NDTX Round-Up October 15, 2019

GUILTY PLEA – Jose Sanchez

On October 8, Jose Sanchez pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Sanchez was apprehended by the police and found with 14 kilograms of cocaine, after receiving it from a coconspirator in the parking lot of a Denny’s. Additionally, Sanchez and his coconspirators sent the proceeds from this and other sales of methamphetamine back to Mexico. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is prosecuted by AUSA George Leal.

GUILTY PLEA – Terry Holley

On October 8, Terry Holley pled guilty to receipt of illegal remuneration. From August 2014 to September 2017, Holley solicited payments in return for providing the personal information of health care patients to a company. The information included doctor’s notes, prescription information, and billing information. Additionally, Holley would forge prescriptions to be sent to the Department of Labor for reimbursement. In return, Holley received payment in cash and a percentage of the corporation’s earnings. This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General and is prosecuted by AUSA Jennifer Bray.

GUILTY PLEA – Otis DeWayne McMillan

On October 10, Otis DeWayne McMillan pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. McMillan flew to Dallas Love Field Airport with his coconspirators and 128.5 pounds of marijuana in a total of ten suitcases. This case is prosecuted by AUSA Rebekah Ricketts.

SENTENCING – Juan Johnson

On October 7, Juan Johnson, 43, was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in federal custody for conspiracy to pass and utter counterfeit currency. Johnson and his coconspirators obtained counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, and then traveled to stores in the Northern District of Texas to purchase merchandise and gift cards using these counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes. This case was investigated by ­­­­­­­­­­­­the U.S. Secret Service and was prosecuted by AUSA Jay Weimer.

SENTENCING – Manuel Pena

On October 7, Manuel Pena, 27, was sentenced to 12 years in federal custody for the possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. Pena was found in possession of a kilogram of methamphetamine in March of 2019. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and the Fort Worth Police Department Narcotics. This case was prosecuted by AUSA Shawn Smith.

SENTENCING – Don Wright

On October 7, Don Wright, 40, was sentenced to 3 months in federal custody and ordered to pay $81,405 in restitution for conspiracy to defraud the United States. Wright was a member of the Texas Army National Guard, and used his position to steal fleet cards that are intended to purchase fuel and maintenance for government vehicles. Wright, and his coconspirator used these cards for the upkeep of their own vehicles and replicated these cards to be sold and shared with others. This case was investigated by the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by AUSA Robert Boudreau.