This ex-lawmaker's Texas drug bust was national news. Now he's found a They didn't do any mining.. Guillermo has also worked in Central America, Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona and California and his work has appeared in various publications, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, New York Post, Newsday, Denver Post and the Albuquerque Journal. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. Prosecutors in Corpus Christi filed a lawsuit in late September accusing Torres, who owns a house near Houston, of using JP Morgan Chase Bank accounts to transfer millions of dollars from Mexico to Texas, then turning around and sending it offshore. UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . S.A.-area rancher catches the hearts of American Idol judges, USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days a week, Take a look inside this $3.5 million 'mystery' mansion, New food truck park opens at The CO-OP SA, 10 things to do this weekend in San Antonio. Later in the year, attention focused on Coahuila's former interim governor. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio also shows up on the list of people Bexar County prosecutors told a judge they want to ask witnesses about as part of their money laundering investigation, and he once owned the house in Champions Ridge that the feds are trying to seize from his nephew. In the following months, details of the U.S. investigation began trickling out through a series of lawsuits filed by federal and state prosecutors to seize bank accounts and property owned by limited liability companies that had been set up by Villarreal, Coronado, another brother-in-law, Villarreal's wife and his alleged mistress. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) $400,000 worth of drugs were found in an east side home today. An official website of the United States government. It's a very complicated matter that's taking a lot of time, but there are bank records and property records and it's taking a while to sift through all the facts to show he did not do what they claim he did.. When he took the stand in his own defense, the first thing he did was admit he had lied to investigators about being at the kennels, saying he was paranoid of law enforcement because he was addicted to opioids and had pills in his pocket the night of the killings. A good liar. San Jose: Home raided in explosives and drug investigation Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our citizens. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. He did say this is part of a larger drug operation and the investigation is on-going. Gonzlez Trevio, the father, bought his first house in San Antonio in the early 1990s. Jason Buch is a freelance journalist based in Texas. The massive drug bust took place during a traffic stop in San Clemente, a wealthy enclave about 75 miles inland from the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, multiple Border Patrol sources told Fox News. A firearm was also found inside of the residence, according to officials. Gonzlez Trevio wouldn't comment and officials at the Mexican Consulate and in San Antonio's International Relations Office said they're not familiar with him. In court records, prosecutors wrote Zamora is ostensibly working as a self-employed plumber, but somehow came up with $500,000 to purchase drugs in the Bay Area, and lives in a $3 million home in . DRUG BUST: The Crystal City Police Department Special Response Team recovered and seized numerous amounts of drugs Wednesday. Moreira's attorneys wouldn't comment for this report, but after Forbes magazine included him on a list of Mexican politicians accused of corruption, Mexico City lawyer Christian F. Zinser Cieslik wrote to the publication, saying the former governor had been exonerated in an investigation by the Mexican attorney general's office. Our ongoing effort to reduce violence and drug trafficking in our communities sends a clear message that members of these violent criminal enterprises will be held accountable for their crimes.. The bust happened at a Best Western off Loop 410 near Callaghan Road. HOUSTON - Twenty-two defendants from San Antonio, Del Rio and Laredo face federal drug trafficking charges, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. Those five defendants were already in custody. A federal grand jury indictment returned in San Antonio charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine: In another court filing, the feds wrote that Flores' case is somehow tied to their investigation of money allegedly stolen from the Coahuila government and laundered in Texas. Its radio and television stations have a reputation for supporting the Institutional Revolutionary Party, known by its Spanish acronym PRI, in general and the Moreiras in particular. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. "Some may not have any narcotic in it, others may have too much and thats when your going to overdose, and these are the stories you hear, someone goes to a party, and never done anything, said Sorianello. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Intellectuals and landholders from the state, which borders Texas, took refuge here during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. Over the past century, your family including you have been prosecuting people here in this courtroom, and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct, the judge said. SAN ANTONIO The Bexar County Sheriff's Office provided details about a drug bust in east Bexar County. "While we are certainly celebrating this case for obvious reasons, we're also quite alarmed by the fact that this drug is present in these quantities in this area, not something that that surprises us, but it's still troubling nonetheless," said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. Ashley Villarreal who was shot and critically wounded on Motes street at S. San Joaquin just a few houses down from her home. This indictment and arrests are the result of a joint investigation with our local, state and federal partners to neutralize a dangerous criminal organization in Texas, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Whipple. An indictment accused Ral Gonzlez Fernandez, a 42-year-old restaurateur who was born in Del Rio, of conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing more than 500 grams of the drug. The situation is politically fraught. Interviews, court documents, property records and regulatory filings show that those under investigation built a sprawling business network in Texas, including commercial real estate developments, private residences and restaurants. Joe Angel Villarreal aka Compadre, 55, of San Antonio All the defendants, excepting Gutierrez, face between 10 years and life in federal prison upon conviction of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. They often used a network of limited liability companies that made it difficult for investigators to track the ownership of those assets. Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. He wouldn't say more in an interview, but in court Canales called the indictment a sham and accused prosecutors of using it to retaliate against Torres for fighting the civil suit. Villarreal's attorney said the majority owners in the Texas LLCs are not Villarreal's family members, but a Panamanian company, and that the San Antonio property was purchased with money from lenders in Mexico, not kickbacks. It becomes very difficult to track for any investigator in law enforcement, but it's especially more difficult for financial industry investigators because they're limited, they don't have authority of the government, subpoena power.. Oscar Heredia, 37, of San Antonio Also among the defendants is Joe Angel Villarreal, 55. He liked to stare me down as he would walk by me during this trial. The indictment also charges Ojeda with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Drug Bust November 25, 2022 8:35 am . The government is abusing its power, Canales wrote in one filing. The government's investigation shouldn't stop with the drug gangs, the former governor told the Saltillo newspaper Vanguardia. A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine . The sheriffs office said most of the suspects that were arrested are documented gang members.. Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area Villarreal was involved in facilitating the purchase of the properties, Houston attorney Michael J. Wynne said. Murdaugh's brother and surviving son sat behind him in the courtroom every day. During the stop, a search of the vehicle was conducted. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Moyado and Cardenas were booked into the Karnes federal holding facility for possession with intent to distribute five kilos of heroin or more and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine or more, according to the BCSO. Tag: Drug Bust - NBC 7 San Diego They refused to identify themselves to reporters or discuss why they were meeting in a conference room with prosecutors, a DEA agent and an investigator with the Texas attorney general's office. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. In interviews after his son's killing, Moreira placed blame on narcoempresarios, businessmen with ties to the cartels who allowed the gangs to act with impunity. I was this close to him.. Brian Victorino Chavarria, age 24 of San Antonio; Press Releases | DEA.gov That's why Sorianello had a strong message to parents: pay attention to your kids. She works in the immigration portion of GEO. Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. The girl was shot when she drove her fathers car out of their house at San Joaquin and Motes streets. Michelle Zamarripa, 59, of San Antonio With Villarreal on the run, the lawsuits languished. He quickly left Mexico for the U.S. and showed up in East Texas in February 2012 where he was again arrested. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar says a drug operation at the home in the 100 block of Trudell was first broken up a few weeks ago when Deputies were delivering a warrant. He's facing a federal charge of possession with an intent to distribute over 500 grams of a controlled substance, according to Salazar. All other crimes require an officer to make the scene. Madilyn Marie Alvarado, age 26 of Del Rio BCSO says as deputies were approaching the residence, Mendez was getting in a vehicle to leave. Like a traditional mafia, the Zetas also are involved in public works fraud, creating fake companies or suborning legitimate businesses and bribing public officials in exchange for government contracts that are inflated or never completed. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Joseph Richard Guerrero, age 28 of San Antonio; I saw his eyes. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. Last June, federal authorities were conducting surveillance on Moshe using a GPS signal from his phone in connection with the LSD investigation when he unwittingly led them to an illegal. We look forward to taking a good hard look at the governments evidence.. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Salazar said the street value of the seized drugs is over $1.2 million. ROBERT MCLEROY, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, S.A.-area rancher catches the hearts of American Idol judges, USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days a week, Take a look inside this $3.5 million 'mystery' mansion, New food truck park opens at The CO-OP SA, 10 things to do this weekend in San Antonio. All of them were indicted on federal drug. It didn't take long to convince the other three. Lawyers for both men maintain they're innocent. Flores has since pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge and agreed to give up millions of dollars in Texas bank accounts, a Learjet and his home in The Dominion. SAN ANTONIO A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison on Tuesday after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. Updated: 10:32 PM CST February 27, 2021 PLEASANTON, Texas An eight-month crackdown operation on drugs has landed dozens of people in jail. Updated: 4:52 PM CST January 28, 2022. Its disgraceful.. Boy, 11, shoots self in head with gun he found in apartment, Photos show a massive alligator on an Atascosa County road, Look inside historic $2.3 million King William home. Last year, Raul Gonzlez Trevio bought a one-acre piece of commercial property on U.S. 281 near TPC Parkway. Ojeda faces between 10 years and life in federal prison and Pena faces between five and 40 years in federal prison on the drug possession charge. Of the 14 people indicted Wednesday, at least 10 have been taken into custody, including Jacqueline Alvarez, 57, of San Antonio, who works for the GEO Group at the Karnes County Family Residential Center. Multiple agencies conducted an arrest operation Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 which resulted in fifteen indictments being served and the arrest of seven suspects. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office conducted the drug bust in the 500 block of Porter Street. It makes the ownership of properties more difficult for investigators and regulators to trace, however, and also could be used to disguise the source of money in the original purpose. He surrendered to state police on Oct. 29, 2011, and was released on bond within hours. But they had a mountain of circumstantial evidence, including the video putting Murdaugh at the scene of the killings five minutes before his wife and son stopped using their cellphones forever. The suspects were arrested for drug possession. And that is why we want to ask questions as far as their involvement or knowledge.. 35 indicted in two separate Central Texas drug trafficking busts Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. All are from San Antonio. Over the next few months, Villarreal, Moreira who by that time had left Coahuila to become the national leader of the PRI as it was poised to retake Mexico's presidency and Torres, who had taken over the governorship, were forced to leave their respective jobs. According to authorities, the team has two simultaneous narcotic search warrants on two residences located near the 200 block of Zaragoza Street. Ricardo Gonzalez, age 24 of San Antonio; Further back, in the 1800s, Coahuila y Tejas was one state under Mexican rule. Tracy Kinsinger came to the courthouse with a homemade sign reading Murderer that he made the night before. It might have been the monster you become," Newman said. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland. Peter Karasev, 35, of San Jose, has been arrested in connection with a San Jose Police Department investigation into suspected explosives-related and illegal drug offenses, authorities said. AUSTIN, Texas Federal authorities arrested 21 people believed to be involved in drug trafficking on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice. In a major study released Saturday, March 4, 2023, Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and other health problems in people who can't take drugs called statins, the main cholesterol-lowering . The specific mission of the Houston/South Texas OCDETF Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations headed by designated Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs), Regional Priority Organization Targets (RPOTs), and their affiliates that impact Houston and south Texas. The truth is he brought shame upon himself, his family, the community, his profession, Kinsinger said. As the investigation continued, several others were also arrested. Today, federal, state and local authorities arrested 26 individuals, including "TMM General" Raul Ramos, and are looking for four others in connection with a heroin/cocaine trafficking operation in the San Antonio area announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Torres and Villarreal were the closest persons to Moreira, Salazar said. (Robert McLeroy/Staff). James Patric Bartlett, age 42 of San Antonio; and, If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Guillermo has also worked in Central America, Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona and California and his work has appeared in various publications, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, New York Post, Newsday, Denver Post and the Albuquerque Journal. But I am innocent. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The head of south central Texas DEA shares new insight on the. Coronado and Flores Valdez, the Moreiras' nephew, were in San Antonio responding to a request by Bexar County to depose representatives of the LLCs that Villarreal's family members manage. By then, Villarreal disappeared. SAN ANTONIO A massive drug bust took place at a northwest side hotel where 75,000 fentanyl pills were seized, the Bexar County Sherriff's Office said. Pair arrested in drug bust at home in West Bexar County, BCSO says - KSAT And it might not have been you. One of his Texas limited liability companies the one that shows up on deed records is controlled by a Dutch company, which is controlled by another Texas LLC, which is controlled by a trust. The elder Villarreal was arrested in a DEA operation in which his daughter was shot and critically wounded by federal agents. Lastiri worked as a driver for a Drug Trafficking Organization and put her childrens lives at risk by bringing them on this job, said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. Tony Canales, said Torres is innocent but won't come to the U.S. to fight the charges because he's afraid he won't get bond. They asked a judge to give them three San Antonio houses, all appraised at more than $500,000; the Champions Ridge home owned by Gonzlez Fernandez, a house in the Vistas at Sonterra owned by his brother; and a house in Oakwell Farms, an exclusive inside-the-loop gated community, owned by their father, Ral Gonzlez Trevio. A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. Gutierrez faces between five and 40 years upon conviction. Jason Buch, Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio signed the deed of sale for the property and he's listed as the trust's sole managing member, but his name does not appear on public records filed by the LLCs. These family members assisted Villarreal by, among other things, opening bank accounts at U.S. banks, establishing business entities and purchasing real estate in the names of these business entities.. This operation is part of an OCDETF Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. Erik Jason Pena, 41, of San Antonio; and Officials said this is the third incident involving a drug bust this week alone, according to the BCSO; however, this incident is separate from the previous two. In total, officials found seven kilos of heroin and 1.5 kilos of meth, according to the BCSO. Authorities call it the largest. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. BCSO said through the course of executing the search warrant they found a total of 13.4 pounds of marijuana, 2.2 pounds of hash oil, 1.2 ounces of cocaine, 2.9 grams of methamphetamine, a shotgun and $16,757 in cash. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. But not good enough, Moyer said. In October 2012, Jos Eduardo Moreira, Humberto's son, was found murdered outside the border city of Acua, and several police officials were arrested in connection with the slaying. On an October morning last year, residents in . Ojeda faces a mandatory five years in federal prison on the gun charge upon conviction. Timeline: An interactive look at Coahuila's debt and the ensuing investigation in San Antonio. Lock Thirteen individuals are charged with trafficking cocaine in the San Antonio area, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division. His high-powered attorney, J.A. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. Nevrez hit a . In a month or so, he will move to a maximum security state prison like all new inmates serving life sentences. Jose Tabares, 53, of San Antonio USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days Texas Vista owner has threatened hospital shutdown before, VIA adding 8 new buses to its fleet and theyre all electric, BCSO: 3 arrested after 6 smuggled people, 3 stash houses found, Bexar County deputy reunites African tortoise with owners, Gunmen blast 75 rounds at Northwest Side apartment. Our position on behalf of Mr. Villarreal is to establish the facts and show that he is not guilty. The former lawmaker didn't respond to phone calls seeking comment, but at the time lawyers said Bonilla became friends with Flores after selling his house to the businessman and was there to show support. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio's properties are nominally owned by a complex structure of companies. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. All he had was Cablevision, but they made him a multimillionaire with enormous power. Deputies and Drug Enforcement Administration agents discovered the lab Thursday night after the arrest of 39-year-old Jose . Gonzlez Fernandez's girlfriend, Alejandra Ibarra, who lives at the Champions Ridge house with their 3-year-old daughter, said she doesn't believe he was involved in drug trafficking. According to Salazar, deputies found a couple hundred grams of methamphetamine and black tar heroin and $9,000. Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. Flores had made powerful friends in the U.S., among them lobbyist and former Congressman Henry Bonilla, who showed up at his initial court appearance in San Antonio. DETAILS: Drugs, Guns & Cash Seized in Huge Federal Drug Bust in Brady LOUIS - A man from Texas and a woman from St. Louis were indicted Wednesday on drug conspiracy charges after multiple kilograms of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine were found during a traffic stop on Interstate 44 in St. Louis County. They had cast Alex as a despicable human being. Prosecutor Creighton Waters noted that stare each day in court. The juror agreed with prosecutors that the key piece of evidence was a video locked on his sons cellphone for a year video shot minutes before the killings at the same kennels near where the bodies would be found. Sheriff's deputies there said they stopped Villarreal, his wife and brother-in-law Oswaldo Coronado traveling with $67,000. Coahuila, with its large manufacturing sector and border crossings, is a major trade partner with Texas, and politically connected people from the state who are not under investigation have become close with San Antonio city leaders. It was during this search that deputies said they arrested Jose Ovalle, 66, who had an active warrant for a charge of possession of a controlled substance, and Francisco Menchaca, 45, who had 2 kilograms of meth and 138 grams of cocaine, according to the sheriffs office. The former governor, Eugenio Hernndez Flores, has said those allegations are false. Meanwhile, the U.S. investigation sprawled. ___ Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. "No tears. If convicted of the latest conspiracy charges, Villarreal and the others each face 10 years to life in federal prison. According to Sorianello, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, over 50 times greater or stronger than heroine. Bexar County drug bust nets $400k worth of heroin, cocaine Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved. SAN ANTONIO A massive drug bust took place at a northwest side hotel where 75,000 fentanyl pills were seized, the Bexar County Sherriff's Office said. Prior to today, authorities seized approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine, 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, a firearm and approximately $124,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization. The street value for the drugs is estimated at $145,890. He has also covered immigration, minority affairs and legal affairs as part of the projects team here and for other print, TV and radio outlets. Texas drug trafficking crackdown lands dozens of people in jail - KENS5.com Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Terrell Hills Police Department, Seguin Police Department and San Antonio Police Department conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Alamo Fade. Murdaugh's family founded the areas most powerful law firm a century ago in neighboring Hampton County. Deputies saw the suspects vehicle leaving the home and thats when they conducted a traffic stop near Loop 410 and Ingram Road. Further, the indictment charges Pena with an additional one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Coahuila corruption and drug ties spread influence to San Antonio, Privately run zoos in Texas adapt to new roles. 6 arrested in drug bust on San Antonio's North Side San Antonio woman among 14 charged with conspiracy to distribute meth Online reports can only be completed for the following crimes where no weapon was used and no suspect information is available. In the quiet Lowcountry that Murdaughs family had dominated since the days of Jim Crow, a judge talked to Murdaugh in a way that few probably have not in his days playing college football, making millions as a high-powered attorney or gaining favor because of his name and reminded Murdaugh that he had to remove the portrait of the defendants grandfather from its place of honor in that same courtroom to ensure a fair trial. Over the past two days, federal, state and local authorities arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Brown, Martinez, Jose Garcia, Alvarado, and Bartlett. Jason Gutierrez aka Big Mac, 37, of San Antonio
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