March 2012 Press Releases
March 30, 2012 - Woods
Man Pleads Guilty to Preparing a False Tax Return
HOUSTON - Kermit Woods 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
March 30, 2012 - Leggett
Chambers County Woman Convicted of Conspiracy Involving Destructive Devices
HOUSTON - Pamela Leggett, 31, of Anhuac, Texas, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to illegally receive, make and possess unregistered firearms and destructive devices and to aiding and abetting illegal possession of an unlawful machine gun read more
March 29, 2012 - Padilla and Esteban
Two Enter Guilty Pleas in Local Cocaine Case
HOUSTON – Jose G. Padilla, 35, and Coy Esteban, 35, have pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the possession with intent to distribute seven kilograms of cocaine read more
March 28, 2012 - Collazo
Fort Worth Man Handed 16 Years for Possession of Meth
LAREDO, Texas – Edwardo Ramiro Collazo, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas, has been sentenced to 192 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine read more
March 27, 2012 - Valles et al
Two Leaders in Alien Smuggling Organization and Seven Others Sent to Federal Prison
McALLEN, Texas – Two leaders of a Houston-based alien smuggling organization and seven others have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a smuggling operation that resulted in the death of an illegal alien read more
March 27, 2012 - Degollado
McAllen Man Sentenced to 17 ½ years for Receiving Child Pornography Via the Internet
McALLEN, Texas – Xavier Degollado, 31, of McAllen, Texas, has been sentenced to 210 months in prison for receipt of child pornography read more
March 26, 2012 - Norris
Katy Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud
HOUSTON - Anthony Terrence Jerel Norris, 39, has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a scheme to defraud Capital One Bank read more
March 26, 2012 - Guzman
McAllen Woman Convicted for Role in Aflac Insurance Fraud Scam
Guilty plea marks the 36th conviction in multi-million dollar conspiracy
McALLEN, Texas - Another south Texas resident has been convicted in relation to a multi-million dollar conspiracy to defraud the American Family Life Assurance Company (Aflac) read more
March 26. 2012 - Romero and Trevino
Two Men Sentenced in Methamphetamine Conspiracy
McALLEN, Texas – Jesus Romero, 32, of Donna, Texas, has been handed a lengthy sentence for his conviction on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 17 kilograms of methamphetamine read more
March 26, 2012 - Corley et al
Two With Alleged Ties to Military and Others Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot/Drug Conspiracy
LAREDO, Texas – Several men have been arrested and charged in a conspiracy related to drug trafficking and/or an attempted murder-for-hire plot read more
March 22, 2012 - McDaniels
Houston Man Facing Additional Charges for Witness Tampering
Man currently under indictment on charges of sex trafficking
HOUSTON – A Houston man already facing charges of sex trafficking in the Southern District of Texas has been indicted on additional charges of witness tampering read more
March 22, 2012 - Palmer
Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Gets More Than 13+Years for Receipt of Child Pornography
HOUSTON – Dieter David Palmer, 42, has landed a 160-month federal prison term for receipt of child pornography read more
March 21, 2012 - Diaz-Velasquez
Alien Smuggler Who Used Craigslist to Hire Drivers Ordered Detained
McALLEN, Texas - José Gustavo Diaz-Velasquez, 29, a Mexican national residing in the Rio Grande Valley, has been arrested and ordered detained on charges of alien smuggling read more
March 21, 2012 -Harlow
Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Gang Member Convicted in Houston of Racketeering Charges
WASHINGTON – Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) gang member David Harlow was found guilty today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. in Houston of racketeering aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit racketeering aggravated assault for his role in the 2008 beating of a gang prospect. read more
March 21, 2012 - Diaz
Former Sheriff’s Investigator Lands Hefty Federal Prison Sentence
McALLEN, Texas - A former Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigator convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana has been sentenced to prison read more
March 21, 2012 - Estrada
Former Grocery Store Owner Indicted in Scheme to Steal From Programs Designed to Safeguard the Health of Low Income Families
McALLEN, Texas - Fernando Ramirez Estrada, 45, of Mission, Texas, has indicted on federal charges for his role in defrauding two federally funded programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) read more
March 21, 2012 - Clark
Local Credit Card Fraudster Handed Federal Prison Sentence
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Steven Reese Clark, 37, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for credit card fraud read more
March 20, 2012 - Walker
Bank Robber Convicted
HOUSTON - Cedric Tyrone Walker, 30, has entered a plea of guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of brandishing a weapon during the course of the bank robbery read more
March 19, 2012 - Cantu et al
Three Men Sentenced for Roles in a Straw Purchasing Ring
McALLEN, Texas – Three men have been sentenced to varying terms of federal prison for their roles in lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) forms 4473 read more
March 19, 2012 - Belmontes
Last of 10 Pleads Guilty in Alien Harboring Case
HOUSTON – The last person in a 10-defendant indictment has pleaded guilty for his role in an organization involved in the trafficking of Mexican females for compelled service at Houston area bars and restaurants through force, fraud and coercion read more
March 19, 2012 - Barry
Former Marine Sergeant Sentenced in Child Pornography Case
HOUSTON – Spring, Texas, resident Jarod Barry, 30, has been sentenced to 108 months for possession of child pornography read more
March 16, 2012 - Garcia
Roma Man Sentenced in 11-Defendant Marijuana Case
HOUSTON - Jesus Manuel Garcia, 50, of Roma, Texas, has been handed a 41-month prison term read more
March 16, 2012 - Munoz
Bank Branch Manager Convicted of Embezzlement
LAREDO, Texas – A former bank manager at a Laredo branch of BBVA Compass Bank has been convicted of embezzlement and misapplication of funds read more
March 15, 2012 - Rios
Corpus Man Handed Seven Years for Child Pornography Charge
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Joe Frank Rios, 45, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been sentenced to a total of 84 months for his conviction on possession of child pornography read more
March 15, 2012 - Garcia
Odem Man Lands 20 Years for Distributing Child Pornography
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Fernando Garcia, 40, of Odem, Texas, has been sentenced to prison for distribution of child pornography read more
March 15, 2012 - Brown
Child Pornography Conviction Lands Rockport Man in Federal Prison
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Nicholas Brown, 25, of Rockport, Texas, has been handed a 110-month prison term for possession of child pornography read more
March 15, 2012 - De La Cruz et al
Member of Gulf Cartel Arrested…Again
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Juan Carlos De La Cruz Reyna, 37, has been arrested on charges of bribery read more
March 15, 2012 - Onenese and Matti
Verdicts Returned in Houston Identity Theft/Bank Fraud Trial
HOUSTON – A federal jury sitting in Houston has returned guilty verdicts against two men involved in bank fraud and aggravated identity theft read more
March 15, 2012 - Gonzales
HPL Felon Gets 24+ Years
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Previously convicted felon Richard Angel Gonzales, 39, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been handed a 293-month prison term read more
March 14, 2012 - Olvido-Lopez
Brownsville Woman Arrested for Selling Fake Botox
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Gloria Olvido-Lopez, 43, of Brownsville, Texas, has been charged with selling misbranded Botox read more
March 14, 2012 - Vallejo
Long Time Fugitive Pleads Guilty
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Juan Becerra Vallejo, 53, has just pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine read more
March 12, 2012 - Scudder
Woodlands Man Sentenced in Ponzi Scheme
Several victims in court and offered testimony
HOUSTON - Kenneth Alfred Scudder, 56, of The Woodlands, Texas, has been sentenced to 53 months for operating a Ponzi Scheme in the Houston area read more
March 12, 2012 - Cardenas Vela
Gulf Cartel Plaza Boss Convicted
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Rafael Cardenas Vela has pleaded guilty to participating in a long term drug conspiracy read more
March 9, 2012 - Cabrera
1300+ Pounds of Marijuana Lands Pharr Smuggler in Prison
LAREDO, Texas – Juan Jose Cabrera Jr., 25, of Pharr, Texas, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute a total of 1,364 pounds of marijuana read more
March 8, 2012 - Banda
Kidnapper Gets Max For Illegal Possession of a Firearm
LAREDO, Texas – Gerardo Banda Jr., a 26-year-old Laredo resident, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for illegally possessing two handguns that he used to threaten and kidnap another person read more
March 8, 2012 - Bouchot
Raza Unida Gang Leader Gets 30 Years for Racketeering
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Raza Unida Gang Leader Karlos Bouchot, 35, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison read more
March 8, 2012 - Puebla
Corpus Man Sent to Prison in Firearms Case
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Elias Puebla, 21, has been handed a 48-month federal prison term for illegally receiving a firearm read more
March 8, 2012 - Salazar
Leader of Weapon Smuggling Organization Sent to Federal Prison
VICTORIA, Texas – Saul Salinas Salazar, 26, of Pasadena, Texas, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to smuggle firearms into Mexico and for making false statements with regards to purchasing firearms read more
March 7, 2012 - Salinas
Verdict Returned in 475 Pound Marijuana Case
LAREDO, Texas – Lenny Salinas, 25, of Zapata, Texas, has been found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 216.2 kilograms of marijuana read more
March 6, 2012 - Martinez
Leader and Members of Human Smuggling Organization Sent to Federal Prison
VICTORIA, Texas – Lorena Martinez, 37, of Portland, Texas, the leader of a locally-based human smuggling organization, has been sentenced to 42 months in prison read more
March 6, 2012 - Stanford
Allen Stanford Convicted in Houston for Orchestrating $7 billion Investment Fraud Scheme
WASHINGTON – A Houston federal jury today convicted Robert Allen Stanford, the former Board of Directors Chairman of Stanford International Bank (SIB), for orchestrating a 20-year investment fraud scheme in which he misappropriated $7 billion from SIB to finance his personal businesses. read more
March 6, 2012 - Pena
Probationer Who Paid Bribe in Limas Corruption Case Sentenced
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A state probationer charged for his role in former State District Judge Abel Limas’ scheme to solicit and accept bribes in exchange for official action has been sentenced to prison read more
March 5, 2012 - Lindsley
Houston Man Sentenced in Distribution of Child Pornography Case
Graphic images of infants constituted majority of his collection
HOUSTON - Peter K. Lindsley, 50, has been sentenced to 114 months in prison for distributing child pornography read more
March 5, 2012 - Munoz and Zendejo
Felons Receive Max for Illegal Possession of Machine Gun
LAREDO, Texas – Jose Eduardo Munoz, 28, and Alfredo Israel Zendejo Jr., 22, both Laredo residents and convicted felons, have each been sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison for illegal possession of a machine gun read more
March 5, 2012 - Olmedo-Trevino et al
Leader and Others Convicted in Multi-Year Alien Smuggling Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The leader and six others have pleaded guilty for their involvement in a conspiracy to harbor and transport illegal aliens read more
March 5, 2012 - Gladney
Houston Man Convicted of Producing and Advertising Child Pornography
HOUSTON - Edward Jorodge Gladney, 27, has entered a plea of guilty for producing and advertising child pornography read more
March 5, 2012 - Garza
South Texas Man Enters Plea in Drug Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Jose Garza aka “Cano,” 24, of Sullivan City, Texas, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine read more
March 2, 2012 - Hallmark and Gard
Two Arrested for Hiring and Transporting Undocumented Aliens
GALVESTON, Texas – An eight-count federal indictment has been partially unsealed following the arrest of two on charges of hiring undocumented aliens read more
March 2, 2012 - Alcala
California Man Convicted of Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Juan Carlos Alcala, 38, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering read more
March 2, 2012 - Cedillo-Narvaez et al
Nine Convicted in Hostage Taking/Harboring Case
McALLEN, Texas – Two men have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit hostage taking, while seven others entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens read more
March 1, 2012 - Alaniz and Hernandez
Two Local Men Plead Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Jose Rene Alaniz, 43, and David Hernandez, 29, have each entered pleas of guilty in unrelated cases to sexual exploitation of a child read more
March 1, 2012 - Rios et al
10 Sentenced for Involvement in Straw Purchase and Export Ring
McALLEN, Texas – Ten people have been sentenced today for their roles in making false statement on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) forms 4473 in the acquisition of firearms from federal firearms licensees (FFL) and exporting those firearms to Mexico read more
March 1, 2012 - Gamez and Reyes-Rodriguez
Violent Crime Spree Ends in Convictions
McALLEN, Texas – Two men accused of carjacking one victim and then robbing a Weslaco Credit Union have been convicted read more
March 1, 2012 - Sanchez-Jimenez et al
31 Charged in Multi-Year Alien Smuggling Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi has returned indictments against several Texas residents for their involvement in a conspiracy to harbor and transport illegal aliens read more
March 1, 2012 - Mercado
Houston Jury Returns Guilty Verdict in 1,900 Pound Marijuana Seizure
HOUSTON – A federal jury sitting in Houston has found Joselito Flores Mercado, 49, guilty of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute in connection with a seizure of more than 1,900 pounds of marijuana read more
