Western District of Texas

In Waco, 49–year-old Ronnie Lee Tanner, Jr., of San Diego, CA, remains in federal custody charged with robbing a Wells Fargo Bank branch located in Temple, TX, on Wednesday, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Temple Police Chief Floyd O. Mitchell.

A federal criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that on the afternoon of February 20, 2019, Tanner entered the bank located on South 31st Street, handed a robbery note to a teller, then exited the bank with approximately $4,000. 

Acting on information supplied by the public, Temple Police officers were able to locate Tanner and arrest him without incident yesterday. 

Tanner faces up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for 1:30pm on March 4, 2019, in federal court in Waco.  

The FBI, together with the Temple Police Department, is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that a complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In San Antonio this morning, 45-year-old former pharmaceutical representative Holly Blakely, of San Antonio, TX, pleaded guilty for her role in an $8 million health care fraud scheme that netted her over $1 million, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

Appearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, Blakely pleaded guilty to one conspiracy to commit wire fraud, health care fraud, bribery, and paying kickbacks.  Blakely faces up to five years in federal prison.  She remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for June 13, 2019, in San Antonio.  Blakely was charged in a thirty-count indictment and had been scheduled to begin trial February 25, 2019.

As part of her plea, Blakely admitted her role in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs by paying over $400,000 in kickbacks and bribes to health care providers that prescribed compounded medications to individuals who did not need the medications. Blakely and her co-conspirators attempted to disguise the kickbacks and bribes to health care professionals by writing fictitious and back-dated “consulting agreements.” In many instances, Blakely and her co-conspirators submitted prescriptions to compounding pharmacies for patients that had never seen a medical professional.  Moreover, Blakely and her co-conspirators would occasionally forge the signature of a medical professional on prescriptions.  Blakely admitted that she conspired with two compounding pharmacies that would submit claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs, including TRICARE, for compounded medications based on the prescriptions.  In exchange for her role in the conspiracy, the two compounding pharmacies paid Blakely approximately $1,147,885.14.  From approximately February 2013 through December 2014, health care benefit programs reimbursed the two compounding pharmacies approximately $8,846,972.24 based on the claims submitted in connection with the compounded medications.

The FBI, together with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration--Diversion, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Office of Personnel Management—Office of Inspector General, investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Bryan O’Connell and Antonio Franco, Jr., are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 52-year-old Stacey A. Sanders, the former office manager of Memorial Presbyterian Church, located in Fredericksburg, TX, to 27 months imprisonment in connection with a scheme to write and sign unauthorized checks on the church’s bank accounts, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Sanders to pay a total of $420,306.69 in restitution, $20,219.43 to Security State Bank and $400,087.26 to Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Judge Rodriguez also ordered that Sanders be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term.  Judge Rodriguez allowed Sanders to remain on bond pending notification from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons regarding the date and location to report in order to begin serving her prison term, to be no later than May 31, 2019.

On March 22, 2018, Sanders pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.  By pleading guilty, Sanders admitted that without authorization she moved large sums of money from the church’s trust account to its operating account on numerous occasions by writing forged checks on the trust account and depositing them in the operating account.  In so doing, Defendant eventually depleted the trust account as its balance went from $194,439.23 in 2009 to $178 by December 2016.  Defendant then wrote herself numerous, unauthorized, forged checks from the operating account from the latter part of 2009 to December 2016.  To conceal her activity, Defendant wrote various false statements on the checks’ memo line, such as “social security offset,” “additional payroll,” or “cleaning supplies.” 

“It’s hard to believe that this has to be said, but stealing from houses of worship is really, really wrong.  When you defraud a bank to do it, it can become a federal case,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

Special Agents of the FBI investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Harris on behalf of the Government.

In Pecos today, a federal judge sentenced two former Presidio County officials–67-year-old Carlos Eduardo Nieto and 57-year-old Lorenzo Padilla Hernandez–to 30 months and 24 months imprisonment, respectively, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division. 

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered each defendant to pay a $10,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing their prison terms.  Judge Counts also ordered that Hernandez forfeit to the government $19,800; Nieto, $8,300.  Judge Counts allowed both defendants to remain on bond pending notification from the U.S. Bureau of Prison regarding the date and location to report to in order to begin serving their prison terms.

On October 23, 2018, Nieto, former Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Presidio and former Presidio Independent School District trustee, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and deprivation of honest services.  By pleading guilty, Nieto admitted that he and Hernandez, former Presidio County Precinct 3 Commissioner, conspired since May 10, 2016, to defraud Presidio County and its citizens of money by corruptly ensuring, through their positions and influence, that a particular company would be awarded a County contract for a document management system.  Hernandez and Nieto solicited and received $19,800 and $8,300, respectively, for their efforts.  On May 9, 2017, Hernandez voted to award the contract to that particular company.  On August 3, 2018, Hernandez pleaded guilty to the same charge. 

“This office is serious about combatting public corruption.  If you violate the public trust for personal gain, you can expect to go to prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

“The sentencing of these two defendants illustrates El Paso FBI’s firm commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to address public corruption and hold corrupt officials in Presidio County and other jurisdictions accountable,” stated El Paso FBI SAC Buie.  “The FBI encourages the public to continue to support our active and ongoing efforts to deter and prevent corruption in West Texas by reporting such activity to the FBI’s Public Corruption Hotline, 1-800-CALL-FBI.” 

The FBI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monty Kimball and William F. Lewis prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government. 

In San Antonio today, a former detention officer at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (BCADC) was sentenced to three years in federal prison for a scheme to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that 30-year-old Gabriel Robert Ortiz be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.  On November 20, 2018, Ortiz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  By pleading guilty, Ortiz admitted that he and his co-defendant, 27–year-old former BCADC officer Ruben Hernandez, carried out their attempted smuggling scheme from May 4, 2018, until June 22, 2018.  Both defendants were the subjects of an undercover operation carried out by federal and state authorities.

Hernandez pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge on January 2, 2019.  He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2019. 

“This sentence shows that members of law enforcement who violate the law will be held to the same standards as any other citizens,” stated U.S. Attorney John Bash.

“I am glad to see that justice was served in this case, and I am proud to have partnered with the FBI on this sting operation. As I’ve stated in the past officer misconduct will not be tolerated within my agency and I will do everything possible to hold them accountable criminally and administratively,” stated Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

The FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Surovic is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio this morning, 53-year-old Reynaldo “Sonny” Jesus Peralez, owner and operator of Bohannon Oil Services, L.L.C., was sentenced for scheming to defraud investors of over $3.5 million dollars by routing false and fraudulent investment into trucks and transportation involved in the transport of fracking sands and for stealing the identity of one of his victims to further his fraudulent schemes announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

Chief United States District Judge Orlando L. Garcia sentenced Peralez to 75 months imprisonment followed by a three year supervised release term.  Judge Garcia also ordered Peralez to pay $3,599,105 in restitution.

On April 30, 2018, Peralez pleded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  By pleading guilty to the charges, Peralez admitted to knowingly engaging in a scheme to defraud investors and knowingly possess and use the identification of another person. 

According to court documents, Peralez was the owner and operator of Bohannon Oil Services, L.L.C.   Through his company, Peralez made false and fraudulent representations to prospective investors indicating his company needed additional trucks to haul frac sand in order to fulfill contracts he had with oilfield services companies.  In fact, Peralez had no such contracts with the companies.  Peralez then grossly inflated the value of trucks, which he purchased with investor funds, and kept the remaining funds for his own personal use.  Peralez sent investors emails that included false documentation regarding his business dealings.  Peralez also made false representations to investors regarding payouts his business was supposedly receiving.  Peralez created fictitious businesses that he pretended were selling trucks directly to investors.  Peralez also forged the signature of a victim on a title to a truck to further his scheme.

Peralez was taken into custody by the U. S. Marshal Service to begin serving his sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Blackwell prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

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In Austin today, a federal jury convicted 45-year-old Terry Allen Miles for kidnapping two minors and taking them to Colorado, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division and Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks.

Jurors found Miles guilty on two counts of kidnapping, one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in sex with her, and one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in sex with a minor.  Evidence presented during trial revealed on December 30, 2017, Round Rock (TX) Police (RRPD) officers conducted a welfare check at the residence of Tonya Ellen Bates because she had not shown up for work that day as expected.  The officers subsequently discovered Bates’s body inside the residence.  Bates was the only individual at the residence at the time of the welfare check and Bates’s 2017 Hyundai Accent was missing.  Further investigation revealed that Miles, who had lived with Bates and her two young daughters, may have kidnapped the daughters, whose whereabouts were unknown. 

Bates’ death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.  Testimony at trial indicated that Miles likely killed Bates by bludgeoning her on the head with a heavy flashlight. DNA evidence indicated that Bates’ blood was found on one of Miles’ sneakers.

RRPD officers obtained cell phone information on the children’s two phones.  One of the phones was located in a heavily wooded area adjacent to a Wal-Mart store located in Round Rock.  Surveillance video from the Wal-Mart showed what appeared to be Miles purchasing numerous camping-related items and then leaving the store in a vehicle appearing to match Bates’s vehicle.  The vehicle and a cell phone belonging to one of the minors were subsequently traced heading to Colorado.  Evidence from security cameras and phone records showed the route Miles took from Round Rock to southern Colorado.

On January 3, 2018, deputies with the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Miles during a traffic stop near La Vera, Colorado.   The two minors, ages 7 and 14, were found with Miles in the vehicle he took from Round Rock. 

Testimony elicited during trial also revealed that Miles repeatedly engaged in sexual relations with the 14-year-old girl over a 5-month period prior to being arrested.  DNA evidence indicated that Miles was the source of semen found in the 14 year old’s underwear that she was wearing at the time she was found.  Miles was also shown to be the source of semen found on a towel at the remote campsite where they hid out after arriving in Colorado. 

Miles faces between 20 years and life in federal prison.  He remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on April 25, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin. 

“Today’s verdict represents justice for the child victims of Terry Miles,” said U.S. Attorney Bash.  “ Mandatory minimums have been criticized recently, but I am glad that federal law requires defendants to serve at least 20 years—and up to life in prison—for these sorts of heinous acts against children.

“Thank you to our wonderful prosecution team – who worked without paychecks during the shutdown preparing for this trial – and to our partners at the FBI and the Round Rock Police Department,” Bash added.

“This investigation and subsequent prosecution, resulted from the exemplary collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement, across multiple states, leading to the safe recovery of two children,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.  “This effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent violent crimes against children, but it sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute violent criminals who prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

“I am pleased with the guilty verdict against Terry Miles. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the men and women of the Round Rock Police Department and all our Law Enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case. Our prayers are that this verdict starts the healing process for the two victims,” stated Round Rock Police Chief Banks.

The FBI and the Round Rock Police Department are conducting this investigation.  The U.S. Marshals Service – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers; Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force; Williamson County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado; New Mexico State Police Department; Las Animas County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force; Colorado State Patrol; Trinidad (CO) Police Department; Colorado Bureau of Investigations; Huerfano County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Archuletta County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Pagosa Springs (CO) Police Department; Rio Grande County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation in Colorado; Durango (CO) Police Department; La Plata County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Child Protective Services in Texas and Colorado; and, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Devlin and Michelle Fernald are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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In San Antonio this afternoon, a federal judge sentenced former District 19 Texas State Senator Carlos I. Uresti to five years in federal prison for bribery, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.

Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that the five-year prison term run concurrent to the 12-year federal prison sentence he handed down to Uresti in the Fourwinds case on June 26, 2018.  Judge Ezra also ordered that Uresti pay restitution in the amount of $876,000 and that he be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.  Judge Ezra also ordered that Uresti surrender to federal authorities next Tuesday to begin serving his prison term.

“This sentence makes clear that we will not tolerate corruption by elected officials.  It is one of my top priorities to root out corruption in Texas government,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

On October 12, 2018, Uresti pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.  By pleading guilty, Uresti admitted that from January 2006 to September 2016, he conspired with others to facilitate the payment of bribes to former Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo in exchange for Judge Galindo’s official actions concerning a Reeves County Correctional Center medical services contract.  Uresti further admitted to collecting $10,000 a month as a marketing consultant.  Approximately half of that sum was then given to Judge Galindo as a facilitation of the bribe and for his support to award the contract to a specific company at a more favorable price to that company.

In June 2017, Galindo pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge.  Galindo, who faces up to five years in federal prison, is scheduled for sentencing at 9:00am on February 26, 2019.

“Communities have a right to expect that their elected leaders are ethical, trustworthy, and responsible, only representing the best interests of their constituents. Carlos Uresti betrayed the trust bestowed on him as public official. The sentence imposed reflects the gravity of his crime. The FBI, its law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to root out such graft in order to ensure that the citizens of South Texas receive honest representation by their elected officials,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs.    

On June 26, 2018, Uresti was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $6.3 million in restitution.  A jury convicted Uresti on various federal charges regarding his role in an investment Ponzi scheme centered on a company which purportedly bought and sold fracking sand for oil production, FourWinds, Inc. 

The jury found that Uresti recruited investors under false pretenses by lying about investing his own money in FourWinds as well as failing to disclose his receipt of a commission and a percentage of the profits resulting from investments in FourWinds.  Jurors also found that Uresti was not registered as a broker with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and that he and others engaged in money laundering with the proceeds of their fraud scheme.

The FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force is conducting this investigation. The Task Force includes investigators from the FBI, IRS-CI, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Peace Corps-Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph E. Blackwell and Sean O’Connell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a Poteet, TX, woman to 61 months in federal prison for a scheme to steal more than $830,000 from a bank in Jourdanton, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, Acting IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ramsey Covington, Houston Field Office, and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Paul A. Duran, San Antonio Field Office.

In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered 31-year-old Jennifer Trevino to pay $821,579.18 in restitution for bank fraud plus.  Judge Ezra also ordered that Trevino be placed under supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term and as a special condition of her supervised release, she must pay the tax loss amount to the IRS which is currently estimated to be more than $187,000.

On May 30, 2018, Trevino pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud, one count of Aggravated Identity Theft and one count of making a false statement on a federal income tax return.  According to court records, Trevino was employed by First Commerce Bank (formerly Jourdanton State Bank) first as a teller, then as a Loan Specialist.  By pleading guilty, Trevino admitted to making unauthorized cash withdrawals from FCB accounts, without the knowledge of the account holders, and depositing the funds into accounts which she controlled.  Trevino also admitted that she underreported her total income on her 2016 Individual Income Tax Return by more than $330,000.

“An important mission of federal law enforcement is to protect the integrity of the banking system.  Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to keeping that system secure,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

“The Secret Service and our South Texas Regional Task Force is committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors, ensuring individuals who violate their positions of trust and access to illegally enrich themselves will be appropriately investigated and prosecuted.  Today’s sentencing is one of many examples of the dedicated efforts made by task force agents, and we hope will act as a deterrent to like-minded criminals and their conspirators that stealing from innocent victims will not go unpunished,” stated U.S. Secret Service SAC Duran.

“Today’s sentencing of Jennifer Trevino should alert others thinking about participating in fraudulent schemes, such as bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and failing to report all forms of income that they should stop in their tracks and simply look at the consequences of taking the next step,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ramsey Covington, Houston Field Office. “Those consequences will include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon for the rest of their lives, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest.”

Special agents with IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service conducted this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Moore prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

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In Del Rio this week, a federal judge sentenced a Del Rio man and two other men to federal prison for conducting an advanced fee investment scheme through which they obtained in excess of $5 million from their victims, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced Kelly Ray Coronado, 51, of Del Rio, to 51 months in federal prison.  Judge Moses also sentenced co-defendants James Edward Cox, 59 of Waxhaw, NC, and Gordon Richard Moskowitz, 55, of Sarasota, FL, to 78 months imprisonment and 46 months imprisonment, respectively. 

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Moses ordered Cox and Coronado to forfeit to the government their respective residences which were used to conceal the illicit proceeds gained from their scheme and to pay, joint and severally, $4,249,478 in restitution to their victims.  Judge Moses also ordered Moskowitz liable, along with Cox and Coronado, for $3.1 million of the total restitution in this case.

Cox and Coronado pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; Moskowitz, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The defendants admitted that from January 2010 to January 2017, they implemented a high-yield investment scheme to obtain money from multiple victims under false pretenses, promises and representations.  Furthermore, they preyed on vulnerable parties – most of whom operated international non-profits – by promising them large-scale financing in exchange for upfront payments.  Using a tapestry of deceit involving fake business entities, websites, and aliases, the defendants collected upfront payments from their victims, then worked together to frustrate law enforcement detection and victim redress.

Federal Bureau of Investigation special agents in Del Rio, Tampa and Charlotte conducted this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Harle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government. 

In Del Rio, a federal judge sentenced 51-year-old Timothy Robert Beasley to ten years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio.

Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced Beasley to the prison term followed by ten years of supervised release and ordered that he pay $20,000 restitution to his victims.

On December 15, 2015, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Beasley’s residence and seized several home computers, related media and cell phones.  A subsequent forensics examination of the seized materials revealed the presence of more than 120 videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit activity.  On November 30, 2016, Beasley pleaded guilty to the child pornography possession charge. 

“Protecting children from predators who seek to exploit them is always a priority for Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio. “Child exploitation is a global issue that takes many forms and directly impacts the United States and our communities.”

HSI agents in Del Rio conducted this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Watters prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

In San Antonio this morning, federal and state authorities arrested 36-year-old U.S. Border Patrol Agent Vernon Lee Millican of Leakey, Texas, for production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and Special Agent in Charge Javy Pedroza, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, El Paso Office.

A federal criminal complaint filed today charged the defendant with one count of production of child pornography. Upon conviction, Millican faces up to 30 years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing expected to occur next week in U.S. Magistrate Court in San Antonio.  

The FBI and DHS-OIG are investigating this case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Office of Professional Responsibility and the Real County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that a complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In El Paso, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer’s wife, who fled the country prior to sentencing on federal drug trafficking and bribery charges in 2010, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), El Paso Division; Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), El Paso Division; and, Special Agent in Charge Javy Pedroza of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) in El Paso.

During sentencing yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge David Briones also ordered 41-year-old Ana Marie Hernandez to pay a $100,000 money judgment.

On June 21, 2010, the legal permanent resident in the U.S. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import a controlled substance and one count of aiding and abetting the bribery of a public official.  By pleading guilty, Hernandez admitted that between June 2005 and October 2005, she conspired with others, including her husband, former DHS Customs and Border Protection officer Daniel Ledezma, to allow hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. without inspection through the Paso de Norte Port of Entry.  For their actions, Hernandez and Ledezma received more than $100,000 in U.S. Currency. 

An arrest warrant was issued for Hernandez when she failed to appear for sentencing on January 24, 2011. 

On October 3, 2018, Hernandez was extradited from Mexico to El Paso.  She has since remained in federal custody. 

“This sentencing is a result of the ongoing partnership and collaboration between the FBI, DEA and our international partners to bring to justice an individual who corrupted U.S. law enforcement officials in order to import drugs into the U.S.  The FBI and its partners will relentlessly pursue and prosecute individuals that poison the communities of El Paso,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Buie.

“The sentencing of Ms. Hernandez concludes years of federal authorities’ efforts to bring her to justice.  This case serves as an example of the corrupting influence of drug trafficking organizations and the diligence of DEA and its law enforcement partners to investigate, pursue and prosecute those who seek to profit through bribery and drug smuggling,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Williamson.

On January 20, 2011, Ledezma was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the same charges in June 2010.

The DEA, FBI, and DHS OIG investigated this case.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in the extradition.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys of the Western District of Texas.

In Midland, 44-year-old Jose Alonso Zubia was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to entice a minor into engaging in sexual activity, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., and Interim Midland Police Chief Seth Herman.

At sentencing yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge David Counts also ordered that the Midland resident pay a $10,000 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund.

On July 23, 2018, Zubia pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.   

According to court records, on May 1, 2018, federal and local law enforcement authorities arrested Zubia when he arrived at a location to have a sexual encounter with a 14 year old he met online and the minor’s 12-year-old friend.  At the time, Zubia was in possession of cocaine, which he admitted he intended to provide to the minors.  Zubia also admitted that he had previously sent videos depicting child pornography to the 14 year old.

“The sentencing of Zubia is an affirmation of the dedication, commitment, and hard work of the F.B.I. and the Midland Police Department to work diligently in keeping the Midland Community safe.  The F.B.I. will continue to seek out, investigate and prosecute those individuals that target children for sexual enticement,” stated F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Buie.

The F.B.I. and the Midland Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Harwood prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

In Del Rio today, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 41–year–old Ana Dellanira Rodarte to 17 years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle over 1.3 kilograms of heroin and 7.5 kilograms of methamphetamine into the country, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Moses ordered that Rodarte pay a $2,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing her prison term.

On April 23, 2018, Rodarte pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import heroin.  By pleading guilty, Rodarte admitted that she arranged for the load of narcotics inside her own car to be driven across the U.S. border with Mexico. 

On March 5, 2016, inspectors at the Del Rio Port of Entry discovered the methamphetamine inside the vehicle’s battery.  They also located the heroin in two antifreeze containers inside the vehicle.  The driver of Rodarte’s vehicle at the time, Jasmin Medina Ramos of Del Rio, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import methamphetamine.  Last year, Judge Moses sentenced her to 135 months in federal prison ordered her to pay a $1,500 fine.  A third defendant charged in this case, Jose Carlos Trevino of Del Rio, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and fined $3,000 last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

HSI Del Rio conducted this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd R. Keagle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government. 

In Del Rio yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 43–year–old citizen of Mexico Hector Aguilar-Portugal to ten years imprisonment for his role in an illegal alien smuggling operation that resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; and, U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Charge Felix Chavez, Del Rio Sector.

On August 10, 2017, Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.  According to court records, in October 2014, Aguilar led three other illegal aliens into the U.S. north of Eagle Pass, Texas.  Among the group was a former inmate Aguilar-Portugal had met while in prison in Pecos, TX, in 2012, as well as the man’s nephew.  During their journey, the four were intercepted by U.S. Border Patrol agents.  As they fled from the agents, the defendant and the others crossed a canal.  During the crossing, the nephew drowned.  Following the drowning, the uncle separated from the defendant and the other illegal alien.  The uncle eventually made it to a highway where he surrendered to Border Patrol agents and told them of the drowning.  Agents were able to recover the body of the deceased.  Agents were also able to arrest the defendant and the other illegal alien.  While at the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol station, the uncle saw Aguilar-Portugal being escorted into the processing area.  The uncle identified Aguilar-Portugal as the individual he paid a $500 smuggling fee up front and an agreed $3,000 upon arrival in the U.S.

On December 15, 2015, the uncle was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for illegal re-entry into the U.S.  The other illegal alien pleaded guilty to illegal entry into the U.S., was sentenced to time served and deported back to Mexico.

HSI conducted this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Keagle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 17 individuals, including ringleader Horace Lee Caruther, for their alleged roles in a narcotics distribution ring operating in and around the Taylor, TX, area announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division.

U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced:

• Horace Lee Caruther, age 43 of Round Rock, TX, to 210 months in federal prison;
• William Collins (aka “Bugs”), age 62 of Taylor, TX, to 87 months in federal prison;
• Trevor Deshaun Hunt, age 26 of Taylor, to 57 months in federal prison;
• Gregory Bean, Jr., age 45 of Pflugerville, TX, to 15 months in federal prison;
• Robert Carl White, age 39 of Temple, TX, to 77 months in federal prison;
• Angel Amado Rodriguez, age 24 of Austin, to 188 months in federal prison;
• Kenneth Xavier Garza, age 23 of Austin, to 60 months in federal prison;
• Esmerelda Rodriguez, age 23 of Austin, to three years probation;
• Salomon Orozco-Benitez (aka “Viejito”), age 34 of Austin, to 168 months in federal prison;
• Elias Montiel, age 27 of Sanford, NC, to 46 months in federal prison;
• Federico Alvarez-Mendoza, age 37 of Cameron, NC, to 30 months in federal prison;
• David Ibarra, age 26 of Broadway, NC, to 30 months in federal prison;
• Miguel Benitez-Benitez (aka “Daniel Sanchez Benitez”), age 39 of Pflugerville, to 262 months in federal prison;
• Sandra Parra-Velez (aka “La Coyota”), age 34 of Austin, to 70 months in federal prison;  
• Jose Parra-Martinez (aka “Vitaminas”), age 36 of Austin, to 60 months in federal prison;
• Maria Loreto Bustamonte, age 53 of Laredo, TX, to time served (approx. 14 months incarceration); and,
• Ana Patricia Gonzalez, age 48 of Laredo, to three years probation.
   

Previously, Garza and Parra-Martinez pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and Esmerelda Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of felony.  The remaining defendants mentioned above pleaded guilty to either conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine or possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Co-defendant James Wilbert McNeil, age 71 of Round Rock, was sentenced on August 27, 2018, to time served (approx. 9 months incarceration) after pleading guilty to one count of misprision of felony.  Also, co-defendant Jesus Parra-Martinez (aka “Chuy”), age 24 of Austin, was sentenced on October 26, 2018, to 87 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. 

According to court records, from July 2016 to October 2017, members of this organization were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and diverted pharmaceutical narcotics. The narcotics would be transported from Laredo to Central Texas and ultimately to areas across the U.S., including North Carolina, for further distribution. Defendants would also collect, transport and launder cash proceeds derived from the sale of narcotics. To date, this investigation has resulted in the arrests and conviction of 20 defendants; and, the seizure of $161,020 in U.S. Currency, six kilograms of cocaine, two ounces of “crack” cocaine, 42 pounds of marijuana and, three guns.

The DEA Austin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force investigated this case. The Austin Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Lakeway Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are participating agencies in the HIDTA Task Force.

The principal mission of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

A federal grand jury sitting in Waco, Texas, has returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging two Texas tax return preparers with conspiracy to defraud the United States, aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and filing false personal income tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to the indictment, Stacey Anderson, with the assistance of Janell Lightner, operated a tax preparation business, Anderson Professional Tax Services, in Texas.  The business did not have a storefront and typically prepared and filed tax returns from Anderson’s personal residence.  The indictment alleges that Anderson and Lightner conspired to defraud the United States and prepared clients’ tax returns, for years 2013 through 2017, that falsely claimed business losses, deductions and/or education tax credits, in order to fraudulently increase their tax refunds.  Anderson’s and Lightner’s clients were from Texas, Maryland and the District of Columbia.  The indictment further charges Anderson alone with filing false 2013 and 2014 tax returns for herself, on which she sought the same education credit that she falsely claimed on her clients’ returns, and that omitted income earned from her return preparation business.  

If convicted, Anderson and Lightner face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and three years in prison for each count of preparing false tax returns.  Anderson also faces a sentence of up to three years in prison for the counts related to her own tax returns.   In addition, Anderson and Lightner are subject to a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.  An indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended special agents of Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson, who are prosecuting the case.  Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas (Waco Division) for their substantial assistance.

Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.

In Austin today, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman sentenced 28–year–old Austin resident Tyler Carlson to 70 months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release for his role in a firearms smuggling scheme involving machineguns and assault weapons, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; and, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, Houston Division.

On April 23, 2018, Carlson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate multiple U.S. laws, including illegal exportation of munitions and unlawful possession and transfer of machineguns.  Carlson also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a machinegun. 

According to court documents, Carlson conspired with others to violate multiple federal firearms laws, including possessing and transferring unregistered machineguns and unlawfully exporting firearms to Mexico. Carlson worked with others to acquire and unlawfully smuggle 200 firearms, including .50 caliber rifles, and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition to Mexico.  

Court documents also reflect that Carlson worked with 69–year–old former law enforcement officer and federal firearms licensee Michael Fox of Georgetown, TX, to illegally acquire multiple M-134G Minigun machineguns.  The M-134G is a six-barrel rotary machine gun that can fire between 2,000 and 6,000 rounds of ammunition per minute. Fox, a co-defendant, contacted 63–year–old Tracy Garwood, another co-defendant and owner of the M-134G manufacturer Garwood Industries in Arizona, who agreed to help with the construction and supply Fox with M-134G parts. Records indicated that Garwood did not know the M-134Gs were to be smuggled illegally to Mexico.  However, Garwood submitted false paperwork to the ATF claiming he had destroyed multiple M-134G rotor housings—a key component of the M-134G that must be serialized and registered with the ATF.  Instead, Garwood unlawfully transferred possession of those rotor housings to Fox.

On February 8, 2017, authorities recovered three M134G rotor housings while executing a search warrant at Fox’s residence.  Two of the rotor housings were ones that Garwood told ATF were destroyed.  Court records indicate that multiple M-134Gs were successfully smuggled into Mexico by Carlson and coconspirators who were prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas.  Through efforts by U.S. and Mexican law enforcement, one of those M-134Gs was recovered by law enforcement in Mexico.

On September 7, 2018, Judge Pitman sentenced Garwood to two years probation and ordered him to pay a $50,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in May 2018.  Garwood agreed to divest himself from ownership of his company.  As a convicted felon, he can no longer possess firearms.

Fox, who faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the conspiracy charge in July 2018, is scheduled for sentencing on January 11, 2019, in Austin before Judge Pitman. 

“Firearms trafficking is a priority for ATF because of the increased potential for those guns to be acquired by the criminal element,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski.

“This investigation is example of a transnational criminal organization conspiring with individuals in the United States to straw purchase weapons and munitions for the purpose of illegal export. HSI works around the clock with its foreign law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute these criminals,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden.

“We remain steadfast in our resolve to seek justice to the end and defend the nation’s mail service from illegal use. This goal is achieved through collaborative investigative efforts with other law enforcement agencies,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez.

The ATF, HSI, and USPIS conducted this investigation.  The U.S. Marshal Service assisted with the deportation of Carlson from Mexico in October 2017.  The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the District of Arizona provided assistance during this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 

In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 29-year-old Marcellus Antoine Burgin of Cypress, TX, and 27-year-old Rasul Kareem Scott of Marrero, LA, to 300 months and 210 months in federal prison, respectively, for carrying out fraud and racketeering schemes that involved the attempted capital murder of State District Court Judge Julie Kocurek in November of 2015. 

That announcement was made by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office; Austin Police Chief Brian Manley; and, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, Houston Division.

In addition to the prison terms, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Burgin and Scott be placed under supervised release for a period of five years and pay restitution, joint and severally, in the amount of $22,315.80. 

In November 2017, Burgin and Scott pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statue.  Evidence presented during trial earlier this year for their co-defendant--31-year-old Chimene Hamilton Onyeri--revealed that in November 2015, all three defendants conspired to commit various fraudulent schemes for financial gain in Austin, Houston, the state of Louisiana and surrounding areas.  Schemes included converting stolen debit card numbers obtained from skimming devices into cash.  The Onyeri racketeering enterprise involved mail fraud, bribery of a public official, wire fraud, document fraud, access device fraud, money laundering and attempted murder. 

According to testimony, when the existence of the criminal enterprise was threatened, Onyeri responded with violence.  On the night of November 6, 2015, Onyeri attempted to murder State District Court Judge Julie Kocurek, whom Onyeri believed was going to sentence him to prison, by shooting Judge Kocurek while she sat in her car outside her home in Austin.  As a result of the incident, Kocurek suffered serious bodily injury from multiple gunshots and resulting shrapnel.

On October 2, 2018, Judge Yeakel sentenced Onyeri to life in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO statute, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and six counts of witness tampering.

The FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, Austin Police Department and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office investigated this case.  The 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in (Calcasieu Parish) Lake Charles, Louisiana; Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office; U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the Eastern District of Louisiana; the U.S. Marshals Service; Travis County Sheriff’s Office; and, the Houston Police Department provided valuable assistance during this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayna L. Blazey of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In El Paso, a 44-year-old former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspector faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a wire fraud charge in relation to schemes to defraud numerous legal and illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton.

Appearing before United States District Judge Kathleen Cardone yesterday afternoon, El Paso resident Federico Garcia, Jr., admitted that from November 2015 to May 2018, he fraudulently presented himself as an immigration attorney and charged various fees to unwitting victims for assistance with applying for immigration benefits.  Garcia, who is not a licensed attorney, carried out his scheme under the business names “Justice International” and “High End Immigrant Resource Center.”  Garcia’s scheme also included fraudulently soliciting victims to invest their money in business ventures that would provide large returns to those individuals.

Garcia, who remains in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced at 10:00am on January 17, 2019, before Judge Cardone in El Paso.

HSI El Paso’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Aguayo, Debra Kanof and Stephen Garcia are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio today, 42-year-old Dennis Edward Stephen, pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing multiple San Antonio banks and stealing approximately $479,000, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. 

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad, Stephen pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.  By pleading guilty, Stephen admitted responsibility for eight different bank robberies in San Antonio and the surrounding area between November 14, 2013, and July 23, 2018.   The robberies include:

• November 14, 2013; April 17, 2014; and September 19, 2014 – Frost Bank on Vance Jackson Rd. – approximately $37,604; $36,280; and $133,000 stolen, respectively;
• November 24, 2015 – Broadway Bank in Helotes, TX – approximately $11,323 stolen;
• June 16, 2016 – Frost Bank on Wurzbach Rd. – approximately $56,077 stolen;
• November 4, 2016; July 5, 2017; and July 23, 2018 – Frost Bank on N. Loop 1604 – approximately $67,000; $101,000; and $36,561 stolen, respectively. 

According to court records, authorities dubbed Stephen the “Camry Cruzin’ Bandit” because he drove a Toyota Camry during his scheme and often wore the same attire while committing the robberies:  blue jeans, a denim long sleeve button down shirt, a white t-shirt and a UTSA Roadrunners baseball cap covering his head, sunglasses and a surgical mask covering his face, and rubber surgical gloves covering his hands. 

Authorities arrested Stephen on July 23, 2018, following the Frost Bank robbery.  He has since remained in federal custody.  Stephen faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to the financial institutions.  Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30pm on March 6, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio. 

The F.B.I. together with the San Antonio Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 

In Waco today, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 38-year-old Juan Francisco “Kiko” Trevino Chavez, nephew of Los Zetas leaders Miguel Angel Trevino Morales (Z-40) and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales (Z-42), to two consecutive life imprisonment sentences plus 20 years in federal prison. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Moses ordered that Trevino pay a $2 Million fine and a $2 Million money judgment.

That announcement was made by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio Division; Special Agent in Charge Tamera Cantu, IRS—Criminal Investigation, Dallas Division; Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Houston Division; Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Houston Division; and, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, FBI, San Antonio Division.

On July 24, 2018, a jury convicted the defendant on one count each of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import marijuana, unlawful distribution of controlled substances (extra-territorial), conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import cocaine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that from 2004 until September 2016, the defendant was a member of the Los Zetas, a transnational drug trafficking organization operating primarily in the Mexican corridors of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Acuna and Piedras Negras, Coahuila.  Evidence further revealed that Kiko Trevino worked with and conspired with the highest level operatives in the criminal organization, including his uncles, Z-40 and Z-42.  Evidence also revealed that Kiko Trevino organized the source and distribution of large quantities of narcotics, laundered drug proceeds, and controlled cells of traffickers and a group of armed sicarios in the Nueva Laredo area. The trial evidence showed the defendant participated in the trafficking of more than 250,000 kilos of cocaine, hundreds of thousands of kilos of marijuana, and hundreds of firearms. The evidence further described the laundering of hundreds of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. Finally, trial testimony revealed that after his uncles’ arrests, Los Zetas splintered into two groups and Kiko Trevino took over leadership of one of those two groups, the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN), and in this role, he controlled all of the drug and firearm trafficking, enforcement, and money laundering operations of CDN. Trevino continued in this leadership role until his arrest in 2016.

“Trevino-Chavez, also known as ‘Comandante Kiko,’ is a leader/organizer for a major Transnational Criminal Organization that is responsible for smuggling literally tons of drugs into South Texas.  Homeland Security Investigations specializes in complex cross-border conspiracy investigations targeting violent and dangerous individuals who threaten or violate the national security of the United States,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden.

“As a result of the consistent and exceptional efforts of U.S. law enforcement working together with our international law enforcement partners, a very significant drug trafficker from Mexico has been brought to justice. The Kiko Trevino sentencing serves as an example that there are no borders when it comes to prosecuting international drug traffickers,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Glaspy.

“This investigation is a prime example of the fine work done when agencies come together to become a force multiplier,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Milanowski.

Kiko Trevino has remained in federal custody since his arrest in Baytown, TX, on September 28, 2016.

This federal prosecution resulted from multiple Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operations and investigations, originating out of Waco, SA, DR, Eagle Pass and Dallas area metroplex, conducted by HSI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, DEA-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group, FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, Irving Police Department, Waco Police Department, Laredo Police Department, and Leon Valley Police Department. The U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection—Office of Enforcement Operations, and Natalia Police Department also provided support in this case.

The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This week a federal judge sentenced 59-year-old Jose Cruz Iglesias of Midland to 78 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for stealing approximately $200,000 from the Community National Bank in Stanton, TX, on December 23, 2016, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division.   

During sentencing on Monday in Midland, U.S. District Judge David Counts also ordered Iglesias to pay $197,883 restitution to the bank.   

On September 17, 2018, Iglesias pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.  Iglesias admittedly robbed bank tellers while brandishing a revolver.   Iglesias has remained in federal custody since being arrested by F.B.I. agents in Odessa on June 22, 2018.

The F.B.I., together with the Stanton and Midland Police Departments, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys William F. Lewis prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio this morning, 54-year-old Geoffrey Comstock, owner and operator of the Frio Nevado Corporation (Frio Nevado), was sentenced on his conviction for overbilling the City of San Antonio by more than $350,000 for janitorial services at the Alamodome announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.

United States District Judge David C. Guaderrama sentenced Comstock to 25 months imprisonment followed by a three year supervised release term. Judge Guaderrama also ordered Comstock to pay $358,454 in restitution.

On December 13, 2017, a jury convicted Comstock of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six substantive counts of wire fraud. Testimony during trial revealed that from 2002 to 2016 Frio Nevado had a contract to provide janitorial services to the City of San Antonio at the Alamodome on a daily basis and for special events. Between June 2014 and January 2016 Comstock implemented a scheme to submit fraudulent invoices to the City of San Antonio that inflated the number of man hours of janitorial work performed at the Alamodome. A contract review in 2016 by the City of San Antonio Financial Department revealed that in July 2015 Comstock began preparing, or directed other employees to prepare and submit, timesheets that did not accurately reflect the names of employees, number of employees, or number of man hours expended to justify the previously submitted false invoices. Based upon those fraudulent invoices the City of San Antonio overpaid Frio Nevado by more than $350,000. The jury acquitted Comstocks’s former billing coordinator, 58-year-old Anna Becerra, of all charges.

“This sentencing serves as a real warning to those who defraud the financial system for personal gain,” said Shane Folden, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio. “HSI is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to pursue thieves such as Mr. Comstock who brazenly enrich themselves through fraud. Today’s sentence clearly holds the defendant accountable for his actions while providing the San Antonio taxpayers some relief from the fraud he committed.”

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case with the cooperation of the City of San Antonio. Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory Surovic and Bud Paulissen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

U.S. Attorney John F. Bash announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Matthew B. Devlin will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election.  AUSA Devlin has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Texas, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

U.S. Attorney Bash said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and the election process must be free from fraud and manipulation.  The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur.  The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, U.S. Attorney Bash stated that AUSA/DEO Devlin will be on duty while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (210) 384-7188.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  The FBI San Antonio field office can be reached by the public at (210) 225-6741.  The FBI El Paso field office can be reached by the public at (915) 832-5000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

U.S. Attorney Bash said, “Ensuring free and fair elections requires prompt reporting of any irregularities in the election process.  It is imperative that those who have specific information about voter discrimination, voter intimidation, or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

El Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash anunció hoy que Matthew B. Devlin, Assistente Abogado del los Estados Unidos (AUSA, por sus siglas en inglés) se encarga del esfuerzo de la Oficina en conexión con el Programa Nacional del Día de Elecciones del Departamento de Justicia para las elecciones generales del 6° de noviembre, 2018. AUSA Devlin ha sido designado de servir como el Oficial del Distrito de Elecciones (DEO, por sus siglas en inglés) para el Distrito Oeste de Tejas, y será responsable de supervisar las quejas sobre fraude electoral y abusos de derechos de votar en consulto con el Departamento de Justicia Central en Washington.

Abogado Bash dijo, “Todos ciudadanos deben de poder votar sin interferencia o discriminación y el proceso electoral debe de estar libre de fraude y manipulación.”

El Departamento de Justicia tiene el rol importante de disuadir fraude electoral y discriminación en las urnas, y de combatir las violaciones cuando y donde quiera ocurren. Más, el objetivo del Programa Nacional del Día de Elecciones del Departamento busca aseguración de la confidencia del público de la integridad del proceso electoral por proporcionando contactos locales dentro el Departamento para que el público pueda reportar actos de fraude electoral y violaciones de derechos de votar mientras estén disponibles las urnas el Día Electoral.

La ley federal protege en contra crímenes de intimidación o sobornar votadores, comprando y vendiendo votos, imitar votador, modificar la cuenta de votaciones, votar en urnas múltiples, y marcar la boleta de votación por votadores sin su permiso o sin los deseos del votador. También contiene protecciones para los derechos de los votadores, y provee que pueden votar libre de cualquier acto de intimidación o acoso. Por ejemplo, actos de personas tratando de interrumpir, o intimidar votadores en lugares de votación o de poner en duda, o tomar fotos o vídeo, bajo el pretexto que las acciones son para revelar votación ilegal podrá violar las leyes federales. Más, las leyes federales protege los derechos de los votadores para marcar su propio boleta de votación o de ser asistido por la persona de su elección (cuando votadores necesitan asistencia por medio de discapacidad o analfabeto).

El derecho es el centro de la democracia Americana. Todos demos de asegurar que los que tienen el derecho de votar, pueden si gustan, y los quienes buscan corromper el proceso se llevan a justicia. Para responder a reclamos de fraude electoral o abuso de los derechos de votar el 6° de noviembre, 2018, y para asegurar que los reclamos se dirigen a los propios autoridades, Abogado Bash dijo que AUSA/DEO Devin estará de servicio mientras estén disponibles las urnas en el Día de Elección. El público puede contactarlo al (210) 384-7188.

Más, el FBI tendrá agentes especiales disponibles en todas las oficinas dentro el país para recibir acusaciones de fraude electoral y otros abusos electorales en el Día de Elección. El FBI de San Antonio estará disponible al público al (210) 225-6741. El FBI de El Paso estará disponible al público at (915) 832-5000.

Reclamos sobre violaciones de las leyes federales de votación se dirigen directamente a la División de Derechos Civiles Sección de Votación en Washington, DC al (800) 253-3931 o al (202) 307-2767, por fax al (202) 307-3961, y por correo electrónico al voting.section@usdoj.gov o por forma de reclamo al http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

Abogado Bash dijo, “Asegurando elecciones justos requiere reportando cualquier irregularidad en el proceso electoral lo más pronto posible. Es imprescindible que los que tienen información especifica de discriminación de votador, intimidación de votador, o fraude electoral, que reporten la información inmediatamente a mi oficina, al FBI o a la División de Derechos Civiles Sección de Votación.”

United States Attorney John F. Bash, Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Paul Duran, and Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that 26-year-old Christopher Almaguer and his wife, 27-year-old Sarah Rashelle Almaguer, of Killeen pled guilty today in Waco, Texas, to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of production of child pornography. The Almaguers each face a mandatory minimum term of 15 years up to 30 years in federal prison on each count.

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske, the Almaguers admitted that in December 2017 they uploaded sexually explicit videos of themselves sexually assaulting children as young as eight months old. According to court records investigators compiled a list of approximately 25 potential minor child victims, ranging in age from infants to fourteen years of age, from the Central Texas area.

The Almaguers have remained in custody since their arrests by investigators with the Texas Office of Attorney General, Child Exploitation Unit, and special agents with the United States Secret Service in February 2018. Sentencing has been scheduled before United States District Judge Alan D. Albright for January 29, 2019.

This case was investigated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division, Child Exploitation Unit, the United States Secret Service and the Killeen Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory S. Gloff is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

Anunciaron el Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash y Christopher Combs, Agente Especial en cargo de la Oficina de Investigaciones Federales (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés) que hoy en Del Rio, la juez Alia Moses condenó a tres ex–oficiales de Crystal City en conexión con una esquema de soborno.

Juez Moses condenó al ex-Alcalde Interino Rogelio Mata, ex–Concejal de la Ciudad Roel Mata, y ex–Concejal de la Ciudad Gilbert Urrabazo a 33 meses, 21 meses, y 24 meses respectivamente. Juez Moses ordenó que los tres demandaos servirán tres años de supervisión después de servir su sentencia penal individualmente. Más, Juez Moses ordenó que los tres pagaran una multa de $2,000 y ordenó juicio de perdida de $11,291.73 en efectivo. El juicio de perdida representa la perdición de varios sobornos, cuales fueron recibidos de parte del co-demandado William James Jonas, III. Previamente, los tres demandados se declararon culpables de un cargo de soborno de una programa federal y admitieron que usaron sus posiciones oficiales para enriquecerse por medio de aceptar sobornos de parte de individuos con el motivo de contratar sus negocios con la cuidad.

Éste año, el Alcalde de Crystal City Ricardo Lopez y el ex–Abogado de la Cuidad, y el Director de la Cuidad Willam James Jonas, III, fueron condenados a 97 meses y 420 meses en prisión federal, respectivamente, por su participación en la esquema. Jonas fue ordenado de pagar $1,047,814.05 en restitución y Lopez fue ordenado de pagar $24,003.95 en restitución. Por su participación en la esquema, empresario Ngoc Tri Nguyen fue condenado a 17 meses de prisión federal y de pagar $6,000.00 en restitución y la perdida de $40,000.00.

La Oficina de Investigaciones Federales (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés) investigaron éste caso con la asistencia del Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Tejas División Investigativa de Crimen (DPS-CID, por sus siglas en inglés), la División de Texas Ranger, y el Departamento de Policía de San Antonio (SAPD, por sus siglas en inglés). Abogado Asistente de los Estados Unidos William R. Harris fue el fiscal de parte del gobierno.

In Del Rio today, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced three former Crystal City officials in connection with a bribery and kickback scheme announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.

Judge Moses sentenced former Mayor Pro-Tem Rogelio Mata, former City Councilman Roel Mata, and former City Councilman Gilbert Urrabazo to 33 months, 21 months, and 24 months in federal prison, respectively. Judge Moses ordered that all three defendants be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing their respective prison terms. Judge Moses further ordered the three to each pay a $2,000 fine, and ordered them jointly and severally to pay a money judgment in forfeiture of $11,291.73. The forfeiture judgment represents divestiture of the various bribes, which were paid to them and to co-defendant William James Jonas, III. Previously, all three defendants pleaded guilty to one count of federal programs bribery while admitting to using their official positions to enrich themselves by accepting cash bribes from an individual seeking to do business with the city.

Earlier this year, Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez and former City Attorney and City Manager William James Jonas, III, were sentenced to 97 months and 420 months in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme. In addition, Jonas was ordered to pay $1,047,814.05 in restitution and Lopez was ordered to pay $24,003.95 in restitution. Businessman Ngoc Tri Nguyen was sentenced to 17 months incarceration and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution and a $40,000 money judgment for his role in the fraudulent scheme.

The FBI conducted this investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigative Division, the Texas Rangers and the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William R. Harris prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In Austin today, a federal jury convicted two Austin psychologists who own and operate Psychological A.R.T.S., P.C., announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Following a three-week-long trial, jurors found 73-year-old Dr. William Joseph Dubin and his son, 33-year-old Dr. David Fox Dubin, guilty of federal crimes. Dr. William Dubin was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and two counts of offering to pay and paying illegal kickbacks. Dr. David Dubin was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud and aiding and abetting health care fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Previously, a third defendant in this case, 68-year-old patient recruiter Glen Elwood McKenzie, Jr., of Cedar Park, TX, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback law and one count of receiving an illegal kickback. McKenzie was the President of the Board of Directors of an emergency shelter house located approximately eighty miles from Austin that provided temporary shelter for crisis intervention and mental health services to children and youth ages 5 to 17 who had been removed from their homes by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Evidence provided during trial revealed that Dr. William Dubin paid McKenzie to use his position at the emergency shelter to refer children and youth to Psychological A.R.T.S., for comprehensive mental health services, which were billed to the Medicaid program. Upon receipt of payment for these services, Dr. William Dubin paid McKenzie a 10-percent kickback from the money paid to Psychological A.R.T.S.

Evidence during trial also revealed that Dr. David Dubin engaged in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and committed health care fraud by causing at least one fraudulent billing to be submitted to the Medicaid program. Evidence further revealed that Dr. David Dubin engaged in aggravated identity theft when he caused a fraudulent claim to be submitted to Medicaid and unlawfully used a patient’s personal identification information to obtain payment of the bill.

Dr. William Dubin faces up to five years in federal prison for each count related to illegal kickbacks. Dr. David Dubin faces up to ten years in federal prison for each count related to health care fraud; and a consecutive mandatory two-year term in federal prison for the count related to aggravated identity theft. They remain on bond pending sentencing scheduled for 10:30 am on February 19, 2019 before United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez.

Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rex Beasley and Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Surovic, Justin Chung, and Daniel Castillo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In Alpine today, 66-year-old Carlos Eduardo Nieto, former Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Presidio and former Presidio Independent School District trustee, entered a guilty plea to federal charges related to a public corruption investigation, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division. 

Appearing before U.S. District Judge David Counts, Nieto pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and deprivation of honest services.  By pleading guilty, Nieto admitted that he and 56–year-old former Presidio County Precinct 3 Commissioner Lorenzo Padilla Hernandez conspired since May 10, 2016, to defraud Presidio County and its citizens of money by corruptly ensuring, through their positions and influence, that a particular company would be awarded a County contract for a document management system.  Hernandez and Nieto solicited and received $19,800 and $8,300, respectively, for their efforts.  On May 9, 2017, Hernandez voted to award the contract to that particular company.

On August 3, 2018, Hernandez pleaded guilty to the same charge. 

Nieto faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  Judge Counts scheduled sentencing for Nieto on February 19, 2019, in Pecos.  Sentencing for Hernandez, who also faces up to 20 years in federal prison, has yet to be scheduled.

The F.B.I. with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division investigated this case.  Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Presidio County are urged to contact the F.B.I. at (915) 835-5000.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monty Kimball and William F. Lewis are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 

In El Paso today, a federal judge sentenced 34–year-old U.S. Army Sergeant Ron Mitchell Dunbar to 60 years in federal prison followed by lifetime of supervised release for aggravated sexual abuse of a child and receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), El Paso Division.

On April 19, 2018, Dunbar pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, one count of sexual abuse of a child, one count of aiding and abetting sexual abuse of a child and one count of receipt and possession of child pornography.  By pleading guilty, Dunbar admitted that between 2007 and 2009, he sexually assaulted two minor females while on Ft. Bliss.  Furthermore, Dunbar admitted that on September 15, 2017, he obtained from 29-year-old Ft. Bliss resident Faith Mitchell Chavez multiple photos he requested of her two minor daughters engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

“A single incident of sexual abuse can permanently alter the course of a child’s life.  Today’s 60-year sentence reflects the utter inhumanity of these types of offenses,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

“Crimes against children violate the most innocent and helpless members of our community. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to investigate allegations and crimes such as the ones in this investigation,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Buie.

Chavez, who remains in federal custody, is scheduled for sentencing at 8:00am on November 1, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Philip R. Martinez.  On July 24, 2018, Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography.  She faces between 15 and 30 years in federal prison.

The FBI, together with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Hanna prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

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 http://www.justice.gov/psc.

In San Antonio this morning, former District 19 Texas State Senator Carlos I. Uresti pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad, Uresti pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.  By pleading guilty, Uresti admitted that from January 2006 to September 2016, he conspired with others to facilitate the payment of bribes to former Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo in exchange for Judge Galindo’s official actions concerning a Reeves County Correctional Center medical services contract.  Uresti further admitted to collecting $10,000 a month as a marketing consultant.  Approximately half of that sum was then given to Judge Galindo as a facilitation of the bribe and for his support to award the contract to a specific company at a more favorable price to that company.

Uresti, who faces up to five years in federal prison on the bribery conspiracy charge, remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for January 14, 2019, before Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra.    

On June 26, 2018, Uresti was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $6.3 million in restitution.  A jury convicted Uresti on various federal charges regarding his role in an investment Ponzi scheme centered on a company which purportedly bought and sold fracking sand for oil production, FourWinds, Inc.  The jury found that Uresti recruited investors under false pretenses by lying about investing his own money in FourWinds as well as failing to disclose his receipt of a commission and a percentage of the profits resulting from investments in FourWinds.  Jurors also found that Uresti was not registered as a broker with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and that he and others engaged in money laundering with the proceeds of their fraud scheme.

The FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force is conducting this investigation. The Task Force includes investigators from the FBI, IRS-CI, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Peace Corps-Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph E. Blackwell and Sean O’Connell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

One year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Throughout the past year, we have partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

“Attorney General Sessions has demonstrated tough and inspiring leadership in prioritizing the fight against violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.  “Our office and our federal, state, and local partners have focused considerable resources on areas in Central and West Texas that have struggled with violent crime in the past.  In my view, this not just a law-and-order issue.  It is also an issue of economic and social justice.  When children in some communities grow up in constant fear of a sudden outbreak of random violence—when the simple act of walking to school is fraught with risk—their chance for success and happiness in life is inevitably diminished.  We won’t ensure that every child in this Nation can succeed until we rid every community of gangs and gun violence.”

As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN actions over the past year:

Enforcement Actions

• San Antonio (Operation Triple Beam) – From September to December 2017 the U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).  The operation targeted gangs and violent fugitives resulting in approximately 200 arrests, the seizure of nearly 70 firearms, and the confiscation of approximately $170,000 worth of drugs.
• San Antonio – In 2017, gang violence came to a head in San Antonio when a four-year-old boy was the victim of a drive-by shooting. The child was shot in the head with a .223 round as he played video games in his home.  The ensuing investigation, as well as others by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ATF, USMS, SAPD, BCSO, and DPS, resulted in federal firearm and drug trafficking charges filed against dozens of individuals including members and associates of the local factions of the Bloods and Crips.
• San Antonio – ATF has worked with SAPD and DPS on the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) Task Force.  NIBIN’s ballistic technology links shell casings from one crime scene to firearms and casings found at crime scenes throughout the United States.  In the area of gun violence, this effort has yielded 317 leads and 33 arrests and has resulted in 75 shootings being solved. 
• Temple/Killeen – Federal authorities are working with local authorities to get violent criminals off the street.  Since October 2017, authorities have filed federal firearms/drug charges against more than 80 convicted felons in the Temple/Killeen areas.  These filings reflect a 319% increase in federal charges filed over the previous fiscal year for offenses in the same areas.
• Odessa – For 2015 and 2016, Texas Monthly declared Odessa the “Most Dangerous City” in Texas based on statistical information for violent crimes.  The Odessa PSN Task Force (Odessa Police Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Office, DPS, FBI, USMS, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and ATF) recognized and focused their investigative efforts on the growing number of firearm thefts and the resulting sale of those firearms to known criminal actors, narcotics distributors and gang members.    As a result, federal prosecutions in 2017 for firearms violations increased almost 30% in the Midland/Odessa Division.  Individuals charged federally had extensive criminal histories (5-20 previous events).

Community Partnerships

• The U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently working with two elementary schools in the San Antonio Target Enforcement Area to establish a volunteer program made up of the office’s employees. The children in this area live in neighborhoods marked by high levels of crime and households that often mistrust law enforcement officials. The school officials believe that law enforcement officers and the U.S. Attorney’s Office could provide these students with positive role models who can help guide them to a path for productive lives and help foster trusting relationships with law enforcement agencies.

Improvements to Community Safety Nationwide

• The FBI’s official crime data for 2017 reflects that, after two consecutive, historic increases in violent crime, in the first year of the Trump Administration the nationwide violent crime rate began to decline.  The nationwide violent crime rate decreased by approximately one percent in 2017, while the nationwide homicide rate decreased by nearly one and a half percent.
• The preliminary information we have for 2018 gives us reason for optimism that our efforts are continuing to pay off. Public data from 60 major cities show that violent crime was down by nearly five percent in those cities in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period a year ago.  

“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs.  I have empowered our U.S. Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts, and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face.  Each U.S. Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.”  

These enforcement actions and partnerships are 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.

In San Antonio today, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra sentenced 47–year-old Pedro Silva Segura to 108 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for his role in an undocumented alien smuggling operation that resulted in ten deaths last year, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.

“Today’s lengthy sentence is a reminder that the penalties are very severe for anyone who participates in the dangerous business of illegally transporting human beings in tractor trailers. Time and again, we have seen this practice result in the loss of life of the most vulnerable among us.  We will be relentless in prosecuting this very serious crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

“As this sentence makes clear, those who exploit people in this brutal and disgraceful way will face serious consequences themselves,” said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio.  “Alien smugglers view their clients as nothing more than a commodity and they have no qualms about collecting their smuggling fees.”

On March 8, 2018, Silva pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens resulting in death.  By pleading guilty, Silva admitted to operating a stash house in Laredo, TX, used as a holding area for undocumented aliens awaiting transportation to final destinations in the U.S.  Silva further admitted that approximately five undocumented aliens left the stash house on the night of July 22, 2017, and were delivered to a truck driven by James Matthew Bradley, Jr., that was bound for San Antonio.

According to court records, which Silva and Bradley admitted in court were factually correct, San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers responded to a call at the Wal-Mart store located at 8538 Interstate 35 in San Antonio shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 23, 2017.  An officer encountered a tractor-trailer behind the store, finding a number of people standing and lying in the rear of the trailer, and the driver, Bradley, in the cab.  At the scene, law enforcement officers discovered 39 undocumented aliens.  Of the 39 aliens found at the scene ten (10) died, eight (8) died in the trailer and two (2) died later in area hospitals.  There were four juveniles, aged 14-17 years old, within the group of aliens in Bradley’s trailer who were unaccompanied by an adult.  Court records further state that the undocumented aliens estimated the trailer contained between 70 and 180 to 200 people during transport.  They also described differing fees for being transported. 

On October 16, 2017, Bradley pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with this investigation.  On April 20, 2018, Judge Ezra sentenced Bradley to life imprisonment. 

The U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case together with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the San Antonio Police Department and the San Antonio Fire Department.  The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol assisted in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Christina Playton and Matthew Lathrop prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio this morning, a federal judge sentenced 36–year-old Gerardo Javier Carreon of Laredo, TX, to 70 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for transporting illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.

On July 5, 2018, Carreon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.  On June 12, 2018, authorities responding to a scene in the area of Loop 410 and Broadway discovered over 50 illegal aliens in and around a semi-tractor trailer driven by Carreon. 

“As we’ve seen too many times, transporting human beings in tractor-trailers is unbelievably dangerous.  This has to stop,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.  “We will vigorously prosecute drivers who commit this dangerous crime, and the penalties are stiff.”

“As this sentence makes clear, those who exploit people in for profit will themselves face consequences,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Folden.  “Those responsible for illegally moving people into and through our country place personal profit ahead of public safety and border protection.  They are driven by greed with little regard for the health and well-being of their human cargo, which can be a deadly combination.”

The U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Lathrop and Christina Playton prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 31-year-old Chimene Hamilton Onyeri to life in federal prison for his leadership role in carrying out fraud and racketeering schemes that involved the attempted capital murder of State District Court Judge Julie Kocurek in November of 2015. 

That announcement was made by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office; Austin Police Chief Brian Manley; and, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, Houston Division.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered Onyeri to pay $178,374.41 restitution.

“Today’s life sentence for Mr. Onyeri was about more than obtaining a measure of justice for Judge Kocurek—although we certainly did that.  It was also about safeguarding the integrity of our judicial system.  This office, along with our federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners, will be absolutely relentless in pursuing those who attack or threaten judges or court staff.  Impartial, fearless judges are key to the rule of law.  Today the rule of law was vindicated,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

On April 26, 2018, a jury convicted Onyeri of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and six counts of witness tampering.

Evidence presented during trial revealed that from January 2012 to November 2015, Onyeri, 28-year-old Marcellus Antoine Burgin of Cypress, TX, and 26-year-old Rasul Kareem Scott of Marrero, LA, all conspired to commit various fraudulent schemes for financial gain in Austin, Houston, the state of Louisiana and surrounding areas.  Schemes included converting stolen debit card numbers obtained from skimming devices into cash, and Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF), through the use of the U.S. Mail.  Their racketeering enterprise involved mail fraud, bribery of a public official, wire fraud, document fraud, access device fraud, money laundering and attempted murder. 

According to testimony, when the existence of the criminal enterprise was threatened, Onyeri responded with violence.  On the night of November 6, 2015, Onyeri attempted to murder State District Court Judge Julie Kocurek, whom Onyeri believed was going to sentence him to prison, by shooting Judge Kocurek while she sat in her car outside her home in Austin.  As a result of the incident, Kocurek suffered serious bodily injury from multiple gunshots and resulting shrapnel.

Testimony also revealed that in September 2016, Onyeri attempted to contact six witnesses by smuggling a note out of the Travis County Jail and corruptly persuade them not to talk about Onyeri’s criminal activities to investigators in this case. 

“I have watched Judge Kocurek and her family handle this ordeal with courage and grace. At long last, they see justice,” stated Travis County District Attorney Moore. “I commend Dayna Blazey from my office and AUSA Gregg Sofer, along with the host of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, for their tireless efforts to reach this conclusion.”

“Today’s sentencing should send a clear message to those who threaten, injure or kill members of the judiciary – you will not escape the consequences of your actions. Justice will be served and you will be held accountable,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.  “It was an honor and privilege to work with Austin Police Department, and our law enforcement partners, to bring justice for a brave jurist and dedicated public servant whose life was changed forever by the defendant’s brazen and violent actions.

“Today’s sentencing proves that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our local, state, and federal partners, will vigorously pursue individuals that attempt to circumvent justice,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Gonzalez.

“Thank you to all of our state, local and federal partners that helped bring justice for Judge Julie Kocurek against Chimene Hamilton Onyeri,” said APD Assistant Chief Joseph Chacon. “We respect the jury verdict in this case and the Court’s sentencing decision today. We hope Onyeri’s sentence continues to bring healing to Judge Kocurek and her family.”

Burgin and Scott both entered guilty pleas prior to jury selection.  Burgin and Scott each pleaded guilty to the RICO conspiracy charge.  Both remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing scheduled for sentencing at 9:00am on November 13, 2018, in Austin before Judge Yeakel. 

The FBI, IRS-CI, USPIS, U.S. Secret Service, Austin Police Department and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office investigated this case.  The 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in (Calcasieu Parish) Lake Charles, Louisiana; Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office; U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the Eastern District of Louisiana; the U.S. Marshals Service; Travis County Sheriff’s Office; and, the Houston Police Department provided valuable assistance during this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayna L. Blazey of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed in Austin charges Austin residents Joel Calvin and Clarence Barefield along with seven other individuals for their roles in an estimated $250 million intended-loss fraudulent “sweepstakes” scheme and an estimated $25 million intended-loss income tax refund scheme.

That announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Houston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio; and, Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Houston Division.

In addition to Calvin, age 31, and Barefield (aka CJ), age 40, the indictment charges Mesquite, TX, resident Donna Lundy, age 54; Nigerian citizens and Canadian residents Harry Cole (aka Akintomide Ayoola Bolu, aka John King, aka Big Bro, aka Egbon), age 48; Emmanuel Olawle Ajayi (aka Wale, aka Walata), age 41; Tony Dada Akinbobola (aka Lawrence D Awoniyi, aka Boss Tony, aka Toyin), age 47; Bolaji Akinwunmi Oyewole (aka BJ, aka Beejay), age 31; and, Nigerian citizen and Indianapolis, IN, resident Akintola Akinmadeyemi, age 54.  All eight are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (Sweepstakes) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Emmanuel Ajayi also faces a second conspiracy-to-commit-wire-fraud charge (Stolen Identity Refund Fraud) and an aggravated identity theft charge.  Lundy also faces one substantive count of wire fraud.

According to the indictment, the defendants carried out their sweepstakes scheme from 2012 to 2016.  Charging $1 per name, Lundy collected over $700,000 by selling lists of elderly potential victims and their addresses to Cole in Canada.  Cole and others conspirators based in the Toronto, Ontario Canada metropolitan area sent packages containing fraudulent sweepstakes information to conspirators residing in the U.S.  The packages contained thousands of mailers, which U.S.-based conspirators sent to victims notifying them that they had won a sweepstakes.  Each mailer included a fraudulent check issued in the name of the victim, typically in the amount of $8,000, and a pre-addressed envelope.  Victims were instructed to deposit the check into his/her bank account, immediately withdraw between $5,000 and $7,000 dollars in cash or money orders and send the money to a “sweepstakes representative” to facilitate the victim collecting her or her prize. By the time the victim was notified by the bank that the deposited check was fraudulent, the cash or money order had been sent by the victim and received by the defendants or conspirators.  The intended loss from this scheme was $250 million, with an actual loss of more than $900,000.

The indictment also alleges that from June 2015 through June 2016, Emmanuel Ajayi led a SIRF scheme in which over 1,200 fraudulent Income Tax Returns were filed using stolen Personal Identifying Information (PII) requesting $25 million in tax refunds.  Ajayi used bank accounts involved in the sweepstakes scheme to receive refunds and funnel the money to conspirators in the U.S.  An IRS analysis determined that this scheme resulted in the actual loss of approximately $3.4 million paid from the U.S. Treasury.

In order to acquire the money generated by the Sweepstakes and SIRF schemes, the conspirators operated a money laundering conspiracy in the U.S. That conspiracy employed knowing and unknowing participants to conduct financial transactions with the goals of moving the proceeds from both fraudulent schemes outside of the U.S. without detection by law enforcement.

Federal authorities arrested Calvin in Austin yesterday.  Barefield is currently in state custody on an unrelated matter.  Federal authorities arrested Akinmadeyemi in Indianapolis, IN, yesterday.  He remains in federal custody awaiting transfer to the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas. Canadian authorities arrested Cole and Akinbobola in Canada yesterday pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued by a Canadian court.  Both remain in Canada pending an extradition request by the U.S.  Lundy has agreed to turn herself in to authorities.  The whereabouts of Ajayi and Oyewole are unknown.  Ajayi and Oyewole are considered fugitives.

Aggravated identity theft calls for a mandatory two years imprisonment upon conviction.  Each of the remaining charges call for up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction.

This indictment resulted from a continuing investigation by IRS-CI, HSI, and USPIS.  The U.S. Marshals Service, the Office of International Affairs at the Department of Justice and the Toronto Police Service provided valuable assistance with yesterday’s arrests.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 63–year-old Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization National President Jeffrey Faye Pike of Conroe, TX, to life, plus ten years, in federal prison for racketeering and drug trafficking charges.

That announcement was made today by United States Attorney John F. Bash, Western District of Texas; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw; Austin Police Chief Brian Manley; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus; and Atascosa County Sheriff David A. Soward

“As I have said before, this prosecution shows that the Department of Justice has the tools to strip away a veneer of legitimate activity to expose and punish underlying criminal conduct. Others—and not only those involved in violent activity—should take note,” stated United States Attorney John F. Bash.

On Monday, Judge Ezra sentenced Bandidos National Vice President John Xavier Portillo to two consecutive life sentences, plus twenty years, in federal prison.

On May 17, 2018, after a nearly three-month trial, jurors convicted Pike and Portillo of (count 1) conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute; (count 3) murder in aid of racketeering; (count 4) conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; (count 5) one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; (counts 6 and 7) aiding and abetting assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; (count 9) discharging a firearm during a violent crime; and, (count 12) interference with commerce by threats and violence.  Jurors also convicted Portillo of (count 2) murder in aid of racketeering; (count 8) discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; (count 10) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine; (count 11) possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and, (count 13) felon in possession of a firearm.

Jurors found Pike and Portillo guilty of conspiring to conduct the affairs of a criminal organization through racketeering acts including directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting members of the Bandidos to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking. Evidence during trial revealed that in 2006, Pike and Portillo ordered other Bandidos members to murder Anthony Benesh. At the time, Benesh was attempting to start a Texas Chapter of the Hells Angels in Austin. Members of the Bandidos warned Benesh to cease his activities and recruitment, which Benesh ignored. Several Bandidos members then murdered Benesh on March 18, 2006 outside an Austin restaurant to protect the power, reputation and territory of the Bandidos enterprise.

Jurors also found that Portillo and others killed Robert Lara in January 2002 in Atascosa County as payback for killing Bandidos member Javier Negrete.  Negrete, a member of the same local Bandidos chapter as Portillo at the time, was killed outside a San Antonio bar in October 2001.

Jurors also found that Pike, Portillo and others conspired to murder and assault members and associates of the Cossacks Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (Cossacks). Testimony revealed that Portillo, with Pike’s approval, declared that the Bandidos were “at war” with the Cossacks. A number of violent acts were committed by the Bandidos around Texas in furtherance of this “war,” including in Fort Worth, Gordon, Odessa, Port Aransas, Crystal City and elsewhere.

Testimony also revealed that Portillo and other members of the Bandidos were engaged in trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine and maintained an agreement with the Texas Mexican Mafia wherein Bandidos members were not required to pay the 10-percent “dime” to the Texas Mexican Mafia in exchange for permission to traffic narcotics.

“The sentencing of Bandidos National President Jeffery Pike highlights the success law enforcement agencies can achieve and the impact we can have when we combine our resources and investigative talents. DEA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and pursue those criminal organizations who threaten our communities with violence and engage in the distribution of illegal and dangerous drugs,” stated Will Glaspy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Houston Division.

“The sentencing rendered today is the result of the outstanding partnership between the FBI and all our law enforcement partners,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This effort demonstrates our ongoing commitment to prevent gang violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities. It also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent criminal enterprises.”

“Gang violence is a threat to the safety and security of Texas communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These are complex cases, but thanks to the hard work and collaboration between law enforcement authorities and prosecutors, these criminals are no longer free to prey on our communities.”

The FBI, DEA and Texas DPS investigated this case together with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Austin Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, Seguin Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, Atascosa County Sheriff’s Department, Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Department, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Fuchs and John Gibson are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In Waco today, federal authorities filed charges against Temple, TX, couple Christopher Sebek, 55, and Melissa Sebek, 55, and Killeen, TX resident Jeffrey Pearson, 55, for their roles in a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs of approximately $250,000, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent in Charge James Ross, South Central Field Office.

Christopher Sebek, Operations Supervisor in the Engineering Department at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) in Temple; and Jeffrey Pearson, owner and operator of Whitetail Industrial, a business which contracted goods and services to VAMC-Temple, are both charged by an Information with one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of theft of government property.  A separate, but related, Information charges Melissa Sebek, owner and operator of MS. Bookkeeping Services, with one count of theft of government property.

According to court records, beginning in February 2012, Christopher Sebek and Jeffrey Pearson entered into an agreement to steal money from the VAMC.  Over a five-year period, they allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices to VAMC for payment purportedly for goods and services designated for VAMC.  Sebek also presented bogus invoices to VAMC from his wife’s company.  Those invoices, however, were used by Sebek to pay for personal items and to cover Pearson’s 30% commission on each invoice.  Court records also allege that Sebek stole two VAMC credit cards and used them to pay for personal expenses. 

Upon conviction, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge and up to ten years in federal prison on the theft charge.  All three will receive summonses for their Initial Appearance in federal court in Waco.

The VA-OIG investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 

It is important to note that an Information is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 59–year-old Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization National Vice President John Xavier Portillo to two consecutive life sentences, plus twenty years, in federal prison for racketeering and drug trafficking charges.

That announcement was made today by United States Attorney John F. Bash, Western District of Texas; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw; Austin Police Chief Brian Manley; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus; and Atascosa County Sheriff David A. Soward

In addition to the prison terms, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that Portillo forfeit to the Government his motorcycle, three firearms and $17,827.20 seized from a search of his residence in 2016.

“As I have said before, this prosecution shows that the Department of Justice has the tools to strip away a veneer of legitimate activity to expose and punish underlying criminal conduct. Others—and not only those involved in violent activity—should take note,” stated United States Attorney John F. Bash.

On May 17, 2018, after a nearly three-month trial, jurors convicted Portillo and National Bandidos President Jeffrey Fay Pike, age 63 of Conroe, TX, of (count 1) conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute; (count 3) murder in aid of racketeering; (count 4) conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; (count 5) one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; (counts 6 and 7) aiding and abetting assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; (count 9) discharging a firearm during a violent crime; and, (count 12) interference with commerce by threats and violence.  Jurors also convicted Portillo of (count 2) murder in aid of racketeering; (count 8) discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; (count 10) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine; (count 11) possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and, (count 13) felon in possession of a firearm.

Jurors found Pike and Portillo guilty of conspiring to conduct the affairs of a criminal organization through racketeering acts including directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting members of the Bandidos to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking. Evidence during trial revealed that in 2006, Pike and Portillo ordered other Bandidos members to murder Anthony Benesh. At the time, Benesh was attempting to start a Texas Chapter of the Hells Angels in Austin. Members of the Bandidos warned Benesh to cease his activities and recruitment, which Benesh ignored. Several Bandidos members then murdered Benesh on March 18, 2006 outside an Austin restaurant to protect the power, reputation and territory of the Bandidos enterprise.

Jurors also found that Portillo and others killed Robert Lara in January 2002 in Atascosa County as payback for killing Bandidos member Javier Negrete.  Negrete, a member of the same local Bandidos chapter as Portillo at the time, was killed outside a San Antonio bar in October 2001.

Jurors also found that Pike, Portillo and others conspired to murder and assault members and associates of the Cossacks Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (Cossacks). Testimony revealed that Portillo, with Pike’s approval, declared that the Bandidos were “at war” with the Cossacks. A number of violent acts were committed by the Bandidos around Texas in furtherance of this “war,” including in Fort Worth, Gordon, Odessa, Port Aransas, Crystal City and elsewhere.

Testimony also revealed that Portillo and other members of the Bandidos were engaged in trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine and maintained an agreement with the Texas Mexican Mafia wherein Bandidos members were not required to pay the 10-percent “dime” to the Texas Mexican Mafia in exchange for permission to traffic narcotics.

“The sentencing of Bandidos National Vice President Xavier Portillo is one more step in concluding a comprehensive investigation by DEA, FBI and our law enforcement partners into the leadership structure and criminal activities of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang,” said Will Glaspy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Houston Division. “This investigation reflects law enforcements commitment to make sure communities across Texas are safe and prevent gang members involved in drug distribution and other criminal activity from establishing a foothold in our communities.”

“The sentencing rendered today is the result of the outstanding partnership between the FBI and all our law enforcement partners,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “This effort demonstrates our ongoing commitment to prevent gang violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities. It also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent criminal enterprises.”

“Gang violence is a threat to the safety and security of Texas communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These are complex cases, but thanks to the hard work and collaboration between law enforcement authorities and prosecutors, these criminals are no longer free to prey on our communities.”

Pike, who faces up to life in federal prison, is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00am on September 26, 2018.

The FBI, DEA and Texas DPS investigated this case together with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Austin Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, Seguin Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, Atascosa County Sheriff’s Department, Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Department, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Fuchs and John Gibson are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In El Paso today, a federal judge sentenced 36–year-old Norma Juarez Taha to 151 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for her role in connection with the kidnapping of a 20-year-old female in El Paso in February 2017, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr.

On March 16, 2018, a federal jury convicted Taha on one count of kidnapping and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.  Evidence presented during trial revealed that on February 13, 2017, the defendant, known to her victim as Sister Norma, went into the victim’s house at approximately 3:30 A.M. and lured the victim out of the house by telling her that her family was in danger and that immigration authorities were attempting to deport them.  The defendant drove the victim to a remote residence on the east side of El Paso that belonged to Taha’s mother.  At the residence, the victim saw that Taha was in possession of a firearm.  Subsequently, Taha placed the victim in her mother’s truck and injected her with a mixture of drugs.    Taha’s mother then drove the victim across the border to a residence in Juarez.  Taha and her mother left the victim at that residence and never returned.  At approximately 10:30 P.M. on February 13, 2017, two individuals at the residence transported the victim to the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry.  The victim was then transported to an El Paso hospital where she received medical attention.

Further investigation by FBI agents revealed that Taha agreed to kidnap the victim on the ground that her lifestyle brought embarrassment to her family.  During a search of the defendant’s vehicle and residence, authorities discovered the firearm possessed by Taha, as well as the medication used by Taha to inject the victim during the kidnapping.

Based on a recent legal precedent, U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo granted the defendant’s request to dismiss the firearm charge prior to sentencing.  Judge Montalvo will determine restitution in this case at a later date. 

The FBI investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Acosta and Shane Wagman prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

Federal and state authorities have arrested 19 individuals for their alleged roles in a methamphetamine distribution operation in the Waco area, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt; and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants include:

Name                                                              Age     Residence                   Statutory Maximum Penalty
Rene Marquez Lopez                                          42        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment
Peter Nino                                                            34        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment
Brandon Roy Stout                                             34        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment
Lloyd Ray Gatlin                                                 44        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment
**Justin Rene Hernandez                                 31        Dallas                          10 years to life imprisonment
Cruz Oviedo                                                         26        Austin                         10 years to life imprisonment
Kyle Anthony Baker                                           33        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Juli Jenice Aleman (aka Juli Jenice Garcia)  41        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
**Devito Dembinsky                                          30        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Benito Rodriguez                                                37        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
**Decedreon Miller                                            38        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Ricky Rivera                                                        43        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Julian Rivera                                                       39        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Shauna Gilstrap                                                  39        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
James Leroy McMillion                                     54        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Brent May                                                            55        Whitney, TX               5 to 40 years imprisonment
Sandra Oviedo (aka Sandra Cardenas)           25        Austin                         5 to 40 years imprisonment
**Jesus Juan Lopez                                             41        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment
Nicholas Charles Caufield                                43        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

** Already in custody prior to today

Authorities allege that since January 2017, these defendants were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Waco and surrounding areas. 

During this investigation, authorities seized approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine.

All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco. 

The DEA, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Waco Police Department are investigating this case.  The U.S. Marshals Service and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance with today’s arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (Kickapoo) will receive a $390,599 federal grant to address violent crime against Indian women.  U.S. Attorney John F. Bash joined the Department of Justice today in announcing the award to the Kickapoo as part of more than $13 million in grants being awarded to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

“The specific purpose of this federal grant is to reduce crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and stalking on the Kickapoo Reservation,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

With this funding, Kickapoo Tribal Government and Tribal Law Enforcement will develop or provide a crisis hotline, supportive services, support groups and victims assistance such as court accompaniment, advocacy, counseling and transitional housing assistance.

Nationwide, grants were awarded to 133 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $113 million, just over $53 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, more than $35 million from the Office on Violence Against Women, and more than $24.7 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

CTAS awards cover nine purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs.   CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs.

“There is an unacceptable level of violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  This increase in resources, together with our aggressive investigation and prosecution of crimes, shows how seriously Attorney General Sessions and the entire Department of Justice take these issues.  We are committed to reducing violent crime and improving public safety,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. 

Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

For a listing of today’s announced CTAS awards go to: www.justice.gov/tribal/page/file/1095161/download.

In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a former employee of the Central Texas Detention Facility – GEO (GEO) to 57 months imprisonment for agreeing to provide crystal methamphetamine to an inmate inside the federal detention facility announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division and U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered that 28–year–old Abigail Jolynn Abrego be placed under supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term.  Judge Rodriguez also sentenced Abrego’s co-defendant and boyfriend, 55–year–old Leonard Belmares, to 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Judge Rodriguez ordered Abrego and Belmares to surrender to federal authorities on or before November 30, 2018, to begin serving their respective prison terms.

Earlier this year, both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to providing contraband in prison.  By pleading guilty, they admitted that in November 2017, they met with an undercover agent and agreed to smuggle methamphetamine into the facility and give it to an inmate in exchange for $1,500.  They also admitted to working together on at least three previous occasions to smuggle drugs and/or contraband into the facility in exchange for money.

“I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and our U.S. Marshals Service personnel on their collaborative success in this investigation,” said U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau. “Their hard work and diligent efforts resulted in justice being served today.”

The Federal Bureau Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

A federal jury in the Western District of Texas convicted a San Antonio man today of three counts of tax evasion, announced  Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney John F. Bash for the Western District of Texas.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between October 2000 and December 2013, Robert Steven Powell evaded the payment of more than $900,000 in income taxes for the years 1999 through 2009.  Powell evaded payment of his taxes by submitting false Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms W-4 to his employer, which falsely claimed that he was exempt from federal tax withholding.  Powell also placed a house and recreational vehicle in nominee names and attempted to conceal his physical address from the IRS by obtaining identification documents from multiple states using false personal residence addresses.   

Powell evaded the assessment of his 2010 and 2011 tax liabilities by maintaining, rather than correcting, false documents submitted to his long-term disability payer, on which he falsely claimed to be exempt from federal income tax withholding.  Moreover, Powell did not file a tax return for those years, despite an obligation to do so.  In total, the government’s evidence established a tax loss of more than $900,000.

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.  Powell faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison on each count, as well as a period of supervised release and monetary penalties.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney John Bash commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Bill Harris and Trial Attorney Gregory Bailey of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. 

Additional information about the Tax Division and and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.

In Midland today, a federal judge sentenced 40-year-old Jose Abelardo Dominguez to three years in federal prison for his role in money laundering and tax evasion schemes, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss, Houston Field Office; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton, El Paso Division; and, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered that Dominguez pay $1,971,072.45 in restitution to the IRS, a $10,000 fine and a money judgement in the amount of $5,088,507.98.  Judge Counts further ordered Dominguez to forfeit to the Government seven real estate properties in Ector and Midland counties; approximately $375,000 in U.S. currency seized from various bank accounts; approximately $140,000 in U.S. Currency seized from two of his Odessa properties; and, four vehicles.  Judge Counts also ordered that Dominguez be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term.

According to court records, an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS-CI, HSI, and Texas DPS revealed that Dominguez operated an illegal sports wagering enterprise from 2011 to 2016.  Dominguez provided gamblers opportunities to place bets using websites www.betvegas365.com and www.1betvegas.com.  Gambling debts owed to Dominguez were usually paid through U.S. currency, checks, wire transfers or direct deposits into one of several bank accounts controlled by Dominguez.  Dominguez used those funds to purchase real property and vehicles or to fund business ventures.  Dominguez created two businesses—Peps Properties in June 2011 and Permian Basin Consulting, LLC in January 2014—and used them and their corresponding business bank accounts to launder proceeds from his sports wagering operation and conceal the source and/or nature of those proceeds.  In 2014, Dominguez received in excess of $2.3 million dollars in gambling proceeds.

On June 19, 2018, Dominguez pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of tax evasion.  By pleading guilty, Dominguez admitted that in August 2014, he engaged in a monetary transaction with criminally derived proceeds.  Dominguez also admitted that he provided a federal income tax return for 2014 in which he falsely underreported his taxable income as $63,496.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Lewis prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced former FourWinds Chief Executive Officer Stanley P. Bates to

15 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss, Houston Field Office. 

In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that Bates pay $6,345,414 million restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. 

“Today Mr. Bates received a just punishment for the fraudulent scheme he orchestrated.  Like all such schemes, the FourWinds plot, stripped to its core, was simply an effort to steal money belonging to other people,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

On January 8, 2018, Bates pleaded guilty to eight separate federal charges including securities fraud and money laundering stemming from a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars.  In February, a jury found Bates’s co-defendants, former District 19 Texas State Senator Carlos Uresti and FourWinds Logistics, Inc., (FourWinds) consultant Gary L. Cain, guilty on all charges for their roles in the scheme.  In June, Judge Ezra sentenced Uresti and Cain to 12 years in federal prison and 68 months in federal prison, respectively.  Judge Ezra also ordered that Uresti and Cain pay, jointly and severally, over $6.3 million in restitution.

Evidence presented during trial revealed that from February 2014 to December 2015, the defendants developed an investment Ponzi scheme to buy and sell hydraulic fracturing (fracking) sand for oil production.  Evidence showed that the defendants made false statements and representations while soliciting investors in FourWinds.  Collected funds were then used to pay earlier investors and for personal expenses including gifts, travel, luxury automobiles, controlled substances, and to hire prostitutes.  Evidence and testimony also revealed that Uresti, Cain and Bates engaged in money laundering with the proceeds of wire fraud.

The FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force is conducting this investigation. The Task Force is comprised of investigators from the FBI, IRS-CI, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Peace Corps-Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Joseph E. Blackwell, William R. Harris, Mark Roomberg, Erica Giese and Sean O’Connell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.   

Federal and state authorities have arrested nine individuals for their alleged roles in narcotics distribution and money laundering activities on San Antonio’s Eastside, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus; Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar; and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.

A two-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Defendants, who were arrested yesterday and charged in this indictment, include: 44-year-old Leroy Sarpenter; 38-year-old Roy Perkins; 37-year-old Demetrius Goode (aka “Dale Wilkins”); 44-year-old Andre Johnson; 28-year-old Jacob Cavazos (aka “J-Dawg”); 44-year-old Kenneth Brown (aka “Bean”); 41-year-old Terrance Stevenson; 39-year-old Damaneion Goode (aka “D-Down”); and, 46-year-old Larry Johnson (aka “Skull”).

The indictment alleges that these defendants distributed multi-kilograms of cocaine since January 2015. 

All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week in U.S. Magistrate Court in San Antonio.  Upon conviction, the defendants face between ten years and life in prison on the drug conspiracy charge and up to 20 years in federal prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Antonio Police Department, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Castle Hills Police Department, Live Oak Police Department, Leon Valley Police Department, Hollywood Park Police Department, and Comal County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Leachman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

“SAPD is pleased with the success of the recent collaborative operations with our law enforcement partners. We want to thank all the taskforces involved for their dedication. The recent arrests takes us a step closer to making our community safer. We will continue to work to bring justice to those who threaten the safety of our great city,” stated SAPD Chief McManus.

“The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is proud of our ongoing relationship with our area Law Enforcement partners.  This operation’s success is a direct testament to what happens when we all work together for the greater good of our community,” stated Bexar County Sheriff Salazar.

“This cocaine distribution investigation is a great example of the valuable partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement in Texas, which is critical to combatting crime in our communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Thanks to the collaborative efforts during this investigation, the community is safer today with these suspects behind bars.”

The principal mission of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.