SAN ANTONIO MAN GUILTY OF TRANSPORTING HARMFUL FISH IN TEXAS
(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 55-year-old San Antonio man has pleaded guilty to transporting harmful fish without a license in the Eastern District of Texas.
WILLIAM LAMAR STONER was indicted in February 2008 and charged with importation of harmful fish without a permit. He pleaded guilty to the charges late yesterday in federal court.
According to information presented in court, on November 21, 2007, Stoner transported approximately 50 unsterilized Asian Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) from the state of Arkansas into Texas without securing the required permits. U.S. Fish and Wildlife had to destroy and recover the grass carp from five different water hazards at the Quail Creek Country Club in San Marcos, Texas due to the risk that a flood event on the San Marcos River would allow the fish to escape the golf course and threaten native vegetation, including endangered Texas wild rice. Stoner transported the fish across state lines in furtherance of his commercial business of retrieving golf balls from golf course water hazards.
Stoner faces up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $20,000.00 at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
This case is being investigated by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Texas Parks & Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jim Noble.
FEDERAL INMATE SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING DRUGS IN PRISON
TEXARKANA, TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 26-year-old federal prisoner has been sentenced for a violation involving illegal drugs in the Eastern District of Texas.
MARCUS DESHAWN HUNTER, an inmate in the Texarkana Federal Correctional Institution, pleaded guilty on January 23, 2008 to possession of contraband in prison and was sentenced today to an additional 6 months in federal prison by United States District Judge David Folsom. The sentence is to run consecutive to Hunter's current 120 month sentence.
According to information presented in court, Hunter received a bag of potato chips from a visitor in which marijuana filled balloons had been hidden. Hunter proceeded to eat the chips and swallow the balloons, which were recovered by FCI officials.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise O. Simpson.
TEXARKANA WOMAN SENTENCED FOR CRACK DISTRIBUTION
TEXARKANA, TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 29-year-old Texarkana, Texas woman has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for selling crack cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas.
LATASHA JAMES pleaded guilty on May 18, 2007 to distribution of crack cocaine and was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison by United States District Judge David Folsom.
According to information presented in court, James sold crack cocaine on four different occasions. During these transactions, she sold a total of 55.71 grams of crack cocaine, James was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 10, 2005.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise O. Simpson.
HOUSTON MAN GUILTY OF FEDERAL DWI
(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 49-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal DWI charges in the Eastern District of Texas.
RICHARD ANTHONY SOARES was indicted on February 6, 2008 and charged with driving while intoxicated, repeat offender. He pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge David Folsom.
According to information presented in court, Soares was stopped by a Red Rivers Army Depot Officer on October 8, 2007 and found to be Driving While under the Influence on the Red River Army Depot grounds.
Soares had two prior DWI convictions in 1986.
Soares faces between two and 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $10,000.00 at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
This case is being investigated by the Red River Army Depot and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise Simpson.
BANK ROBBER SENTENCED TO NEARLY 18 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
Defendants Brandished Firearms and Ordered Individuals to
Lie on Ground at Bank in Richardson, Texas
DALLAS — A Dallas man, Quincy Lamon Walters, Jr., 25, who admitted robbing the Bank of America at 2210 N. Coit Road, in Richardson, Texas, on July 31, 2006, was sentenced this morning to a total of 214 months (nearly 18 years) in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas.
Walters pled guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Walters’ co-defendant, Lorenzo Scott, 34, who pled guilty to the same charges, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey to a total of 171 months (14.25 months) in prison.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. on July 31, 2006, Walters and Scott, both wearing security-type uniforms, entered the bank and brandishing firearms, ordered all individuals to lie on the ground. Walters approached the teller counter and demanded cash from three victim tellers and placed the currency in a plastic shopping bag. They both then left the bank and were later arrested. During the execution of a search warrant on their apartment and a vehicle parked near the apartment, most of the stolen currency was recovered.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Richardson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson prosecuted the case.
LONGVIEW MAN SENTENCED IN EAST TEXAS METHAMPHETAMINE RING
(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 28-year-old Longview man has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
JASON RAY MCCAIN pleaded guilty on August 2, 2007 to being involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Leonard E. Davis.
According to information presented in court, an ongoing investigation began in January 2003 into the distribution of methamphetamine in East Texas. The operation has resulted in numerous undercover purchases and seizures of both drugs and guns. A federal indictment was returned by the Grand Jury on February 6, 2007 charging 16 individuals, including McCain, with federal drug crimes.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Gregg County District Attorney's Office, the Longview Police Department, and the Gregg County CODE Unit. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Moore.
FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS FORMER INVESTMENT ADVISOR
ON TAX EVASION AND OTHER CHARGES RELATED TO ILLEGAL OFFSHORE SHELTERS
DALLAS — Lanas Evans Troxler, formerly of Dallas and now a resident of Lubbock, Texas, was convicted by a federal jury today in Dallas on all counts of a 17-count federal indictment, said U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas.
The government presented evidence at trial that Troxler, a licensed investment advisor and estate planner, sold financial and tax advice to his clients. Troxler did business as Trust Management Services, Troxler Insurance Agency, Contingent Liability Services, Troxler Financial Services, and Troxler Advisory Services and operated these businesses from his office in Dallas from at least 1998 through 2002.
The jury found Troxler guilty of one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws, four counts of attempting to evade and defeat tax, and 12 counts of assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns. The tax loss from Troxler’s activities was more than $630,000.
At trial it was proven that beginning in November 1997, Troxler set up a complex series of sham offshore entities in the Turks & Caicos Islands for himself and his clients and steered his clients to accountants who prepared fraudulent returns. Troxler’s efforts to evade his own taxes, and assist his clients in the evasion of their taxes, involved using offshore entities to make it appear as if he and his clients had transferred their interests in their businesses to the offshore entities to make the income earned appear to be foreign-earned.
Troxler and his clients retained full control over their assets, businesses, and income earned from them, and the income was taxable and should have been reported on their respective federal individual and business income tax returns.
The government also proved at trial that sometime between August 30 and November 8, 2002, Troxler sent a series of letters to an IRS Special Agent and a former IRS Commissioner. In those letters, Troxler wrote that (1) he was not a U.S. citizen; (2) he is a child of God and, therefore, his citizenship is in Heaven; (3) he is an inhabitant of Texas, a Republic established by the Spanish Land Grant; (4) “Lanas E. Troxler” is a fictitious name used without the defendant’s permission; (5) IRS agents trespassed on his property during the June 28, 2002 search warrant; (6) the IRS Special Agent and a United States Magistrate Judge committed an act of war against “We the People of Texas,” a Republic; (7) the defendant did not enter into a contract with the IRS Special Agent and the United States Magistrate Judge; and (8) the name “Lanas E. Troxler” is copyrighted in the State of Texas and any use of it without the defendant’s permission is a violation of law — all language that the government contended was typical “tax protestor” language designed to both impede the investigation and prosecution.
Troxler faces a maximum statutory sentence of 59 years in prison and a $4.25 million fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade on June 25, 2008.
U. S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Dallas Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Revesz and U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorneys Robert A. Kemins and Jed M. Silversmith.
MONTAGUE COUNTY, TEXAS, MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO TRANSPORTING AND SHIPPING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
FORT WORTH, Texas — Jason K. Ware pled guilty today in federal court to one count of transporting and shipping child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Ware, 36, of Sunset, Texas, faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than 15 years nor more than 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution.
In addition, as part of his agreement with the government, Ware will forfeit computer equipment and property used to commit the offense. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John H. McBryde on July 18, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. Ware is presently in federal custody.
According to documents filed in court today, Ware admitted that on January 28, 2005, he used the Internet to transfer and ship a video of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. That day, an FBI Special Agent, operating in an undercover capacity, entered an AOL chat room entitled “eleven yo miniskirt.” The agent received a message from Ware indicating that he had child pornography to trade. Ware then sent the undercover FBI Special Agent the above-referenced video of child pornography.
On March 31, 2005, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Ware’s residence and during that search, agents encountered Ware at the residence. A forensic examination of Ware’s computer and related storage media was performed and agents found the video that Ware had sent to the undercover FBI Special Agent on January 28, 2005. Ware admitted that he knew the video he sent depicted a real child who was a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
U.S. Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex C. Lewis is prosecuting the case.
THREE GUILTY OF FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES
(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that three men have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas.
DAVID MICHAEL ANDERSON, 41, of Shreveport, LA, pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with use of a communication facility. He faces up to 4 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 at sentencing.
JAVIER ABRAHAM CARILLO, 24, of Seagoville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He faces up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $4 million at sentencing.
JACK CALHOUN MOORE, 37, of Marshall, pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with use of a communication facility. He faces up to 4 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 at sentencing.
According to court documents, since 2005, the defendants were part of a conspiracy to traffic in more than 500 grams of methamphetamine to others in and around East Texas and West Louisiana. In October 2007, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging 14 people with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The guilty pleas were heard today before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Sentencing hearings have not been set.
This case is being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Division and Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, the Panola County Sheriff's Office, the Harrison County District Attorney's Office, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, the Marshall Police Department, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, the Louisiana State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Cozby is prosecuting the case.
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY AND MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES IN INTERNET PHARMACY CASE
Sherman Ted Solomon Agrees to Forfeit Nearly $5.7 Million in Cash and Funds Plus Millions of Dollars of Exclusive Properties in Orange County, Florida
DALLAS, Texas — In federal court yesterday, Sherman Ted Solomon, 64, currently of Plano, Texas, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis to one count of conspiracy to distribute Schedule III and IV controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to launder the illegally obtained proceeds, in relation to his operation of an Internet Facilitation Center (IFC) website, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. An IFC operates store front websites to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances to Internet customers. The maximum penalties the Court can impose on Solomon are a 25-year sentence, a $750,000 fine and restitution. Sentencing has been set for June 25, 2008.
In documents filed in Court today, Solomon also agreed to forfeit nearly $5.7 million in funds, a vehicle and two pieces of real property in Orange County, Florida. In addition, as part of the plea agreement, the government and Solomon have agreed that a sentence of not longer than 84 months is an appropriate disposition of the case. In the event the Court imposes a longer sentence, Solomon will be given the option of withdrawing his guilty plea.
In 2003, Solomon began discussing with others selling controlled substances over the Internet through an IFC. Two of these individuals operated MS Network as a call center that telephonically conducted “medical consults” with the Internet customers of IFCs. By March 2004, Solomon’s company, Solandra Group, L.L.C. operated and IFC, using discountrx.com; e-discountrx.com; and legitimatesources.com.
Initially, Solomon operated Solandra Group/IFC from his residence in Kissimmee, Florida, but from April 2004 until May 2005, he operated it from his residence in Orlando, Florida. From May 2005 until September 21, 2005, Solomon operated it from his residence in Windermere, Florida. In addition to the sites mentioned above, Solomon also distributed controlled substances through affiliated websites, such as oneworldpharmacy.com; medstomail.com; 1medweb.com; rxhomedelivery.com; and privacyfirst.com. Each of the affiliated websites were “owned” by other individuals who agreed to offer controlled substances for sale through the Internet, and then redirect the customers to Solomon’s IFC.
In the late summer or fall of 2003, Dr. Bill McArthur and others created a call center in Cleveland, Mississippi called Delta Network, Inc. McArthur was the Medical Director; his father, Frank McArthur, was the operations manager. In Spring 2004, Delta became known as Managing Associates Co. and Frank McArthur became its sole proprietor and ran its daily business operations until September 2005.
Solomon admitted that from May 2004 through September 2005, he conspired with the McArthurs, the affiliate owners, the pharmacy owners, and others to distribute controlled substances over the Internet trough Solandra Group/IFC without the issuance of legitimate prescriptions, that is, outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
Solomon also admitted that during the same time period, he conspired with them and would wire transfer the proceeds from and related to the sale of the controlled substances to the participants in the conspiracy for their part in facilitating the distribution of controlled substances.
From October 2004 through September 21, 2005, Solomon’s IFC and affiliates received approximately $13,139,535 from Internet customers fro the distribution of controlled substances.
From at least November 2004 through September 2005, Solomon conspired with Rakesh Johar Saran, the owner/operator of more than 20 pharmacies in the Northern District of Texas, to fill the drug orders from the e-discountrx.com (and affiliated websites) internet customers. Saran handled the pharmacies’ finances through his companies Carrington Health Care Services and/or Infiniti Services Group.
Between October 21, 2004, until September 15, 2005, Solomon wire transferred approximately $901,527 to Rakesh Johar Saran’s bank as payment to Saran’s pharmacies for filling the e-discountrx.com customers’ drug orders.
Rakesh Johar Saran pled guilty in November 2006 to several charges related to his role in the conspiracy. He has not yet been sentenced. Dr. Bill McArthur pled guilty to a drug conspiracy charge pursuant to a Rule 20 transfer to the Southern District of Georgia and is to be sentenced next week. Frank McArthur pled guilty to a drug conspiracy and a money laundering conspiracy in December 2007 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2008.
Solomon admitted that during the conspiracy, 90% or more of the controlled substances sold by e-discountrx.com was hydrocodone; the remaining 10% included alprazolam and phentermine. Hydrocodone is a Schedule III controlled substance; alprazolam and phentermine are Schedule IV controlled substances.
Solomon also admitted that the physicians didn’t conduct telephone consultations with Internet customers nor did they review the medical records or online questionnaires of the internet customers. The physicians didn’t verify the identities of the Internet customers; they
didn’t establish a diagnosis; didn’t discuss risks and benefits and didn’t attempt to provide appropriate follow-up care.
According to the documents filed in Court, during the pendency of the conspiracy and while Solomon was a participant in the conspiracy, the government can readily prove that Solomon could reasonably foresee the possession with intent to distribute or the distribution in excess of two million hydrocodone pills.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Food and Drug Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Candy Heath, Mark Penley and John DeLaGarza.
FORMER NEIMAN MARCUS SECURITY OFFICER
SENTENCED TO 27 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON
AND ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $300,000 IN RESTITUTION AFTER ADMITTING STEALING JEWELRY FROM STORE AND SELLING IT ON EBAY
DALLAS — A former security officer at a Neiman Marcus store in Dallas, Manuel Alvarez, was sentenced this afternoon, by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $323,195 in restitution, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Alvarez, 37, of Mesquite, Texas, pled guilty in December 2007 to an Information charging transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce and aiding and abetting, admitting that the stole jewelry from the store and sold it on Ebay. Judge O’Connor ordered that Alvarez surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on May 1, 2008.
Representatives from Neiman Marcus were present in the courtroom and Vice President Gary Manson addressed the Court to say that Alvarez had been a trusted member of the Neiman Marcus team, and that theft of property by Alvarez, a loss prevention specialist for many years, had meant more than a financial loss to the company and its employees.
According to the factual resume, Alvarez worked at Neiman Marcus as a store loss prevention specialist and in 2004, he met an accomplice and they agreed to sell jewelry on Ebay and split the proceeds. Alvarez would obtain jewelry from a Neiman Marcus store and then his accomplice would post the items for auction/sale on her Ebay auction site, representing that the jewelry was legitimate merchandise that belonged to her. They agreed to equally divide the profits from the sales.
From February 29, 2004, to December 10, 2005, Alvarez made only three legitimate jewelry purchases, three watch straps, from Neiman Marcus using his employee discount. He also purchased three or four jewelry items, with a total value of approximately $4000, from the Neiman Marcus catalog. All other jewelry items that Alvarez provided to two female accomplices, to sell on Ebay, were stolen by Alvarez from Neiman Marcus.
Alvarez admitted that he stole designer jewelry items and other merchandise from Neiman Marcus by taking the items from open stock drawers or by using his key as a loss prevention specialist to access items kept in locked storage in the store. He hid the jewelry on his person to remove it from the store and delivered the jewelry to his accomplices to sell on Ebay. He also provided an accomplice with gifts of jewelry which he had also stolen from Neiman Marcus, some of which she sold on Ebay and kept the proceeds for herself.
In June 2005, Alvarez approached a friend who lived in the Houston area, and provided her items he had stolen from Neiman Marcus for her to sell on Ebay. This accomplice also photographed the items and placed them for auction on Ebay using her Ebay account. Both accomplices mailed the items to the purchasers using the U.S. Mail and equally divided the net proceeds with Alvarez.
Alvarez admitted stealing at least 400 jewelry items, with a retail value of $200,000 - $400,000, from Neiman Marcus.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda C. Groves prosecuted the case.
TWO GUILTY OF COCAINE VIOLATIONS IN EAST TEXAS
(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that two men have pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Eastern District of Texas.
EFRAIN FIGUEROA, 27, of Dallas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Figueroa faces up to life in federal prison and a $2 million fine at sentencing. Figueroa has also agreed to forfeit all interest in property seized and agreed to a forfeiture judgment of $100,000. A sentencing hearing has not been set.
FRANCISCO JAVIER FIGUEROA, 39, Dallas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Figueroa faces up to life in prison and a fine of up to $2 million. Figueroa also agreed to forfeit all interest in property seized and agreed to a forfeiture judgment of $100,000. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to information presented in court, on February 1, 2008, a Smith County Sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 271 during which 8 kilograms of cocaine was discovered concealed in built-in compartments of the vehicle. A follow up investigation was conducted resulting in the seizure of an additional 14 kilograms of cocaine, another car outfitted with hidden compartments, approximately $16,000 in cash, firearms and the arrests of 5 others in Dallas. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on February 5, 2008 charging the men with federal drug trafficking crimes.
This case is being investigated by Smith County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Baldwin.
TYLER MAN GUILTY OF FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES
(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 40-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas.
JUAN CAMACHO CALDERON was indicted on November 6, 2007 and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, five kilograms of cocaine, 1000 marijuana plants. Calderon pleaded guilty to the charges today before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love.
According to information presented in court, since 2005, law enforcement authorities have investigated the distribution of "ice" methamphetamine by Calderon's Tyler-based drug trafficking organization. The investigation has revealed that this organization has been involved in the distribution and sale of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in East Texas.
Calderon faces up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $4 million. He also has agreed to the forfeiture of all interest in seized property and a forfeiture judgment of $1 million. A sentencing date has not been set.
This investigation, dubbed "Operation Thin Ice," is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Smith County Sheriff's Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allen Hurst.
FEDERAL GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS
IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TYLER, TX – A federal grand jury returned several indictments late yesterday on cases of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
KEANE LAMAR LEWIS, 35, of Texarkana, was indicted for Possession of Contraband in Prison. Lewis is an inmate at the FCI Texarkana. According to the indictment, Lewis was found in possession of marijuana while he was an inmate. If convicted, Lewis faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.00. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson is prosecuting this case.
JOSE CANDELARIO RIOS, 68, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was indicted for possession of 5 kilograms or more of a mixture or a substance containing cocaine. According to the indictment, Rios had in his possession 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. If convicted, Rios faces up to life in federal prison and a fine not to exceed $4 million. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson is prosecuting this case.
WILLIAM EARL PEMBERTON, 21, of Dallas, was charged for his role in the December 15, 2007 burglary of Sid's Pawn Shop in Tyler. According to the indictment, 44 firearms were stolen, including handguns, shotguns and rifles. If convicted, Pemberton faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Middleton is prosecuting this case.
DAVID SHAWN GROSS, 30, of Gilmer, was indicted for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. According to the indictment, an undercover investigation resulted in four purchases of methamphetamine from Gross at his residence. If convicted, Gross faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a fine not to exceed $2 million. This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as local law enforcement officers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Moore is prosecuting this case.
It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.