January 2012 Press Releases
Jan 31, 2012 - Villarreal and Sanchez
Two Convicted of Exporting Ammunition
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Two men have entered pleas of guilty for exporting approximately 3,000 rounds of ammunition to Mexico without a license read more
Jan. 31, 2012 - Russell
Houston Man Convicted of Identity Theft
HOUSTON – Joseph Russell, 30, has entered a plea of guilty to one count of access device fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft read more
Jan. 30, 2012 - Barba
Baytown Man Gets More Federal Prison Time for Exportation of Firearms
HOUSTON – Manuel Gomez Barba, of Baytown, Texas, has been sentenced to 100 months for exportation of firearms read more
Jan. 30, 2012 - Arnold
Former Bank Senior Vice President Sentenced for Theft from Customer Accounts
HOUSTON - Kim Arnold, formerly a senior Vice President and Loan Officer at Sterling Bank, has been sentenced to federal prison for bank theft read more
Jan. 30, 2012 - Odelugo
Houston Concert Promoter Gets Federal Prison for Defrauding Medicare of Almost $10 Million
HOUSTON - Aghaegbuna “Ike” Odelugo, 39, of Sugarland, Texas, has been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for engaging in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, committing health care fraud and money laundering read more
Jan. 27, 2012 - Alaniz
Laredo Resident Lands in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud
LAREDO, Texas – Jesus Alaniz Jr., 54, of Laredo, has been sentenced to federal prison in relation to a scheme in which he transferred monies from his employer to a fictitious company he created read more
Jan. 27, 2012 - Scott
Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Postmaster Convicted of Stealing $565,000 in Money Orders
HOUSTON – Delmus Eugene Scott, Jr., 34, of Humble, Texas, has pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money read more
Jan. 27, 2012 - Vasquez
McAllen Area Health Care Marketer Arrested For Conspiracy and Anti-Kickback Violations
McALLEN, Texas - The owner of a purported health care resource center has been charged by a federal grand jury with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and two counts of soliciting and receiving kickback payments in violation of the federal anti-kickback statute read more
Jan. 26, 2012 - Albina
Local Doctor Indicted for Production of Child Pornography
HOUSTON - Bernard Albina, 72, of Houston, has been ordered detained pending trial on charges of producing and possessing child pornography read more
Jan. 26, 2012 - Lopez
McAllen Area Health Insurance Agent Arrested in Mail Fraud/Identity Theft Scheme
McALLEN, Texas – A McAllen area insurance agent has been indicted on multiple counts of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft arising from a scheme to defraud several private insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage plans and other insurance products read more
Jan. 25, 2012 - Rodriguez
Pharr Man Sentenced to Prison for Lying to Buy Almost Two Dozen Firearms Destined for Mexico
McALLEN, Texas – Lying to buy almost two dozen firearms destined for Mexico has netted a Pharr, Texas, man a prison term read more
Jan. 25, 2012 - Castillo-Chavez
Texas Jury Convicts Zeta Hitman “Cachetes”
LAREDO, Texas – The federal jury in Laredo, Texas, hearing the case of Gerardo Castillo-Chavez aka “Cachetes” aka Armado Garcia has just returned guilty verdicts on all counts read more
Jan. 24, 2012 - Sanchez-Aviles et al
Attempting to Export $3.1 Million into Mexico Lands Several in Federal Prison
McALLEN, Texas – Twelve defendants who attempted to smuggle $3.1 million in U.S. currency concealed in luggage into Mexico have now been sentenced to federal prison read more
Jan. 24, 2012 - Quintanilla et al
Three Houston Men Get Lengthy Sentences for Baytown Bank Robbery
HOUSTON – Jose Matilde Quintanilla, 27, Paul Glenn Ballard, 52, and Carl Edward Malone, 50, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in the armed bank robbery of Community Bank in Baytown, Texas read more
Jan. 24, 2012 - Atrium Companies
Two Companies Admit to Hiring Illegal Aliens, Each Forfeit $2 Million
HOUSTON - Atrium Companies, the owner of Houston-based Champion Window, and Advanced Containment Systems Inc. (ACSI), have agreed to adhere to revised immigration compliance programs and to each pay $2 million as forfeited funds to the Department of Homeland Security related to funds paid to facilitate the employment of illegal workers read more
Jan. 23, 2012 - Reid
Serial Identity Thief Convicted
HOUSTON - Sharif John Reid, 36, of League City, Texas, has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud read more
Jan. 23, 2012 - Osorio Martinez
Mexican Woman Gets Nearly 20 Years for Trafficking Meth
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Reyna Osorio Martinez, of Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, has been sentenced to federal prison for 235 months for her involvement in trafficking methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico read more
Jan. 20, 2012 - Everts
Twisted Forks Owner Sentenced in Alligator Case
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Clifton Lynn Everts, owner and operator of Twisted Forks Outfitter, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced for transporting an American alligator that was illegally killed read more
Jan. 20, 2012 - Quezada-Luna
Mexican Man Sentenced to 10+ Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking
Ordered to Pay More Than $66K to Victims
McALLEN, Texas – Edgar Quezada-Luna has been sentenced to 130 months in prison without parole for carjacking read more
Jan. 20, 2012 - Huerta
Taqueria Arandas Owner lands in Federal Prison for Filing False Tax Returns
HOUSTON – Jesus Huerta has been sentenced to federal prison for filing false income tax returns relating to his Taqueria Arandas restaurants read more
Jan. 19, 2012 - Witt
Former Union Head Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Embezzle
HOUSTON - Ronald Witt, 65, of Galveston, Texas, the former business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 450, pleaded guilty late this morning to conspiracy to embezzle union funds read more
Jan. 18, 2012 - Prater and Oliva
Two Houston Men Plead Guilty in Drug Conspiracy
HOUSTON – Jimmie Prater and Alejandro Oliva, both 39 and from Houston, have pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, respectively read more
Jan. 18, 2012 - Ortiz
Corpus Christi Meth Conspirator to Serve 24+ Years in Federal Prison
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Jose Antonio Ortiz Jr., of Corpus Christi, has been sentenced today for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy read more
Jan. 18, 2012 - Zamorano
Corpus Man Gets 17 ½ Years in Cocaine Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Enrique Zamorano Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been handed a lengthy sentence for his involvement in a cocaine conspiracy operating in the Corpus Christi area read more
Jan. 18, 2012 - Ladewig
U.S. Citizen Living and Working in Mexico Sent to Prison on Child Pornography Charge
HOUSTON - David Aric Ladewig, 43, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for possession of child pornography read more
Jan. 17, 2012 - Garcia and Villalobos
Two San Juan Residents Get Federal Prison Time for Straw Purchasing Firearms
MCALLEN, Texas – Taisa Garcia, 21, and Marco Antonio Villalobos, 20, both of San Juan, Texas, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in straw purchasing firearms read more
Jan. 17, 2012 - Martinez
Corpus Man Lands 87-Month Prison Term for Child Pornography Charge
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Corpus Christi resident David Arturo Martinez, 32, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography read more
Jan. 17, 2012 - Rezaei
Grocer Sentenced to Prison for Food Stamp Fraud
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Parviz Sheikh Rezaei, 56, the proprietor of Pariz Dollar Supermarket in Brownsville, Texas, will be serving 46 months in federal prison for defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as Food Stamp Fraud read more
Jan. 17, 2012 - Mose-Burrel
Former Capital One Bank Employee Indicted for Bank Fraud and ID Theft
HOUSTON - Jamal Gerard Mose-Burrel, 22, of Houston, has been arrested following the return of a 17-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft read more
Jan. 17, 2012 - Pena
Convicted Drug Dealer Receives 16+ Years
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Ricardo Pena Jr. has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing approximately 125 grams of methamphetamine read more
Jan. 13, 2012 - Conatser and Wentzel
Members of Identity Theft Ring Sentenced to Prison
HOUSTON – Two men who, along with other conspirators, used the personal information of dozens of victims to obtain fraudulent credit cards have been sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Guerrero
Federal Jury Returns Verdict in 100+ Kilo Marijuana Trial
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A federal jury has found Israel Guerrero Sr. of Pharr, Texas, guilty of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and possession of 122 kilograms of marijuana read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Rios
Corpus Man Convicted on Child Pornography Charge
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Joe Frank Rios, 45, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Abercia et al
Abercia Indicted
HOUSTON – Long-time Harris County Precinct One Constable Jack Abercia has been arrested along with his Chief Lieutenant Weldon Kenneth Wiener and Office Chief Michael Butler following the return of a 13-count federal indictment read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Cruz
Arrest Made in Laredo Federal Credit Union Robbery
LAREDO, Texas – Asael Cruz, 29, of Laredo, Texas, has been arrested by the FBI and the Laredo Police Department (LPD) in connection with the armed bank robbery of the Laredo Federal Credit Union last Friday evening read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Shepherd
Armed Drug Trafficking Lands Georgia Man in Prison for 15 Years
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Erron Omar Shepherd, 27, of LaGrange, Ga., has been sentenced to a total of 180 months in federal prison without parole for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Furlough
29-Year-Old Houston Man Convicted of Possession of Child Pornography
HOUSTON – Brandon Rashaud Furlough, 29, has entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of child pornography read more
Jan. 12, 2012 - Porter
Former Mail Carrier Gets 97-Month Sentence for Receipt of Child Pornography
HOUSTON - James Walter Porter Jr., 58, has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for his conviction on one count of receipt of child pornography read more
Jan. 11, 2012 - Gonzalez and Garcia
Drug Traffickers Get 20 Years in 6,000 Pound Marijuana Case
McALLEN, Texas – Two Mexican nationals convicted last year by a federal jury of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana have been sentenced to lengthy terms of federal imprisonment read more
Jan. 11, 2012 - Avila
Jury Convicts 20-Year-Old Woman of Importing Methamphetamine
McALLEN, Texas - Carolina Avila, 20, of Illinois, has been convicted of importing and possessing with intent to distribute more than seven kilograms of actual methamphetamine read more
Jan. 11, 2012 - Cabello
Bank Robber Gets 25 Years in Federal Prison
HOUSTON – Gabriel Cabello, 40, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison following his convictions for aggravated bank robbery and for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence read more
Jan. 11, 2012 - Ibarra
Laredo Man Gets 10 Years for Illegal Possession
LAREDO, Texas – Ruben Ibarra, 37, of Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for illegally possessing a firearm read more
Jan. 11, 2012 - Orridge
Cocaine in Shoes Leads to Indictment of 19-Year-Old New Yorker
HOUSTON – A federal indictment has been returned against Brielle Latoi Orridge, 19, of the Bronx, N.Y., who was arrested at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in December 2011 for allegedly possessing with intent to distribute a total of 1.38 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the soles of two pairs of shoes read more
Jan. 11, 2012 - Guzman
Jury Convicts Man in Illegal Re-Entry Case
LAREDO, Texas – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against Jose Lopez Guzman, 46, a citizen of El Salvador, of illegally re-entering the United States read more
Jan. 10, 2012 - McCarty
Atlanta Truck Driver Convicted in Cocaine Conspiracy
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Bobby J. McCarty Jr. of Atlanta, Ga, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 53 kilograms of cocaine read more
Jan. 10, 2012 - Gonzales
Guilty Verdict in Corpus Christi Convicted Felon Case
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Richard Angel Gonzales, 39, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been convicted on all three federal charges against him read more
Jan. 10, 2012 - Veazie
Kirby Lofts Borrower Pleads Guilty
HOUSTON - Robert Veazie has pleaded guilty to a fourth superseding criminal information in connection with obtaining residential home loans, including some in the Kirby Lofts condominium complex read more
Jan. 9, 2012 - Flores-Recio and Segura
Two Pleas Guilty in Heroin Case at Webb County Jail
LAREDO, Texas – Norma Alicia Flores-Recio, 36, and Oscar Segura, 44, have pleaded guilty to providing and attempting to obtain heroin, respectively, in the Webb County Jail read more
Jan. 9, 2012 - Zuniga-Hernandez
Guilty Plea on Eve of Jury Selection for Zuniga-Hernandez
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, 43, of Control, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been convicted of being an alien found within the United States after deportation and of being an alien in possession of a firearm read more
Jan. 9, 2012 - Garcia
Odem Man Admits to Distributing Child Pornography
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Fernando Garcia, 40, of Odem, Texas, has pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of child pornography read more
Jan. 9, 2012 - Brown
Rockport Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Nicholas Brown, 24, of Rockport, Texas, has pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography read more
Jan. 9, 2012 - Perez-Pinon
Lead Defendant in Hostage Taking Case Lands in Federal Prison for Nearly 25 Years
HOUSTON – Heriberto Perez-Pinon, 26, of Houston, has been sentenced to federal prison for holding smuggled aliens hostage for ransom payments read more
Jan. 9, 2012 - Guerrero
Harlingen Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Cross Deshane Guerrero, 39, of Harlingen, Texas, has been arrested following the return of an indictment alleging possession of child pornography read more
Jan. 5, 2012 -Nieto-Ibarra and Perez-Lara
Grimaldi’s Employees Guilty of Immigration Document Fraud
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Grimaldi’s former kitchen manager, Daniel Nieto-Ibarra, and a former Grimaldi’s cook, Erika Yazmin Perez-Lara, have both pleaded guilty to immigration document fraud read more
Jan. 5, 2012 -Acevedo-Gallegos
Jury Convicts Mexican National of Receiving Firearm While Under Indictment
McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury has convicted a Mexican national of receiving a firearm while under felony indictment read more
Jan. 5, 2012 - Rhodes
Last of Those Convicted in Insurance Company Scam Sentenced to Federal Prison
HOUSTON - Shane Ladell Rhodes, 37, of Tomball, Texas, has been sentenced to 15 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud from July 2007 to July 2009 read more
Jan. 4, 2012 - Vo
Leader of Ecstasy Ring Gets 16 Years in Federal Prison
HOUSTON - Long Vo, 52, of Houston, has been sentenced to 192 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess and distribute MDMA (ecstasy) read more
Jan. 4, 2012 - Benson
Owner of B.P. Security Pleads Guilty in Tax Case
HOUSTON - Michael Lee Benson has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to account for and pay over taxes withheld from employees of B.P. Security and Investigations Inc. read more
Jan. 4, 2012 - Chilo and Williams
Houston Couple Indicted in Credit Scheme
HOUSTON - Nathaniel Chilo, aka Nathaniel O’Neil, 22, and his girlfriend Savannah Rae Williams, 23, both of Houston, have been indicted for a scheme involving fraudulent representations about settlements reached with creditors and using for their own benefit the money wired to them to pay those settlements read more
Jan. 3, 2012 - Bland
Houston Man Enters Guilty Plea to Transporting a Woman for Commercial Sex
HOUSTON – Jerald Bland aka “Moe Betta,” 30, of Houston, has pleaded guilty to one count of transportation read more
Jan. 3, 2012 - Degollado
McAllen Man Convicted of Receiving Child Pornography Via the Internet
McALLEN, Texas – Xavier Degollado, 31, of McAllen, Texas, has been convicted of receipt of child pornography read more
Jan. 3, 2012 - Martinez
Record Marijuana Seizure Lands Alamo Man 12-Year Prison Term
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Hector Garza Martinez, 44, of Alamo, Texas, has been sentenced to 145 months in federal prison without parole for possession with intent to distribute more than 5000 kilograms of marijuana read more
