NDTX Round-Up December 17

SENTENCING – NELSON PABON

On December 6, Nelson Pabon, 48, was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in federal custody for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Pabon had informed undercover officers that because of his advance knowledge of canine sweeps of luggage, he was well-positioned to sneak drugs onto commercial flights for cash. Pabon is the lead defendant of 10 coconspirators in this case. If you would like to read more about this case, please click here. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Dallas Police Department, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. This case is prosecuted by AUSA George Leal, John de la Garza, and John Kull.

GUILTY PLEA – DARYL HENRY

On December 12, Daryl Henry, 24, pled guilty to a hate crime act, conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping, and carjacking. Henry faces up to life in federal custody for his crimes. Henry admitted Grindr, a social media dating platform primarily used by gay men, was used to lure gay men to a vacant apartment, where they were beaten, taunted, and held against their will. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Dallas Police Department and is prosecuted by AUSA Nicole Dana. Click here to read more about this case.

GUILTY PLEA – RICARDO MONTES-GARCIA

On December 10, Ricardo Montes-Garcia, 53, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Montes-Garcia was spotted by police officers as he was leaving his residence and entering his vehicle with a black rectangular object and a white plastic bag. When officers observed a traffic violation, Montes-Garcia gave consent for a search. Officers found the rectangular object to contain 1,972 grams of methamphetamine. In a later search of his home, officers found 8,885 grams of methamphetamine, $36,833 in drug proceeds, and a methamphetamine conversion laboratory. He faces up to 20 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Adminstration and prosecuted by AUSA John Kull.

SENTENCING – JONATHAN ALEXANDER BAIRES

On December 12, Jonathan Alexander Baires, 20, was sentenced to 10 years in federal custody for attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Baires, a member of the MS-13 gang and the Irving Loco Salvatruchas clique, attempted to murder a man who Baires and his coconspirators assumed were a member of the rival 18^th Street gang. The victim was ambushed by the gang members in a park, along with three other victims. Fortunately, the fatal attack was unsuccessful. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Irving Police Department, and the Dallas Police Department and prosecuted by AUSA Gary Tromblay.  

SENTENCING – JOSE ARMANDO SARAVIA-ROMERO

On December 12, Jose Armando Saravia-Romero, 20, was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in federal custody for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Saravia-Romero, a member of the MS-13 gang and the Irving Loco Salvatruchas, attacked and robbed a victim at a gas station. Saravia-Romero and his associates offered the victim cocaine and beer, and when the victim refused to pay, they attacked him with a metal bat and stole his wallet. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Irving Police Department, and the Dallas Police Department and prosecuted by AUSA Gary Tromblay.