Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

Vázquez then spent four years as an intelligence analyst and gained critical experience as part of the FBI San Juan Field Office. Seeking out new work opportunities across the FBI, a curiosity for learning, and the support of his colleagues prepared him for his next role as a special agent.

“I wanted to be an FBI special agent because that’s what I saw growing up through my mom’s example,” said Vázquez. “It’s also the agency I wanted to give back to for everything that it gave to me.”

In 2022, Vázquez passed the FBI’s special agent application process.

“I was really happy for him,” said Santos. “I knew he really wanted to do this, and he went into it knowing the sacrifices and knowing the hard work, the long hours, everything that’s entailed in becoming an agent, and that made me super proud.”

When it was time for Vázquez to attend the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for the intensive Basic Field Training Course, Santos had mixed feelings.

“I was concerned. I was scared. He was still my boy. I had experienced it, and I knew how hard it was,” said Santos. “I had to just realize that this is his calling, and I knew that he is meant to accomplish great things.”

The years of sacrifice and dedication paid off in August 2023 when Vázquez reached his goal of graduating as a special agent with the FBI—and receiving his badge and credentials from his mom.

“I remember the day of the graduation,” said Santos. “I was looking his way and felt tears coming out of my eyes. As he was walking on the stage, and I was walking to him, I knew right then and there that everything was going to be fine.”

Now, after 17 years as a special agent, Santos has a new title at work: Kevin’s mom. And she loves it.

“I just feel an immense sense of gratitude, and I’m so happy for him,” said Santos. “And I know that he’s going to accomplish even greater things than I have accomplished because he cares, he knows what the mission is, and he does it with passion and with commitment.”

Their paths converged in a poignant moment in September 2023, as they found themselves side by side on a joint operation with Vázquez—a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

“It requires a lot of commitment, but I wouldn’t change what I do,” said Santos. “When I look back, I will do it all over again because it matters. Even if it is only for one person, it does matter. We are touching lives, we’re helping, and that is something that no one can take away from you.”

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

SAN ANTONIO – A Kerrville man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on May 27, 2021, Coleman Thomas Blevins, 31, sent a social media post stating, “I’m going to Walmart,” which was followed by a picture of Blevins holding a black assault-style rifle.  Blevins then sent another message stating, “I have no problem spending the rest of my life in prison for Shootings (sic) up Walmart.”  The next day officers executed a search warrant at Blevins’ apartment and found 556 rounds of ammunition.  In addition, a black AR-15 .223 rifle with four magazines was found in a vehicle belonging to Blevins’ roommate.  The rifle matched the rifle Blevins was holding in the picture he posted.

Subsequent investigation into Blevins’ social media activity revealed three other occasions where Blevins had recently posted pictures of himself holding firearms or ammunition.  On November 28, 2023, Blevins pled guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Blevins was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was previously convicted of a felony drug offense.

“Threats to carry out mass shootings are reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza.  “Thanks to the quick work of our law enforcement partners, this threat remained just that and did not turn into a tragic event. This case demonstrates our commitment to peel back the veneer of online anonymity and aggressively pursue and prosecute those who threaten harm to our community.”

“Blevins threatened to commit violent acts and had access to weapons that would have allowed him to carry out those threats,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank Kerr County Sheriff’s Office for their continued assistance in ensuring the safety of our citizens.”

The FBI, with assistance from the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs and Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, was charged in federal court with securities fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Frank T. Poerio Jr., 62, was charged by criminal Information with four counts of securities fraud.

According to the Information, Poerio used sensitive, material non-public information (MNPI) obtained from a Dick’s Sporting Goods employee to engage in nearly 200 trades of the company’s securities on the New York Stock Exchange, including the purchase of individual shares and call option contracts. The trading allegedly occurred between August 2019 and May 2021 when the insider worked in a data analytics role at the company’s corporate offices in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The trades allegedly netted approximately $823,000 in profit for Poerio. As alleged, Poerio knew the Dick’s employee and spoke often with the employee about finances and investing. Several of the alleged trading incidents occurred in the days immediately preceding Dick’s release of periodic earnings statements—so called “blackout” periods, when Dick’s employees were prohibited from trading in the company’s securities.

At each count, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a $5 million fine, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed by the court would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant, among other factors.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Poerio.

A criminal Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The filing of an Information generally indicates that the defendant intends to enter a guilty plea.