CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 28-year-old resident of Los Fresnos has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for large-scale meth trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Samuel Martinez pleaded guilty Aug. 29, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge David Morales ordered Martinez to serve 10 years in prison. At the hearing, the court heard evidence Martinez was smuggling the meth to Houston in order to pay a debt.

On May 2, 2019, Martinez approached the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Sarita. During inspection, a K-9 alerted to his vehicle.

Authorities then removed Martinez from his vehicle and patted him down, noticing an anomaly on his inner thigh. Martinez claimed it was a medical device.

However, upon further inspection, law enforcement located six bundles taped to his thigh that contained almost two kilograms of pure meth. Martinez then admitted he knew he was transporting narcotics for a drug cartel.

He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with assistance from BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 41-year-old San Antonio man has admitted to wire fraud that resulted in a loss of $1,878,615.84, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Robert Morales Munguia Jr. knowingly submitted false work orders to his company in order to receive gifts and payments from outside vendors. He also admitted he knew the work would never be completed.

From Feb. 27, 2015, until April 12, 2018, Munguia worked as an environmental specialist at a Texas-based corporation. During that time, he conspired with outside contractors to bill for 68 false work orders that were never completed. In return, Munguia received various gifts and cash.

As a result of the scheme, the company paid almost $2 million.

Munguia was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing, set for Nov. 6, before U.S. District Judge David Morales. At that time, Munguia faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate is prosecuting the case.   

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 40-year-old Houston man has entered a guilty plea in Corpus Christi federal court to money laundering through wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Mohamad Sylla admitted he conspired with Jose Luis Briseno, 41, Tynan, and David Contreras, 42, Paso Robles, California, to get a Houston oil production company to issue paychecks for work Contreras never completed and while he was not even employed there.

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 11, 2015, Briseno and Sylla were employed at the company as the service coordinator and South Texas region manager, respectively. The two men conspired to approve timesheets for Contreras even though he was no  longer employed there. Briseno and Sylla ensured the timesheets were approved and payments issued. Once Contreras received the funds, he would split the paycheck with Briseno and Sylla.

As a result, Contreras, Briseno and Sylla falsely obtained funds totaling approximately $40,383.91.

Briseno and Contreras have also pleaded for their roles in the scheme.

U.S. District Judge David Morales will impose Sylla’s sentencing Aug. 31. At that time, Sylla faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $500,000 maximum fine.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate is prosecuting the case. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 23-year-old resident of Louisiana has admitted he unlawfully possessed a firearm following a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Blake Wain was previously convicted of multiple felony offenses out of Louisiana to include false imprisonment armed with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession with intent to distribute meth. Per federal law, he is prohibited from possession of a firearm due to these convictions.

Wain was on parole for these offenses July 12 when authorities found and arrested him for a violation of that parole. He was sitting in a vehicle’s passenger seat. At his feet was a Glock, model 33, .357 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

He admitted the weapon was his.

U.S. District Judge David Morales has set sentencing for Feb. 4, 2020. At that time, Wain faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison.

Wain has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Popejoy is prosecuting the case.