In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced a former detention officer at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (BCADC) to 18 months in prison for his scheme to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that 27-year-old Ruben Hernandez be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. 

“Part of our steadfast support of law enforcement is holding officers accountable when they break the laws they’re supposed to be enforcing.  It builds community trust when citizens know that there are no double standards,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

On January 2, 2019, Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  By pleading guilty, Hernandez admitted that from May 4, 2018, until June 22, 2018, he conspired with 30–year-old former BCADC detention officer Gabriel Robert Ortiz to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates. Both defendants were the subjects of an undercover operation carried out by federal and state authorities.

“This defendant was not only willing to profit from his position of trust, but was also willing to place his peers in harm's way by undermining rules, regulations, and the law by allowing contraband into the Bexar County Detention Center,” stated FBI SAC Christopher Combs.  “The FBI will continue to work with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the San Antonio Police Department and other partners, to address public corruption.  We urge anyone with information regarding public corruption, including law enforcement officers, to contact their nearest FBI Field Office.”

Ortiz is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for his role in the scheme.   

“We are proud to have partnered for the first time with the FBI on this joint sting operation,” stated Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. “I am pleased with the conviction in this case, and my stance remains the same on rooting out misconduct.”

The FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Surovic prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In Midland today, 39-year-old Odessa, TX, resident Noe Garcia Galan pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge in connection with the murder of Sean Michael Lamb in 2014, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division; and, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge David Counts, Galan pleaded guilty to one count of murder resulting from the use and discharge of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. 

By pleading guilty, Galan admitted that on May 13, 2014, he fatally shot Lamb.  According to court records, Galan and others were responsible for the abduction and death of Lamb because they suspected that Lamb and others had stolen a large amount of “crystal” methamphetamine from co-defendants Liz Hernandez and her brother, Ruben James Hernandez. 

“Along with our law-enforcement partners, we seek justice for all victims of crime.  I am pleased that we were able to obtain a guilty plea in this case and I look forward to sentencing,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

Ruben Hernandez, age 38 of Odessa, remains a fugitive in this case.  Liz Hernandez, age 39 of Odessa, is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.  Her 22-year-old son, Brian Hernandez, is back in federal custody after violating conditions of his supervised release, including failing a drug test.  In February 2017, Hernandez completed his 41-month federal prison term after he pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge.  Four other Odessan co-defendants—44-year-old Raymond Hernandez Olgin, Jr., 41-year-old Rudolfo Romero Parades, 44-year-old Stacey Louise Castillo and 41-year-old Anthony Ryan Gonzales—are serving life, 27 years, 25 years, and 27 years in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.  In April 2015, a federal jury convicted those four of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and one count of murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.

“The Odessa Police Department would like to thank all of the assisting agencies for the time and effort dedicated in bringing charges in this case. This was truly a joint effort and could not have been accomplished without their help,” stated Odessa Police Chief Gerke.

Galan, who remains in federal custody, faces between ten years and life in federal prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for 2:00pm on May 29, 2019, in Midland before Judge Counts. 

The Odessa Police Department and the FBI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Rangers, and the U.S. Border Patrol, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio today, a former detention officer at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (BCADC) was sentenced to three years in federal prison for a scheme to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

In addition to the prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that 30-year-old Gabriel Robert Ortiz be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.  On November 20, 2018, Ortiz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  By pleading guilty, Ortiz admitted that he and his co-defendant, 27–year-old former BCADC officer Ruben Hernandez, carried out their attempted smuggling scheme from May 4, 2018, until June 22, 2018.  Both defendants were the subjects of an undercover operation carried out by federal and state authorities.

Hernandez pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge on January 2, 2019.  He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2019. 

“This sentence shows that members of law enforcement who violate the law will be held to the same standards as any other citizens,” stated U.S. Attorney John Bash.

“I am glad to see that justice was served in this case, and I am proud to have partnered with the FBI on this sting operation. As I’ve stated in the past officer misconduct will not be tolerated within my agency and I will do everything possible to hold them accountable criminally and administratively,” stated Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

The FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Surovic is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In San Antonio today, two former detention officers at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (BCADC) face federal charges for their alleged scheme to smuggle methamphetamine to inmates, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

A four count federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges 29–year-old Gabriel Robert Ortiz and 26–year-old Ruben Hernandez with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Ortiz is also charged with three substantive counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Hernandez is also charged with one substantive count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

The indictment alleges that the defendants carried out their alleged scheme from May 4, 2018, until June 22, 2018.

Upon conviction, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison. 

The FBI and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Greg Surovic is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that a federal grand jury indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law