Western District of Texas

DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national who had resided illegally in Vallejo, California was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 66 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens placing lives in jeopardy.

According to court documents, on July 10, 2024, a U.S. Border Patrol agent initiated a lawful immigration stop of a pickup truck suspected of picking up undocumented noncitizens near U.S. Route 277 in Eagle Pass. The driver, Guillermo Hernandez-Gonzalez, 23, refused to yield and led agents on a 25-mile pursuit at speeds between 50 and 80 mph. At one point during the pursuit, Hernandez-Gonzalez placed his truck in reverse and crashed into an agent’s patrol vehicle as he was attempting to exit.

The pursuit came to an end when Hernandez-Gonzalez crashed into a cattle fence and telephone pole. He attempted to flee from the scene but was quickly apprehended by responding agents who discovered a total of seven illegal aliens in the truck. Three of the aliens were in the truck’s bed, while four sat in the cabin. Two of the seven were transported to the hospital to be treated for a lacerated scalp and sprained ankle.

Hernandez-Gonzalez admitted that he learned of the alien smuggling opportunity through an advertisement on Instagram, which offered to pay him between $7,700 and $15,000. Hernandez-Gonzalez flew from Oakland, California to San Antonio and followed instructions from an unindicted co-conspirator.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

USBP investigated the case with support from the Maverick County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayvee Rhoda prosecuted the case.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso today to 18 months in prison for failure to account for and pay over trust fund taxes.

According to court documents, Edward Dean La Puma, 58, was the founder and sole proprietor of 77 Stone, a granite countertop business, who willfully failed to account for and pay over trust fund taxes for 20 tax periods, from the first quarter of 2018 through the last quarter of 2022. His 20 violations resulted in the tax loss of $818,096.

La Puma was indicted for 20 counts April 24, 2024 and arrested May 21, 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count on Nov. 21, 2024. As part of a plea agreement, La Puma agreed to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $383,551.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Micaela Glass prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 378 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from April 11 through April 17.

Among the new cases, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations (ICE ERO) agents in San Antonio received notification that Mexican national Netsai Moreno-Suarez was arrested for a traffic violation on April 11. Moreno-Suarez was transferred into ICE ERO custody, charged with illegal re-entry. She was previously removed from the United States in August 2023 after being convicted for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and being sentenced to five years of probation. If convicted, Moreno-Suarez faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

On April 12, Janet Amanda Gonzales, of San Antonio, was arrested in Kinney County for allegedly transporting five illegal aliens further into the United States. A criminal complaint alleges that U.S. Border Patrol agents observed several individuals laying on top of each other on the backseat of Gonzales’s vehicle as she arrived at an immigration checkpoint near Brackettville. Gonzales allegedly admitted that she was conspiring with other subjects to transport the illegal aliens for monetary gain. A convicted felon, Gonzales was sentenced in April 2021 to two years of probation for exploitation of child/elderly/disabled.

The following day, April 13, a USBP agent observed multiple people running away from the brush and enter a pickup truck on the side of Highway 277 near Texas Loop 79. The agent performed an immigration inspection on the individuals, allegedly discovering four illegal aliens and U.S. Citizen Roberto Hernandez. A criminal complaint alleges that Hernandez was contacted by a co-conspirator and asked to pick up a group of illegal aliens to transport them to a residence in Del Rio.

USBP agents arrested Mexican national Arturo Mendoza-Yerbafria near Sanderson on April 15 for illegal re-entry. Mendoza-Yerbafria has been thrice deported, most recently on May 15, 2024 through Laredo Columbia Bridge. He was convicted in March 2018 and sentenced to 366 days in prison for one count of bringing in and harboring aliens.

Honduran national Efrain Antonio Corroto-Herrera was arrested near Eagle Pass after records indicated he had been previously deported twice, the most recent removal being to Honduras on March 12 through Laredo. Corroto-Herrera was convicted in Austin on Feb. 26 for assault causing bodily injury, for which he received a sentence of 180 days confinement.

Mexican national Zacarias Bautista-Emiliano was arrested by USBP agents for being an alien illegally present in the U.S, having been previously deported as recently as October 2024 through San Ysidro, California. The October removal was Bautista-Emiliano’s fifth deportation and his criminal history includes a felony conviction in 2013 for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. His criminal record also includes two additional felony convictions: illegal re-entry in New Mexico in 2014 and illegal re-entry in Arizona in 2022. Bautista-Emiliano received sentences of 46 months in prison and 40 months in prison, respectively, for those convictions.

In Austin, Honduran national Elvin Alexis Canelas-Morillo was placed into federal custody April 17. He pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury in a 2023 Travis County case and was sentenced to 179 days confinement. Canelas-Morillo has four prior removals, most recently in April 2022, and a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple immigration convictions, burglary of a building, and evading arrest. He now faces a charge of illegal re-entry.

Mexican national Heber Vivero-Martinez was also transferred to federal custody in Austin on April 17. Along with three prior convictions for illegal entry, Vivero-Martinez was convicted in 2019 for assault causing bodily injury. At the time of his transfer, he was serving 20 days in the Travis County Jail for a DWI charge. Vivero-Martinez’s immigration record includes two removals in 2013 and four voluntary returns between 2007 and 2009.

In El Paso, Mexican national Adolfo Martinez-Padron was arrested and charged with illegal re-entry. He has been previously removed six times, most recently March 27 through Del Rio. Martinez-Padron’s extensive criminal history includes two felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, two DWIs, and assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

Mexican national Santa Cruz Garcia-Morales was arrested in El Paso as well, having been previously removed from the U.S. four times and granted two voluntary removals. In 2023, Garcia-Morales was convicted in Salt Lake, Utah and sentenced to 180 days in jail for domestic violence in the presence of a child. In May 2024, he was sentenced to 18 months of probation in West Jordan, Utah for aggravated assault.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A federal jury in Del Rio convicted a Luling man for one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of illegal alien transportation for profit.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Bryant Anthony Garcia, 19, was the passenger in a vehicle driven by co-defendant Juan Angel Soberanes, 18, of Luling, on Oct. 1, 2024. U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to a checkpoint near Del Rio instructed Soberanes to advance to secondary inspection when a second vehicle, driven by co-defendant Carlos Daniel Martinez, 25, of Fort Worth, arrived at the checkpoint. Martinez’s vehicle was occupied by a fourth defendant, Mexican national Joel Hernandez-Ortiz, 26, in the front passenger seat and two illegal aliens sitting in the rear passenger seats. The USBP agents learned that the two vehicles were traveling together.

In an interview with the agents, Garcia stated that he and his high school friend, Soberanes, left Luling together the previous day. He admitted that the two had traveled to Eagle Pass to scout for law enforcement and facilitate the smuggling of two illegal aliens. Garcia state that he expected to receive $2,000 for his efforts.

Co-defendants Hernandez-Ortiz and Martinez pleaded guilty on Jan. 13, 2025 to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Soberanes pleaded guilty to the same charge on Feb. 10, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

USBP is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nallely Duarte and Matt Kass are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a gun theft and trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents, between January and October 2023, Alcapone Maximus Pena, 23, was involved in the theft of firearms and vehicles in and around the San Antonio area as well as the sale of those stolen firearms. Pena, codefendant Nathan Tyler Padilla, 27, and others repeatedly broke into vehicles which they identified as likely to have firearms and that they believed they would be able to illegally sell.

A search of Pena’s home on Oct. 25, 2023 resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms. An additional 17 firearms were located in a separate search warrant and determined to be trafficked by Pena. During the course of the conspiracy, Pena was responsible for the knowing and illegal trafficking of 25-99 firearms. The investigation also revealed information that showed Padilla’s cell phone had been present during the theft of several seized firearms. For his work in the firearm thefts, Padilla would receive a share of the proceeds that came from the firearms’ eventual sale to third parties.

Both Pena and Padilla were named in a seven-count indictment filed Nov. 15, 2023. Pena was charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, one count of possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession of stolen firearms. Padilla, who had been previously convicted on Aug. 16, 2023 for the offense of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle, was charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.

The two codefendants pleaded guilty Jan. 7, 2025. Padilla was sentenced on April 1 to 90 months in federal prison.

“This case highlights the importance of holding individuals trafficking in firearms accountable for their actions.  Each year, thousands of guns are stolen from vehicles in the San Antonio area, and then many of these are used to commit crimes, including violent crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “We, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, remain fully committed to investigating and prosecuting these firearm thefts as part of our commitment to public safety.”

“This case is a great example of our unwavering commitment to protecting our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “By bringing individuals involved in gun theft and trafficking to justice, we are not only holding criminals accountable but also taking meaningful steps to reduce the kind of violent crime that threatens our neighborhoods. Our community is safer today because of the tireless efforts of our agency and our law enforcement partners.”

The ATF investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zack Parsons prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso husband and wife were sentenced together in a federal court to a combined 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on Carlos Morales, 41, and Rebekah Sue Morales, 55, during an FBI surveillance operation on March 5, 2024. Two handguns were located in a backpack belonging to Carlos, a convicted felon. The subsequent execution of a search warrant on the couple’s home resulted in the seizure of additional firearms, ammunition and methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that both Carlos and Rebekah were involved in trafficking the methamphetamine.

Carlos pleaded guilty on Jan. 6, 2025, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Rebekah pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. U.S. District Judge Leon Schydlower sentenced Carlos Morales to the statutory maximum of 15 years in federal prison. Schydlower sentenced Rebekah Sue Morales to 10 years in federal prison. In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of the defendant’s residence, as well as the forfeiture of multiple firearms, all used to facilitate the commission of their crimes.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the El Paso Country Sheriff’s Office, and the El Paso Country Constables.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Susanna Martinez prosecuted the case.

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WACO, Texas – A group of 20 federally indicted individuals were arrested Friday in Waco on criminal charges related to their alleged drug trafficking conspiracy that had been in operation since April 2024.

The following defendants are indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine and face 10 years to life in federal prison:

• Osvaldo Vences
• Brenda Lou Brasher
• Juan Delgado
• Anthony Mark Fimple
• Brian Quinn Knox
• Ronald Vincent Rodriguez, Jr.
• James Holland Young
• Tandy Jay Day
• William Brett Lafferty
• Michael Earl McDonald

The following defendants are indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 1 kilogram of heroin and face 10 years to life in federal prison:

• Arthur Lee Pimpton
• Quincy Shun Cook
• Osvaldo Vences
• Reginald Dewayne Bible
• Reginald Vernard Branch
• Deordrick Derrion Brown
• Direshia Marie McDaniel
• Reginald Lionel Thornton
• Kevin Eugene Hubby
• Rockelle Lashan Parker
• Marvin Lydell Starks

The following defendants are indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine and face five to 40 years in federal prison: 

• Juan Delgado
• Anthony Mark Fimple
• Ronald Vincent Rodriguez, Jr.
• Fabian Angel Fabela

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI, Waco Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and McLennan County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 295 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from April 4 through April 10.

Among the new cases, Mexican national Jorge Alberto Garcia-Drue was encountered at the Frio County Jail in Pearsall after he was arrested for allegedly refusing to provide accurate identification. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement Removal Operations agents determined that Garcia-Drue was an alien illegally present within the United States and that he had been previously removed from the country. A review of his criminal history revealed that he had also been convicted on Dec. 10, 2014 of harboring illegal aliens and aiding and abetting. For that conviction, Garcia-Drue was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison.

In El Paso, agents responded to an address on April 3. A criminal complaint alleges that one of the agents recognized an alarming amount of smoke inside the residence. Responding to the smoke, agents entered the home and noticed that two cell phones were burning inside a toilet. At the same time, an agent noticed a broken skylight in the bathroom was broken and believed someone had escaped through the roof. Two individuals were then located and apprehended on the roof of the house. The individuals were identified as Victor Adolfo Gonzalez-Serrano and Alberto Antonio Barrera-Soria. Back inside the residence, the criminal complaint indicates that agents located air mattresses, bags full of trash, and wet clothing and shoes. 17 additional people were located inside the residence. The home had been used as a stash house, allegedly managed by Gonzalez-Serrano and Barrera-Soria, who both stated they were being paid to harbor and care for the illegal aliens. Barrera-Soria has been deported two times—most recently on July 23, 2024. He, along with Gonzalez-Serrano and a third defendant, Diego Axel Barrera-Granados, who alleged that he had been smuggled into the U.S. to transport illegal aliens, are Mexican nationals in the United States illegally and have been charged with bringing in and harboring aliens.

On April 7, Border Patrol agents apprehended an individual east of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry. A criminal complaint alleges that, during processing, the individual was receiving multiple phone calls and texts, causing suspicion that an alien smuggling scheme was ongoing. The apprehended individual allegedly consented for agents to use his cell phone and, when a USBP agent answered an incoming call, the agent posed as an illegal alien to coordinate a pickup. This led agents to Luis David Castro, who arrived at an agreed upon location and believed he was going to pick up an illegal alien for smuggling. He’s charged with one count of bringing in and harboring aliens. Castro is a felon convicted in 2016 for aggravated robbery with 2023 conviction for burglary of a building. 

Guatemalan national Julio Pop-Tiul was arrested in El Paso on April 7 for illegal re-entry, having been previously removed from the U.S. on May 13, 2024. A criminal complaint alleges that Pop-Tiul is a twice-convicted felon and admitted affiliation with the 18th Street Gang. He was convicted in Los Angeles, California in 2019 for assault with a deadly weapon and in 2021 for taking a vehicle without consent.

In Del Rio, Mexican national Jose Alfredo Almendarez-Alvarez was arrested by USBP agents for being an alien illegally present in the U.S. Almendarez-Alvarez was deported in October 2024 through Laredo. A convicted felon, he was sentenced in Huntsville in 2023 to two years’ confinement for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Other arrests this past week in the Del Rio sector include Mexican nationals Jose Eufracio-Plata, Isaias Gomez-Cruz, and Antonio Manuel Vazquez-Rodriguez. Eufracio-Plata was just deported March 7 for the third time and has four felony convictions, including two for illegal re-entry and two related to marijuana possession. Gomez-Cruz was apprehended April 3 near Carrizo Springs. Gomez-Cruz was most recently deported for the fifth time on March 3 following a conviction for illegal re-entry on Feb. 26. His criminal record includes two DWI convictions and a conviction for reckless driving. Vazquez-Rodriguez was deported March 14 through Laredo and was convicted in September 2024 for evading arrest. He was also convicted for the same offense in March 2023. Lastly, Mexican national Eduardo Gaspar-Santos was arrested April 2 after being previously deported Dec. 6, 2024. Gaspar-Santos was convicted in November 2024 in Lewisville for assault causing bodily injury.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for production of child pornography.

According to court documents, Hector Sanchez, 33, used his Facebook account to contact a 13-year-old female in October 2020. Sanchez demanded that the child send him explicitly nude photos, which she eventually did, and told her he was going to purchase condoms. On Oct. 6, 2020, he met the child victim outside her house and later messaged that he wished she wasn’t so young so that they wouldn’t “have to hide.” He also told her to ensure she deleted their conversations. On Oct. 26, Sanchez sent the child nude photos and a sexually explicit video of himself.

On Nov. 23, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations received information originating from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspected child exploitation in violation of federal law. The following day, agents were able to conduct a forensic interview with the child victim. Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on July 21, 2023.

“Sanchez knowingly and deliberately befriended a minor over social media with full intent to develop a discreet sexual relationship with her,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “I am very grateful for the involvement of NCMEC and our law enforcement partners in this case. Because of the systems and processes available to us and our capabilities to investigate and prosecute crimes against children, Sanchez will spend the next three decades paying for his actions in federal prison.”

“This lengthy sentence is a testament to the disgusting nature of child exploitation crimes, particularly the production of child pornography,” said ICE HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee. “HSI agents make it a priority to protect vulnerable children from victimization by working with their law enforcement partners to investigate predators involved with the possession and distribution of child pornography and ensure they are held accountable for their actions.”

HSI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman announced today that the Western District of Texas collected $31,891,176.54 on outstanding criminal debts through its Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) and forfeited $23,764,169 through its Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in fiscal year 2024.

“Congress has mandated that the loss to crime victims be recognized through the enactment of various federal laws and has given the responsibility to U.S. Attorney’s Offices to aggressively enforce victim restitution orders. This office is determined to do just that, understanding that justice cannot be considered served until full restitution is made,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Asset forfeiture plays a critical role in disrupting and dismantling illegal enterprises, depriving criminals of the proceeds of illegal activity, deterring crime, and restoring property to victims. Successful return of forfeited assets to victims through the remission and restoration processes is one of the primary goals of the Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program.”

The U.S. has broad enforcement powers to collect restitution in criminal cases. In FY24, the FLU filed various enforcement proceedings, including restraining orders, liens, garnishments, foreclosures, turnover motions, and writs of execution, to recoup millions in losses to crime victims. Few exemptions are available to criminal debtors in these enforcement proceedings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) also negotiated substantial pre-sentence payments along with post-judgment payment plans to ensure recovery. Over $3,304,942.85 was collected through the Treasury Offset Program in FY24, which captures all or some federal payments, such as tax refunds, benefits and vendor payments.

Some of the more notable forfeiture and collections occurring in FY24 include:

• Janet Yamanaka Mello defrauded the U.S. of $108 million in grant payments intended for military youth programs. She was sentenced on July 23, 2024 to 15 years in prison and to pay $140 million to the U.S. Army and IRS. To recover losses, the USAO’s AFU forfeited $18,133,806.53 from six bank accounts; 31 properties valued at almost $23 million; 35 motor vehicles, 42 motorcycles, two all-terrain vehicles, one recreational vehicle, and one boat all valued at almost $3.5 million; and 2,410 pieces of jewelry and personal items valued at about $9 million. Among the real property, only her primary residence has been sold for $1.2 million, which she purchased in 2017 for $663,956.84. Meanwhile, the USAO’s FLU has recovered almost $700,000 from the sale of personal property and by clawing back fraudulent transfers Mello made to family and friends.
• In July 2022 Marco Perez was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment and $14,538,967.27 in restitution to compensate over 400 victims of his oil and gas Ponzi scheme. As part of its prosecution, the USAO forfeited 10 vehicles, including a helicopter, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, jewelry, $458,483 in cash, and eight different types of cryptocurrencies. The estimated total value of all forfeited assets combined is $1.1 million. The USAO is working to restore those funds to his victims.
• In October 2008, Olivia Enriquez was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment and to pay 10 victims $980,512.92 for, among other things, embezzling from her elderly employer. In the intervening years she paid a minimal amount. In 2024 FLU foreclosed on and sold defendant’s New Mexico real property, netting $78K to her elder victim; implemented a continuing garnishment of 25% of her wages; and is pursuing garnishment of her spouse’s wages.
• In 2002, Bryan Lee Rankin and his co-defendants ran a large Ponzi scheme that targeted over 70 people, resulting in losses of over $11 million to many elderly victims. With the debt close to expiration, FLU garnished $114,000 of Rankin’s mineral royalty interests and negotiated one-time payments of $18,000 and $24,000 from co-defendants Duncan & Laine. FLU also foreclosed on defendant’s significant mineral interests, which are being sold.
• In 2021 Victor Farias was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment and to pay $7,850,511.84 to over 60 victims of his fraudulent investment scam. Many victims were retired law enforcement who lost their life savings. In 2024 the USAO foreclosed on his homestead to recover over $200K for his victims.
• Through their cleaning companies, Kenneth, Christopher, and Irma Flores defrauded the U.S. of $3.7 million by fixing Army contract awards after paying bribes and kickbacks to government officials. They were sentenced in September 2024. The USAO recovered the entire $3.7 million at sentencing from the sale of defendants’ properties and the seizure of company bank account funds.
• Jack Kidd was the owner of a company that falsely invoiced the U.S. for natural gas. He was sentenced in July 2024. After several pre-judgment garnishments, the U.S. recovered $11,397,374 in restitution as well as a $5,000 fine prior to sentencing.

“Fraud on your neighbor is heinous, whether it be on an elderly individual, friend, or fellow taxpayer as seen in these cases. It damages the fabric of society, unraveling trust and deepening despair, and in many cases, ruining the legacy of a life well lived,” said Leachman. “For many, it may feel like the end, but for my team of asset recovery attorneys and staff, the pursuit of justice in restoring victim losses is just the beginning. We are passionate and tireless when it comes to helping victims and will pursue every reasonable remedy to hold defendants’ accountable for repaying their losses.”

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DEL RIO, Texas – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 260 months in prison for conspiracy to import methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Juan Antonio Lucha, 27, was part of a drug smuggling organization and was responsible for trafficking five kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,627 grams of fentanyl from Mexico into the United States. Lucha was arrested June 27, 2020 at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

Lucha was charged in a four-count indictment in July 2020 with co-defendants Juan Sustaita Rodriguez and Natalie Andrea Vasquez. Lucha pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine.

Vasquez was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison on Feb. 12, 2024 for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rodriguez pleaded guilty Jan. 28, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 24, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Garland is prosecuting the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is alerting the public of imposter scams involving individuals claiming to represent the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

During these calls, scammers may provide false badge numbers and claim to have found your phone number in the contacts list of a rescued human trafficking victim. The scammers are known to request funds through a mobile payment app.

Scammers use many tactics to sound and appear credible. They sometimes provide information like actual names of federal prosecutors and federal office addresses. They also spoof their phone numbers to appear on caller IDs as if they are calling from a government agency such as the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Remember that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will never ask you to purchase a gift card or give out a credit card number.

If you are a victim of one of these scam calls, please report the incident via https://www.ic3.gov/.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in Del Rio to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents, Genaro Ivan Hernandez-Sarabia, was referred to secondary inspection as he attempted to drive into the U.S. from Mexico at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, Sept. 22, 2024. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and a narcotics detection K-9 located a non-factory compartment inside Hernandez-Sarabia’s vehicle, which contained 32 packages of a white powdery substance which tested positive for 27.66 total kgs of cocaine. Hernandez-Sarabia stated he had been hired for $5,000 to transport the cocaine to Houston.

Hernandez-Sarabia faces a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations and CBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass is prosecuting the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) April 6–12, by recognizing recent criminal cases involving victims.

This year’s NCVRW theme—Connecting Healing—recognizes that shared humanity drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins. The annual observance challenges us to build a world where every connection built through KINSHIP — between survivors, advocates, and communities — holds the potential to heal. It asks us to ensure that resources are available to all survivors and that we show up for one another with empathy and intention.

With a dedicated team of prosecutors and victim assistance professionals who work together to ensure victims of crime receive the services and support they need, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and is home to an estimated population of 7.6 million people.

“Federal crimes against victims will not be tolerated in this district—regardless of whether they are violent crimes, drug crimes, or white collar,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “It is a priority of our prosecutors, our victim assistance specialists, and the entire Department of Justice, that we advocate in the best interests of victims and that crime victims have access to proper effective resources.”

Recently prosecuted cases include the 40-year federal prison sentence of Saint Jovite Youngblood in Austin for four counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Youngblood committed wire fraud against his victims by claiming Mexican drug cartel members were planning to commit violence against them. Youngblood falsely claimed to have been part of the U.S. Army's Delta Force special operations unit and offered protection to his victims from the cartels in exchange for money. Youngblood also represented that funds obtained from his victim "investors" would be paid back with a significant return on the money. Instead, Youngblood used most of the money on junkets to Las Vegas to gamble in casinos. Over the course of his scheme, Youngblood defrauded 32 victims for more than $12 million, which he was ordered to pay in restitution.

In Waco, a former U.S. sailor was sentenced to life in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of coercion and enticement of a minor. Bailey Warren Lowe used a Snapchat account to request sexually explicit images from a 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions. If she acted slowly or the photos did not meet his expectations, Lowe would become angry and threaten to expose her. On one occasion, in early 2022, Lowe drove to the minor’s residence, where they engaged in sexual activity in his vehicle. Lowe did not use a condom and, when the minor repeated that she was 13 years old, he demanded she not tell anyone about them because he was 22 and could get in trouble. An FBI investigation revealed multiple chat conversations and instances of sexual exploitation between Lowe and additional victims between the ages of 10 and 15 years old.

In July 2024, an Odessa man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for carjacking and discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Isaac Ramirez Carrasco carjacked a couple on Jan. 30 by pointing a shotgun at the driver and ordering both occupants out of their vehicle. The victim did not initially comply, and Carrasco fired the shotgun at least one time in the air before returning his aim to the victim. The couple ultimately exited the truck and Carrasco drove away in it. Odessa Police were able to track the truck to a nearby residence, where they also located Carrasco and the shotgun.

In November, Alex Georges Tannous, of Ain-Akrine, Lebanon, was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 240 months in prison for wire fraud. Tannous told his victims he was a prince from Dubai who was charged with bringing U.S.-based businesses to market in Dubai. He claimed millions were available, but that an initial payment from the victim was required to initiate the flow of funds. Once the funds were secured, he used the money to support his lavish lifestyle and the lifestyles of multiple family members. In total, Tannous stole more than $2 million from his victims. In addition to his 20-year federal prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $2.2 million in restitution.

And most recently, David Manuel Garcia was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison on March 20 for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place. Garcia had traveled from the U.S. to Mexico between July 2003 and August 2008 and engaged in forced sexual acts with a minor victim under the age of 18, which resulted in the birth of two children. Records indicate that the victim was 13 years old at the time of the first birth, and 15 years old when she gave birth to the second child.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas will commemorate NCVRW 2025 throughout the week in various ways. Most publicly, employees will be encouraged to wear this year’s theme colors of “midnight,” “mauve,” and “melon,” or colors closely similar, on Thursday, April 10. Community members across the district and beyond are invited to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this endeavor, using the hashtag #NCVRW2025 and tagging @USAO_WDTX on X (formerly known as Twitter), as a symbol of solidarity.

On April 9, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will host the 2025 NCVRW Candlelight Vigil at 3:30pm (EST) to pay tribute to victims of crime and the many dedicated professionals and volunteers who advocate on their behalf. We hope you’ll save-the-date and join via the livestream at www.ovc.ojp.gov/live or www.justice.gov/live.

NCVRW began in 1981 to honor victims and survivors of crime, raise awareness of victims’ rights and services and recognize the dedication of those who work with crime victims.

For more ideas on supporting crime victims, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 259 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from March 28 through April 3.

Among the new cases, Mexican national Miguel Angel Torres-Segura resided illegally in San Antonio and was arrested March 28 for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. A criminal complaint alleges that Torres-Segura participated in a human smuggling organization (HSO) that transported illegal aliens using tractor trailers, carrying out at least 19 human smuggling events and leading to the apprehension of more than 900 aliens between May 2021 and June 2022. Torres-Segura allegedly communicated with high-level leaders and organizers and assisted the HSO by transporting aliens and preparing tractor trailers for transport. Torres-Segura has multiple convictions, including two illegal entries in 2009 and 2010 and an illegal re-entry in 2011. He was convicted again for illegal re-entry on March 26 following an October 2024 arrest and has now been charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.

On March 26, 2025, in Presidio County, Texas, Miguel Andres Aguilar, a citizen and national of Mexico, was found in the United States illegally after having been preciously deported. Aguilar was removed in February 2017 through San Ysidro California. Border Patrol Agents had determined Aguilar had been deported from the US on four prior occasions.

On March 31, 2025, at the Camino Real International Bridge II in Eagle Pass, Texas, Customs and Border Protection Officers conducting outbound operations observed a black semi-automatic pistol in the luggage being carried by Roman Lagunas-Nazario.  Lagunas, a permanent resident alien, advised officers that he lives in Mexico and was in the US to visit family in Houston.  He admitted being hired to transport the firearm to Mexico for $100. Lagunas was charged with smuggling goods from the United States and faces imprisonment for up to 10 years.

On March 27, 2025, Victor Alfonso Cruz-Garcia was charged with illegal reentry after deportation in Del Rio, Texas, after being arrested by US Border Patrol Agents.  Cruz had been previously removed from the US on two occasions and was previously convicted of second degree murder.

Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry arrested Juan Sebastian Cortez-Calzada on March 26, 2025. Cortez was taken to Passport Control Secondary where record checks confirmed that he is a native and citizen of Mexico with no legal right to enter the United States. Record checks further revealed that Cortez was deported to Mexico on February 22, 2012, through the Port of Laredo, Texas. Additionally, Cortez has a felony conviction for a controlled substance prior to his removal.

Ronald Keith Henderson Jr. was arrested near Eagle Pass, Texas on Sunday, March 27, 2025. The driver of a gray Chevrolet Malibu, he was stopped near the Kickapoo Reservation in Eagle Pass. Three subjects in the vehicle were determined to be illegally present in the United States and freely admitted to had just crossed the Rio Grande River. Henderson admitted to conspiring with unknown subjects to transport aliens further into the United Staes.

Carlos Heliberto Solares y Solares, a Guatemalan citizen, traveling in a Chevrolet Malibu with California plates entered a checkpoint in Hudspeth County Texas on March 28, 2025. Solares told agents he was traveling from Los Angeles to Houston to visit his daughter. From Statements made by Solares, it was determined he was without immigration documents allowing him to remain in the United States legally. During an interview with Border Patrol Agents, Solares was asked if he knew he had been ordered removed by a judge and needed to leave the United States in which Solares stated “yes.”  Solares was ordered removed by an immigration judge on December 05, 2007.  Solares had been previously convicted for cruelty to the elderly and domestic violence in 2021 and 2022.

In an area known as Rusty’s Canyon approximately 31 miles east of Fort Hancock Texas, LeonelaAlejandra Prado-Sanchez was apprehended attempting to conceal herself in the brush.  Prado was determined to be a native and citizen of Honduras without immigration documents allowing her to be in the United States legally. Prado had previously been removed from the United States to Mexico on February 5, 2025 through Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

On April 1, 2025, Mexican national Gabriel Gonzalez Carillo was arrested in Hudspeth County 31 miles from Fort Hancock Texas Point of Entry. Gonzalez told agents that he would be paid to be a foot guide and that he was obtaining routes and other information via messages from an unknown smuggler in Mexico. Gonzalez and other illegal aliens were found attempting to conceal themselves in the brush in an area known as Rusty’s Canyon.

Kelvin Sauceda-Reyes, a passenger on a Greyhound Bus that entered an immigration inspection lane in Hudspeth County was placed under arrest on March 30, 2025. Sauceda, a citizen of Honduras, handed Border Patrol Agents and expired immigration document. Further search by agents revealed fraudulent Social Security Card and a fraudulent Lawfully Permanent Resident card in his wallet. After questions, Sauceda admitted he purchased the documents for $70 USD.

Luis Alberto Escobedo-Duenas was found approximately 2.8 miles west of the Fort Hancock Port of Entry in Fort Hancock, Texas.  Escobedo is a citizen and national of Mexico who had previously been removed from the US on seven prior convictions and had been previously convicted of illegal entry in El Paso, Texas in 2008, on federal drug trafficking charges in Alpine, Texas in 2012 for which he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release, on Indiana state marijuana dealing charges in 2015 for which he was sentenced to two years imprisonment in 2017, on Indiana state resisting law enforcement charges for which he was sentenced to one year imprisonment also in 2017, and was sentenced in 2018 to 13 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release after his 2012 supervised release was revoked.  Escobedo was arrested and charged in federal court in El Paso with illegal reentry after deportation.

Eduardo Garcia-Gutierrez will face illegal reentry after deportation charges in El Paso, Texas, after he was arrested at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry.  Garcia presented himself for entry indicating he wanted to travel to California.  Garcia admitted that he did not have entry documents and was a citizen of Mexico who had previously been removed from the US.  Records checks revealed that Garcia had been previously removed on nine prior occasions, with the last being in 2023.  Criminal records check revealed Garcia had been convicted of transportation/sale of narcotics in 1994 for which he was sentenced to three years imprisonment, possession of narcotics and use of false citizenship documents in 1996 for which he was sentenced to three years imprisonment and was sentenced on four occasions for probation violations from 2018 to 2023.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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SAN ANTONIO – A used car dealership manager in San Antonio was sentenced in a federal court to six months in prison and ordered to pay more than $260,000 in restitution for odometer tampering.

According to court documents, Felipe Alcibar, 62, was the primary party responsible for the day-to-day operations of Autotex Financial, a used car dealership. Beginning no later than October 2020 and continuing until at least November 2023, Alcibar knowingly and intentionally disconnected, reset or altered the odometers on multiple vehicles that had been purchased by Autotex and that were advertised for sale to the general public.

Alcibar was charged in a one-count information filed Oct. 8, 2024. He pleaded guilty Oct. 30, 2024. In addition to a six month prison sentence, Alcibar was ordered to pay a restitution of $264,747.05.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The Department of Transportation Office of Odometer Fraud investigated the case.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – The United States has reached agreements with several individuals and entities to resolve allegations of improper billing for medical imaging services at a surgical hospital in El Paso. Desert Imaging Services, L.P., In Tandem Solutions Group, LLC, and Leroy Candelaria agreed to pay the United States $693,913; Donald Burris and Vox Intus, LLC agreed to forfeit $325,000; and East El Paso Physician’s Medical Center, LLC, doing business as Foundation Surgical Hospital of El Paso, agreed to entry of a consent judgment in the amount of $2,081,739.

The United States alleged that the settling parties engaged in an illegal kickback and pass-through billing scheme in which Desert Imaging used Foundation Surgical Hospital’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) to submit claims for medical imaging services. Although the patients who received these services had no connection with the hospital, billing the claims as hospital outpatient services allowed Desert Imaging to obtain a higher rate of reimbursement from Federal healthcare programs. In exchange for letting Desert Imaging use its NPI, Foundation Surgical Hospital retained 17% of payments on the claims.

The settlements announced today resolve a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit is captioned United States and Texas ex rel. Motts v. East El Paso Physician’s Medical Center, et al., Case No. EP-18-CV-348-LS (W.D. Tex.).

Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Parnham and former Assistant United States Attorney Eddie Castillo handled this matter on behalf of the government.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – A Cuban national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 111 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, conspiracy to harbor aliens, and sexual assault of an alien.

According to court documents, Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero, 30, assisted in the harboring of illegal aliens and managed a stash house in El Paso. He also was an occupant in a vehicle that fled law enforcement that was transporting more than a dozen illegal aliens in April 2023. An investigation revealed that Arriola-Rivero sexually assaulted one of the illegal aliens at the El Paso stash house. Arriola-Rivero was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 17, 2023 and was arrested Sept. 7, 2023. He pleaded guilty Aug. 27, 2024.

“It’s important to note that Arriola-Rivero is being held responsible not only for the significant role he played in human smuggling operations, but also for his abhorrent decision to further dehumanize and sexually violate one of his victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman. “This sentence makes it clear to smugglers in El Paso and across the southern border, that if you engage in alien smuggling in our district, you will be held accountable.”

“Justice was served today for a stash house operator who organized the smuggling of hundreds of illegal aliens and sexually assaulted one of them, all while cramming individuals into tractor-trailers in the sweltering Texas heat,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge for El Paso, Jason T. Stevens. “HSI is committed to aggressively targeting human smugglers and smuggling organizations that continuously exploit individuals for profit. We will relentlessly pursue these criminals who prey on vulnerable people, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”

HSI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol.

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EL PASO, Texas – A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 51 months in prison and 80 hours of community service for one count of bribery of a public official and one count of bringing in certain aliens for financial gain.

According to court documents, in December 2022, investigating agents received information that Omar Moreno, 46, of Horizon City, was smuggling illegal aliens into the United States as a CBP officer, receiving $4,000 per alien from a smuggling organization. On Feb. 1, 2024, a video recording captured Moreno escorting two illegal aliens, one being a foot guide, into the U.S. through the Ysleta Port of Entry without undergoing an inspection.

On Feb. 23, 2024, two undercover officers posed as illegal aliens and used a confidential human source as a foot guide to enter the U.S. from Mexico. Again, Moreno allowed the smuggling to occur through the port of entry. After his shift ended, Moreno was paid $8,000 and arrested.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, and Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Johnston and Andres Ortega prosecuted the case.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Euless man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 72 months in prison for his role in an alien smuggling operation.

According to court documents, Oland Maurice McKenzie, 43, was the driver of an 18-wheeler tractor trailer truck that was stopped on June 29, 2023, as it was transporting 18 illegal aliens in metal grain hopper trailer. A Maverick County Sheriff’s deputy initiated the traffic stop when McKenzie failed to utilize a turn signal as he entered a parking lot. The deputy learned McKenzie did not have a commercial driver’s license required to drive the tractor trailer.

During the traffic stop, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrived and initiated a canine inspection, which led to the discovery of 18 individuals inside the pneumatic tank trailer, which was a completely enclosed metal cylinder, commonly used to transport powdered concrete or sand.

McKenzie was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint. He was eventually indicted by a grand jury for one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens placing lives in jeopardy and one count of illegal alien transportation placing lives in jeopardy. He was found guilty of both counts on May 1, 2024 by jury verdict.

“The disruption by law enforcement on the front end of this event absolutely saved lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “The tractor trailer was loaded with human cargo and bound for San Antonio out of Eagle Pass. Fortunately, there were no injuries beyond heat exhaustion but, if not for our law enforcement partners, this event could have ended much worse—potentially resulting in death.”

“This conviction highlights the severity of human smuggling and the critical need to enforce U.S. immigration and border security laws,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge for San Antonio, Craig Larrabee. “ICE and HSI will continue to target those who engage in these unlawful activities, which pose significant risks to public safety.”

HSI and the U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A Universal City man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 720 months in prison for three charges related to sexual exploitation of children.

According to court documents, Christopher Lee Castano, 44, accessed and transferred child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to and from external devices using his employer’s computer system while at a facility in San Antonio. The employer contacted the FBI in August 2022, after having discovered that Castano possessed files with names associated with child pornography on four removable devices since January 2022. On Aug. 3, 2022, an employee observed the files as Castano connected the external devices to the employer’s computers.

A federal search warrant led to the search of Castano’s work area and his devices, and an investigation revealed CSAM produced by Castano between 2015 and 2018 when the female child victim in the images was 11-14 years old. FBI personnel also located multiple CSAM images and videos depicting another minor female produced around 2016 when that victim was between the ages of five and 26 months old. A graphic CSAM video of Castano’s was produced using his cell phone on July 21, 2018, depicting the second child victim when she was just over two years old.

Castano has remained in federal custody since his arrest on Aug. 10, 2022. He was indicted for 13-counts on Sept. 7, 2022 and pleaded guilty to three counts on Oct. 12, 2023.

In addition to his 60-year prison sentence, Castano was also ordered to pay restitution to two child victims in the amount of $50,000 each and another $5,000 each to five additional victims who were identified through the investigation.

“Unless he lives well into his hundreds, this child predator is rightfully going to serve what is essentially a life sentence for the heinous crimes he has committed against at least half a dozen children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “I thank Castano’s employer for reporting his actions to our partners at the FBI, who helped us achieve this just sentence. While this does not erase what the child victims endured, we hope that they find some solace in the fact that Castano is no longer a threat to anyone.”

“Castano heinously abused some of the most vulnerable among us. This sentence properly reflects the seriousness of his crimes and will hopefully provide some semblance of justice for his victims. The FBI is committed to protecting our children and relentlessly pursuing those who would cause them harm," said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their partnership and dedication to this important mission.”

The FBI investigated the case.

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

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

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AUSTIN, Texas – The Department of Justice announced the unsealing of charges against Canadian national Aubrey Cottle, 37, of Oshawa, Ontario, in connection with the theft of data relating to the Texas Republican Party in 2021. Canadian authorities arrested Cottle on Wednesday and are pursuing charges under Canadian law.

A criminal complaint filed in the Western District of Texas alleges Cottle gained unauthorized access to a third-party hosting company’s computer system to deface and download a backup of Texas Republican Party’s web server, which contained personal identifying information. The information was distributed and made available for download online. Cottle allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack on social media. A search of Cottle’s electronic devices revealed he was in possession of the data stolen from the Texas Republican Party.

Cottle has been charged with unlawfully transferring, possessing, or using a means of identification with the intent to commit, or aid or abet, or in connection with, unlawful activity under state or federal law. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case, with valuable assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police and the Durham Regional Police Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 261 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from March 21 through March 27.

Among the new cases, Guatemalan national Noe Mardoquero Calel-Cabinal was pulled over March 24 on Highway 85 near Dilley by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper. The area is known to be commonly used to smuggle undocumented aliens further into the U.S. from Mexico. A U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped to assist with the traffic stop. Calel-Cabinal allegedly presented a Guatemalan identification card, did not have proper immigration documentation to be in the U.S. legally, and could not provide a reason for being in the area that aligned with his travel route. A criminal complaint alleges that Calel-Cabinal later confessed to being in the area to pick up and transport four illegal aliens to San Antonio and would be paid $1,300 per illegal alien. A review of his cell phone allegedly confirmed Calel-Cabinal’s confession and he was charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.

In El Paso, Mexican national Luis Francisco Alarcon-Sanchez allegedly stated at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry on March 22 that he was a U.S. citizen born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was returning to Albuquerque to visit his ex-wife and mother. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer received a system alert for prior deport and further procedures confirmed that Alarcon-Sanchez had been previously removed on May 16, 2024. A criminal complaint alleges that Alarcon-Sanchez admitted he is affiliated with the Paisas Gang. In addition to the 2024 removal, records show he was removed from Texas to Mexico in 2015, 2003, and in 1998 following an aggravated felony conviction.

Mexican national Jesus Barraza-Frias was also arrested in El Paso. He was allegedly located less than a mile east of the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry without immigration documents allowing him to be or remain in the U.S. legally. Barraza-Frias was just removed from the U.S. on Nov. 27, 2024, after being convicted for illegal re-entry in El Paso. He now has three total removals as well as a domestic violence/harassment conviction in Lamar, Colorado from 2007, a 2002 disorderly conduct conviction as a juvenile in Lamar, and a sexual assault conviction as a juvenile in Prowers County, Colorado from 2001.

In Del Rio, Honduran national Carlos Alejandro Varela-Avila was arrested March 20 and charged with re-entry after deportation from the United States. A criminal complaint alleges that Varela-Avila was previously deported on April 16, 2024 through Alexandria, Louisiana and has five prior removals and a criminal record that includes aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Another Honduran national, Alba Jeannet Medina-Chavez, was arrested March 23 near Del Rio after being previously deported Dec. 29, 2014 through Phoenix, Arizona. A criminal complaint reflects five prior removals for Medina-Chavez as well as a criminal history that includes child cruelty, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and assault against an elderly or disabled individual.

Amir Hassan Riley was also arrested March 23 near Eagle Pass. According to a criminal complaint, U.S. Border Patrol agents inspected a vehicle drive by Riley at a Highway 57 checkpoint and allegedly located three illegal aliens from Honduras and Yemen concealed in the rear seat and trunk of the vehicle. Further investigation allegedly led to the discovery of two more illegal aliens at a motel. The complaint alleges that Riley said he responded to a job post on Facebook and coordinated to pick up people at pinned locations in Eagle Pass. Riley is charged with one count of conspiring with others to transport illegal aliens within the United States.

A Mexican national is charged in Pecos with illegal re-entry. Ibrahim Villanueva was arrested by Presidio Border Patrol agents after being previously removed on June 6, 2024 through El Paso. Villanueva’s criminal and immigration history indicate four total deportations and a 2007 felony conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Odessa.

In Austin, Mexican national Cesario Bueno-Figueroa was arrested March 23 and charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a crash. If convicted, criminal records show that this would be at least his third DWI. He previously served 18 months in jail after he was arrested for driving under the influence of liquor in 2010, and 65 days for the same charge in 2018. Bueno-Figueroa has also served 30 days in jail after being arrested in 2012 for illegal entry and 97 days in 2018 for illegal re-entry. Bueno-Figueroa is federally charged with illegal re-entry.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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MIDLAND, Texas – An Oklahoma man was sentenced in a federal court in Midland to 540 months in prison for charges related to sexual exploitation of children.

According to court documents, on Jan. 30, 2024, Jonathon Chase Russell, 36, of Elk City, posted in a messaging app 15 images that depicted two minor females engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The next day, Russell sent three of the images to an undercover federal investigator, stating that the two minors were three and 11 years old. Further investigation led FBI agents to identify Russell’s IP addresses and locate him at a hotel in Midland. On Feb. 8, 2024, agents executed a warrant on his hotel room, where they discovered pairs of children’s underwear and a green tactical backpack that contained sexual devices. Agents also discovered a smartphone, which had been hidden underneath a refrigerator and which forensic examination revealed contained a substantial collection of images depicting sexual abuse of minor children. 

The Western District of Texas filed a three-count indictment on Feb. 28, 2024, charging Russell with possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Russell was also indicted in the Western District of Oklahoma on April 3, 2024, for one count of production of visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. His Oklahoma case was transferred to Midland, and on Aug. 19, 2024, Russell pleaded guilty to the count charged in the Western District of Oklahoma indictment and to all three counts charged in the Western District of Texas via a superseding indictment.

“The lengthy sentence imposed in this case reflects the immense damage this individual inflicted on multiple children, who will be plagued by these experiences for the rest of their lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Along with our law enforcement partners and, when necessary, across districts, we will continue to hold accountable the predators who harm the lives of children through illicit sexual crimes.”

“This defendant’s abhorrent behavior has been put to an end thanks to cooperation between federal prosecutors and law enforcement across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “The lengthy sentence imposed is yet another example of the Department’s focus on protecting children and serving justice to those who seek to target the most vulnerable in our communities.”

“The significant sentence imposed on Jonathan Chase Russell sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those individuals who exploit children. Russell will serve the next 45 years in federal prison for his incomprehensible acts,” said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge. “We remain committed in working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who victimize the most vulnerable members of our society, our children, from infants to toddlers to young children to teenagers, we will hunt you down and serve justice for these horrendous crimes.”

The FBI investigated the case with assistance of the Elk City Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Haywood prosecuted the case for the Western District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz prosecuted the Western District of Oklahoma’s case.

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

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MIDLAND, Texas – A Midland man was sentenced in federal court to 360 months in prison for child pornography production and drug and firearm offenses.

According to court documents, Job Jasso Jr., 27, led a Midland County Sheriff’s Office deputy on a high-speed chase following an attempted traffic stop on March 13, 2024. Jasso crashed the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving a 17-year-old female in the passenger seat. A search of her phone revealed multiple sexually explicit photos of Jasso and the minor female.

On March 25, 2024, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and other partnered agencies executed an arrest warrant at a hotel where Jasso was staying. Inside the room, Jasso and the minor victim from the March 13 incident were naked and taken into custody. Two firearms were seized during the arrest. An executed search warrant also revealed additional firearms, along with firearm accessories and ammunition, drug paraphernalia, 63.2 grams of fentanyl pills, and other related items. Review of a recovered smartphone found approximately 44 images and two videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and child exploitative material (CEM) depicting the minor victim. A search warrant return for a cloud storage account also uncovered 12 videos of CSAM and CEM of the minor victim.

Jasso had previously been convicted in the 142nd District Court in Midland for aggravated kidnapping and received a sentence of five years’ confinement.

On Aug. 28, 2024, Jasso was indicted for one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime; and one count of possession of stolen firearms. A federal jury found him guilty of all four counts Nov. 6, 2024.

A second indictment was filed Sept. 25, 2024, for two counts of production of child pornography. Jasso was also found guilty on both of those counts in a federal trial Dec. 10, 2024. U.S. District Judge David Counts sentenced Jasso to 360 months in prison for both child pornography charges, as well as a concurrent 300 months in prison for the other four counts. Judge Counts also ordered Jasso pay $55,000 in restitution.

“Jasso has amassed a troubling criminal record over the years, carelessly placing others—including minors—in grave danger through his illicit actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “The 30-year sentence that he will now serve in federal prison is a significant penalty that appropriately fits the multiple offenses for which he was found guilty by a jury.”

“This sentence serves as a reminder to all predators. We will not allow crimes against children to go unpunished,” said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge. “While this significant sentence cannot repair the damage done, it is a warning to those who engage in this behavior: FBI and our law enforcement partners will be relentless in our pursuit of child predators.”

The FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Odessa Police Department, and Midland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Sloane prosecuted the case.

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

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WACO, Texas – A Killeen man was sentenced in a federal court in Waco to 120 months in prison for buying and selling U.S. Army equipment that had been stolen by soldiers and former soldiers.

According to court documents, beginning in January 2017, Benjamin Alvarado Jr., 32, purchased thousands of military items, owned by the United States, from co-conspirators Darius Alston, Justin Wallas and Gabriel Taylor, and Kynyqus Bryant. The co-conspirators were U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Fort Cavazos and had participated in at least seven thefts of U.S. government property from Fort Cavazos. Collectively, they coordinated with Alvarado throughout the scheme through telecommunications and text messages.

Investigators with the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID) traced several transactions through online sellers, such as eBay, to Alvarado, who, on Aug, 9, 2021, was discovered to be selling multiple M-50 gas masks similar to what had been reported stolen from Fort Cavazos. Alvarado was also selling filters for the masks, night vision device image intensifier tubes, Litefighter tents, and other miscellaneous sensitive property being transported in interstate and foreign commerce with a value of $5,000 or more.

Executed search warrants resulted in the recovery of more than 24,000 individual items stolen from the U.S. government, including, in addition to the items previously named, weapons parts, and Level III and Level IV body armor. The recovered properties were valued at approximately $2.75 million. Another search warrant led to the recovery of another $100,000 worth of military property at a Killeen storage building. The investigation also revealed that, on or about Jan. 5, 2021, Alvarado participated in the sale and transfer of a Joint Chemical Agent Detector M4A1 to a buyer in China through an intermediary in Delaware.

Alvarado stated he had purchased 90% of the 24,000 items seized from Bryant and Alston, who were assigned to the 553rd Combat Service Support Battalion. Taylor later confessed that he had participated as the lookout in a July 2021 robbery on Fort Cavazos, while other members of the conspiracy retrieved the items. Alston stated that he had conducted seven or eight theft operations with Bryant and the others, also as a lookout.

On Sept. 3, 2019, Alvarado transferred a cashier’s check for $52,890.55 to a title company for a residence in Killeen. On July 7, 2021, Alvarado transferred a personal check for $50,000 to a licensed automobile dealer for the purchase of a 2013 McLaren MP4. Following the April 2022 indictment, Alvarado forfeited the house and the car.

Alvarado pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2023 to one count of theft of government property conspiracy, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, two counts of money laundering, and one count of smuggling goods from the United States.  On March 26, Alvarado was sentenced to 120 months custody in federal prison.

Alston, Wallas and Taylor were also sentenced with Alvarado. Alston and Wallas were each sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Taylor was sentenced to five years of probation. Bryant was sentenced to five years of probation and incurred a $2,000 fine on March 24.

In addition to their sentences, Alston, Wallas, Taylor, and Bryant were ordered to pay $618,750 in restitution. Alvarado was ordered to pay a restitution of $2,367,780.12.

“Alvarado and his co-conspirators engaged in a massive scheme to steal, store and sell millions of dollars’ worth of U.S. military equipment—not only taking advantage of our government but placing personal profit over national security and military readiness,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Thank you to all of the federal law enforcement agencies involved for provided their individual specialized investigative skills to this case and reinforcing the fact that criminals who engage in this illicit reckless behavior will be caught and prosecuted.”

“We traced Alvarado’s sales and profits, which helped lead the team to seize assets like his real estate, his bank accounts and his McLaren. There are no sports cars and lavish lifestyles for Alvarado in prison,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan, of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “The moment he left a money trail, it sealed his fate. As the law enforcement division of the IRS, we follow the money to bring criminals to justice.”

"These sentencings are a result of a highly successful joint investigative effort by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our investigative partners" said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office.  "Ensuring the integrity of DoD supply chains, safeguarding taxpayer investments and, most importantly, protecting the warfighter are top priorities for DCIS."

“Joint efforts with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners demonstrate our unified commitment to actively identify, disrupt, deter, and dismantle unlawful activity," said Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Central Texas Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Maria Thomas. “The result of this investigation shows that our agents, and those of our partner law enforcement agencies, are relentless in our pursuit of those who violate their position of trust in safeguarding Army resources and property for monetary gain. Corruption and fraud in U.S. Army programs jeopardize the safety of our warfighters.”

“This case highlights the partnership and commitment between Homeland Security Investigations and Army CID in securing the Homeland by targeting malicious actors stealing and exporting sensitive military equipment,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “HSI, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and dismantle criminal networks that threaten the country’s national security.”

IRS-CI, DCIS, Army CID, the Department of State and HSI investigated the case with assistance from the Killeen Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Blanton prosecuted the case.

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EL PASO, Texas – A former Morgan Stanley financial advisor in El Paso was sentenced in a federal court today to 144 months in prison for committing a multi-million dollar fraud scheme.

According to court documents, from May 2018 to August 2021, Jesus Rodriguez de la Cruz, 46, defrauded his financial services employer, Morgan Stanley, and clients of money through materially false pretenses, representations and promises. Rodriguez de la Cruz orchestrated fraudulent transfers of funds from the bank accounts of Morgan Stanley and clients to other bank accounts for his own benefit.

In one instance, Rodriguez de la Cruz created false communications and documents impersonating a client and submitted them to Morgan Stanley personnel to cause fraudulent transfers on the client’s line of credit account for personal profit. One of these included a form that falsely claimed the client had verbally authorized the transfer of $48,575.36 for the purchase of real estate in El Paso. Relying on the documentation, Morgan Stanley initiated the wire transfer from the client’s account to an account at a separate financial institution belonging to one of Rodriguez de la Cruz’s family members.

One fraudulent transfer of approximately $125,000 from a client’s account to an account at another financial institution facilitated Rodriguez de la Cruz’s purchase of a Lamborghini.

Rodriguez de la Cruz committed similar acts using other Morgan Stanley client accounts. In all, Morgan Stanley suffered a total loss of $5,554,968.10 due to Rodriguez de la Cruz’s scheme. Additionally, Rodriguez de la Cruz did not report any of the embezzled funds as income on his tax returns from 2017 through 2021, causing a loss of $408,055 for the IRS.

Rodriguez de la Cruz was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2023 and arrested Jan. 12, 2024. He pleaded guilty on Nov. 5, 2024, to one count of wire fraud, one count of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of making and subscribing a false income tax return.

“This defendant abused the trust of his clients and his responsibilities as a financial advisory to steal millions of dollars in customer funds in order to enrich himself,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Today's sentence of more than a decade in federal prison demonstrates that perpetrators of fraud in this district will be investigated and brought to justice.”

“The defendant exploited his position of trust as a financial advisor to deceive both his clients and employer for personal gain. Today’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to pursuing those who abuse their positions for financial fraud and ensuring they are held accountable,” said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge. “We are grateful for the invaluable collaboration of our partners at the Internal Revenue Service, whose continued assistance is vital in protecting our communities from greed and financial crimes.”

“Rodriguez is the epitome of criminals fueled by greed that destroy the trust we place in those who handle our personal finances. He stole from his employer, his clients, and even personally recruited a victim to trust him as her financial advisor so he could hijack her accounts, after stealing her identity,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan, of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “These complex financial schemes are why law enforcement agencies, like IRS-CI and the FBI, team up to help bring justice to victims and deter future criminals, like Rodriguez, from violating your trust.”

The FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Calve and Adrian Gallegos prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – IMC Pro International Inc. has agreed to pay $400,000 to the United States to resolve allegations it violated the Controlled Substances Act through transshipping fentanyl precursor chemicals.

The United States alleged IMC Pro International Inc., a North Carolina-based shipping and logistics company, entered business agreements with several companies operating in China. Under the terms of these arrangements, IMC Pro agreed to provide these Chinese companies with access to IMC Pro’s accounts for common carriers in order to generate domestic shipping labels for the final destinations of various goods and products sold or manufactured by the Chinese companies. These labels identified IMC Pro as the company or entity shipping the packages, though IMC Pro did not store or handle the packages at any time, nor did IMC Pro maintain any records concerning the contents of the packages.

The United States became aware of these business agreements after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized five packages in Eagle Pass, identifying IMC Pro as the shipper. Chemical analysis determined the five packages contained a total of 26.4 kgs of 1-BOC-4 Piperidone, a List I Regulated Chemical; and 138.66 kgs of (2-Bromoethyl) benzene, a chemical on the DEA’s Special Surveillance List and a laboratory supply within the definition provided under 21 U.S.C § 842(a)(11). Both chemicals are known to be used in the production of fentanyl. The United States alleged its investigation determined these packages were imported into the United States from China, transshipped to Eagle Pass, and intended for transport across the U.S./Mexican border where they were to be sent to be used in the production and manufacture of illicit fentanyl.

“In the face of the fentanyl epidemic, my office will hold both those who distribute illicit fentanyl and those who provide the means to manufacture such substances accountable for their actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “IMC Pro took on a responsibility to ensure the packages shipped under its name complied with federal laws and regulations. I encourage shipping and logistics companies that may have engaged in similar business arrangements to uphold their own responsibilities and assist in the efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl.”

“In addition to going after the drug cartels, DEA will continue to hold companies accountable who make it easy for drug trafficking organizations to get their hands on precursor chemicals to produce deadly synthetic drugs like fentanyl,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the DEA Houston Division. “This first-of-its-kind settlement exposes loopholes some companies are exploiting to bring poison to our communities.”

The settlement includes an affirmation by IMC Pro that it will not engage in similar business agreements with foreign-based entities at any time now or in the future; the affirmation is binding on the company’s successors in interest as well. IMC Pro, upon being made aware its domestic shipping accounts had been used to transship fentanyl precursors, immediately took steps to shut down such shipping accounts and end the prior business agreements. IMC Pro is further cooperating with the United States to assist in identifying other instances of transshipment of fentanyl precursors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Van De Walle negotiated the settlement on behalf of the United States.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 97 months in prison for conspiracy to transport aliens.

According to court documents, Victor Ubaldo Hernandez-Ortega, 33, of Durango, worked as a load driver for a known human smuggler. As such, he would pick up illegal aliens in El Paso and transport them to other locations in El Paso or to a predetermined location in Albuquerque, New Mexico in exchange for $100 to $500 per alien. Additionally, Hernandez-Ortega was recruited to oversee two stash houses, between which more than 200 illegal aliens were harbored.

Hernandez-Ortega had previously been granted four voluntary departures, most recently on June 9, 2024, through Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He was arrested Aug. 21, 2024, and pleaded guilty Dec. 20, 2024.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dearden prosecuted the case.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Salvadoran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for his role in a deadly human smuggling operation that occurred in 2021.

According to court documents, Juan Alonso Barrientos-Quintanilla, 23, was apprehended and identified as one of 12 illegal aliens who fled from one of two vehicles involved in a failed human smuggling operation on Highway 277, March 15, 2021. The other vehicle, driven by Sebastian Tovar, crashed, killing eight of its nine illegal alien passengers.

Following the crash, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered the second smuggling vehicle, leading to the attempted traffic stop and, subsequently, Barrientos-Quintanilla and the other illegal aliens fleeing on foot. All 12 illegal aliens were apprehended. Barrientos-Quintanilla initially claimed to be one of the aliens being smuggled, however, he later admitted to being the load driver of the vehicle. He pleaded guilty July 23, 2023 to one count of aiding and abetting illegal alien transportation resulting in death.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations, USBP and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.

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

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 210 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from March 14 through March 20.

Among the new cases, Mexican national Carlos Alberto Santoyo Holguin and Guatemalan national Bielman Alexander PU-Ruiz were arrested on March 16 and March 18, respectively, during Greyhound bus inspections at the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol checkpoint. Both defendants allegedly did not have any immigration documents that would allow them to be or remain in the United States legally. Records checks revealed prior removal orders by immigration judges. Criminal complaints allege that agents found fraudulent Social Security cards and fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident Alien cards in the belongings of both Holguin and PU-Ruiz. The defendants are alleged to have purchased the fraudulent documents in California.

A convicted felon who is a citizen and national of Guatemala was arrested by Marfa Border Patrol Agents. A criminal complaint alleges that Marvin Miguel US-Mendoza was not in possession of immigration documents allowing him to legally be or remain in the U.S. and he had been previously removed from the U.S. four times—the first being Feb. 19, 2016 through Brownsville/Gateway, and the most recent deportation through Laredo on Dec. 9, 2024.

Manuel Andres-Miguel was also arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents and charged with transporting illegal aliens after he was allegedly guiding a group of illegal aliens through the desert to a pick-up location in Marfa. Records revealed that Andres-Miguel had been apprehended three times before for illegal entry and was last charged with illegal reentry after removal in March 2023. For that offense, he was sentenced to 90 days in federal prison. 

In Del Rio, Ashley Nicole Dronenberg and Zachery Lee Justus were arrested for allegedly trafficking two illegal aliens further into the U.S. A criminal complaint alleges that Dronenberg was the driver of a vehicle, and was discovered at a Border Patrol checkpoint to have concealed a mother and child in the rear cargo area of the vehicle.

Jose Manuel Medellin-Guerrero was arrested in San Antonio March 20 and charged with one count of illegal re-entry. A Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office deputy dispatched Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) during a traffic stop after Medellin-Guerrero allegedly revealed he was a Mexican national with no legal status to enter, pass through, or remain in the country. Medellin-Guerrero has been previously convicted three times for illegal re-entry into the U.S.

Mexican national Reymundo Criado-Cruz was transferred to federal custody in Austin, where he had been convicted in state court for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was serving a 700-day sentence. Criado-Cruz had been previously removed from the U.S. to Mexico twice, most recently in December 2007, and has an extensive record of criminal convictions, including burglary of a vehicle, theft of property, possession of a controlled substance, and evading arrest.

Also in Austin, Ezequiel Borja-Jaimes was arrested March 19 when he was encountered by the ICE Austin Fugitive Operations team. Borja-Jaimes had been previously removed from the U.S. in January 2021. He has been convicted of driving while intoxicated on three separate occasions between 2013 and 2021.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 14 months in prison for one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding a United States Border Patrol agent.

According to court documents, on Feb. 3, 2024, Adrian Olan-Peralta, 21, of Tabasco, Mexico, resisted arrest by a USBP agent after being commanded in both English and Spanish to lie down and put his hands up after being identified hiding on a private ranch near Bracketville. While the agent attempted to apprehend him, Olan-Peralta attempted to push and grab the agent’s hands multiple times. Olan-Peralta had to be sprayed with OC spray twice and was eventually apprehended while attempting to crawl away.

Olan-Peralta had illegally crossed into the U.S. from Mexico through the Rio Grande River on Feb. 2, 2024. Olan-Peralta pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Kass and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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Correction: A previous version of this press release stated that when Garcia applied for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CBRA), he misrepresented the age of the victim as 21 and 23 at the time of the two births. Court documents indicate Garcia was 21 and 23 years old at the time of the births and applied for CBRAs with that information--not misrepresenting the victim's age.

DEL RIO, Texas – A U.S. citizen who had been traveling to and from Mexico was sentenced today in a federal court in Del Rio to 188 months in prison for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place.

According to court documents, David Manuel Garcia, 42, traveled from the U.S. to Mexico between July 2003 and August 2008, and engaged in forced sexual acts with a minor victim under the age of 18, which resulted in the birth of two children. Records indicate that the victim was 13 years old at the time of the first birth, and 15 years old when she gave birth to the second child. 

Garcia was arrested Dec. 11, 2018 at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses found Garcia guilty in a bench trial on Aug. 26, 2022.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Pavlinski prosecuted the case.

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

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PECOS, Texas – A former Valentine Independent School District employee was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 27 months in prison for wire fraud and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

According to court documents, Ernesto Villarreal Jr., 43, of Marfa, was employed as the Business Manager and served as the Tax Collector and Assessor for the Valentine ISD, in Valentine, Texas.  During his time as an agent of Valentine ISD, Villarreal schemed to defraud Valentine ISD by using two ISD credit cards to make hundreds of unauthorized personal purchases totaling over $100,000; issued over $10,000 in unauthorized checks to himself from Valentine ISD accounts; and issued over $20,000 in unauthorized checks from Valentine ISD accounts to cover personal expenses owed to a credit card company. He also changed the bank account information for certain current and former employees, then generated over $100,000 in fraudulent payments to those current and former employees, for work that did not actually occur. Villarreal then routed those payments to his own personal bank accounts, all without the knowledge or permission of the employees.

Villarreal used the ill-gotten funds for hundreds of personal purchases, including but not limited to purchases for travel, lodging, home improvements, hardware store purchases, personal cell phone bills, fuel, oil changes, convenience store purchases, Airbnb rentals, personal flight purchases, and various other unauthorized purchases. The total loss to Valentine ISD was $314,497.74.

Villarreal was arrested on June 24, 2024 and pleaded guilty Nov. 20 to all nine counts against him. In addition to imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge David Counts ordered Villarreal to pay restitution to Valentine ISD in the amount of $314,497.74 and ordered a forfeiture money judgment against Villarreal in the amount of $291,853.90.

“Mr. Villarreal abused his positions and the trust given to him, to steal and defraud the Valentine ISD—one of the smallest school districts in Texas—out of more than $300,000,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “This investigation, conviction, and sentence in this case all show that this type of dishonest behavior will not be tolerated.”

"The foundation of any financial system is trust—and the expectation that those persons entrusted with public funding will honor that trust and act with integrity. As the Valentine School District Business Manager and Tax Collector/Assessor, Villarreal held a position of absolute trust. Instead, he chose to betray that trust by misappropriating funds that were destined for students,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for FBI El Paso. “Most students and everyday citizens don’t have access to institutional finances to be able to question discrepancies or missing funds. That is why the FBI El Paso, alongside our law enforcement partners, is committed to uncovering financial wrongdoing and ensuring those who believe they can quietly take $300,000 without consequence are held fully accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Texas Rangers and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Fedock, Scott Greenbaum and Chris Skillern prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – A New Braunfels man was sentenced in federal court today to 78 months in prison for a charge related to his planned mass murder attacks that were thwarted by federal and local law enforcement.

According to court documents, Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, began planning mass shootings since November 2022. On Jan. 4, 2024, Peterson attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop. He completed the required background check and was denied due to his age and the type of firearm he was attempting to purchase. On May 31, he attempted to purchase an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun from the pawn shop and was denied a second time.

FBI agents obtained an arrest warrant on June 5, and Peterson was immediately taken into custody by the New Braunfels Police Department. During a search of his home, FBI agents found and seized an altered .22 caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds.

On June 6, as part of a federal search warrant, agents reviewed Peterson’s Instagram account, revealing statements Peterson had made about plans to attack a gas station. Also on June 6, Peterson was recorded from jail instructing a witness to hide or destroy a videotape he had made in which he surveilled a grocery store to plan a future attack.

On June 10, another search of Peterson’s home revealed a box that contained 11 aerosol containers and other ingredients to manufacture destructive devices. One of the containers was determined that it could be readily made operational and was categorized as an Improvised Explosive Device. The IED was not registered in the National Firearms Registry, nor could it be due to Peterson’s age.

Peterson was indicted in June 2024 for three counts related to firearm and explosive offenses. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 30, 2024, to one count of attempt to receive firearm to use to commit a felony.

“This case is demonstrative of how our law enforcement and the systems in place to prevent certain firearm purchases by those under the legal age work in tandem to successfully prevent mass murder events like this defendant had planned,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Due to the fine investigative efforts and teamwork of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the New Braunfels Police, and other local and federal partners, Peterson’s plans to detonate explosives and slaughter innocents in multiple locations in our district were deterred.”

“Americans should be able to live free from fear of becoming a victim of a mass shooter. Thankfully, Peterson’s plans were thwarted when vigilant citizens saw something and said something,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We are grateful to our partners on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force - especially the San Antonio Fire Department, the New Braunfels Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Attorney's Office for their continued assistance in keeping our communities safe.  Cases like this are a priority for the FBI and we encourage anyone who observes something suspicious, potential indicators of violence, or threats against our community to report them at tips.fbi.gov. Together we can prevent acts of mass violence.”

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, San Antonio Fire Department, New Braunfels Police Department, and ATF investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Eric Yuen prosecuted the case.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A federal jury in Del Rio convicted Nicacio Arellano-Garcia today for one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of illegal alien transportation placing lives in jeopardy.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Arellano-Garcia, 34, of Mexico, conspired to transport five illegal aliens with codefendant Alexander Galvez-Zelaya, 30, of Honduras, and other facilitators. Arellano-Garcia served as the foot guide, while Galvez-Zelaya was the driver.

Arellano-Garcia walked the five illegal aliens through the brush for two days. One of the illegal aliens fainted just before getting picked up by Galvez-Zelaya and, at some point before or entering the vehicle, the alien died. A medical examiner later confirmed the deceased illegal alien died from a combination of dehydration and environmental exposure to walking in the brush.

On Feb. 11, 2024, the illegal aliens and the foot guide were picked up in the vehicle driven by Galvez-Zelaya. A high speed chase with law enforcement ensued when a Zavala County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop for defective license plate lighting. Galvez-Zelaya exceeded speeds of 100 miles per hour and crashed into a private property fence near La Pryor. Both Arellano-Garcia and Galvez-Zelaya were arrested and confirmed to be illegally present in the United States.

Galvez-Zelaya pleaded guilty Nov. 4, 2024 to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens placing lives in jeopardy and is scheduled to be sentenced May 28. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Warsame Galaydh and Matt Kass are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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Two men were convicted today by a federal jury for their roles in a 2022 mass casualty alien smuggling event in San Antonio, Texas, that resulted in 53 deaths and 11 aliens injured. A third man allegedly involved in the same fatal smuggling incident was extradited from Guatemala to the United States to face justice in the case.

“These convictions and extradition represent the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting the leaders, organizers, and key facilitators of alien smuggling networks that bring people illegally — at significant risk to life — into the United States,” said Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “It is a powerful example of the crucial work of Joint Task Force Alpha, which has been enhanced and empowered to go after cartels and transnational criminal organizations and to eliminate the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Felipe Orduna-Torres, also known as Cholo, Chuequito, and Negro, 30, and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega, also known as El Don and Don Gon, 55, conspired with others as part of an alien smuggling organization that loaded approximately 66 aliens into a tractor trailer, which lacked functioning air conditioning, and drove the aliens north across the U.S.-Mexico border and on a Texas interstate. On June 27, 2022, as the temperature rose, some of the migrants inside the trailer lost consciousness, while others clawed at the walls, trying to escape. By the time the tractor-trailer reached San Antonio, according to the evidence presented at trial, 48 migrants had already died. Another five migrants died after being transported to local hospitals. Six children and a pregnant woman were among the deceased. The defendants conspired with others to facilitate the travel of the aliens from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras to the United States, charging the aliens and their families approximately $12,000 to $15,000 for the perilous journey.

Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death, resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death, and one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy. For both counts resulting in death, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison at their sentencing on June 27. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In addition, extensive coordination and cooperation between U.S. and Guatemalan law enforcement authorities resulted in the extradition of Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, for his alleged role in the San Antonio mass casualty incident.

“The extradition of Miranda-Orozco to U.S. custody is a major step in the takedown of a large and complex human smuggling organization he is alleged to be a part of,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Just as we’ve shown throughout the trial of Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega, we will continue to prosecute this case aggressively — seeking justice for those who have perished, and holding accountable those who illegally value profit over human life.”

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aggressively targets human smugglers, no matter where they operate or how far they think they can hide,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “These verdicts reflect the scope and depth of our human smuggling investigations. From country of origin to final destination, our special agents have worked tirelessly to track these criminals down and dismantle their entire smuggling network. One by one we are seeing the consequences of human smuggling as the justice system prevails.”

According to court documents, Miranda-Orozco conspired with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of four aliens from Guatemala through Mexico, and ultimately, to the United States, charging the families approximately $12,000 to $15,000 for the deadly journey. In particular, Miranda-Orozco is alleged to be responsible for smuggling three migrants who perished in the tractor trailer.

In August 2024, Miranda-Orozco was arrested in Guatemala pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition. His arrest was part of a large-scale takedown during which Guatemalan law enforcement executed multiple search and arrest warrants across Guatemala. Miranda-Orozco was indicted under seal in the Western District of Texas (WDTX), and his indictment was unsealed after he was arrested. Miranda-Orozco made his initial appearance Monday in federal district court in San Antonio and was arraigned on the indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States resulting in death, three counts of aiding and abetting bringing an alien to the United States resulting in death, one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, and one count of aiding and abetting bringing an alien to the United States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.

The convictions and extradition are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, District of Arizona, District of New Mexico, and Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 315 U.S. convictions; more than 260 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

HSI San Antonio led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with HSI Guatemala’s invaluable team members, and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel; U.S. Border Patrol; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the San Antonio Police Department; the San Antonio Fire Department; and the Palestine Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Guatemala to secure the arrest and extradition of Miranda-Orozco and, along with the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), provided crucial assistance in this matter.

The case against Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears, and Amanda Brown for the Western District of Texas. The case against Miranda-Orozco is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s HRSP Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney/JTFA prosecutor Jose Luis Acosta for the Western District of Texas, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.

The Justice Department thanks its Guatemalan law enforcement partners, who were instrumental in arresting Miranda-Orozco, and the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office and Anti-Human Smuggling Unit for making the extradition possible.

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

Dos hombres han sido condenados hoy por un jurado federal por su participación en un caso de contrabando masivo de extranjeros ocurrido en 2022 en San Antonio (Texas), en el que fallecieron 53 personas y 11 extranjeros resultaron lesionados. Un tercer hombre presuntamente implicado en el mismo incidente mortal de contrabando fue extraditado de Guatemala a Estados Unidos para comparecer ante la justicia por este caso.

“Estas condenas y extradiciones representan el compromiso del Departamento de Justicia de perseguir a los líderes, organizadores y facilitadores clave de las redes de contrabando de extranjeros que introducen ilegalmente a personas, con un riesgo significativo para la vida, en Estados Unidos,” declaró el funcionario supervisor Matthew R. Galeotti, jefe de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia. “Es un potente ejemplo de la labor crucial de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha (JTFA), que ha sido mejorada y facultada para perseguir a los cárteles y las organizaciones delictivas transnacionales así como para eliminar la lacra del contrabando y la trata de seres humanos.”

Según los documentos judiciales y las pruebas presentadas en el juicio, Felipe Orduna-Torres, también conocido como Cholo, Chuequito y Negro, de 30 años, y Armando González-Ortega, también conocido como El Don y Don Gon, de 55 años, conspiraron con otras personas como parte de una organización de contrabando de extranjeros que cargó a aproximadamente 66 extranjeros en un remolque de camión, que carecía de aire acondicionado en funcionamiento, y condujo a los extranjeros hacia el norte a través de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México y por una carretera interestatal de Texas. El 27 de junio de 2022, a medida que subía la temperatura, algunos de los migrantes que se encontraban en el interior del remolque perdieron el conocimiento, mientras que otros arañaban las paredes intentando escapar. Cuando el camión de remolque llegó a San Antonio, según las pruebas presentadas en el juicio, ya habían muerto 48 migrantes. Otros cinco murieron tras ser trasladados a hospitales locales. Entre los fallecidos había seis niños y una mujer embarazada. Los acusados conspiraron con otros para facilitar el viaje de los extranjeros desde México, Guatemala y Honduras a Estados Unidos, cobrando a los extranjeros y sus familias entre 12.000 y 15.000 dólares por el peligroso viaje.

Orduna-Torres y González-Ortega fueron condenados cada uno por un cargo de conspiración para el transporte de extranjeros ilegales con resultado de muerte, lesiones corporales graves y poner la vida en peligro, un cargo de transporte de extranjeros ilegales con resultado de muerte y un cargo de transporte de extranjeros ilegales con resultado de lesiones corporales graves y poner la vida en peligro. Por ambos cargos con resultado de muerte, se enfrentan a una pena máxima de cadena perpetua en la sentencia que se dictará el 27 de junio. Un juez federal de distrito determinará la sentencia tras considerar las directrices de Estados Unidos para la imposición de penas y otros factores estatutarios.

Además, la amplia coordinación y cooperación entre las autoridades policiales estadounidenses y guatemaltecas dio lugar a la extradición de Rigoberto Ramón Miranda-Orozco, de 48 años de edad, presunto dirigente de una organización de contrabando de extranjeros con sede en Guatemala, por su presunta participación en el incidente con fallecimientos masivos de San Antonio.

“La extradición de Miranda-Orozco a Estados Unidos es un paso importante en el desmantelamiento de una gran y compleja organización de contrabando de personas de la que presuntamente forma parte,” declaró la fiscal en funciones de Estados Unidos para el Distrito Oeste de Texas, Margaret Leachman. “Al igual que hemos demostrado a lo largo del juicio de Orduna-Torres y González-Ortega, continuaremos procesando este caso enérgicamente, buscando justicia para aquellos que han perecido, y responsabilizando a aquellos que ilegalmente valoran el beneficio económico por encima de la vida humana.”

“El Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) de Estados Unidos persigue enérgicamente a los traficantes de seres humanos, independientemente de dónde operen o de lo lejos que crean que pueden esconderse,” declaró el agente especial al mando Craig Larrabee, de la Oficina de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) del ICE en San Antonio. “Estos veredictos reflejan el alcance y la profundidad de nuestras investigaciones sobre el contrabando de personas. Desde el país de origen hasta el destino final, nuestros agentes especiales han trabajado incansablemente para localizar a estos delincuentes y desmantelar toda su red de contrabando. Uno a uno estamos viendo las consecuencias del contrabando de seres humanos a medida que se impone la justicia.”

Según los documentos judiciales, Miranda-Orozco conspiró con otros traficantes para facilitar el viaje de cuatro extranjeros desde Guatemala a través de México y, en última instancia, a Estados Unidos, cobrando a las familias entre 12,000 y 15,000 dólares por el mortal viaje. En particular, Miranda-Orozco es presuntamente responsable del contrabando de tres migrantes que perecieron en el remolque del camión.

En agosto de 2024, Miranda-Orozco fue detenido en Guatemala en respuesta a una solicitud de extradición de Estados Unidos. Su detención formó parte de una operación a gran escala durante la cual las fuerzas del orden guatemaltecas ejecutaron múltiples órdenes de registro y detención en Guatemala. Miranda-Orozco fue acusado bajo secreto de sumario en el Distrito Oeste de Texas (WDTX), y su acusación se hizo pública tras su detención. Miranda-Orozco compareció por primera vez el lunes ante el tribunal federal de distrito de San Antonio y fue acusado de un cargo de conspiración para introducir a un extranjero en Estados Unidos con resultado de muerte, tres cargos de complicidad para introducir a un extranjero en Estados Unidos con resultado de muerte, un cargo de conspiración para introducir a un extranjero en Estados Unidos causando lesiones corporales graves y poniendo vidas en peligro, y un cargo de complicidad para introducir a un extranjero en Estados Unidos causando lesiones corporales graves y poniendo vidas en peligro.

Las condenas y la extradición son el resultado de los esfuerzos coordinados de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha (JTFA). La JTFA, una asociación con el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), ha sido elevada y ampliada con el mandato de dirigirse contra los cárteles y organizaciones criminales transnacionales que operan en México, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panamá y Colombia para eliminar el contrabando y la trata de personas. En la actualidad, la JTFA está integrada por funcionarios de las fiscalías de Estados Unidos situadas a lo largo de la frontera suroeste, incluidos el Distrito Sur de California, el Distrito de Arizona, el Distrito de Nuevo México y los Distritos Oeste y Sur de Texas. Numerosos componentes de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia, dirigidos por la Sección de derechos humanos y procesos especiales (HRSP) y apoyados por la Sección de lavado de dinero y recuperación de activos, la Oficina de operaciones de aplicación de la ley y la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales, entre otros, prestan un apoyo específico. La JTFA también cuenta con una importante inversión de las fuerzas del orden procedentes del DHS, el FBI, la DEA y otros socios. Hasta la fecha, la labor de la JTFA se ha saldado con más de 355 detenciones nacionales e internacionales de dirigentes, organizadores y facilitadores importantes del contrabando de extranjeros; más de 315 condenas en Estados Unidos; más de 260 importantes penas de prisión impuestas; y decomisos de importantes bienes.

El HSI San Antonio dirigió los esfuerzos de investigación de Estados Unidos, trabajando conjuntamente con los valiosos miembros del equipo del HSI Guatemala y la Unidad contra el Contrabando de Personas del HSI en Washington D. C. El HSI recibió ayuda sustancial del Centro Nacional de Identificación/Operación Centinela de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos; la Patrulla Fronteriza de Estados Unidos; la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF); el Departamento de Policía de San Antonio; el Departamento de Bomberos de San Antonio; y el Departamento de Policía de Palestina. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia colaboró con las fuerzas del orden de Guatemala para lograr la detención y extradición de Miranda-Orozco y, junto con la Oficina de Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación Fiscal en el Extranjero (OPDAT) de la División Penal, prestó una ayuda crucial en este asunto.

El caso contra Orduna-Torres y González-Ortega está siendo procesado por los fiscales federales adjuntos Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears y Amanda Brown para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. El caso contra Miranda-Orozco está siendo procesado por la abogada Alexandra Skinnion de la sección HRPS de la División Penal y el fiscal adjunto de Estados Unidos/fiscal JTFA José Luis Acosta para el Distrito Oeste de Texas, con la asistencia de la historiadora HRSP/especialista en América Latina Joanna Crandall.

El Departamento de Justicia agradece a sus socios guatemaltecos del sector policial, que fueron fundamentales para la detención de Miranda-Orozco, y a la Unidad contra el tráfico ilícito de migrantes del Ministerio Público de Guatemala por hacer posible la extradición.

Una acusación es simplemente una alegación. Se presume la inocencia de todos los acusados hasta que se prueben culpables sin lugar a dudas razonables en un tribunal de justicia.

DEL RIO, Texas – A Texas man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 41 months in prison for resisting arrest and endangering a United States Border Patrol agent in 2022.

According to court documents, Draylon Floyd, 25, was driving on Highway 277 near Del Rio on May 26, 2022. A USBP agent noticed several passengers in the back seat, crouched down in an attempt to conceal themselves. The agent conducted a traffic stop and, instead of pulling onto the road’s shoulder, Floyd simply stopped in the righthand lane. The USBP agent conducted an immigration inspection on three backseat passengers, determining that they were Guatemalan nationals without any legal authority or documentation to have entered or remain in the U.S.

The agent instructed Floyd to turn off the engine and informed him that he was under arrest. Floyd opened his door just partially, and when the agent grabbed his wrist to remove him from the vehicle, Floyd pushed away, turned on the car’s ignition and shifted the car into drive. The vehicle moved several feet as the agent struggled with Floyd over control of the steering wheel and gear shift. He succeeded in shifting the vehicle into neutral just as Floyd slammed his foot on the gas pedal. The agent then turned off the vehicle, drew his service weapon, and arrested Floyd. During the arrest of Floyd’s passenger, Ryan Matthew Brashier, who is also a U.S. citizen, the agent discovered a cell phone that displayed their GPS route back home.

The three illegal aliens in the backseat were lawfully arrested and transported to the Border Patrol station for further investigation and processing. A plea agreement states that Floyd and Brashier had picked up the three aliens at a church around 11pm on May 25, honking four times per a pre-arranged signal. Each of the migrants had traveled for more than two weeks from Guatemala after their families paid at least $10,000 each to an alien smuggling organization. 

Brashier was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on July 10, 2024.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

USBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Warsame Galaydh prosecuted the case.

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DEL RIO, Texas – Alexzander JM Bisbee, 20, of Bryan, was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 27 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens placing lives in jeopardy.

According to court documents, on July 3, 2024, a U.S. Border Patrol agent initiated a lawful immigration stop of an SUV traveling south on U.S. Route 377. The driver, Mark Anthony Sanchez, Jr., 22, accompanied by Bisbee, stopped the vehicle to let three undocumented noncitizens exit and run into the brush. As the agent approached the vehicle, Sanchez quickly accelerated and fled from the immigration stop. The agent returned to his vehicle and gave pursuit before ultimately terminating the pursuit for safety reasons.

Sanchez and Bisbee were later pulled over by the Sonora Police Department for speeding and ordered to exit the vehicle. A lawful search of the vehicle uncovered two 9mm semiautomatic pistols, including an AR-15–style pistol. Agents canvassed the area where the passengers were observed fleeing and apprehended two of the undocumented noncitizens that were being transported by Sanchez and Bisbee.

Bisbee admitted that an unindicted coconspirator contacted him on Instagram and offered to pay him to transport undocumented noncitizens and that he would be paid $2,000 per person. Bisbee was a convicted felon at the time of the offense, having previously been convicted of burglary of a building.

Bisbee pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2024. Sanchez pleaded guilty to the same charge Dec. 18. His sentence hearing is scheduled for May 13.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

USBP investigated the case with support from the Sutton County Sheriff’s Office and Sonora Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jayvee Rhoda and Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 215 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from March 10 through March 13.

In Austin, several individuals were charged with illegal reentry after deportation, after being found in local area jails. Among those were Ricardo Hernandez-Hernandez, a Mexican national who had allegedly been previously removed from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions and had been convicted of indecency with a child sexual contact and failure to register as a sex offender; Andres Garcia-Saldana, a Mexican national who had allegedly been previously removed from the United States on four occasions and had been convicted of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury and driving while intoxicated three times—the third time being a felony conviction; Hernan Vasquez-Medina, a Mexican national who had allegedly been removed from the United States three times before and had been convicted of making a terroristic threat and driving while intoxicated three times—like Garcia-Saldana, Vasquez-Medina’s third DWI was charged as a felony as well; and Jaime Ricardo Lopez-Rojas, a Mexican national who had allegedly been removed from the United States a total eight times and had been convicted of illegal entry twice, illegal reentry after deportation four times, driving while intoxicated three times, and family violence assault causing bodily injury.

In the Midland-Odessa area, two individuals with prior federal convictions were found in local area jails and were charged with illegal entry after deportation. Mexican national Saul Villalobos-Vasquez was allegedly removed from the United States once before and convicted in the Eastern District of Texas for unauthorized use of a social security number for which he had been sentenced to 12-months imprisonment in 2016.  Daniel Olivas-Nieto, also a Mexican national, had been allegedly removed from the United States and was previously convicted in the Western District of Texas for the illegal transportation of aliens for financial gain, for which he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DEL RIO, Texas – A Maypearl man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 210 months in prison for his role as an organizer and leader in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico.

According to court documents, Stetson Lee Spearman, 36, provided his pickup truck to be used to import 3.422 kgs of 100% pure methamphetamine on July 25, 2020 through the Del Rio Port of Entry. Spearman also arranged for co-defendant Linnette Rodriguez-Potter to be the driver and recruited another co-defendant, Joshua Keith Stewart, to drive to Del Rio in order to monitor the drug smuggling operation.

Spearman was arrested Dec. 10, 2021 and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine on April 25, 2022.

Rodriguez-Potter was sentenced Dec. 16, 2024 to 168 months imprisonment; Stewart was sentenced Oct. 4, 2024 to 235 months; and Sally Renae Smith, who had coordinated logistics with Rodriguez-Potter through cell phone calls and text messages, was sentenced Feb. 5, 2024 to 292 months imprisonment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

HSI investigated the case.

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

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WACO, Texas – A Moody man who had worked as a high school athletic trainer was sentenced in a federal court in Waco to 84 months in prison for possession of visual depictions of sexual activities by minors.

According to court documents, Trevor Swift, 57, was employed as an athletic trainer at Lake Belton High School in May 2022 when students, through his office window, observed him viewing images depicting child sexual abuse material on his cell phone. Students recorded Swift’s activities and reported his conduct to administrators. Swift admitted to Temple Police Department investigators that he had viewed sexually explicit images but said they were of adult males and females. He was dismissed from campus and placed on administrative leave. Swift was arrested May 26, 2022 and was convicted in a bench trial July 31, 2024.  

The investigation included seizure of an SD memory card from Swift’s office at the high school, which revealed pornographic images depicting prepubescent and pubescent children—males and females as young as 5 years of age or younger—engaged in sexual acts.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI and the Temple Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kucera prosecuted the case.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in federal court today to 262 months in prison for production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information that a video depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) had been uploaded to a Dropbox account. NCMEC referred the file to Homeland Security Investigations, which traced the account information to Jose Eduardo Larin, 36. A review of the Dropbox account also revealed additional CSAM images and videos as well as documents displaying Larin’s name and image.

A forensic review of Larin's cellphone, obtained from a search warrant in August 2024, revealed 3,207 files containing CSAM. Of these, there were 31 pictures and 31 videos depicting CSAM that had been produced by Larin at this residence involving a five-year-old child. Larin was arrested Aug. 13, 2024 and pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2024.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Micaela Glass prosecuted the case.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 240 new immigration-related criminal cases between March 3 and March 9—up from 153 the week prior. Of the 240 defendants, more than 160 are charged with illegally re-entering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, violent crimes and prior immigration offenses. More than 60 face charges of illegally entering the country, six cases involve various instances of human smuggling, and the remainder relate to other immigration crimes.

Among those charged during this week were a Mexican national, who was arrested in El Pasoon criminal charges related to his alleged illegal re-entry. Clemente Galvez-Alapisco has been deported twice before, most recently June 28, 2022 after he was convicted for indecency with a child. He was also convicted of illegal re-entry in July 2019 and sentenced to five months and 11 days confinement. If convicted, Galvez-Alapisco faces up to 10 years in prison.

Also in El Paso, Mexican national Salvador Arellano-Quintero was allegedly found approximately 1.5 miles west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry without immigration documents allowing him to be or remain in the U.S. legally. He had been previously deported six times, the most recent being through Calexico, California on Jan. 30, 2015. Arellano-Quintero has an extensive history as a convicted felon, including a 2013 case in Santa Maria, California, in which he was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, threatening crime with intent to terrorize, preventing/dissuading a victim/witness, and assault with a deadly weapon. In 2002, Arellano-Quintero was convicted in Santa Barbara, California, for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant and sex with a minor under the age of 16.

On March 3, a U.S. Border Patrol agent observed several individuals climb over the border fence in San Elizario, allegedly led by Mexican national David Alexis Herrera-Ramirez. A criminal complaint alleges Herrera-Ramirez was responsible for guiding illegal aliens into the U.S. and communicating with other co-conspirators over WhatsApp to arrange for pickup and further transport. Herrera-Ramirez is charged with one count of bringing in and harboring aliens.

In San Antonio, the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Pedro Ruiz-Cisneros inside his residence on March 4. A criminal complaint alleges Ruiz-Cisneros was previously removed from the country five times as an aggravated felon—as early as April 1994 and as recently as June 2018. Ruiz-Cisneros was convicted in 1990 of second-degree robbery and sentenced to five years confinement. Less than one year later, he was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to eight years confinement. Ruiz-Cisneros was later convicted three times of illegal re-entry and sentenced to a total of 133 months in federal prison between 2007 and 2016.

Jaime Aguilar-Guerrero was arrested on March 3 by local law enforcement in Belton for public intoxication. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement determined Aguilar-Guerrero was a Mexican national who had been previously removed from the United States in July 2016. Additionally, on April 11, 1996, Aguilar-Guerrero had been sentenced to seven years confinement for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. He was transferred into federal custody and faces up to 10 years in federal prison, if convicted for illegal re-entry.

A Mexican national was arrested near Dryden on March 6, after he was previously removed through Del Rio as recently as Jan. 21. Miguel Diego-Mateo has been deported from the U.S. six times and has two DUI convictions in addition to two convictions for illegal re-entry.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 153 immigration-related criminal cases between Feb. 24 and March 3. The following defendants are among those charged during this week:

A Mexican national was arrested in El Paso on criminal charges related to his alleged illegal re-entry. Jaime Perez Salinas was allegedly located without immigration documents that allowed him to be or remain in the country legally. Salinas has been removed from the U.S. twice before, the most recent removal being Dec. 27, 2024. He was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to 60 months in prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. If convicted of the illegal re-entry charge, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Honduran national Oscar Adrian Vasquez-Peraza was arrested after he was allegedly found approximately 1.69 miles west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry without immigration documents allowing him to be or remain in the U.S. legally. Vasquez-Peraza was convicted in January 2021 for robbery in Houston and deported to Honduras in June 2022.

Rene Garibay-Robledo was arrested on Feb. 25 in San Antonio during a traffic stop on criminal charges related to his alleged possession of a firearm as an illegal alien. Garibay-Robledo is a Mexican national who allegedly presented FBI agents and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers a Mexico ID and allegedly stated he lacked legal status to be in the United States. Additionally, the criminal complaint alleges Garibay-Robledo stated that he had one firearm—a pistol—at his house. During the execution of a federal search warrant at Garibay-Robledo’s home, three handguns, a semi-automatic CZ Scorpion EVO 3, approximately 450 rounds of mixed caliber ammunition, and 6.8 grams of a substance that tested positive for cocaine were seized. Garibay-Robledo faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, if convicted.

A criminal complaint filed in San Antonio alleges that Kevin Raul Corniel-Rodriguez is a Venezuelan national affiliated with the Tren De Aragua (TDA) Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) organization. Corniel-Rodriguez was arrested by the San Antonio Police Department on Dec. 24, 2024, for assault of a pregnant person and unlawful carry of a weapon. State charges were dismissed on Feb. 25. Corniel-Rodriguez was released into federal custody and charged with one count of illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

On Feb. 28, Simon Alexander Mendez, of Austin, was arrested near Eagle Pass during a U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint vehicle inspection. USBP agents allegedly discovered an illegal alien in the trunk of the vehicle Mendez was driving. A criminal complaint alleges Mendez was transporting the illegal alien from Eagle Pass to San Antonio. He was previously convicted for the same offense in 2021, when he was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison with credit for time served for conspiring to transport two illegal aliens to Austin. On that occasion, Mendez’s human smuggling attempt was prevented by USBP agents in Uvalde.

On Feb. 27, Mexican national Pedro Luis Colmenero-Rangel was arrested by USBP near Carrizo Springs. Colmenero-Rangel had been previously removed from the U.S. through Brownsville in 2019. Prior to his deportation, he was convicted in the Southern District of Texas and sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for his role in an alien smuggling conspiracy.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso woman was arrested on criminal charges related to her alleged Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud.

According to court documents, Araceli Benitez, 46, was the owner of both an insurance and tax services company and a home health services company. Between April 9, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2022, she allegedly submitted fraudulent loan applications and requests for fund disbursement to the PPP, a federal government COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration.

The indictment, filed Jan. 22, alleges Benitez attracted and induced clients to hire her to apply for PPP loans through paid radio commercials and social media—usually in Spanish. She allegedly sent and caused to be sent to a credit union PPP loan applications which contained material misrepresentations and omissions. Unbeknownst to her clients, Benitez allegedly included false federal income tax documentation, false information about her clients’ businesses, and false information about her clients’ need and qualifications. Benitez allegedly submitted approximately 156 loan applications totaling $2,305,294.06.

Benitez was arrested March 7 and is charged with seven counts of wire fraud; eight counts of bank fraud; two counts of money laundering; one count of structuring transactions to evade reporting requirement; two counts of aggravated identity theft; and one count of false or fictitious claims. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigations are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Kanof is prosecuting the case.

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

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EL PASO, Texas – John Patterson, M.D., a physician practicing in El Paso has agreed to pay the United States $468,626 to resolve allegations under the Federal False Claims Act.

The United States alleged that Dr. Patterson received kickbacks from Nursemind Home Care Inc., a freestanding hospice care center in El Paso, to certify patients as eligible for hospice services when in fact the patients were not eligible for these services. The United States further alleged that by falsely certifying these patients as eligible for hospices services, Dr. Patterson caused false claims to be submitted to federal healthcare programs. 

“My office will hold providers accountable, both through the civil and criminal process, when they attempt to defraud federal healthcare programs and the American taxpayer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas.

Dr. Patterson received cooperation credit under the terms of the settlement pursuant to the Justice Department’s Guidelines for Taking Voluntary Disclosure, Cooperation, and Remediation into Account in False Claims Act Matters. Dr. Patterson cooperated with the United States’ investigation by, among other things, agreeing to cooperate with an ongoing criminal investigation and to testify truthfully in any resulting criminal prosecutions.

The investigation into this scheme led to the criminal prosecution of Zenia Chavez, the owner of Nursemind Home Care, Inc. Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit illegal renumerations regarding a federal health care program, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.

“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute waste valuable federal health care program funds and corrupt the medical decision-making process,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  “The emotional toll it takes on Medicare recipients and their families to be placed on hospice when it is not appropriate is reprehensible.  HHS-OIG will continue to identify and investigate those who seek to unlawfully benefit from such abhorrent financial arrangements.”

“Dr. Patterson falsely certified individuals for hospice services under Medicare when they did not meet eligibility criteria,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for FBI El Paso. “He violated his oath as a physician to fight against healthcare fraud and waste. Today’s civil settlement shows how steadfastly committed the FBI El Paso Healthcare Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force is in protecting the integrity of the Medicare Program, which is vital to the health and well-being of individuals in need of their services. We will go after individuals who seek to enrich themselves by jeopardizing the healthcare of Medicare beneficiaries and defrauding American taxpayers.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo Castillo negotiated the civil settlement on behalf of the United States.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Skillern and Debra Kanof represented the United States in the criminal prosecution of Ms. Zenia Chavez.

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

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SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court to 200 months in prison for one count of distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents, Gianni Versace Del Prado, 28, was identified as using both Telegram and X (formerly known as Twitter) to distribute child sexual abuse material. He created a chat room on Nov. 28, 2022 dedicated to the distribution of child pornography and discussions about the sexual abuse of children and between Dec. 1 2022 and April 30, 2023, posted approximately 81 files depicting the sexual abuse of children. On April 30, 2023, he sent 93 child pornography files directly to an undercover FBI employee engaged in an investigation to identify individuals who were sexually exploiting children.

On June 6, 2023, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Del Prado’s residence and seized electronic devices. He was arrested the following day and pleaded guilty to the distribution of child pornography on May 29, 2024. Following the 200 months in federal prison, Del Prado will serve 25 years supervised release. U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam also ordered Del Prado to pay two victims $5,000 each in restitution.

“This sentence serves as both punishment for Del Prado’s crimes committed against children and as a deterrent for anyone else considering engaging in the trafficking of child sexual abuse material,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “This office will continue to prioritize and prosecute individuals like this defendant, and I thank our partners at the FBI for their integral investigative work on these cases.”

“Protecting children is a top priority for the FBI. Every member of our communities—and especially our children—deserve to feel safe from predators like Del Prado,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work and partnership in seeking justice on behalf of the victims in this case.”

The FBI investigated the case.

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

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

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EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was arrested in El Paso on criminal charges related to his alleged illegal re-entry.

According to court documents, Clemente Galvez-Alapisco, 47, of Sinaloa, has been deported twice before, most recently June 28, 2022 after he was convicted for indecency with a child. He was also convicted of illegal re-entry in July 2019 and sentenced to five months and 11 days confinement.

If convicted, Galvez-Alapisco faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The U.S. Border Patrol is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Aguayo is prosecuting the case.

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

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