GUILTY PLEA – DARIFAH DAVIS

On March 3, Darifah Davis, 36, pled guilty to theft of government funds. For nearly three years, Davis filed for and was awarded disability insurance benefits. She falsely claimed to not be working during this time, and as a result, received over $51,000 in Disability Insurance Benefits that were not due to her. She faces up to a year in federal custody. This case was investigated by Social Security Administration and is prosecuted by AUSA Danielle Jones.

GUILTY PLEA – CHARLES AUBREY HURT

On March 3, Charles Aubrey Hurt, 63, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm. He was previously imprisoned for 3 years for possession of methamphetamine and 7 years for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He admits to distributing over 500 grams of methamphetamine in late 2019. Law enforcement searched his residence and found methamphetamine, heroin, and a firearm.  Hurt agreed to the forfeiture of 7 firearms that were in his possession. He faces up to 10 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Texas Department of Public Safety and is prosecuted by AUSA George Leal.

SENTENCING - CARLOS HUMBERTO MATAMOROS VASQUEZ

On March 2, Carlos Humberto Matamoros Vasquez, 24, was sentenced to 5 years in federal custody for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. Vasquez admitted to distributing marijuana from Bubba’s Beer, Smoke, Wine and Glasswerks. Law enforcement seized 33 pounds of marijuana and over $468,000 from the residence that he shared with his coconspirator. This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mesquite Police Department and is prosecuted by AUSA George Leal. 

GUILTY PLEA – ALEXANDER WALDVOGEL

On March 5, Alexander Waldvogel, 39, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Waldvogel’s coconspirators purchased a marijuana dispensary in California and illegally shipped marijuana to Texas further illegal distribution. Waldvogel received marijuana shipments for further distribution. During one stage of the criminal operation, Waldvogel possessed approximately 108 kilograms of marijuana or marijuana derived products in his apartment. Waldvogel faces up to 5 years in federal custody for the offense. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by AUSA Chad Meacham.

SENTENCING – JOSHUA BLAKE BROWNING

On March 5, Joshua Blake Browning, 38, was sentenced to 3 months for escaping from custody and possessing contraband in prison. Browning escaped a federal prison camp where he was serving time for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Additionally, while serving his time in prison, Browning illegally possessed a mobile device. The case was investigated by the United States Marshall Service and is prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam. 

SENTENCING – KYLE DANIEL PEARCY

On March 2, Kyle Daniel Pearcy, 26, was sentenced to 10 months in federal custody for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. Pearcy knowingly aimed a laser pointer at a helicopter operated by the Dallas Police Department after midnight in August 2019. He aimed the laser pointer five times for short bursts totaling 13 seconds, causing crew members to squint their eyes to protect their vision. The case record labeled this case as a “knuckleheaded act of stupidity.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and is prosecuted by AUSA John de la Garza.

SENTENCING – Sylvia Diaz

On September 30, Sylvia Diaz was sentenced to 4 years and 10 months in federal custody, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to acquire a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer by false or fictitious statement. She and her codefendant purchased in total 160 firearms in 50 separate transactions for a buyer in Mexico. Diaz falsely claimed on the corresponding paperwork that she was the actual buyer. This case was prosecuted by AUSA Cathy Richardson and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

GUILTY PLEA - Joshua Blake Browning

On October 1, Joshua Blake Browning, 38, pled guilty to escape from custody. Browning was serving an 8 years and 10 month sentence for the crime of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He escaped from a Federal Prison Camp in Seagoville by running when asked to forfeit a cell phone in his possession. Browning faces up to five years in federal custody, consecutive with his current sentence. This case is prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam and was investigated by the United States Marshal Service.

 

GUILTY PLEA – Robert Darren Moore

On October 1, Robert Darren Moore, 35, pled guilty to bank robbery. Moore admitted to robbing a BBVA Compass Bank within a Tom Thumb, a Bank of America, and a Texas Star Bank within nine days. Moore faces up to 25 years in federal custody. This case is prosecuted by AUSA Damien Diggs and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Addison Police Department, Richardson Police Department, and Sherman Police Department. 

 

GUILTY PLEA - Luis Alexander Vargas

On October 1, Luis Alexander Vargas, 31, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Vargas was apprehended in a white van and attempted to escape on foot. He was quickly arrested and the officers found 62 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle.  Vargas faces up to 40 years in federal custody. This case was prosecuted by AUSA Linda Requenez and investigated by the Irving Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

SENTENCING – Joshua Israel Pagan Zapata

On October 3, Joshua Israel Pagan Zapata, 22, was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in federal custody for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine. Zapata and his co-conspirators agreed to bypass security at the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport with what they believed to be 10 kilograms of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigations Division of the Internal Revenue Service, and the Dallas Police Department. The case was prosecuted by AUSA George Leal, AUSA John De La Garza, and AUSA John Kull.

 

SENTENCING – Christian Davis Cruz-Rodriguez

On October 3, Christian Da Cruz-Rodriguez, 24, was sentenced to 5 years and 5 months in federal custody for conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cruz-Rodriguez told undercover agents about different methods to smuggle contraband into aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. He agreed to smuggle 6 kilograms of methamphetamine at the request of the undercover agents. The investigating parties on this case were the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigations Division of the Internal Revenue Service, and the Dallas Police Department. The prosecuting attorneys were AUSA George Leal, AUSA John De La Garza, and AUSA John Kull.

 

GUILTY PLEA - James Dick Biggs

On October 1, James Dick Diggs, 55, pled guilty to unarmed bank robbery. In April of 2019, Diggs robbed two different banks in Dallas by threatening employees. Biggs faces up to 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by AUSA Melanie Smith and prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

GUILTY PLEA – Christopher Cousins

On September 30, Christopher Cousins, 28, pled guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. In February 2018, Cousins and his two coconspirators entered a Sprint Store in Garland, brandishing a firearm. The conspirators stole smartphones and cash for a total value of over $13,000. Cousins faces up to 60 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Dallas Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is prosecuted by AUSA PJ Meitl.

 

GUILTY PLEA – Bobby Dewayne Smith

On August 1, Bobby Dewayne Smith, 38, pled guilty to attempt and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. On a search warrant, the DEA searched Smith’s home to find a pistol, a scale, cookware associated with the conversion of cocaine, and crack cocaine for distribution. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a $1,000,000 fine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam.

 

GUILTY PLEA – Cesar Aranda-Delgado

On August 1, Cesar Aranda-Delgado, 40, pled guilty to aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Law enforcement officials conducted a search on the vehicle Aranda-Delgado was driving and found 1.5 kilograms of cocaine. Aranda-Delgado confirmed that he came to the United States from Mexico to make money distributing narcotics. Aranda-Delgado faces up to 20 years in prison. This case was investigated by the Grand Prairie Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency and is prosecuted by AUSA Rachael Jones.

SENTENCING – Romulo Ramos-Diaz

On August 1, Romulo Ramos-Diaz was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. Ramos-Diaz had pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ramos-Diaz served as a look-out and protection for his co-conspirators and was eventually arrested after selling to an undercover officer. In the course of the investigation, officers discovered over two kilograms of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and prosecuted by AUSA John Kull.

SENTENCING – Adrian Jimenez-Reynoso

On August 5, Adrian Jimenez-Reynoso was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison. Jimenez-Reynoso had pled guilty to charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement officials had intercepted a variety of calls and other evidence that revealed Jimenez-Reynoso’s drug deals. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and prosecuted by AUSA John Kull.

INDICTMENT – Joshua Blake Browning

On August 7, a federal grand jury indicted Joshua Blake Browning, 38, for escaping from custody and possessing contraband in prison. Browning escaped a federal prison camp where he was serving time for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Additionally, while serving his time in prison, Browning illegally possessed a mobile device. If convicted, Browing faces up to 6 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by the United States Marshall Service and is prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam. 

 

INDICTMENT – Abel Cardenas Segundo and Guillermo Zarco Villasenor

On August 7, a federal grand jury indicted Abel Cardenas Segundo, 30, and Guillermo Zarco Villasenor, 26, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Both defendants face up to 40 years in prison. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is prosecuted by AUSA P.J. Meitl.

 

INDICTMENT – Garibaldi Gutierrez Solorio

On August 7, a federal grand jury indicted Garibaldi Gutierrez Solorio, 25, for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute heroin. If convicted, Solorio faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a maximum fine of $11,000,000. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and is prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam.

 

INDICTMENT – Santos Ramos

On August 7, a federal jury indicted Santos Ramos, 26, as an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Ramos allegedly was in possession of two pistols. If convicted, Ramos must forfeit any firearms involved in the offense and he faces up to 10 years imprisonment. This case was investigated by the Irving Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is prosecuted by AUSA Gary Tromblay.