JOHN T. FLOYD LAW FIRM
Houston Criminal Lawyer

EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
TRIALS, SENTENCINGS, AND APPEALS
FEDERAL AND STATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Phone (713) 224-0101
E-mail jfloyd@JohnTFloyd.com

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Latest Legal News

July 11, 2007

Court Allows U.S. Citizen to be Executed in Iraq

Mohammad Munaf is an American citizen. In 2005 he traveled to Iraq where, one year later, he was convicted on kidnapping charges and sentenced to death by the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. See, Munaf v. Green, WL 1029074 (D.C. Cir. 04/06/07)

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July 10, 2007

Texas Attorney General, SEC File Market Manipulation and Stock Fraud Charges Against Two Texas Residents Illegal “botnets”used to cheat investors out of more than $4.6 million

HOUSTON – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Special Investigations Unit charged two Texas residents with devising an illegal high-tech scheme to defraud investors out of more than $4.6 million. Both suspects, who were indicted July 3 by a Harris County grand jury, are the subjects of an ongoing investigation by several states and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition to the state’s charges, the suspects face securities fraud charges, which were filed today by the SEC.

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July 09, 2007

FORMER DEA AGENT PLEADS GUILTY TO LYING TO FEDERAL AGENTS

(HOUSTON) – United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle and Special Agent in Charge Wayne D. Beaman, Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Dallas Field Office announced today the conviction of a former DEA Agent of making a materially false statement to federal agents.

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July 06, 2007

Houston - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 3610 Reed Road about 11:35 p.m. on June 25.

The suspect, Lester Fred Lang (b/m, DOB 9/17/88), is charged with capital murder in the 174th State District Court. He was arrested on Tuesday (July 3) without incident. Investigators are seeking a second suspect in the shooting.

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July 05, 2007

Grand Jury Indicts Former Wichita Falls Businessman Investigated by Attorney General's Cyber Crimes Unit

Michael McDonough suspected of collecting and distributing child pornography

WICHITA FALLS – An Archer County grand jury indicted Michael McDonough, 59, of Wichita Falls, Monday for collecting and distributing sexually explicit images of children.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit presented the former businessman’s case to the grand jury, which indicted him on 10 counts of child pornography possession and two counts of promotion.

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JULY 04, 2007

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS) to Pay U.S. More Than $2.6 Million
to Resolve Allegations it was Paid Improper Incentives

DALLAS — Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has agreed to pay the United States of America $2,645,987.30 to resolve alleged False Claims Act allegations, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. ACS allegedly violated the civil False Claims Act by submitting inflated claims for payment between 2002-2005 for programs run by and through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ACF).

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July 03, 2007

FORMER POSTAL EMPLOYEE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR STEALING THOUSANDS OF NETFLIX AND BLOCKBUSTER DVDs

(HOUSTON, TX) - Judge Lynn Hughes sentenced Anthony Zuniga, 53, of Houston, to eighteen months in federal prison for stealing mail while working as a postal employee, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle, Jr. announced today.

At a hearing this afternoon, Judge Hughes sentenced Zuniga to two concurrent eighteen months sentences for his two convictions for theft of mail by a postal employee in violation if 18 U.S.C. § 1709. Hughes also sentenced Zuniga to three years supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence and ordered Zuniga to pay a $4,000 fine. Zuniga will be allowed to remain on bond until his surrender date.

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July 02, 2007

CLEAR LAKE DEVELOPER/BROKER INDICTED FOR MULTIPLE FRAUDS

(HOUSTON) – A federal grand jury has indicted a Clear Lake area real estate developer/broker for bank fraud and making false statement on loan and credit application to borrow millions of dollars from various Houston area banks, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

RICHARD DOUGLAS BELL, 48, a Clear Lake area real estate developer and loan broker, is charged in a six count indictment returned under seal in Houston on Thursday, June 28, 2007. The indictment was unsealed today following Bell’s arrest this morning by FBI agents at his Clear Lake office. Bell appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy today has been ordered temporarily detained without bond pending a hearing set for Monday, July 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

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June 29, 2007

Houston Police Released Composite Sketch of Murder Suspect

Investigators with the Houston Police Homicide Division have released a composite sketch of a suspect wanted in the capital murder of a local nightclub owner at 13502 Almeda Road on June 11, about 1:15 a.m. Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the wanted suspects.

The first suspect is described as a left-handed white male, 26 to 27 years of age, 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches tall with a skinny build. He has blonde short wavy hair and a light mustache. He has a tattoo on the back of his neck and another on his left forearm, which extends from the crease of his elbow to his wrist on the underside of his arm. He wears an earring in his left ear and has large straight teeth with a pointed nose. He has a pointed chin with a cleft indention.

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June 28, 2007

HOUSTON ATTORNEY AND FORMER EMPLOYEES OF “THE HARTFORD” INDICTED IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BRIBE AND KICKBACK SCHEME

HOUSTON, TX – A federal grand jury has charged a Houston attorney and two former employees of The Hartford Insurance Company with conspiracy, mail and wire fraud and the laundering of millions of dollars allegedly paid by the attorney in bribes and kickbacks to the former insurance company employees to recommend the settlement of silica-related disease claims and suits filed against The Hartford Insurance Company’s insured, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

June 27, 2007

HOUSTON RESIDENT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FILING MULTIPLE FRAUDULENT CLAIMS WITH FEMA FOR HURRICANE KATRINA AND RITA ASSISTANCE

Eighteenth defendant sentenced to prison in the Southern District for FEMA fraud

(HOUSTON, TX) - Ernest Tutt, Jr., 23, of Houston, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for mail fraud in connection with his filing of multiple fraudulent FEMA claims for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita benefits, United States Attorney Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. today. more...

June 26, 2007

DEPUTY UNITED STATES MARSHAL PLEADS GUILTY TO EXCEEDING AUTHORIZED COMPUTER ACCESS FOR MONEY

(HOUSTON) – Jose Magallan, a Deputy assigned to the United States Marshal’s McAllen office, has pleaded guilty to two counts of exceeding his authorized access to information on a U. S. Government computer and accepting money for the information, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle and Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General Dallas Field Office announced today. more...

June 25, 2007

HPD Officer Charged with Sexual Assault

Charges have been filed against a Houston police officer accused of improper sexual activity with a female as a result of an incident that began on May 17, 2007.

Officer E.M. Dargin was sworn in as an HPD officer in June 1983 and is assigned to the Kingwood Patrol Division. Dargin is charged with sexual assault and improper sexual activity with a person in custody in the 209th State District Court. more...

June 22, 2007

Remaining ERCOT Crime Ring Defendant Sentenced; Ends Scheme Uncovered in 2004

Former manager Stephen Wallace sentenced to 12 years, ordered to repay $800,000

GEORGETOWN – A Williamson County State District judge today sentenced Stephen C. Wallace to 12 years in prison for his role in a 2003 insider contract-fraud crime ring at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Wallace, who previously pleaded guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property, a first-degree felony, is the last of six defendants sentenced in the scheme, which was uncovered in 2004. more...

June 20, 2007

RECRUITER IN MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR FRAUD SCHEME SENTENCED TO PRISON

(HOUSTON, TX) - David Dennis Brown has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for his role as a recruiter in a far-reaching scheme to defraud Medicare of millions of dollars, United States Attorney Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. announced today. more...

June 18, 2007

TWO YEAR SENTENCE IN FEMA FRAUD CASE

Brings to 17 the number of individuals sentenced to prison in the
Southern District for Hurricane Katrina and Rita fraud

(HOUSTON, TX) - Bryan Brooks, 29, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for filing a false claim with FEMA for Hurricane Rita disaster assistance, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

June 15, 2007

FIVE INDICTED IN MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME

[HOUSTON, TX] – A licensed Texas attorney and real estate developer, a sports agent, two bank loan officers, and a real estate appraiser have been indicted in a multimillion dollar mortgage fraud scheme, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle, interim Special Agent in Charge Alex J. Turner of the FBI Houston Division, and Special Agent in Charge Daniel P. Salas of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today. more...

June 14, 2007

OWNERS/OPERATORS OF AMERICARE AMBULANCE SERVICE INDICTED FOR MEDICARE/MEDICAID FRAUD

[HOUSTON, TX] – A 38 count indictment returned under seal in May 2007 charging the owners and operators of Americare Ambulance Service with falsely billing Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars and paying or offering kickbacks to hemodialysis patients has been unsealed, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

June 13, 2007

Incident at 5151 South Willow Drive #19

Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested regarding the death of a newborn baby found at 5151 South Willow Drive #19 about 9:30 a.m. on Sunday (June 10).

The suspect, Claudia Cortes (H/f, DOB: 1/15/84), is charged with tampering/ fabricating physical evidence in the 262nd State District Court. Cortes could face additional charges in the death of her newborn infant, pending autopsy results from the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office. more...

June 12, 2007

WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING RELATED CHARGES
Seventh of Eight Defendants to Plead Guilty

HOUSTON, TX- United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Don DeGabrielle and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Wan Kim announced that Olga Mondragon pleaded guilty today to federal civil rights charges for her role in conspiring to smuggle Central American women and girls into the United States and to placing them in a condition of involuntary servitude. more...

June 11, 2007

JURY CONVICTS AIRLINE PASSENGER OF INTERFERING WITH FLIGHT

[HOUSTON, TX] – A Mexican national, whose conduct aboard a flight bound for Houston from Mexico prompted an emergency landing in Corpus Christi, has been convicted for assaulting or intimidating, or attempting to assault or intimidate a flight attendant and interfering with a flight, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

June 8, 2007

HOUSTON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FILING FRAUDULENT CLAIMS WITH FEMA FOR HURRICANE KATRINA AND RITA ASSISTANCE

Sixteenth defendant sentenced to prison in the Southern District for FEMA fraud

(HOUSTON, TX) - A Houston man has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with his filing of eighteen fraudulent claims for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita benefits, United States Attorney Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. announced today. more...

June 7, 2007

BATON ROUGE RESIDENT INDICTED FOR DEFRAUDING FEMA OF ADDITIONAL HURRICANE DISASTER FUNDS

(HOUSTON, TX) - A Baton Rouge resident and Hurricane Katrina evacuee has been indicted for filing two false claims for disaster assistance, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

June 6, 2007

Update on Incident at 10201 Harwin Drive #611

Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested for the fatal stabbing of a woman at 10201 Harwin Drive #611 about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday (May 29).

The suspect, Abderrahim Elmaghraoui (A/m, DOB: 6/9/59), is charged with murder in the 351st State District Court. He is accused in the killing of his wife, Amina Fettach, 44, of 10201 Harwin Drive #611, who suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. more...

June 5, 2007

Attorney General Abbott Charges Houston Auto Parts Dealer with Selling Defective Products

ASAP Motors and Parts, Inc. accused of advertising, selling faulty engines and transmissions

HOUSTON – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged a Houston automotive parts dealer with selling faulty used engines and transmissions to consumers nationwide in violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). According to documents filed with the Harris County District Court, ASAP Motors and Parts Systems, Inc. and its co-owners, Brian McCutcheon and John Scott Sandell, falsely advertised on various Web sites that they sold high-quality, low mileage replacement motors and transmissions imported from Japan. more...

June 4, 2007

HOUSTON RESIDENT SENTENCED TO IN PRISON FOR FILING MULTIPLE FRAUDULENT CLAIMS WITH FEMA

Thirteenth defendant sentenced to prison in the Southern District for FEMA fraud

(HOUSTON, TX) - Curtis Caldwell, 29, of Houston, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison, without parole, for mail fraud in connection with his filing of multiple fraudulent FEMA claims for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita benefits, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

June 1, 2007

2nd Update on Incident at 12313 Bellaire #H

Charges have been filed against four suspects arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 12313 Bellaire #H about 11:55 p.m. on May 13, 2007. more...

MAY 31, 2007

FORMER DALLAS POLICE OFFICER AND WIFE SENTENCED IN PASSPORT/VISA FRAUD CASE

DALLAS - Jose Luis Cabrera and his wife Moraima Carrete De Cabrera, who pled guilty to charges in a passport/visa fraud case earlier this year, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, of the Northern District of Texas. more...

May 30, 2007

POSTAL WORKER SENTENCED FOR DISTRIBUTING MARIJUANA

(HOUSTON, TX) Miriam Nathanson, 44, of Hockley, Texas, a postal employee, was sentenced to 4 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute approximately 48 pounds of marijuana, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. Nathanson was also sentenced to two years of supervised release, four months of which must be served as home confinement. Indicted on October 25, 2006, Nathanson plead guilty to the one count indictment without benefit of a plea agreement in February 2007. more...

May 29, 2007

FORMER TEAMSTER’S PRESIDENT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ELECTION FRAUD AND UNION EMBEZZLEMENT FOR TAKING KICKBACKS

(HOUSTON, TX) - Charles “Chuck” Crawley, 57, former President of the Teamster’s Local Union 988, was sentenced to prison for union election fraud and embezzlement and order to pay thousands in restitution to his former union, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

MAY 24, 2007

IRVING MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE, FOR ARMED BANK ROBBERY

DALLAS — Irving, Texas, resident, Timothy Minh Ha, 30, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn to a total of 130 months in prison for armed bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. more...

MAY 23, 2007

RANCHER SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL FOR BANK FRAUD

Lubbock, Tx. — A San Angelo, Texas, rancher, Andy Luna, charged with bank fraud, is scheduled to go on trial in U.S. District Court in Lubbock on July 2, 2007, announced US. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Last month a federal grand jury in Lubbock returned an indictment charging Luna with one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344. Luna, 38, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and is currently on bond. more...

May 22, 2007

OHIO SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 24 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

(HOUSTON) Curtis W. Meyers, 50, of Oxford, Ohio, has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison without parole to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for distributing child pornography, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

May 20, 2007

JURY CONVICTS HOUSTON RESIDENT OF HOSTAGE TAKING AND FIREARMS OFFENSE IN CONNECTION WITH HUMAN SMUGGLING OPERATION

(HOUSTON, TX) - After a four-day trial, a federal jury today found Charles Spezzia, 25, of Houston, guilty this morning of hostage taking, harboring an illegal alien, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of an unregistered short-barrel shotgun, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle, Jr. announced. more...

May 17, 2007

PAKISTANI STUDENT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR UNLAWFULLY POSSESSING FIREARM

(HOUSTON) – Shiraz Syed Qazi, 26, a Pakistani national in the United States on a student visa, was sentenced to prison today for unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

May 16, 2007

Bastrop County Officials Indicted for Diverting Taxpayer Resources for Personal Use

Commissioner, sheriff charged with using county inmate labor, funds for personal projects

BASTROP – A grand jury today returned public corruption indictments against Bastrop County Sheriff Richard Hernandez and Bastrop County Commissioner David A. Goertz. Prosecutors with the office of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott sought the indictments after a state investigation revealed the two officials were diverting county resources for their personal benefit. more...

May 15, 2007

Update on Incident at 6200 West Bellfort

An autopsy has been completed on a robbery suspect fatally shot by a Houston police officer at 6200 West Bellfort about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (May 12).

The suspect, Hegnor Irias (H/m, DOB: 3-12-85), suffered a gunshot wound and died at the scene.

Homicide Division investigators said the apartment complex where the incident occurred had a digital surveillance system that captured images of a foot pursuit of the suspect and shooting. Copies of those images have been secured as evidence and provided to the Harris County District Attorney’s office for review. more.

MAY 14, 2007

ABILENE, TEXAS, MAN SENTENCED TO 121 MONTHS ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION

LUBBOCK, Tx. — Abilene, Texas, resident, Allen Wayne Kirby, was sentenced today in Lubbock by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, to 121 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, of the Northern District of Texas. Kirby, 55, pled guilty in January to one count of interstate receipt of child pornography. Judge Cummings also ordered that Kirby serve a life term of supervised release. Kirby, who was in a home-confinement program as a condition of his pre-trial release, was arrested on January 16, 2007, by federal law enforcement officers after Judge Cummings issued a warrant for his arrest in relation to pre-trial release issues. more..

May 13, 2007

Oklahoma Child Predator Caught By Cyber Crimes Unit Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence

Calvin Hoddy Hannah, Jr. pleads guilty to soliciting minor online

HOUSTON – An Oklahoma child predator who crossed state lines to sexually assault an underage teen he met online was prosecuted today by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit and sentenced to four years in a Texas state prison facility. more...

MAY 10, 2007

Suspect Arrested, Charged in Insurance Fraud Scheme

A suspect has been arrested and charged in an insurance fraud scheme targeting numerous Houston police officers and City of Houston employees.

Shiela H. Cunningham (b/f, DOB 9-2-57) is charged with felony misapplication of fiduciary funds in the 180th State District Court. more...

May 9, 2007

Attorney General Abbott Cracks Down on Identity Theft; Takes Action Against Pawn Shop Chain For Exposing Records

Case against EZCORP is fifth ID theft enforcement action by Attorney General in recent weeks

SAN ANTONIO – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott took legal action Tuesday against Texas-based EZCORP Inc., and its subsidiary, EZPAWN, for systematically exposing its customers to identity theft. According to documents filed by the Attorney General, EZCORP violated the law by repeatedly failing to protect customer records that contain sensitive personal information. more...

May 8, 2007

FABENS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ALIEN SMUGGLING RESULTING IN DEATH OF “TEXAS 20 GIRL”

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that in El Paso 45-year-old Jose Alfredo Sifuentes-Sandoval pleaded guilty to his role in the death of the so-called “Texas 20 Girl,” in April 2006. more...

May 7, 2007

Operation 2x4 Nails 57 Suspects

Houston police officers from various HPD divisions have concluded a fifteen-month long investigation which resulted in the arrests of 57 suspects related to construction site thefts. Seventeen stolen vehicles and assorted building materials, valued in excess of $200,000 have also been recovered. Initial reports were made in January 2006 regarding stolen vans being used to transport stolen building materials from construction sites. more...

May 6, 2007

HPD Seeks Publics Help in Finding and Aggravated Assault Suspect

Houston police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding a suspect from an aggravated assault that occurred at 3925 Arlington Square about 9:44 p.m. on March 18.

The suspect, Juan Reza, (H/m DOB 6-8-84), is charged with aggravated assault in the 178th State District Court. more...

May 3, 2007

FORMER ANADARKO MANAGER INDICTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME

(HOUSTON) – A former manager of an Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s Peruvian subsidiary has been indicted for defrauding his former employer of hundreds of thousands of dollars, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

May 2 , 2007

Update on Incident at 12500 Alief Clodine

Charges have been filed against eight suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of a man at 12500 Alief Clodine about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday (March 25).

One suspect, Christopher Barnes (b/m, DOB: 3-25-86), already in custody on an unrelated case, is charged with murder in the 228th State District Court. The remaining seven suspects are wanted, six suspects for murder and one suspect for engaging in organized crime. They have all been charged in the 228th State District Court. The following six suspects are charged with murder: Elton Jones (b/m, DOB: 9-6-86), Kenneth Jones (b/m, DOB: 9-12-88), Cedric Wills (b/m, DOB: 10-26-89), Decovan Reed (b/m, DOB: 3-21-86), Bryon Simmons (b/m, DOB: 11-2-88) and Curtis Byers (b/m, DOB: 4-26-84). The eighth suspect, Dennis Waddell (b/m, DOB: 3-23-70), is charged with engaging in organized crime. more...

MAY 1, 2007

Incident at 8264 West Bellfort

Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man at 8264 West Bellfort about 2:20 a.m.

The victim is identified as Andrew Richie McNeil, 36, of 8201 West Bellfort #1227. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. more...

APRIL 30, 2007

Update on Incident at 3719 Canal Street

April 28, 2007 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 3719 Canal Street about 4:30 p.m. on February 13. more...

April 29, 2007

ICE arrests 148 immigration violators, criminals and fugitives in Dallas
Four-day Operation Cross Check nets 2 alien sex offenders and 39 other criminal aliens

DALLAS - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 148 illegal aliens, criminals and immigration fugitives during a four-day enforcement operation here. more...

April 26, 2007

DEPUTY UNITED STATES MARSHAL INDICTED FOR EXCEEDING AUTHORIZED COMPUTER ACCESS

(HOUSTON) - A Deputy United States Marshal has been indicted for exceeding authorized access to and obtaining information from agency computers for private financial gain, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle and Department of Justice Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Wayne D. Beaman announced today. more...

April 25, 2007

MAN CONVICTED OF FILING A FALSE CLAIM WITH FEMA FOR HURRICANE RITA RELIEF RECEIVES PROBATION

(HOUSTON, TX) - Donald J. DeGabrielle, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas announced today that Daniel Darnell Kendrick, 26, of Liberty County was sentenced to two (2) years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,000 to FEMA after being convicted of charges of making a false claim to obtain government assistance following Hurricane Rita. more...

April 24, 2007

Update on Incident at 8309 Hanfro

April 24, 2007 - Houston police homicide investigators have released a composite sketch of one of two suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of a man at 8309 Hanfro about 2 a.m. on April 6. more...

April 23, 2007

FORMER PRESIDENT OF BROKERAGE FIRM SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR WIRE FRAUD

(HOUSTON, TX) – Juan Carlos Martinez, 44, has been sentenced to the statutory maximum prison term for devising a wire fraud scheme to defraud clients of a securities broker dealer firm, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

April 22, 2007

FORMER ATF AGENT SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ILLEGALLY POSSESSING AND USING EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

(HOUSTON) – Former ATF agent Eugene H. Williams, Jr., 44, of Magnolia, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment – the statutory maximum punishment - for illegally possessing and storing explosive devices, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

April 19, 2007

US CITIZEN PLEADS GUILTY TO TRAINING TO FIGHT JIHAD

(HOUSTON) A United States citizen, who trained to fight jihad along with elements of al Qaeda to establish an Islamic state in Somalia, has been convicted of receiving training from a foreign terrorist organization, Don DeGabrielle, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division of the Department of Justice, and Roderick Beverly, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Houston Division, announced today more...

April 18, 2007

Woodlands Child Predator Caught by Cyber Crimes Unit Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence

William Noel Shrum pleads guilty to eight felony counts for child sex crimes

HOUSTON – A former church maintenance worker arrested by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit was sentenced to four years in prison for storing child pornography and sexually soliciting a child online. more...

April 17, 2007

ANTHONY QUINN WELCH CONVICTED IN $2 MILLION BOGUS TAX REFUND SCHEME

[HOUSTON] – Anthony Quinn Welch, 47, of Sugar Land, TX has been convicted of preparing and filing false tax returns for two former professional football players to obtain millions in bogus tax refunds for himself, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

April 16, 2007

FORMER ESCROW OFFICER CONVICTED IN MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME

(HOUSTON, TX) Marjorie Atkinson Ford, 48, formerly a licensed escrow officer, was convicted by a federal jury conspiracy to commit wire fraud, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

April 15, 2007

JURY CONVICTS HOUSTON MAN OF PASSPORT FRAUD AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

(Houston, TX ) A jury has returned its verdict convicting James Maceo Ramey, 60, of Houston, Texas, also known as “Joe Hill”, an attorney, to his employees, of multiple counts of passport fraud, false statements to federal officials, and obstruction of justice, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

April 12, 2007

COURT IMPOSES LENGTHY PRISON TERM IN FIREARMS CASE

HOUSTON, Texas – A Honduran national, illegally in the United States and previously charged in a drive-by shooting resulting in the death of a child, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle Jr. announced today. more...

April 11, 2007

Victor R. Glass indicted, arrested on child pornography charges

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit arrested former Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) security guard Victor R. Glass, 35, Tuesday following his indictment on felony child pornography charges.

more...

APRIL 10, 2007

LAWYER / TAX ADVISOR ADMITS MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

DALLAS --- Gary M. Kornman, age 62, a licensed attorney, licensed securities professional, and tax advisor, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Dallas to one count of making false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. The maximum statutory penalties the Court can impose are five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis on July 11, 2007. more...

APRIL 9, 2007

DALLAS MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 12 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON ON FIREARMS CONVICTIONS

DALLAS - Today, in federal court in Dallas, Tyron Lamon Shead, was sentenced to 152 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Shead, 31, pled guilty in November to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. more...

APRIL 8, 2007

VIDOR MAN CONVICTED OF BANK ROBBERY

(Beaumont, TX) - United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today a 44-year-old Vidor man has been convicted of armed bank robbery in the Eastern District of Texas.

ANDRE DAVID LEFFEBRE was found guilty by a jury this afternoon following a three day trial in federal court. Leffebre was also found guilty of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. more...

APRIL 5, 2007

ROCKPORT RESIDENT CHARGED WITH POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

[CORPUS CHRISTI] – John Ryan Johnson, 31, of Rockport, TX has been charged in a seven count indictment with receipt, distribution and possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

APRIL 4, 2007

FORMER UNION PRESIDENT INDICTED FOR EMBEZZLING FUNDS

"The following article includes allegations as released by the government and should not be taken as truthful evidence or as any indication of guilt. As these allegations remain unanswered by the accused and unadjudicated by a court, they remain unproved and are just as likely false."

At least $80k Stolen from Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union # 237 more...

APRIL 2, 2007

AMARILLO, TEXAS, MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Amarillo resident, Ronald Frank Chernick, pled guilty this morning in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Chernick, 57, who has been on bond since his arrest in January, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson on June 11, 2007. more...

April 2 , 2007

Waxahachie Nursing Home Office Manager Indicted in Medicaid Fraud Case

Judy Putman of Navarro County charged with diverting patients’ funds more...

April 1, 2007

LICENSED MONEY TRANSMITTER PLEADS GUILTY TO FAILING TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN RECORDS

(HOUSTON) -- Ramman A. Moton, 44, a licensed money transmitter, was convicted today of failing to obtain and maintain records of money transmitted to Pakistan, United States Attorney Don Degabrielle announced today. more...

MARCH 29, 2007

AMBULANCE COMPANY, OWNER GUILTY OF HEALTH CARE FRAUD

(Sherman, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today a 47-year-old Forney man and his ambulance company have been found guilty of health care fraud in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

MARCH 28, 2007

Incident at 3244 Reeves

Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man at 3244 Reeves about 12:20 a.m. on Tuesday (March 27).

The victim, Kenneth Wayne Hickman, 22, of 3244 Reeves, suffered a gunshot wound to the hip and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he later died. more...

March 27, 2007

Incident at 5900 Southwest Freeway

Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man at 5900 Southwest Freeway about 4 a.m. on Sunday (March 25). more...

MARCH 26, 2007

GRAND PRAIRIE MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 27 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR POSSESSION OF CRACK COCAINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE

U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that, on Friday, March 23, 2007, U.S. District Judge John McBryde sentenced Grand Prairie, Texas, resident, Derrick Anthony Sardin, a/k/a Xavier James Sardin, to 328 months in prison. On December 1, 2006, Sardin, 26, pled guilty to a one-count federal indictment charging him with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. more...

March 25, 2007

Media Advisory: Roy Pippin scheduled for execution

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott offers the following information about Roy Lee Pippin, who is scheduled to be executed after 6 p.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007. In September 1995, Pippin was convicted and sentenced to death for killing Elmer and Fabio Buitrago. A summary of the evidence presented at trial follows. more...

March 21, 2007

MAN CHARGED FEDERALLY IN HOUSTON FOR ATTEMPTING TO ENTICE A CHILD

(HOUSTON) Ronnie Lee Harp, 47, of Douglas, TX near Lufkin, charged with attempting to entice a child over the internet has been ordered held without bond pending further criminal proceedings, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

March 20, 2007

Incident at 5622 Northridge Drive

Charges are pending against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 5622 Northridge Drive about 10:45 p.m. on Friday (March 16). more...

March 19, 2007

Incident at 2501 Westridge #195

The fatal stabbing of a man at 2501 Westridge #195 about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (March 17) is expected to be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

The male victim’s identity is pending verification by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office. The female suspect, Brittany Taylor, 20, was not seriously injured. more...

March 15, 2007

Attorney General Abbott Files Suit Against Companies to Recover Credit Insurance Refunds

Refunds to Texas vehicle owners could reach a total of $6 million

AUSTIN – Attorney General Greg Abbott today took legal action against four insurance companies for defrauding consumers who purchased “credit insurance” policies to protect their vehicles’ financing. According to the Attorney General’s petitions, the companies failed to refund unearned premiums to customers who paid off their vehicles ahead of schedule or otherwise terminated their financing earlier than expected. Refunds to Texas vehicle owners in these cases could reach a total of $6 million. more...

MARCH 14, 2007

Investigators Release Surveillance Photos of Bank Robbery Suspect

Houston police investigators in the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force have released two surveillance photos of a bank robbery suspect as he robbed the Compass Bank at 11890 Westheimer about 11:45 a.m. on Monday (March 12). more...

March 13, 2007

SAN ANTONIO BUSINESSMAN INDICTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ralph G. Diaz announced today the arrest and indictment of Richard Walter Fleming, 43 years old, of San Antonio, Texas, for Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography. more...

MARCH 12, 2007

EASTON MAN SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL HEALTH CARE FRAUD VIOLATIONS

TYLER TX—United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that an Easton man has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $828,092 in restitution for federal health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

March 11, 2007

PORT ARTHUR MAN INDICTED IN FATAL CARJACKING

BEAUMONT TX—United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig along with Port Arthur Police Chief Mark Blanton announced that a 34-year-old Port Arthur man was indicted late yesterday in connection with a fatal carjacking in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

MARCH 7, 2007

TRUCK DRIVER FACES FEDERAL CHARGES FOR POSSESSING MORE THAN 2200 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA

Estimated Street Value of the Marijuana is Approximately $1.6 Million

A man who was stopped by a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper at a traffic stop in Lubbock County yesterday, faces federal charges for possessing more than 2200 pounds of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Gustavo Perales, 41, of El Paso, Texas, is charged in a federal criminal complaint with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Perales will appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge tomorrow morning in U.S. District Court in Lubbock at 9:00 a.m. more...

March 6, 2007

EAST TEXAN GUILTY OF METH CHARGES

(Tyler, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 47-year-old New Boston, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

DONALD RAY BURNS admitted to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine today before United States Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven. more...

March 5, 2007

Attorney General Abbott's Fugitive Unit Arrests 15 Convicted Sex Offenders In North Texas Sweep

Dragnet nabs 11 unregistered sex offenders, four parole violators

DALLAS – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Fugitive Unit arrested 15 convicted sex offenders during a two-week North Texas fugitive crackdown. more...

March 4, 2007

LONGVIEW CHILD PREDATOR CAUGHT BY CYBER CRIMES UNIT RECEIVES 95-YEAR STATE PRISON SENTENCE

Joe Alan Cook arrived on bicycle to meet child for sex; prison term is longest in Unit’s history more...

MARCH 2, 2007

ELLIS COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE, ON METHAMPHETAMINE AND FIREARM CONVICTIONS

Today, in federal court in Dallas, Jose Alfredo Robles was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Jerry Buchmeyer to 97months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Robles, 36, pled guilty in November to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on May 8, 2007 to begin serving his sentence. more...

March 1, 2007

Incident at 2109 Davis

Houston police are investigating the death of a female found at 2109 Davis about 8:30 a.m. today . more...

FEBRUARY 27, 2007

TENNESSEE COLONY MAN SENTENCED FOR MANUFACTURING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

LUFKIN, TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 46-year-old Tennessee Colony man has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for manufacturing child pornography in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

February 26, 2007

MEAT MARKET OWNERS CONVICTED OF SELLING COCAINE AND MONEY LAUNDERING

[CORPUS CHRISTI, TX] – The owners of the Country Meat Market have been convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine and money laundering, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, MEN SENTENCED ON DRUG CONVICTIONS

In unrelated cases, two men from Wichita Falls, Texas, Cedric Lamonte Gray, a/k/a C-Nile, 32, and Steven Shaw, 38, were sentenced this afternoon in federal court in Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. U.S. Senior District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer sentenced Cedric Lamonte Gray to 188 months (more than 15 years) in prison and Steven Shaw to 108 months (nine years) in prison. more...

February 23, 2007

MANAGER OF BROWNSVILLE SUPERMARKET SENTENCED TO PRISON

(BROWNSVILLE) The manager of the family owned M. A. Lopez Supermarket in Brownsville, TX has been sentenced to prison, fined and order to pay more than a half a million dollars in restitution for laundering the proceeds of stolen checks through the supermarket’s bank account, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

FEBRUARY 22, 2007

NACOGDOCHES MAN GUILTY OF POSSESSING CHILD PORN

TYLER TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 47-year-old Nacogdoches man has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

FEBRUARY 21, 2007

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS FOUR MEN IN DRUG CONSPIRACY TRIAL

Defendants Face Up to Life Imprisonment

Late Friday afternoon, February 16, 2007, a federal jury in Fort Worth, Texas, found four individuals guilty on all counts of a superseding indictment charging them with offenses related to a drug-trafficking conspiracy that took place in and around Fort Worth and San Angelo, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Following the five-day trial, Fort Worth residents, Julio Alejandro-Gonzalez, 30, and Rosalio Salazar-Ramirez, 32, and San Angelo, Texas, residents, James Adam Guevara, 25, and Pedro Franklin, 27, were found guilty of the drug-trafficking conspiracy charge. Defendant Salazar-Ramirez was also convicted of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. more...

February 19, 2007

Incident at 13000 North Freeway

Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman at 13000 North Freeway (Interstate 45) service road about 11 a.m. on Saturday . more...

FEBRUARY 18, 2007

DAYTON, TX WOMAN INDICTED FOR HURRICANE RELATED FRAUD

BEAUMONT TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced that a 37-year-old Dayton woman was arraigned today on charges of hurricane related fraud in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

FEBRUARY 16 2007

MARSHALL MAN SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL FIREARMS VIOLATION

Defendant Receives Ten Years in Federal Pen for Shotgun

TYLER TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 28-year-old Marshall man has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on a charge of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

February 14, 2007

LONGVIEW MAN GUILTY IN METHAMPHETAMINE CASE

TYLER, TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced that a 26-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty today to federal drug charges in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

FEBRUARY 13, 2007

LOCAL MAN ADMITS SETTING FIRE TO BIG LOTS STORE

A former store manager of the Big Lots store located in Richardson, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two counts of arson, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. William Gary Garrard, Jr., 38, of Plano, Texas, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney this afternoon to enter his plea. Judge Stickney set a sentencing date of May 7, 2007, before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey. As part of the plea agreement, the government and Garrard agree that the imposition of a concurrent sentence of five years imprisonment, for both counts, would be the appropriate disposition of this case. more...

February 12 , 2007

RONALD GRECULA SENTENCED TO PRISON IN PLOT TO SELL BOMB TO TERRORISTS

(HOUSTON) Ronald Allen Grecula, 70, a resident of Bangor, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to five (5) years in federal prison, without parole, for attempting to provide material support and resources to Al-Qaeda, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

The prison term was imposed by United States District Judge Keith Ellison at a hearing held this afternoon. Grecula pled guilty on September 21, 2006 to attempting to build and offering to sell an explosive device to an undercover officer, whom he thought was a member of Al-Qaeda. more...

February 10 , 2007

RIO BRAVO RESIDENTS AND MEXICAN NATIONAL CONVICTED OF TAKING HOSTAGE OF A MINOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN AND THREE OTHERS

(LAREDO, TX) – Alicia Arizpe-Duque, 28, and Rodrigo Arizpe, 21, two U.S. citizens from Rio Bravo, Texas, and Ricardo Alfredo Nino-Ventura, 18, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to hold smuggled aliens hostage until payments were made for their release, United States Attorney Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. announced today. more...

FEBRUARY 9, 2007 PHONE: (409)

FORMER PALESTINE, TX POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

TYLER, TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 58-year-old former Palestine, Texas police officer has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

FEBRUARY 7, 2007

VIDOR, TEXAS MAN SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL FIREARM VIOLATION

Felon in Possession of a Gun Gets Over 7 Years in Federal Pen

BEAUMONT, TX – United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced that a 33-year-old Vidor man was sentenced today to 92 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

February 7, 2007

Man arrested in connection with May attack

Baytown police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for an armed robbery and sexual assault of a young man in May, and they have reason to believe the man is responsible for four similar attacks on young men in the area. more...

February 5, 2007

Update on Incident at 8601 Southwest Freeway

February 3, 2007

incident at 16001 South Post Oak Road

Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested after stealing a vehicle with a three-year-old child located inside at 16001 South Post Oak Road about 6:15 p.m. on Friday. more...

February 1, 2007

Attorney General Abbott Obtains Restitution For Consumers Duped By Dietary Supplement Companies

Steve Warshak of Ohio also agrees to halt misleading product trial offers

DALLAS – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today stopped five Ohio companies from fraudulently marketing several unproven dietary supplements, often using deceptive "free trial" offers. An agreement with Steve Warshak, owner of all five companies, provides refunds to Texas consumers deceived by the supplement manufacturers’ misleading practices. more...

FEBRUARY 1, 2007

PRESIDENT OF PURPORTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN IRVING, TEXAS SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON AND ORDERED TO PAY MILLIONS IN RESTITUTION

DALLAS - Barbara Hildenbrand, the President of Community Housing Fund (CHF) and co-defendant Gerald Stone, owner of Ranscott Construction in Irving, Texas, were sentenced today in federal court in Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. U.S. District Senior Judge Barefoot Sanders sentenced each defendant to 24 months in prison and ordered both to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on March 8, 2007. more...

JANUARY 30, 2007

LOCAL WOMAN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE,FOR STEALING FROM PENSION PLAN

Maile Epley, 51, of Carrollton, Texas, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for stealing more than $300,000 from an employee benefit plan, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. At yesterday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay also ordered that Epley pay $302,021.45 in restitution and ordered that she surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on March 27, 2007. more...

January 29, 2007

ICE special agents arrest 5 members of alleged alien smuggling conspiracy
Man who allegedly fired at Socorro police barricaded himself in ‘drop house’

JANUARY 25, 2007

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS, MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

A San Angelo, Texas, resident, James C. Stanford, pled guilty today in federal court in Lubbock, Texas, to one count of interstate receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Stanford, 38, faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five years in prison nor more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Following today’s guilty plea, U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a pre-sentence investigation with sentencing to be scheduled after that investigation. After his arrest in September, Stanford was released on bond. more...

January 24, 2007

Chief Hurtt Updates Status on Shooting Investigation at 5018 Curtain

The Homicide Division is close to completing its investigation into the tragic shooting of Omar Esparza by a Houston police officer. As promised, I want to release some of the information discovered during this phase of the investigation. As you are aware, the incident began on January 7th, at 3:14 p.m. when Esparza’s parents dialed 911 asking for police assistance. more...

January 21, 2007

Incident at 5112 Antoine #B, Houston

Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man at 5112 Antoine #B about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday (Jan. 20).

The victim is identified as Christopher L. Ball, 30, of 5022 Holly Brook. He suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital. more..

JANUARY 20, 2007

Alleged Mexican kingpins in Houston court, Judge appoints lawyers for 12 of 15 defendants

A listing of the individuals that the Mexican government extradited to the United States overnight is below. more..

January 18, 2007

FEDERAL GRAND JURY IN PECOS, TEXAS INDICTS MARIJUANA TRAFFICKERS

January 18, 2007

FORMER LAKE JACKSON BUSINESSMAN INDICTED FOR DEFRAUDING INVESTORS

HOUSTON, Texas – Mark Douglas Montana, 41, a former registered representative associated with Crown Capital Securities, Ltd., has been indicted for defrauding investors of nearly $10 million between 1999 and September 2004, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

January 16, 2007

More Than Two Dozen Members of Violent Street Gang Plead Guilty

Following a nearly three-year long investigation, investigators in the Houston Police Department’s Gang Division announced today (Jan. 12) that most of the 27 members and associates of a dangerous criminal street gang arrested during a massive sweep have pleaded guilty to a slew of federal and state crimes. more...

January 14, 2006

McALLEN DENTIST PAYS U.S. $30,000 FOR ALLEGED MEDICAID VIOLATIONS AND IS PERMANENTLY EXCLUDED FROM FEDERAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS

HOUSTON, Texas – While not admitting liability, Dr. Roberto Ramirez, Jr. paid the United States $30,000 in damages for alleged violations of the federal False Claims Act, and he will be permanently prohibited from participating in Medicare, Medicaid and any other federally funded health care programs, announced U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle today. more...

JANUARY 12, 2007

IRVING, TEXAS, MAN SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE,FOR ROLE IN CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE COUNTERFEIT DOCUMENTS TO ILLEGAL ALIENS

Sunny Khanna was sentenced today to 18 months imprisonment by the Honorable John McBryde, following his conviction in September for aiding and abetting fraud and misuse of documents, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. Khanna’s sentence is a downward departure from the United States Sentencing Guidelines in recognition of Khanna’s assistance in the prosecution of his co-defendants, Syed S. Shahabuddin and Shariq Ahmed Khan. Syed S. Shahabuddin, who pled guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor aliens, will be sentenced next month. Another co-defendant, Shariq Ahmed Khan, was convicted by a federal jury in October on numerous related charges and will also be sentenced next month. Sunny Khanna, age 48, is a former resident of Colleyville, Texas, but now resides in Irving, Texas. more...

JANUARY 10, 2007

53 FORMER EMPLOYEES AT SWIFT & COMPANY MEAT PROCESSING PLANT IN CACTUS, TEXAS CHARGED IN FEDERAL INDICTMENTS

A federal grand jury in Amarillo, Texas, has charged 53 former employees of Swift & Company’s Cactus, Texas, meat processing plant with aggravated identity theft and other various related charges, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. more...

January 9, 2007

FORMER FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE INSPECTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY

(HOUSTON, TX) United States Attorney Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. announced today that former Federal Protective Service Inspector Michael Czecholinski, 53, pled guilty to conspiring with a government contractor to accept things of value and provide false statements for the purpose of misleading law enforcement officials. more...

JANUARY 8, 2007

AMARILLO WOMAN SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS FOR MAILING 78 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA TO HERSELF

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Tiffany Joy Kelly was sentenced today in Amarillo, Texas, by United States District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to 30 months imprisonment. Kelly pled guilty in October 2006 to one count of illegal use of a communication facility, admitting that she mailed approximately 78 pounds of marijuana to herself. Kelly, age 28, of Amarillo, has been in custody since her arrest in July 2006. more...

JANUARY 5, 2007

LOCAL MAN WHO MAILED EXTORTION LETTER THREATENING TO KIDNAP A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN’S CHILDREN IS SENTENCED TO 51 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Dallas resident, Alejandro Trejo, who pled guilty in July 2006 to one count of mailing a threatening communication, was sentenced today in federal court in Dallas, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. The Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn, United States District Judge, sentenced Trejo to 51 months imprisonment. He has been in custody since his arrest in May 2006 on related charges outlined in a federal criminal complaint. more...

January 3, 2007

LONGVIEW MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES

(Tyler, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 28-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Eastern District of Texas.

ERNEST CHARLES STINSON, JR., admitted to possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, in a plea hearing held today before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love. more...

December 22, 2006

Update on Houston Incident at 815 East 23rd Street

A suspect has been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a man at 815 East 23rd Street about 2 a.m. on October 21, 2006.

The suspect, Onesimo R. Escamilla (H/m, DOB 1-1-80), charged with murder in the 179th State District Court, was arrested on Thursday (December 21). He is accused in the killing of Felipe Reyes, 40, of 815 East 23rd Street. more...

December 21, 2006

Cyber Crimes Unit Investigation Leads To Prison Sentence For Brenham Child Sex Offender

Michael Patrick Sutherland caught with dozens of sexually explicit images of children

BRENHAM – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit obtained a guilty plea from Michael Patrick Sutherland, 40, of Brenham, who was charged with stockpiling child pornography. Sutherland received a four-year prison sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release. more...

December 20, 2006

MEXICAN WOMAN FOUND GUILTY OF IMPORTING COCAINE

LAREDO, Texas – A federal jury convicted Elizabeth Cristina Alvarez-Gallardo, 36, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, of smuggling over 8 kilograms of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

DECEMBER 19, 2006

DALLAS MEN ARRESTED FOR ARMED BANK ROBBERY

Defendants are Hurricane Katrina Evacuees

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that four men have been arrested and charged in a federal complaint with committing the armed bank robbery of the Chase Bank on Gus Thomasson Road in Dallas, this past Saturday, December 16, 2006. All four men are Hurricane Katrina evacuees from the New Orleans, Louisiana, area. more...

December 17, 2006

Incident at 7402 Calhoun #149

A knife-wielding suspect who charged at two Houston police officers was fatally shot by the officers at 7402 Calhoun #149 about 5:25 p.m. on Friday (December 15).

The suspect, identified as James Edward Smith (b/m, DOB 10-25-55), of 7402 Calhoun #149, sustained two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital. more...

December 14, 2006

Suspects Arrested in Sexual Assaults Against Juveniles

Houston police have arrested two suspects, a husband and wife, in connection with separate incidents of sexual assaults of juvenile males dating back to January 2004.

One suspect, Brandy Lynn Gonzales (w/f, DOB 8-28-79), is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child in the 209th and 230th State District Courts. Her husband, Johnny Ray Gonzales (H/m, DOB 3-27-75), is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child in the 230th State District Court. Both suspects were arrested without incident at separate locations on Monday more...

DECEMBER 14, 2006

NUCLEAR COURIER ASSIGNED TO PANTEX FACILITY SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Joe Allen Sizemore was sentenced today in Amarillo, Texas, by United States District Judge Mary Lou Robinson, to serve 30 months in federal prison. Judge Robinson also ordered that Sizemore pay $8,489 restitution to the government and a $10,000 fine. Sizemore, age 41, was employed as a Nuclear Material Courier for the Office of Secure Transportation (OST) under the Department of Energy (DOE) and was assigned to the Pantex Plant in Amarillo. Sizemore pled guilty in October to one count of wire fraud and one count of possession of unregistered firearms. Judge Robinson ordered that Sizemore surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on January 8, 2007. more...

December 13, 2006

COCAINE DISTRIBUTION RING BASED IN FLORESVILLE–MONEY LAUNDERING RING BASED IN EAGLE PASS INDICTED BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY

Of 38 defendants, 29 arrested and 9 remain fugitives
United States Attorney Johnny Sutton and D.E.A. Assistant Special in Charge Joseph M. Arabit announced the arrests of 29 members of a cocaine trafficking operation based in Floresville, Texas, and a money laundering operation based in Eagle Pass, Texas. more...

December 11, 2006

AUSTIN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CAR JACKING SPREE

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that this afternoon, Adrian Santa Cruz, age 25, of Austin, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Pitman to two counts of car jacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, stemming from a car jacking spree in Austin and San Antonio during the early morning hours of August 15, 2006. An accomplice, Dante Rodriguez Arellano, pleaded guilty to the same charges in federal court on October 23, 2006. more...

December 8, 2006

FORMER ICE AGENT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR HARBORING FUGITIVE

HOUSTON, Texas – Former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Nora Alvarado will be serving 56 months in federal prison without parole for harboring an oft-times convicted felon and fugitive, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more..

December 8, 2006

DEL RIO MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON IN
COCAINE-FOR-HAND GRENADES CASE

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that Alvaro Larios of Del Rio, Texas, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for trading two ounces of powder cocaine for 15 hand grenades. more...

December 7, 2006

Edward Jevan Ervin charged with murder at 2828 Collingsworth

A suspect wanted and charged in the fatal shooting of a man at 2828 Collingsworth on Saturday (December 2) has been arrested. more...

December 6, 2006

OWNERS OF A-STAT AMBULANCE, INC. CHARGED WITH HEALTH CARE FRAUD

McALLEN, Texas – The owners of A-Stat Ambulance, Inc. were arrested and charged by criminal complaint in a scheme to defraud the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs by providing unnecessary ambulance transport services to hemodialysis patients, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

December 1, 2006

ROCK SPRINGS DEPUTY CONVICTED OF CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that 25-year-old Guillermo Falcon Hernandez was convicted of deprivation of civil rights under color of law by a federal jury in Del Rio, Texas, for shooting into a fleeing vehicle and injuring a passenger. He was acquitted of a second count of the same offense in relation to a second passenger in the same vehicle. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2007, in Del Rio, where he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He was taken into custody after today’s verdict. more...

December 1, 2006

HELENA LAB EMPLOYEES PLEAD GUILTY TO MAIL FRAUD SCHEME

(Beaumont, TX) Acting United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced that three Helena Lab employees have pleaded guilty in a complex mail fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

November 30, 2006

Update on Incident at 1500 Gale

Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 1500 Gale about 4 a.m. on October 15, 2006.

The suspect, Derrick Waiters (b/m, DOB 2/26/88) is charged with murder in the 184th State District Court. He is accused in the killing of Reginald Jackson, 38, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. more...

November 26, 2006

JURY CONVICTS THREE OF COCAINE TRAFFICKING

HOUSTON, Texas – After a four day trial and two hours of deliberations, a federal jury convicted three men of trafficking in kilogram quantities of cocaine bound for the Massachusetts area, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. The jury’s verdicts were announced the afternoon of Nov. 20. more...

November 25, 2006

MIDLAND CONTRACTOR SENTENCED TO 33 MONTHS IN PRISON United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that in Midland, Texas, Jon Mark Whitaker, 38, of Midland, was sentenced in federal court to 33 months in prison for mail fraud. more...

NOVEMBER 20, 2006

Dallas Police Officer and Wife Arraigned on Nine Count Federal Indictment With Passport, Immigration and Visa Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Two individuals involved in obtaining and using a fraudulent United States passport, as well as other immigration fraud, visa fraud, and identity theft related charges were arraigned today in Dallas. The charges were outlined in a nine count federal indictment returned by a grand jury in Fort Worth last week and later unsealed, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. Jose Luis Cabrera, and his wife Moraima Carrette de Cabrera, of Rowlett, Texas, were arrested on Friday, November 17, 2006 and appeared later that day for their initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge. At their initial appearance, both defendants were ordered detained pending a detention hearing and arraignment set for Monday, November 20, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. more...

November 20, 2006

HARRISON COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MAIL FRAUD/ARSON SCHEME

(Tyler, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 29-year-old Marshall man has pleaded guilty to mail fraud in the Eastern District of Texas. KETANBHAI GAMANBH PATEL entered his guilty plea today before United States Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven. more...

November 20, 2006

HPD Homicide Investigators Solve 1986 Double Murder

After 20 years of pursuing charges against a suspect believed responsible for the brutal double murders of a young woman and her one-year-old son, Houston police homicide investigators announced today (November 20) the arrest of the prime suspect in Hays, Kansas. more...

November 17, 2006

HOUSTON RESIDENT INDICTED FOR DEFRAUDING FEMA
OF HURRICANE DISASTER FUNDS

HOUSTON, Texas – The indictment of Houston area resident, Yolanda Thomas, 27, brings to 31 the number of persons charged in the Southern District of Texas with fraud relating to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita disaster assistance, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

November 15, 2006

LONGVIEW MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DEALING METHAMPHETAMINE

(Tyler, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 26-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Eastern District of Texas. BRADLEY WAYNE SHAW admitted to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine today before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, an investigation began in January 2003, into the distribution of “ice” methamphetamine in East Texas. more...

November 13, 2006

KENNARD FIREFIGHTER GUILTY OF ARSON
(Beaumont, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today a 33-year-old Kennard firefighter has been convicted of setting three arson fires in the Davy Crockett National Forest. RYAN JAMES EFF was found guilty today following a bench trial before United States District Judge Ron Clark. U.S. Attorney Orwig was pleased with the verdict and praised the firefighters who extinguished the fires, ““Forest Service firefighters are to be commended for risking their lives to battle fires every day. However, for firefighters to fight a fire set by one of their own is reprehensible.” more...

November 13, 2006

Incident at 9006 Iron Springs

Houston police are investigating the death of a man found at 9006 Iron Springs about 12:50 p.m. on Sunday (November 12).

The victim's identity and cause of death are pending an autopsy from the Harris County Medical Examiner's office. There were no immediate signs of trauma found to his body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition. more...

November 10, 2006

Attorney General Abbott Halts Work Of Unlicensed Dispenser Of Contact Lenses
Manny’s Place in Amarillo cited also for placing consumers at risk of eye injury

AMARILLO - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has taken legal action to halt the practices of Manuel Sandoval, who has failed to obtain the proper permit to dispense contact lenses at his business, Manny’s Place, on East Amarillo Boulevard. more...

November 9, 2006

FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER SENTENCED IN BRIBERY CASE

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A former commissioner of Willacy County was sentenced to prison for accepting bribe payments related to contracts for the Willacy County Adult Correction Center in Raymondville, Texas, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

November 8, 2006

Man arrested for murder at 600 Kress, Houston

Charges are pending against a suspect arrested in the fatal stabbing of a man at 600 Kress about 11:55 a.m. on Saturday (November 4).

The suspect, Jade Sheree Neal (b/f, DOB 7-7-82), is facing murder charges.more...

NOVEMBER 6, 2006

RINGLEADER IN FEMA FRAUD SCHEME SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS

Ten Co-Defendants Also Sentenced

A Dallas woman who ran a scheme that defrauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of more than $80,000 was sentenced today in federal court, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. United States District Judge David C. Godbey sentenced Lakietha Diann Hall, 35, of Dallas, to 70 months imprisonment and ordered her to pay $83,254 in restitution. Hall pled guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to commit theft of federal public funds and one count of aggravated identity theft. In a related case, Hall pled guilty to count one of an indictment that charged her with failure to appear more...

November 3, 2006

ICE apprehends 21 criminal aliens, fugitives and other immigration violators
Arrests result from 2-day initiative called "Operation Return to Sender"

DALLAS - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced today that ICE agents and officers apprehended 21 criminal aliens, fugitive aliens, and other immigration status violators as part of a two-day north Texas interior immigration enforcement operation that ended today. more...

November 3, 2006

Two suspects charged with murder at 11500 Keegans Ridge

Charges have been filed against two suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of a man at 11500 Keegans Ridge about 6 a.m. (Nov. 1).

The suspects, identified as Billy Joe Whiteside (b/m, DOB 9/10/76) and Domingo Alan Valle (H/m, DOB 12/30/79) remain at large. Both are charged with murder in the 177th State District Court for their roles in the killing of Brandon Dean, 21, of 7500 Creekbend. more...

November 1, 2006

Attorney General Abbott Halts Practice Of Unlicensed Dentist Operating From Home

Isidro Manjarres of San Antonio allegedly extracted molars, fit dentures without license

SAN ANTONIO - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed a legal action to halt the unauthorized practice of dentistry being practiced by Isidro Manjarres at his residence on Wayside Drive in San Antonio. more...

October 31, 2006

Man arrested for the fatal shooting of a man at 7520 Cook Road

Houston police homicide investigators have arrested one suspect and are seeking identities on others in the fatal shooting of a man at 7520 Cook Road about 2 p.m. on October 20.

Capital murder charges have been filed against one suspect, Carol Winston Lee (b/m, DOB 2-19-88). Lee, arrested on Friday (Oct. 28), is charged in the 230th State District Court. He is charged for his role in the robbery and killing of Gustavo L. Garcia, 32. more...

October 30, 2006

LONG TIME FUGITIVE SENTENCED TO MAXIMUM PRISON TERM FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

HOUSTON, TX – Efren Patino-Prado, 35, of McAllen, Texas, a long time fugitive convicted earlier this year of a 1997 conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute hundreds of pounds of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Friday, October 27, 2006, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

October 26, 2006

SAN ANTONIO MAN RECEIVES LIFE IN FEDERAL PRISON; WIFE, 11 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON ON DRUG CHARGES

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that a San Antonio man was sentenced to life in federal prison on narcotics charges; his wife, 11 years imprisonment.

Yesterday in Del Rio, Texas, United States District Judge Alia Ludlum sentenced 29-year-old Ismael Orlando Lira, to life in federal prison for operating a continuing criminal enterprise. Judge Ludlum also sentenced Ismael Lira to concurrent federal prison terms of 480 months for each of three counts of possessing more than 100 kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute, 960 months for distributing marijuana to a minor, and 240 months for each of two counts of money laundering. In addition, Judge Ludlum ordered that Lira pay a $7,000 fine. more...

OCTOBER 25, 2006

DALLAS MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN NINE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE,
FOR RUNNING BOGUS INVESTMENT SCHEME

Scheme Caused More than $2.6 Million in Losses to Investors

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that John Wannamaker was sentenced today by the Honorable Ed Kinkeade, United States District Judge, to 110 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $2,224,490 in restitution. Judge Kinkeade ordered that Wannamaker be remanded immediately to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin serving his sentence. more...

OCTOBER 24, 2006

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON AFTER ADMITTING ROLE IN STOLEN MAIL / BANK FRAUD SCHEME

Two local women were sentenced today in federal court in Dallas for their role in a stolen mail and bank fraud scheme they operated, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. more...

October 20, 2006

MCKINNEY ROUNDUP LEADS TO SENTENCES FOR FEDERAL DRUG VIOLATIONS

(Sherman, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today the sentencing of five defendants, who were part of a roundup in McKinney for federal drug violations involving illegal conspiracy, distribution of crack cocaine and the illegal possession of firearms. Ten co-defendants have previously been sentenced by United States District Judge Michael H. Schneider for drug and firearm violations. The convictions and sentences were a result of a lengthy investigation into the illegal distribution of crack cocaine in McKinney that has been occurring for years. more...

October 18, 2006

SHERMAN AND DALLAS MEN SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL CRIMES IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

(Sherman, Texas) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that three people were sentenced for individual federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. more...

October 18, 2006

BEAUMONT WOMAN SENTENCED FOR DEALING DRUGS

(Beaumont, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 32-year-old Beaumont woman has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas. ERICA JEANNE DELGREGO was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. more...

OCTOBER 17, 2006

SERIAL BANK ROBBER ARRESTED

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Casey announced today that Ronald Lee Williams, Jr., who is charged in a federal criminal complaint with bank robbery, was arrested last night without incident at a hotel in Arlington, Texas. more...

OCTOBER 13, 2006

GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, MAN SENTENCED TO NEARLY 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE,
FOR DISTRIBUTION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

Conrado Giron was sentenced today by the Honorable John McBryde, United States District Judge, to 235 months imprisonment as a result of his conviction in June on a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. Giron, age 34, of Grand Prairie, has been in custody since his arrest in May following the undercover drug sale. more...

October 12, 2006

PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC OPERATOR SENTENCED TO PRISON IN FRAUD CASE

HOUSTON, TX – Brenda Franklin Harris, 59, of Baytown, Texas, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. more...

October 11, 2006

Homicide at 5555 Holly View, Houston

Houston police homicide investigators have determined a previously unknown suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman at 5555 Holly View on July 21, 2006 was himself subsequently murdered.

Investigators have identified Terrell 'T-Rock' Ball (b/m, DOB 10-23-80) as the suspect who shot and killed Kasey Seague, 27, at her apartment complex on July
21. more...

October 10, 2006

LONGVIEW MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DEALING METHAMPHETAMINE

(Tyler, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 30-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Eastern District of Texas. PEDRO ZUNIGA admitted to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine today before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love. more...

October 8, 2006

Fatal stabbing at 10001 Westpark

Houston police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man at 10001 Westpark around 10:15 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 7).

The identity of the victim is pending verification by the Harris County Medical Examiner's office. more...

October 5, 2006

ORANGE COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED WITH HEALTH CARE FRAUD

(Beaumont, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced that a 57-year-old West Orange woman has been indicted and charged with 15 counts of health care fraud in the Eastern District of Texas. GAYLA R. THURMAN was indicted by a federal grand jury today. more..

OCTOBER 3, 2006

THREE DALLAS MEN FACE LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOLLOWING GUILTY PLEAS TO CARJACKING AND FIREARM CHARGES

One Victim is Hurricane Katrina Evacuee from New Orleans more..

October 3, 2006

Prostitute Murdered at 2214 Jensen Drive, Houston

The fatal shooting of a female at 2214 Jensen Drive about 2:30 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 2) will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

The victim is identified as Geneva Lynn Helgeson, 31, who resided in the Jensen Drive area. The male suspect, Perry Braggs, 79, was not injured. more..

Past news

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