NDTX Round Up: March 5-11

SENTENCING – LEONEL GENARO YANEZ

On March 5, Leonel Yanez, 47, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a methamphetamine. Yanez, an illegal immigrant from Morelia, Mexico, met an individual in Mesquite, Texas where he purchased car audio speakers which he knew contained 20 kilograms of methamphetamine. Yanez planned to distribute the narcotics to an individual who was taking the speakers to Florida. This DEA conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael Jones prosecuted the case.

SENTENCING – JOSE ALBERTO HINOJOSA

On March 10, Jose Alberto Hinojosa, 28, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  In February 2019, Hinojosa was stopped by a Perry County, Mississippi sheriff’s deputy.  During a roadside investigation, Hinojosa admitted to law enforcement that he had been smoking methamphetamine.  A further search of his vehicle revealed approximately $29,000 in currency.  Hinojosa gave a statement to law enforcement that he had picked up five kilograms of methamphetamine from a friend in Dallas to transport to Tampa, Florida.  While in Tampa, he received further instructions regarding the delivery of the methamphetamine.  The DEA conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myria Boehm prosecuted the case.

GUILTY PLEA – TANIA DELAROSA

On March 11, Tania Delarosa, 42, plead guilty to bank robbery.  On March 27, 2020, Delarosa entered a Bank of America in Dallas.  She presented a note to the bank teller and stated she had a gun.  The note contained a threat that Delarosa would go to the teller’s house and kill her family.  Immediately, the teller notified other bank employees, who in turn contacted law enforcement. Delarosa subsequently fled the bank without any cash. Delarosa was identified based on the surveillance footage and arrested after she boarded a nearby bus.  She now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for her crimes.  The FBI and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebekah Ricketts is prosecuting the case.

SENTENCING – CORNELIUS WALKER

On March 11, Cornelius Walker, 34, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for four counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and two counts of brandishing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  On January 9, 2018, Walker entered a Dallas convenience armed with a firearm.  He discharged a firearm in the direction of the convenience store employee causing the clerk to flee.  Walker jumped over the counter and took the register tray.  On January 10, Walker entered another Dallas convenience store wearing a white mask and black hoodie. Armed with a firearm, he jumped over the counter demanding cash from the convenience store employee.  Fearing for his life, the employee opened the register giving Walker cash. On January 11, Walker robbed a convenience store in Richardson. While demanding cash from the store clerk, Walker shot the employee twice in the chest before fleeing.  A few days later, Walker entered a Carrollton restaurant wearing a grey hoodie, grey socks on his hands, and a grey mask.  He pointed a firearm at the restaurant’s general manager.  Walker put the gun to another employees back while demanding cash from the restaurant.  In sum from the four robberies, Walker stole $387.24.  The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Read prosecuted the case.