January 2013 Press Releases
Jan. 31, 2013 - Muniz
Houston Jury Convicts Woman of Alien Smuggling Resulting in Death
HOUSTON – Demi Mishel Muniz, of Los Angeles, Calif., has been convicted of conspiracy to transport and harbor aliens resulting in the death of a 38-year-old illegal alien from Mexico read more
Jan. 31, 2013 - Sissom
Former Houston Businessman Sent to Prison for Bankruptcy Fraud
HOUSTON - Jimmy Wayne Sissom, 46, has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction on one count of bankruptcy fraud read more
Jan. 31, 2013 - Alaniz and Mendez
Former Bank Tellers Charged with Falsifying Bank Records
McALLEN, Texas – Eduardo Alaniz, 24, and Sebastian Mendez, 30, have been charged with conspiring to falsify records at Bank of America in Mission, where they were formerly employed as tellers read more
Jan. 31, 2013 - Alaniz-Allen
Mission Man Convicted on Child Pornography Charges
McALLEN, Texas – Mission resident Jose Alaniz-Allen, 22, has entered a plea of guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography read more
Jan. 31, 2013 - Duenez
Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Armando Duenez has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to export firearms and failure to appear read more
Jan. 30, 2013 - Hinojosa
Drug Trafficker Sentenced To More Than 12 Years in Prison
McALLEN, Texas - Ricardo Hinojosa, of Roma, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana read more
Jan. 30, 2013 - Lopez
Roma Man Convicted of Marijuana Conspiracy Using Boats to Navigate the Intra-coastal Waterway
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Alberto Lopez, aka Alberto Lopez-Reyna, 39, of Roma, has entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana read more
Jan. 29, 2013 - Orta
Corpus Christi Teacher Sentenced For Possessing Child Pornography
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Jesus Orta, an English as a Second Language teacher in Corpus Christi, has been ordered to prison for 110 months read more
Jan. 29, 2013 - Gallegos and Aguilar
Couple Handed Lengthy Sentences in International Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Norma Alicia Gallegos, 30, and her husband Jose Carlos Aguilar, 32, have been sentenced for their roles in a large-scale international cocaine trafficking conspiracy read more
Jan. 28, 2013 - Canizales and Miceli
HPD Officers Arrested for Conspiring to Protect Cocaine
HOUSTON – Houston Police Officers Emerson Canizales, 26, of Kingwood, and Michael Miceli, 26, of Humble, have been arrested following the return of an indictment charging conspiracy to violate the Hobbs Act and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance read more
Jan. 24, 2013 - Rolls
Pure Meth Lands Kyle Man in Prison for 20 years
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Man from Kyle has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison without parole for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine read more
Jan. 24, 2013 - Zuniga-Hernandez
Comandante Wicho Heads to Federal Prison
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, 44, of Control, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is headed to prison for a term of seven years read more
Jan. 23, 2013 - Fellhauer
Victoria Man Sent to Prison for Distributing Child Porn
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Joseph Fellhauer, 64, of Victoria, has been sentenced to federal prison for distribution of child pornography read more
Jan. 23, 2013 - Garcia-Figueroa
Hidalgo Man Heads to Prison for Bringing Undocumented Aliens into the U.S.
McALLEN, Texas – Adan Garcia-Figueroa, 59, of Hidalgo, will spend a total of 70 months in federal prison following his convictions on two counts of bringing an undocumented alien into the United States and one count of illegally re-entering the United States after a prior deportation read more
Jan. 23, 2013 - Salas-Campos
Enticing a Minor Lands Mission Man in Prison
McALLEN, Texas – Adan Garcia-Figueroa, 59, of Hidalgo, will spend a total of 70 months in federal prison following his convictions on two counts of bringing an undocumented alien into the United States and one count of illegally re-entering the United States after a prior deportation read more
Jan. 22, 2013 - Aguirre-Nunez
Head of Alien Smuggling Organization Gets More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison
McALLEN, Texas – Jose Aguirre-Nunez, 46, the head of an extensive alien smuggling organization operating in and around Starr County to Harris County, Texas, has been sentenced to a total of 150 months in federal prison read more
Jan. 22, 2013 - Mendoza
Pharr Man Handed Sentenced for Involvement in Straw Purchase of Firearms
McALLEN, Texas – Alejandro Mendoza, 19, of Pharr, has been handed a federal prison sentence for making false statements in the acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL), commonly known as straw purchasing read more
Jan. 22, 2013 - Lindsey
Bryan Chiropractor Convicted of Defrauding Automobile Insurance Companies of $3 Million
HOUSTON - A Bryan chiropractor has entered a plea of guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud various automobile insurance companies of more than $3 million read more
Jan. 22, 2013 - Davis
Former Chief Financial Officer of Stanford Group Entities Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Fraud Scheme and Obstruction
HOUSTON - James M. Davis, 64, formerly of Baldwyn, Miss., the former chief financial officer of Stanford International Bank (SIB) and Houston-based Stanford Financial Group, was sentenced today to five years in prison for his role in helping Robert Allen Stanford perpetrate a fraud scheme involving SIB, and for conspiring to obstruct a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into SIB. read more
Jan. 18, 2013 - Holverson
Houston Real Estate Developer Heads to Federal Prison for Disaster Fraud
HOUSTON – Jon August Holverson, the owner of Bayou City Properties, will be spending nine years in federal prison for conspiring to obtain approximately $1 million in disaster relief funds by fraudulent means read more
Jan. 18, 2013 - Ibarra
7th Person Convicted in Conspiracy to Transport Cocaine
LAREDO, Texas – Juan Ramon Ibarra Jr., 30, of Laredo, has been convicted for his role in a conspiracy to transport five kilograms or more of cocaine and international money laundering read more
Jan. 18, 2013 - Rodriguez
Jury Convicts U.S. Woman Residing in Mexico of Trafficking Methamphetamine
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted Jennifer Ellen Marie Rodriguez, 31, a U.S. citizen residing in Reynosa, Mexico, on one count of possessing with intent to distribute more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine read more
Jan. 17, 2013 - Lowe
Houston Area Man Handed 45 Years for Multiple Child Pornography Convictions
Defendant calls himself a “monster” during the hearing
HOUSTON - DJ Christopher Lowe, 37, has been sentenced to a total of 540 months in federal prison for his convictions of possession, distribution as well as production of child pornography read more
Jan. 17, 2013 - Wallace
Felon in Possession Sentenced to More Than 13 Years in Prison
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Joshua Wallace, 39, of Corpus Christi, has been handed a 160-month sentence for his conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon read more
Jan. 17, 2013 - Cruz
Former Bank Employee Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery
LAREDO, Texas – Ansel Cruz, 30, a life-long resident of Laredo, has entered a guilty plea to one count of armed bank robbery of the Laredo Federal Credit Union where he was formerly employed read more
Jan. 16, 2013 - Huerta-Aguilar
Mexican Man Sent to Prison for Bribery of a Public Official
McALLEN, Texas - Jose Luis Huerta-Aguilar, 32, of Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for bribery of a public official read more
Jan. 16, 2013 - Roque
Reserve Deputy Constable Arrested for Aiding Cocaine Load
HOUSTON – Tomas Roque, a reserve deputy constable with Harris County Precinct 6, has been arrested following the return of an indictment alleging charges of aiding the possession of a controlled substance and a violation of the Hobbs Act read more
Jan. 16, 2013 - Parker et al
Sprint Cell Phone Fraud Lands Final Defendant in Federal Prison
HOUSTON – Four Houston area residents have been sentenced for conspiring to commit mail fraud involving the theft of Sprint cellular phone customer data and telephones read more
Jan. 15, 2013 - Gonzales
Assistant Branch Manager Indicted for Bank Embezzlement
HOUSTON – Hannah Gonzales, 24, of Houston, has been arrested following the return of an 11-count indictment alleging she embezzled from International Bank of Commerce (IBC) read more
Jan. 14, 2013 - Sauceda et al
Five Laredoans Convicted in Conspiracy to Transport Cocaine
LAREDO, Texas – Alberto Sauceda, 38, Salvador Rodriguez-Fajardo, 38, Ricardo Garza, 39, Moises Andrade, 20, and Laura Rodriguez, 42, all of Laredo, have been convicted for their roles in a cocaine conspiracy read more
Jan. 11, 2013 - Martinez
Former Harris County Deputy Convicted for Aiding Ecstasy Loads
HOUSTON - Former Harris County Deputy Sheriff Jesus Martinez, of Humble, has been convicted of aiding possession of a controlled substance read more
Jan. 11, 2013 - Davis
Former Attorney Sent to Prison for a Decade in $7 Million Ponzi Scheme
HOUSTON - Billy Frank Davis, aka Bill F. Davis, a former attorney residing in Houston, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for perpetrating a decade-long investment fraud scheme that victimized more than 20 investors of approximately $7.8 million read more
Jan. 10, 2013 - Cerda et al
Los Zetas Kidnappers Plead Guilty
LAREDO, Texas – Four Laredoans have been convicted for their roles in a kidnapping ordered by Los Zetas drug trafficking organization and executed by members and associates of the Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) gang read more
Jan. 10, 2013 - Cerda and Sanchez-Reyes
Laredo Los Zetas Arms Traffickers Plead Guilty
LAREDO, Texas – Pablo Cerda, 36, and Nicolas Sanchez-Reyes, 50, have been convicted for their roles in a conspiracy to export weapons to Mexico destined for Los Zetas drug trafficking organization read more
Jan. 9, 2013 - Bazaldua et al
Seven Arrested in Federal Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A three-count indictment was partially unsealed following the arrests of several Corpus Christi residents and their appearances in federal court on various drug trafficking and money laundering charges read more
Jan. 9, 2013 - Trevino et al
Former “Panama Unit” Officers Indicted
McALLEN, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment against Jonathan Trevino, Alexis Rigoberto Espinoza, Fabian Rodriguez and Gerardo Mendoza-Duran read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Yarbrough and Atkinson
Three Convicted for Unlawful Manufacturing of Firearms
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two men and one woman, all of Corpus Christi, have entered guilty pleas to charges relating to their unlawful manufacture of AK-47 type firearms read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Olivarez
Robstown Career Offender Heads to Federal Prison for Cocaine Distribution
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Rene Olivarez, 45, of Robstown, has been sentenced as a career offender for more than 15 years for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Kingsville read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Morales-Hidalgo
Mexican National Convicted for Failing to Obey Coast Guard Order
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Mexican national Pedro Morales-Hidalgo, 43, has pleaded guilty to failing to heave to a Coast Guard vessel read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Finley
Louisiana Man Sent to Prison for Smuggling Marijuana
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Dolph Finley, 63, of Lettsworth, La., has been sent to federal prison following his convictions on two counts as charged in relation to the smuggling of marijuana through the Sarita Border Patrol Checkpoint read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Zuniga-Hernandez
El Wicho Pleads Guilty…Again
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, 44, of Control, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been convicted of being an alien found within the United States after deportation and being an alien in possession of a firearm read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Cardenas
Cuban National Convicted in Conspiracy to Transport Cocaine
LAREDO, Texas – Rene Cardenas, 36, of Miami, Fla. Has pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to transport five kilograms or more of cocaine read more
Jan. 8, 2013 - Quesada-Hernandez
Brownsville Man Convicted for Attempting to Smuggle More Than $600K
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Domingo Quesada-Hernandez, 43, of Brownsville, has been convicted of bulk cash smuggling read more
Jan. 7, 2013 - McDaniels, Lake and Presley
Three Sentenced in Massive Domestic Sex Trafficking Case
HOUSTON – Three men have each been ordered to federal prison for 96 months for their convictions in relation to Operation Total Exposure, the largest domestic sex trafficking case in the Southern District of Texas read more
Jan. 7, 2013 - Carrington
Woman Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Income Tax Return
HOUSTON – Shirley M. Carrington has pleaded guilty to one count of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return read more
Jan. 4, 2013 - Woods
Preparing a False Tax Return Lands Man in Federal Prison
HOUSTON - Kermit Woods has landed in federal prison following his conviction for willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return read more
Jan. 3, 2013 - Goodman
Spring Couple Handed Sentences for Hurricane Ike Fraud
HOUSTON – A local husband and wife have been sentenced to federal prison following their two convictions for defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency in relation to disaster assistance following Hurricane Ike read more
Jan. 3, 2013 - Sandoval
Former La Villa Corrections Officer Sentenced to Prison
McALLEN, Texas - Jorge Luis Sandoval, 32, of Pharr, will soon be serving a federal prison sentence for smuggling two cellular telephones into the East Hidalgo Detention Center for an inmate read more
