuting the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to one count of sexual exploitation of children.

According to court documents, Adrian Scott Warren, 46, disclosed to another user in a private messaging app, that he had been engaging in sexual contact with a prepubescent minor for several years. Warren also told the app user that he was interested in meeting up to engage in sexual activity and watch child pornography that Warren would provide. Additionally, Warren used the app to send two photos of an adult male sexually assaulting a child.

On Aug. 4, 2022, Warren traveled to meet the messaging app user at a hotel, where he expected to engage in sexual acts with the user’s nine year old nephew. Instead, Warren was met by FBI agents who arrested him and seized his phone.

Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 21, 2024 and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. 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 FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is 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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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to one count of distribution of fentanyl, causing death or serious bodily injury.

According to court documents, Christian Torres, 24, was the supplier of counterfeit M-30 pills containing fentanyl at his residence on March 4, 2022. Torres and another user consumed the pills, which led to the overdose and death of the other person. The death was determined to be the result of fentanyl toxicity.

Torres faces 20 years to life in prison. 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 Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Countryman is prosecuting the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to conspiring to traffick firearms while residing in the United States illegally following prior deportation.

According to court documents, on Jan. 25, Erick Arenas Pascual, 22, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, drove a co-defendant to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in El Paso, where the co-defendant purchased a handgun. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested the two defendants as they left the FFL and discovered a second recently purchased handgun with 100 rounds of ammunition in Pascual’s vehicle.

An investigation revealed that Pascual planned to and had previously delivered firearms to individuals who would smuggle firearms into Mexico. It was further determined, through Department of Homeland Security records, that Pascual was a non-U.S. citizen and had been previously removed through El Paso in August 2020.

Pascual pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffick firearms and one count of illegal re-entry. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and up to two years in prison for the illegal re-entry 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 and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II for the ATF Dallas Field Division made the announcement.

The ATF is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Juan Albino and Nallely Barbosa are prosecuting the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 136 months in prison and 20 years supervised release for receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, Marlon Zurita, 47, stored more than three dozen files containing child sexual abuse material on his online storage accounts. A search warrant executed by Department of Homeland Security Investigations agents led to the seizure of 18 electronic devices, 11 of which were determined to contain child sexual abuse material (CSAM) Zurita had downloaded from the internet. Between Jan.1, 2020 and Sept. 24, 2020, Zurita had downloaded over 3,000 video files and over 39,000 images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children. Zurita pleaded guilty to the charge on Dec. 22, 2022.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Zurita to pay $90,000 restitution and forfeit the 11 electronic devices that contained CSAM.

“This individual sought out and stored child sexual abuse material, further victimizing minors by enabling the production of child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and with our agency partners at Homeland Security Investigations leading many of these investigations, we are able to prosecute predators who cause unfathomable harm to the lives of innocent children.”

“This sentence sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those individuals who exploit children.” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “We remain committed to working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who victimize our children.”

HSI 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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AUSTIN, Texas – Federal prosecutors presented a superseding indictment in Austin, charging Natin Paul, aka Nate Paul, 36, with four new counts related to wire fraud.

According to court documents, Paul, allegedly conspired to obtain money from limited partners by falsely representing that he would isolate the partnership’s assets to be used exclusively for the benefit of the partnership. The superseding indictment alleges that Paul’s scheme allowed unrestricted use of limited partnership funds.

Adding to the initial eight counts of false statements to lenders, Paul is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. The new charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison with fines of $250,000 per count. Each of the eight counts in Paul’s initial June 6 indictment carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison with a fine of $1 million. 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 FBI and State Securities Board are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Almonte, Alan Buie and Dan Guess 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 Honduran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 18 months in prison for assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers, causing bodily injury.

According to court documents, Jesus Alexander Bardales Ramirez, 26, was seen running into the United States from Mexico, chased by Mexican authorities, toward Customs and Border Protection officers (CBPOs) at the Eagle Pass port of entry. When CBPOs attempted to restrain Ramirez, the migrant pulled away, causing him and the officers to fall to the ground.

Following several minutes of engagement, CBPOs were able to subdue and handcuff Ramirez. Ramirez continued to resist and kick at the officers throughout attempts to place him in a CBP vehicle, striking several CBPOs in their arms, bodies and faces.

After CBPOs managed to secure him in the vehicle, Ramirez began to strike his own head against the vehicle window, and when an officer tried to secure Ramirez’s head in an attempt to prevent Ramirez from injuring himself, Ramirez bit the officer on the arm.

“This case is a reminder of the dangers and hostility our law enforcement officers at the border can face on any given day,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I’m grateful for the commitment of these CBP officers and all of our partners who bear the same risks. Know that we will not tolerate acts of violence on our federal officers, and offenders will be held accountable.”

CBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in a federal court today to 10 years of probation and fined $200,000 for two charges related to healthcare kickbacks.

According to court documents, from June 2014 to April 2019, Amber Ashley Price, 40, engaged in a conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks in return for sending prescriptions to specific pharmacies. Some prescriptions were paid for by federal insurance programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, and TRICARE. Price, an employee of Kindred Home Health, would also refer patients to other home health agencies in the San Antonio area for a kickback payment. At least some of the patients referred were Medicare beneficiaries.

“Illegal kickbacks are a hidden drain on our healthcare system. They raise costs and prevent patient choice,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This case reinforces our ongoing commitment to policing this all too common practice and ensuring the integrity of our public health insurance programs.”

“The FBI and our law enforcement partners are working hard every day to protect patients and federal health care programs from fraud and abuse,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division. “Healthcare fraud affects patient safety, quality of healthcare, and healthcare costs.  Amber Price knew what she was doing was unethical and illegal.  Today’s sentence sends a message to those who would use kickbacks and fraudulent schemes to take advantage of the health care system, that these types of crimes will not be tolerated.”

Codefendant Christopher Patrick Cruz, 49, of San Antonio, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 21. Cruz owned a medical marketing business and conspired with Price to increase the volumes of prescriptions of specific pharmacies.

The FBI; Texas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; and the Defense Criminal Investigation Service investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – The Justice Department announced today several new commitments as part of its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Instituted by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, the strategy focuses on harnessing federal resources, intelligence, and expertise as a force-multiplier with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.  

Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta highlighted the more than $334 million in critical grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders awarded today by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The COPS grants announced today include funding to help law enforcement agencies hire over 1,730 new law enforcement officers across the country while also providing critical funding to support school safety and continue to advance community policing nationwide. 

Through this funding, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is pleased to announce that the Department’s COPS Office awarded $11,028,393 to the Western District of Texas to combat violent crime and maintain public safety.

“Law enforcement officers across the country are showing up every day to protect their communities in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These grants, which support the hiring of more than 1700 new officers and make critical investments in school safety and crisis intervention efforts, will help provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep their communities safe, support officers, and build public trust.”

“The grant award announced today by the Justice Department is a critical investment in public safety for our district,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I am grateful for the support from the Attorney General and across the Department, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the people of the Western District are safe and secure.”

The Department has also named the five new cities to join the more than 50 jurisdictions currently part of the Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which has a proven track record of helping partner sites reduce crime, improve homicide clearance rates, and enhance the quality of life for community members. The 2024 PSP sites are: Knoxville, Tennessee; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; and Vallejo, California.  

Lastly, the Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General announced that this December 11-13, in Indianapolis, the Justice Department’s will bring together 1,500 local and federal partners from across the country, including representatives from the more than 50 PSP jurisdictions and from Project Safe Neighborhoods for a Violent Crime Reduction Summit, to be hosted by OJP BJA.

Complete lists of all program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here.  

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EL PASO, Texas – A Guatemalan national was indicted in a federal court in El Paso with two counts related to child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, Jesus Menjibar Salinas, 20, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents east of Sierra Blanca on Oct. 3. An affidavit filed in a criminal complaint alleges that Salinas possessed a cell phone with photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse material stored within the device and in a messaging application.

Salinas is charged with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a penalty of five to 20 years in prison for the transportation charge and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the possession 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 made the announcement.

HSI and USBP are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg is 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.

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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MIDLAND, Texas – A Kingsville man was sentenced in a federal court in Midland to 168 months in prison for enticement of a minor.

According to court documents, Joel Garcia Elizondo Jr., 34, discussed engaging in multiple sexual acts with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl over various social media applications. Elizondo agreed to meet the girl outside an Odessa middle school one evening. Once Elizondo arrived outside the school, he was immediately taken into custody by Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) special agents and Odessa Police Department officers. On Aug. 1, a federal jury in Midland found Elizondo guilty of the charge.

“These investigations are crucial to protecting children across our district, and the nation, as they identify and apprehend adults who are willing to meet children online for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the proactive efforts of our law enforcement partners who potentially prevented a hands-on sexual assault of a child by this defendant.”

TX DPS, the Odessa Police Department and Midland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Mahoney and John Fedock 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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The Justice Department, along with the Department of Homeland Security and its partners, today announced significant sentences obtained through Joint Task Force Alpha’s (JTFA) prosecution of leaders, organizers, and members of a prolific human smuggling scheme that resulted in the death of a Guatemalan migrant in 2021.

Four defendants were sentenced today in the Western District of Texas for their roles in the human smuggling scheme. Lopez Mateo Mateo, aka Bud Light, 43, was sentenced to 30 years in prison; Felipe Diego Alonzo, aka Siete, 40, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison; and Nesly Norberto Martinez Gomez, aka Canche, 38, and Juan Gutierrez Castro, aka Andres, 46, were both sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison.

“The four defendants sentenced in this case were part of a deadly human smuggling operation that endangered vulnerable migrants for profit and cost one woman her life,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “When I directed the formation of Joint Task Force Alpha in 2021, I said that the Justice Department would combat the threats posed by dangerous human smuggling networks where they originate and operate. Since then, the Justice Department has made over 260 domestic and international arrests and secured 150 convictions on human smuggling charges. The Justice Department will continue to disrupt and dismantle the threat posed by human smuggling and trafficking operations.”

“Human smugglers will do anything to make a profit and the Department of Homeland Security will do everything in its power to stop them,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The sentencing of these four individuals is the direct result of an unprecedented, whole-of-government effort to prevent these crimes and seek justice for victims. In close partnership with the Justice Department and others through JTFA, our Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents will continue to investigate and dismantle the transnational criminal organizations that prey on vulnerable people.”

“Tragedies like this serve as a stark reminder of the dangers human smugglers pose to migrants,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Joint Task Force Alpha, with our international law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and take down dangerous transnational operations that undermine our lawful immigration system and exploit migrants in the name of profit.”

According to court documents, the defendants admitted to conspiring with other smugglers to facilitate the movement of large numbers of migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and ultimately into the United States. They charged the migrants and their families approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the perilous journey. One of the journeys resulted in the death of a young indigenous Guatemalan woman, who died in Texas in April 2021. The woman’s family paid the defendants approximately $10,000 to smuggle her into the United States. The defendants arranged for her to be guided for several days on foot through the desert from Mexico into Texas and then driven to a stash house in Odessa, Texas, where she ultimately died. The defendants and their co-conspirators dumped her body on the side of a rural road outside Odessa, Texas. The defendants and their co-conspirators also arranged to pay off the victim’s family in Guatemala.

“These sentences reflect the lengths and degrees this office and the overall Justice Department will go to seek justice for the victims of heinous crimes and prevent further harm,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Smuggling rings like these operate, not with any concern for their victims’ lives, but rather their greed and desire for cold, hard cash. In coordination with our partners, both in the United States and worldwide, we will continue to do everything in our power to dismantle these networks and hold smugglers accountable.”

“HSI will continue to apply its broad investigative authority and international footprint to ensure members of these transnational criminal networks are held accountable for preying upon and abusing a vulnerable population,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of HSI El Paso. “Our message is clear: If you’re running one of these elicit organizations that are moving human cargo, we will find you no matter how near or far you are.”

Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States resulting in death. As announced last year, extensive coordination between U.S. and Guatemalan law enforcement authorities led to the indictment and arrest of these four defendants, as well as the apprehension of 15 additional co-conspirators in Guatemala. Pursuant to an extradition request, in March, Guatemalan authorities extradited Mateo Mateo, Diego Alonzo, Martinez Gomez, and Gutierrez Castro to the United States – the first Guatemalan human smuggling extraditions to the United States in nearly five years, and the first ever extraditions from Guatemala to the United States on charges of human smuggling resulting in death.

HSI Midland led the investigation, working in concert with HSI Guatemala and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; ICE’s Parole and Law Enforcement Programs Unit; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel; U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Marshals Service; the Odessa and Midland Police Departments; the Texas Department of Public Safety; and the Ector County, Midland County, and Crane County Sheriffs’ Offices.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance to secure the arrest and extradition of the four defendants. The Criminal Division’s Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT) provided case-based mentoring to support the investigation. The Justice Department is grateful to Guatemalan law enforcement, who were instrumental in furthering this investigation.

JTFA Co-Director James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Luis Acosta and John Fedock for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian Gallegos for the Western District of Texas and HRSP Historian and Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.

This prosecution and the collaboration with Guatemalan law enforcement were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). Attorney General Garland created JTFA in June 2021 in partnership with DHS to strengthen the Justice Department’s efforts to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. 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 260 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 150 convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. 

El Departamento de Justicia, junto con el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y sus socios, anunciaron hoy importantes sentencias obtenidas a través del procesamiento por parte de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa (JTFA) de líderes, organizadores y miembros de un prolífico ardid de tráfico de personas que resultó en la muerte de un migrante guatemalteco en 2021.

Cuatro acusados han sido condenados hoy en el Distrito Oeste de Texas por su participación en el ardid de tráfico de personas. López Mateo Mateo, alias Bud Light, de 43 años, fue condenado a 30 años de prisión; Felipe Diego Alonzo, alias Siete, de 40 años, fue condenado a 19 años y siete meses de prisión; y Nesly Norberto Martínez Gómez, alias Canche, de 38 años, y Juan Gutiérrez Castro, alias Andrés, de 46 años, fueron condenados a 10 años y un mes de prisión.

“Los cuatro acusados sentenciados en este caso formaban parte de una mortífera operación de tráfico de personas que ponía en peligro a migrantes vulnerables con fines lucrativos y que le costó la vida a una mujer”, dijo el fiscal general Merrick B. Garland. “Cuando dirigí la formación de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa en 2021, dije que el Departamento de Justicia combatiría las amenazas planteadas por las peligrosas redes de tráfico de personas allí donde se originaran y operaran. Desde entonces, el Departamento de Justicia ha realizado más de 260 aprehensiones nacionales e internacionales y ha logrado 150 condenas por cargos de tráfico de personas. El Departamento de Justicia seguirá desarticulando y desmantelando la amenaza que representan las operaciones de tráfico y trata de personas”.

“Los traficantes de personas harán cualquier cosa para obtener beneficios y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional hará todo lo que esté en su poder para detenerlos”, declaró el secretario de Seguridad Nacional, Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “La condena de estas cuatro personas es el resultado directo de un esfuerzo sin precedentes de todo el Gobierno para prevenir estos delitos y buscar justicia para las víctimas. En estrecha colaboración con el Departamento de Justicia y otros organismos a través de la JTFA, nuestros agentes de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) seguirán investigando y desmantelando las organizaciones delictivas transnacionales que se aprovechan de personas vulnerables”.

“Tragedias como esta nos recuerdan crudamente los peligros que los traficantes de personas representan para los migrantes”, declaró la fiscal general auxiliar en funciones Nicole M. Argentieri, de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia.  “La Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa, junto con nuestros socios internacionales encargados de la aplicación de la ley, seguirá persiguiendo y desarticulando peligrosas operaciones transnacionales que socavan nuestro sistema de inmigración legal y explotan a los migrantes con fines lucrativos”.

Según documentos del tribunal, los acusados admitieron haberse unido en una asociación delictuosa con otros traficantes para facilitar el traslado de un gran número de migrantes desde Guatemala a través de México y, en última instancia, a los Estados Unidos. Ellos les cobraron a los migrantes y a sus familias entre $10,000 y $12,000 dólares estadounidenses por el peligroso viaje. Uno de los viajes resultó en la muerte de una joven indígena guatemalteca, quien falleció en Texas en abril de 2021. La familia de la mujer pagó a los acusados unos $10,000 dólares estadounidenses para que la introdujeran ilegalmente en los Estados Unidos. Los acusados se encargaron de guiarla durante varios días a pie por el desierto desde México hasta Texas y luego la condujeron a una casa  clandestina en Odessa, Texas, donde finalmente murió. Los acusados y sus coconspiradores arrojaron su cuerpo a un lado de una carretera rural en las afueras de Odessa, Texas. Los acusados y sus coconspiradores también coordinaron para sobornar a la familia de la víctima en Guatemala.

“Estas sentencias reflejan hasta qué punto esta oficina y el Departamento de Justicia en general harán justicia a las víctimas de crímenes atroces y evitarán más daños”, dijo el fiscal de los EE. UU. Jaime Esparza para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. “Las redes de tráfico como estas operan, no con preocupación por las vidas de sus víctimas, sino más bien su codicia y el deseo de dinero contante y sonante. En coordinación con nuestros socios, tanto en los Estados Unidos como en todo el mundo, seguiremos haciendo todo lo que esté en nuestras manos para desmantelar estas redes y hacer que los traficantes rindan cuentas”.

“HSI continuará aplicando su amplia autoridad investigadora y su presencia internacional para garantizar que los miembros de estas redes delictivas transnacionales rindan cuentas por aprovecharse y abusar de una población vulnerable”, declaró el agente especial a cargo Francisco B. Burrola, de HSI El Paso. “Nuestro mensaje es claro: si diriges una de estas organizaciones ilícitas que trasladan cargamentos de personas, te encontraremos, no importa lo cerca o lejos que estés”.

Cada uno de los acusados se declaró culpable de un cargo de asociación delictuosa para introducir a un extranjero en los Estados Unidos con resultado mortal. Como se anunció el año pasado, la amplia coordinación entre las autoridades del orden público estadounidenses y guatemaltecas condujo a la acusación formal y aprehensión de estos cuatro acusados, así como a la aprehensión de 15 coconspiradores más en Guatemala. En virtud de una solicitud de extradición, las autoridades guatemaltecas extraditaron en marzo a Mateo Mateo, Diego Alonzo, Martínez Gómez y Gutiérrez Castro a los Estados Unidos, la primera extradición de guatemaltecos por tráfico de personas a los Estados Unidos en casi cinco años y la primera extradición de Guatemala a los Estados Unidos por cargos de tráfico de personas con resultado mortal.

HSI Midland dirigió la investigación, trabajando en colaboración con HSI Guatemala y la Unidad de Tráfico de Personas de HSI en Washington, D.C. HSI recibió una asistencia sustancial de Operaciones de Aplicación de la Ley y Expulsiones del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de EE.UU. (ICE); Unidad de Programas de Libertad Supervisada y Aplicación de la Ley de ICE; Centro Nacional de Objetivos/Operación Centinela del Servicio de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras de los EE. UU.; la Patrulla Fronteriza de EE. UU.; el Servicio de Alguaciles de EE. UU.; los Departamentos de Policía de Odessa y Midland; el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas; y las oficinas de los alguaciles de los condados de Ector, Midland y Crane.

La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales (OIA) del Departamento de Justicia proporcionó una importante asistencia para garantizar la aprehensión y extradición de los cuatro acusados. La Oficina de Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación de Fiscales (OPDAT) de la División Penal proporcionó tutoría basada en casos para apoyar la investigación. El Departamento de Justicia agradece a las autoridades del orden público de Guatemala, quienes fueron fundamentales para proseguir con la investigación.

El codirector de la JTFA, James Hepburn, de la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesamientos Especiales (HRSP) de la División Penal, y los fiscales auxiliares de los EE. UU. José Luis Acosta y John Fedock, del Distrito Oeste de Texas, procesaron el caso, con la importante asistencia del fiscal auxiliar de los EE. UU. Adrián Gallegos, del Distrito Oeste de Texas, y de la historiadora y especialista en América Latina de la HRSP Joanna Crandall.

Este procesamiento y la colaboración con las autoridades del orden público de Guatemala se coordinaron bajo la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alfa (JTFA). El fiscal general Garland creó la JTFA en junio de 2021 en colaboración con el DHS para reforzar los esfuerzos del Departamento de Justicia en la lucha contra el aumento del prolífico y peligroso tráfico procedente de Centroamérica y que afecta a nuestras comunidades fronterizas. La JTFA está compuesta por agentes de las Fiscalías de los EE. UU. a lo largo de la frontera suroeste, incluidos el Distrito Sur de Texas, el Distrito Oeste de Texas, el Distrito de Nuevo México, el Distrito de Arizona y el Distrito Sur de California. También proporcionan apoyo específico numerosos componentes de la División Penal que forman parte de la JTFA, dirigidos por la HRSP, y apoyados por ODPAT, la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas, la Sección de Lavado de Dinero y Recuperación de Activos, la Oficina de Operaciones de Aplicación de la Ley, la OIA y la Sección de Delitos Violentos y Delincuencia Organizada. La JTFA también cuenta con una importante colaboración para la aplicación de la ley por parte del DHS, el FBI, la Administración para el Control de Drogas (DEA) y otros socios.  Hasta la fecha, el trabajo de la JTFA ha dado como resultado más de 260 aprehensiones nacionales e internacionales de dirigentes, organizadores y facilitadores importantes del tráfico de personas; más de 150 condenas; importantes penas de cárcel impuestas; y decomisos de bienes sustanciales. 

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio couple was sentenced in federal court today to five years probation and ordered to pay $218,730.60 in restitution for theft of government funds.

According to court documents, Tracy Stephanie Grubbs, 59, failed to report her mother’s death to the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. From January 2011 to December 2018, Grubbs received and negotiated SSA and VA benefit payments intended for her deceased mother. Grubbs would write checks to her husband Gary Lewis Grubbs, 70, who would negotiate the check and use the funds for his own benefit. Both defendants received the same penalty.

“Long term fraud deprives government agencies like the Social Security Administration and the VA of valuable resources,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.  “My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continuously pursue these cases to guard vital resources for Americans in need.”

“This sentence holds Ms. Grubbs accountable for deliberately using her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits for years until SSA OIG uncovered a death certificate for her mother; theft of government funds is a federal crime, which we will always aggressively pursue,” said Inspector General Gail S. Ennis for SSA. “I want to thank the VA OIG for its efforts in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”

“This sentence sends a clear message that those who would defraud VA programs intended for deserving veterans and their families will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper for the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”

The SSA OIG and VA OIG investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Miller prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 84 months in prison for wire fraud.

According to court documents, Abner Tinoco, 27, operated a Ponzi scheme through his business by soliciting millions of dollars of investments from clients and claiming he would invest their money into funds dealing with cryptocurrency and foreign exchange markets. Out of approximately $9 million worth of investments deposited into his business accounts, Tinoco spent more than half on personal expenses to include luxury cars, private jets, real estate and jewelry. Tinoco furthered the deception by providing some of the misappropriated funds as profits to his clients.

“This defendant manufactured a predatory scheme, investing less than half a percent of funds from over a dozen victims who trusted him with millions of dollars in investments,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We will continue to strongly prosecute rapacious fraudsters who take advantage of unsuspecting victims while also holding the defendants responsible for those victims’ lost funds.”

“The defendant orchestrated an elaborate cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme that caused extensive financial harm to unsuspecting victims,” said Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales for the FBI El Paso Field Office. “The FBI El Paso’s Complex Financial Crimes Task Force will continue to investigate and seek justice for individuals who fall victim to criminals who cheat and lie their way into victims’ pockets for the sole purpose of taking their hard-earned income for their own personal gain.”

In a separate civil case stemming from the above scheme, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) secured a civil consent decree against Tinoco and his business, imposing a ban relating to trading activities. The Department of Justice will work to achieve additional restitution for victims of Tinoco’s scheme. A restitution hearing is scheduled to be held in 2024.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Romero and Chris Skillern prosecuted the case.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Fort Worth man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Del Rio to smuggling firearms from the U.S. into Mexico.

According to court documents, Humberto Limon Olivares, 57, attempted to leave the U.S. through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on July 29. During inspection, Customs and Border Protection Officers discovered two pistols and a box of 40mm ammunition hidden under a blanket in the vehicle’s third row. Additionally, CBPOs found five pistols, one rifle, 14 magazines, and 343 rounds of assorted ammunition in the trunk of the vehicle.

Olivares pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the U.S. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 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 and Acting Special Agent in Charge Noel Rangel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

CBP and the ATF are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bird is prosecuting the case.

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ALPINE, Texas – A Marfa man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Alpine today to possession of child pornography and transportation of child pornography, aiding and abetting.

According to the affidavit in a criminal complaint, which was filed in May, 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 pleaded guilty 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. 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 FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, 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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DEL RIO, Texas – A Honduran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 78 months in prison for assault on a federal agent/officer.

According to court documents, Kevin Roney Rodriguez-Sauceda, 29, was apprehended by a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Eagle Pass on Aug. 3, 2022. During the encounter, Rodriguez-Sauceda assaulted the agent with a knife while another undocumented noncitizen bit the agent. Both individuals were detained as additional agents responded.

Rodriguez-Sauceda pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.

“We are once again reminded that our partners in green place their lives on the line each and every day in defense of the United States and the integrity of our border,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to our partners at the FBI and U.S. Border Patrol for their dedication to the mission and upholding the law.”

“This case is a reminder of the danger U.S. Border Patrol agents and law enforcement officers face while working to protect people every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division. “This sentencing is a reflection of the FBI's commitment in partnering with law enforcement at all levels to keep our communities safe.”

The FBI and USBP investigated the case.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 240 months in prison for distribution of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury.

According to court documents, Patrick Harley Chaires, 28, sold a counterfeit M-30 pill containing fentanyl on Jan. 10. The purchaser consumed the pill and overdosed due to fentanyl poisoning. The victim was revived after receiving medical care and Naloxone. Chaires was arrested on Jan. 25 as the result of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation.

“The victim in this case is incredibly fortunate that they were able to receive the necessary medical care following their overdose,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Everyone must be aware of, and take seriously, the dangers of fentanyl and its abundant presence in counterfeit pills being sold on the streets and through social media. As long as fentanyl distribution persists, we will continue to heavily prosecute those responsible for poisoning our communities.”

“This 20-year sentence sends a clear message to everyone in our community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Castañeda for the DEA’s El Paso Division. “The DEA is laser-focused on one goal – saving American lives. Regardless of the quantity of illicit drugs you sell, if you hurt someone in the process, we will build a case against you, and bring this elevated charge to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s office for your prosecution.”

This case was investigated by the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT) of the DEA’s El Paso Division, which is a West Texas HIDTA Initiative. FORT is comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Army Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Army National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso County Sheriff’s Department, and El Paso Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Countryman prosecuted the case.

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