Source: Office of United States Attorneys
HOUSTON – A total of 332 individuals have been charged in cases filed from June 6-12 in border-security related matters, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The cases include 10 that involve human smuggling. A total of 205 people are charged with illegally entering the country, while another 109 face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felonies such as narcotics, violent crime, immigration crimes and more. Other relevant cases include those involving other immigration crimes as well as an assault and threat to federal officers.
One of those is Maria Isabel Cruz-Salas, a Mexican national who lives in San Benito. The criminal complaint alleges that while authorities were conducting a lawful immigration enforcement action at a local establishment, they encountered Cruz-Salas. When they attempted to detain Cruz-Salas, she allegedly kicked a federal agent in the face. If convicted, she faces up to eight years in prison.
Another woman facing charges this week is Michelle Lee Varela, who allegedly threatened to shoot a federal agent in the course of his duties. Law enforcement had been requesting information regarding the status of her husband in the United States. She used profanity and threatened to shoot if they tried to take him into custody. The charges allege law enforcement advised her to consider her remarks as she had just threatened a federal agent, but she continued in an elevated voice and a threatening tone.
“The Southern District of Texas takes allegations of threatened violence against law enforcement very seriously,” said Ganjei. “Immigration authorities must be able to carry out their lawful duties free from violence or threats, and those that attempt to obstruct or harm such agents will be held accountable.”
Among those also charged this week are Paulina Lopez-Bello and Juan Eliud Calva-Lopez, both Mexican nationals. According to court documents, authorities discovered fraudulent lawful permanent resident cards and Social Security documents at their residence in South Texas. According to the charges, both individuals used the counterfeit materials to secure employment in the United States. They allegedly paid $300 for the fake identification. If convicted of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents, they face up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Roberto Carlos Moncada-Pena, a Mexican national living in Mission, faces charges of human smuggling. The criminal complaint alleges authorities encountered Moncada-Pena during a traffic stop where they discovered three illegal aliens in the vehicle. Upon searching his apartment, law enforcement discovered 10 additional illegal aliens. If convicted, Moncada-Pena faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 possible fine.
In addition to the new cases, also announced this week was the sentencing of four Mexican nationals, all of whom have been previously convicted of illegal reentry into the United States, among other crimes. Josue Rodriguez-Rodriguez has been removed 10 times. He now faces another 69-month federal prison sentence.
Jose Manuel Cruz-Diaz, Adrian Villa-Morales and Jose De Jesus Soto-Gonzalez have been removed at least twice before and have various felony convictions such as evading arrest with a motor vehicle, methamphetamine distribution, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and aggravated assault family violence. Sentences in federal court this week ranged from 21-57 months.
Also of note was the sentencing of a Nigerian man who had illegally resided in Houston. Omokehinde Muyiwa Oyegoke-Tewogbade and co-conspirators schemed to steal U.S. mail containing new credit cards and bank statements intended for account holders. They contacted financial institutions to activate the stolen cards, increased credit limits and altered account information. They then used the cards to purchase goods, services, gift cards, cash and merchandise at retail stores. In total, they fraudulently activated at least 120 stolen credit cards, causing an estimated $1 million in losses to Chase Bank. He is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.