During the recent federal government shutdown, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas continued to prosecute a range of federal crimes, including immigration violations, firearms offenses, fraud, and drug trafficking.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs commented on the office's ongoing efforts: “Over the past 43 days, our mission remained the same, the pursuit of justice for the citizens of the United States,” said Combs. “During the shutdown our prosecutors never stopped. They were in court and on the job every day pursuing justice and protecting our communities as a part of Operation Take Back America.”
Operation Take Back America is described as a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime.
Among notable cases handled during this period:
- Corey Buchea Grant and Calvin Autae Thompson of Dallas were convicted by a jury for conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine after a six-day trial in Plano.
- William Caleb Elliott, formerly a coach and teacher at Celina ISD, was indicted on seven counts related to production of child pornography; indictments are not evidence of guilt.
- Bobby Michael Dennis from Jacksonville was charged with firearms violations following an incident involving a police officer; indictments do not imply guilt.
- John Prentice Robertson received a 360-month sentence for paying women in the Philippines to abuse children for custom child pornography.
- David Valdez and Abel Valdez were each sentenced to 324 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
- Juan Manuel Navarette Robles was sentenced to 315 months for fentanyl distribution conspiracy.
- Rolando Alberto Vindas Abarca received 292 months after extradition for conspiring to manufacture cocaine intended for import into the U.S.
- Trevorris Rashomique Woodard was sentenced to 235 months for fentanyl-related charges.
- Ashley Blaine Brooks received 200 months for child pornography offenses.
- Desmond Denard Brown got 188 months for fentanyl possession with intent to distribute.
- Frank James Collins was sentenced to 175 months related to methamphetamine distribution.
- Trinity Snow Cassels (aka Dustin Joseph McDuffie) received 170 months after posing online as a teen boy and distributing child pornography.
- Charleston Jamal Washington got 168 months for robbing a bank in Vidor.
- Kahkashan Haider Khan was sentenced to 96 months due to false statements tied to international terrorism investigations.
- Dominique Keyrel Carr also received 96 months related to methamphetamine distribution charges.
- Daniel Nichols Corbin got 78 months for carjacking charges.
- Eric Andrew Wara was given 71 months as a felon possessing a firearm.
- Bradley Morgan Holts, previously a financial advisor and stockbroker, was sentenced to 33 months plus $186,381.64 restitution after defrauding investors via interstate wire communications.
- Juan Colorado-Jimenez received 24 months as an illegal alien possessing a firearm in Nacogdoches.
- Linda Burrell got 24 months over HUD fraud allegations.
Additionally:
Antonio Hernandez-Perez pleaded guilty as an illegal alien possessing a firearm; Joshua Deshon Scott admitted guilt regarding stolen firearms from a pawn shop burglary; James Christopher Moffett pleaded guilty as felon in possession of firearm; Carlton Hollins admitted making false statements on tax returns; Bradley Broussard pleaded guilty after brandishing firearm during robbery.
A federal grand jury also returned indictments against five Beaumont men relating to drug trafficking and firearms violations connected with marijuana conspiracy; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
