NDTX Round Up: March 12-18

SENTENCING – RENE RANGEL-MANJARREZ

On March 12, Rene Rangel-Manjarrez, 34, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Rangel-Manjarrez was recruited and paid money by Jose Celby Hernadez to purchase firearms on behalf of Hernandez.  Rangel-Manjarrez traveled from Brownsville, TX to Pleasanton, TX to purchase firearms from a licensed dealer.  He stated on ATF Form 4473s that he was the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact he was not.  He purchased the firearms on behalf of and for Hernandez.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phelesa Guy prosecuted the case.

GUILTY PLEA – ERIC GRZYWINSKI

On March 16, Eric Grzywinski, 49, plead guilty to attempted production of child pornography.  Law enforcement received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning a suspicious social media user on Twitter that was posting images of child pornography to his social media page.  Grand Prairie Police obtained a search warrant for the individual’s account which was traced back to a local motel.  A hotel employee identified Grywinski to law enforcement as a hotel customer.  In August 2019, law enforcement arrested Grzywinski on child pornography charges. During a post arrest interview, he admitted to chatting with a minor from Alabama on a dating app.  Grzywinski admitted to exchanging lewd and lascivious images with her and posting images on Twitter that could be considered alarming.  Grywinski faces up to 50 years in federal prison for his crimes.  The FBI and the Garland Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks is prosecuting this case.

GUILTY PLEA – MA EUGENIA CERVANTES PASTRANA

On March 18, Ma Eugenia Cervantes Pastrana, 38, plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  In March 2019, Pastrana agreed to transport a loaded vehicle for a drug trafficking organization.  Pastrana believed she was transporting bulk proceeds of drug trafficking that were concealed in the vehicle she was driving.  Law enforcement stopped Pastrana in Hunt County, Texas and located approximately 24 kilos of heroin in the vehicle.   She now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for her crimes.  The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is prosecuting the case.