U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Costa Rican National Extradited to Eastern District of Texas and Sentenced for Conspiracy to Import Cocaine into the United States

Defendant Apprehended and Prosecuted as Part of “Operation Black Sails,” a Wide-Ranging International Drug Investigation

PLANO, Texas – A Costa Rican man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

Felipe Espinoza-Cruz, 49, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2021, to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine for distribution into the United States and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.

“As this case demonstrates, drug smugglers will use any transportation method they can to bring their deadly wares to our shores,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Although the transportation network these traffickers devised and implemented was extraordinarily vast and complex, our law enforcement partners were able to identify and disrupt it, and ultimately bring the perpetrators to justice in United States courts. This case is nothing less than a tremendous win for the American people.”

“Drug trafficking, whether on one of our local street corners or on the open sea 1500 nautical miles away still impacts the safety and security of all of our lives,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division. “This sentence reflects our continued resolve to partner with our international law-enforcement counterparts to fight greed, violence, and drug addiction as we continue to combat the crises we face daily.”

According to information presented in court, from at least 2005 and continuing up until his indictment, Espinoza-Cruz, a resident and national of Costa Rica, was a member of a drug trafficking organization responsible for multi-ton cocaine shipments originating in Colombia and then shipped to Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico for further distribution to the United States. Airplanes, go-fast boats, semi-tractor trailer trucks, and passenger vehicles were used to transport most of the cocaine shipments. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Espinoza-Cruz with federal drug trafficking violations on Nov. 10, 2016.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Bloss.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/costa-rican-national-extradited-eastern-district-texas-and-sentenced-conspiracy-import

>>13927710

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Final Defendant Sentenced in Anderson County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

TYLER, Texas – The final defendant has been sentenced to federal prison in a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

Amber Nicole Priehs, 30, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. Priehs was the sixth and final Palestine, Texas resident to be sentenced in the drug trafficking conspiracy.

“The imprisonment of this drug trafficking organization is a significant victory for the citizens of Palestine and the rest of East Texas,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Our office will continue to pursue those who pump poison and misery into our communities. These defendants showed an utter lack of regard for their fellow citizens by lining their own pockets off of addiction and the decay of their own community.”

According to information presented in court, Byron Bernard Billups, Brandon Williams, and Priehs distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in Palestine and surrounding areas. Billups served as the leader and primary source of supply and worked with Priehs and others to acquire kilos of methamphetamine and other drugs from sources of supply across Texas and brought them back to East Texas for distribution. Brandon Williams distributed bulk methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy to wholesale and retail customers from his home in Palestine, which he shared with his uncle, Larry Williams, who also assisted with handling customers in the drug deals. Priehs distributed bulk methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin directly to customers and through Marcos Navarro, who reported to Priehs. Priehs also recruited Steve Foster to store bulk drugs at his house, which he also permitted Priehs to use to meet customers. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging the defendants with federal drug trafficking violations on Feb. 20, 2019.

Brandon Kione Williams, 37, pleaded guilty on Sep. 21, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute drugs and was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison on March 25, 2021. Larry Joe Williams, 65, pleaded guilty on March 9, 2020, to misprision of a felony and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on Oct. 13, 2020. Byron Bernard Billups, 36, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute drugs and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on Dec. 17, 2020.

Marcos Antonio Navarro, 35, pleaded guilty on March 12, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute drugs and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison on August 11, 2020. Steve Allen Foster, 33, pleaded guilty on March 16, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute drugs and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison on Sep. 15, 2020.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety-CID, and the Palestine Police Department. These defendants were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker, Colleen Bloss, and Heather H. Rattan.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/final-defendant-sentenced-anderson-county-drug-trafficking-conspiracy

>>13927719

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 17, 2021

25 Indicted for Drug Trafficking in Western PA and Beyond

PITTSBURGH - Twenty-five individuals have been named in two separate, but related, Indictments for trafficking multiple drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and cocaine base, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today. The defendants were arrested today following a year-long investigation into drug trafficking in Mercer and Lawrence Counties and beyond.

The first indictment names the following individuals as defendants:

London Pinkins, age 26, of Sharon, Pennsylvania;

Jimmy Gadson, age 34, of Sharon, Pennsylvania;

Harold Hooten, age 44, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania;

Torlando Hopson, age 32, of Farrell, Pennsylvania;

Alphonse Johnson, age 39, currently incarcerated;

Amanda Karwowski, age 29, of Grove City, Pennsylvania, currently incarcerated;

Michael Love, age 43, of Jackson Center, Pennsylvania;

Katlyn McGirr, age 29, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania;

Kenneth Miller, age 59, of Farrell, Pennsylvania;

Nicholas Ostheimer, age 23, of Sharon, Pennsylvania;

Eugene Phillips, age 29, of Farrell, Pennsylvania, currently incarcerated;

Quinton Pinkins, age 36, of Farrell, Pennsylvania;

Joseph Pumphrey, age 62, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania;

Courtney Purdy, age 30, of Mercer, Pennsylvania;

Jeronte Robinson, age 26, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania;

Jammar Shelton, age 42, of Masury, Ohio;

James West, age 45, of Brackenridge, Pennsylvania;

Khiry Whiteside, age 30, of Farrell, Pennsylvania;

Denzel Williams, age 27, of Farrell, Pennsylvania;

Jermall Johnson, age 24, of Erie, Pennsylvania;

Jackie Bell, age 29, of Columbus, Ohio; and

Albert Cummings, age 41, of Cleveland, Ohio.

All of the 22 defendants are charged in Count 1 with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of methamphetamine from June 2020 to June 2021. Count 2 charges London Pinkins and Phillips with conspiring to launder drug trafficking proceeds from February 2021 to June 2021. Counts 3 (Williams), 17 (Alphonse Johnson), 23 (Karwowski), and 24 (London Pinkins) charge several defendants with possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine, and/or a quantity of methamphetamine.

Counts 4 (Ostheimer), 6-8 (Ostheimer and Gadson), 14 (Cummings), 15 (Gadson), 19-22 (West, Gadson, Shelton, and London Pinkins), and 25-28 (Purdy and Quinton Pinkins) charge several defendants with possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of a quantity of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base, and/or cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, school, and public housing. Counts 5 (Ostheimer), 9-13 (London Pinkins, Gadson, Bell, McGirr), 16 (Gadson), and 18 (Williams) charge several defendants with possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of a quantity of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base, cocaine, and/or methamphetamine.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for each of the crimes charged in Counts 1, 3, 17, 23, and 24. The law provides for a maximum total sentence for Count 2 of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 (or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater).

The law provides for a maximum total sentence for each of Counts 4, 6-8, 14, 15, 19-22, and 25- 28 of at least one year and up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. The maximum sentence for Counts 5, 9-13, 16, and 18 is up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal histories of the defendants.

The second indictment names the following individuals as defendants:

Forrest Gilmore, age 25, of New Castle, Pennsylvania;

Melvin Dorsey-Pace, age 28, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and

Rayjzon Sams, 28, age of Farrell, Pennsylvania.

The seven-count Indictment charges the defendants in Count 1 with conspiring to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and a quantity of cocaine from June 2020 to June 2021. Counts 2 (Gilmore), 4 (Dorsey-Pace), 5 (Sams), and 7 (Sams) charge possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a playground, school, and public housing. Count 3 charges Gilmore with possessing with intent to distribute and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base on September 17, 2020. Count 6 charges Sams with possessing with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine on April 18, 2021.

>>13927735

“We undertook this investigation with a single goal in mind—to significantly improve public safety,” said Acting U. S. Attorney Kaufman. “People deserve to feel safe in their homes and in their neighborhoods. Removing these drug traffickers from our streets will help to restore quality of life to the law-abiding citizens of Mercer and Lawrence counties.”

“Today’s arrests reflect the continuing effort to rid our communities of dangerous drugs and drug-related violent crime activity,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “We remain dedicated to aggressively investigating those who don’t think twice about committing a crime in the community they live and putting others lives at risk. Our communities need to know this is a joint effort and couldn't be done without the help of state, local and federal partners.”

“These defendants stand accused of trafficking multiple potentially deadly street drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Their alleged drug-trafficking activities included the distribution of crack cocaine in the vicinity of protected areas such as playgrounds, schools, and public housing facilities” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “These indictments reflect the collective efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement working together to disrupt drug-traffickers that seek to poison and destroy our communities.”

"While 12 Pennsylvanians are dying from opioid overdoses every day, these defendants peddled dozens of kilos of devastating poisons, including heroin and cocaine, into our communities to make a buck," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. "Thanks to this yearlong investigation with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, we have been able to take down more than two dozen violent drug traffickers."

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/25-indicted-drug-trafficking-western-pa-and-beyond

Governor Abbott Announces Border Wall Construction Strategy

June 16, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference in Austin where he announced several key components of the State of Texas' plan to build a border wall. The press conference follows the Governor's Border Security Summit last week in Del Rio, which brought together law enforcement, city and county officials, and landowners to discuss strategies to secure the border and keep communities safe.

The Governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance and House Appropriations Chairs Jane Nelson and Greg Bonnen, and members of the legislature.

"The Biden Administration has abandoned its responsibilities to secure the border and Texans are suffering as a result," said Governor Abbott. "The problems along the border are only getting worse due to President Biden's inaction. Property is being destroyed, deadly drugs and illegal weapons are being smuggled into communities throughout the state, law enforcement is having to redirect their resources, and county judges and mayors are facing skyrocketing expenses. Texas is doing more than any state has ever done to protect the border, but it is clear that more is needed. In the Biden Administration's absence, Texas is stepping up to get the job done by building the border wall. Through this comprehensive public safety effort, we will secure the border, slow the influx of unlawful immigrants, and restore order in our border communities."

During the press conference, the Governor signed a letter to the Texas Facilities Commission directing them to hire a program manager to oversee construction of the Texas border wall. This program manager will lead the process of planning and executing the project, and will hire the contractors and subcontractors needed to build the wall. Once hired, the program manager and contractors will identify state land and land that private landowners and local governments can volunteer for the wall.

Additionally, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, Speaker Phelan, and Senator Nelson, and Representative Bonnen signed a letter during the press conference authorizing the transfer for $250 million as a down payment to launch the construction of the border wall and hire a program manager and contractors. Governor Abbott also noted that the state budget allocates 1.1 billion dollars towards border security — a record for the State of Texas.

The Governor also signed a letter to President Joe Biden demanding the immediate return of any land taken by the federal government to build the border wall. Once returned, Texas will talk to those property owners about the possibility of Texas using that land to build the wall.

Governor Abbott also announced a donation page, www.borderwall.texas.gov, where anyone can voluntarily donate to the construction of the border wall. The fund will be maintained by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-border-wall-construction-strategy

>>13928475

Governor Abbott Signs Second Amendment Legislation Into Law

June 17, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today signed seven pieces of legislation into law to protect Second Amendment Rights in Texas. The Governor was joined for the bill signing ceremony by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senators Donna Campbell, Brandon Creighton, Charles Schwertner, and Drew Springer, Representatives Giovanni Capriglione, Cole Hefner, Tom Oliverson, Matt Schaefer, David Spiller, and other members of the legislature, as well as representatives of the National Rifle Association.

"Politicians from the federal level to the local level have threatened to take guns from law-abiding citizens — but we will not let that happen in Texas," said Governor Abbott. "Texas will always be the leader in defending the Second Amendment, which is why we built a barrier around gun rights this session. These seven laws will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensure that Texas remains a bastion of freedom. Thank you to the Texas Legislature for getting these bills to my desk."

Senate Bill 19 (Schwertner/Capriglione) prohibits any governmental entity from contracting with any business that discriminates against firearm and ammunition businesses or organizations.

Senate Bill 20 (Campbell/Hefner) allows guests to store firearms in their hotel rooms.

Senate Bill 550 (Springer/Spiller) removes the shoulder or belt holster requirements, allowing Texans to carry firearms in whatever kind of holster they choose.

House Bill 957 (Oliverson/Springer) repeals the criminal offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or repairing a firearm silencer. It also ensures that any firearm suppressor manufactured in Texas, and that remains in Texas, will not be subject to federal law or federal regulation.

House Bill 1500 (Hefner/Creighton) prevents any government entity from prohibiting the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency.

House Bill 1927 (Schaefer/Schwertner) authorizes Constitutional Carry in Texas, meaning law-abiding Texans can legally carry a handgun without a license to carry.

House Bill 2622 (Holland/Hall) makes Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary State by protecting Texans from new federal gun control regulations.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-signs-second-amendment-legislation-into-law-2021

>>13928490

Governor Abbott Appoints Bufkin To 355th Judicial District Court

June 17, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Appointment

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Bryan Bufkin as Judge of the 355th Judicial District Court in Hood County for a term set to expire on December 31, 2022, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified.

Bryan Bufkin of Granbury is a partner at Bufkin & Adams, PLLC., and previously served as an assistant district attorney for the Johnson and Somervell Counties District Attorney’s Office. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and its Criminal Judicial Section. Additionally, he is a volunteer coach for the Granbury Athletic Association and former member of the United Way of Hood County Board of Directors. Bufkin received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of Texas at Arlington and a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor Law School.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-bufkin-to-355th-judicial-district-court

Governor Abbott Appoints Cobos to Public Utility Commission of Texas

June 17, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Appointment

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Lori Cobos to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for a term set to expire September 1, 2021. The PUC regulates the state's electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications utility industries, implements respective legislation, and offers customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-cobos-to-public-utility-commission-of-texas