SENTENCING – DONNA WOODS
On January 30, Donna Woods was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in federal custody and to paying $337,951.06 in restitution to the Federal Communications Commission for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and wire fraud. Woods had approved the granting of a federal telecommunications E-rate contract to a company called ADI Engineering which was owned by Woods’ coconspirator. Woods received $50,000 in exchange for her approval of ADI Engineering, a company known to have a shoddy record. She also falsely reported that ADI had correctly completed their job. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Federal Communications Commission Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by AUSA Russ Fusco and AUSA Nick Bunch. Click here to read more about this case.
GUILTY PLEA – ARTURO CALDERON
On January 28, Arturo Calderon, 26, pled guilty to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Between February 2018 and February 2019, Calderon purchased numerous firearms from licensed vendors. During the purchase of these firearms, Calderon responded falsely to the question on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Form that asks if the buyer is “the actual transferee/buyer of the firearms(s) listed on this form.” Calderon purchased at least 16 firearms that he then gave to an individual who covered the cost of the firearms, and then additionally compensated Calderon. Calderon faces up to 10 years in federal custody for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and is prosecuted by AUSA Brian McKay.
SENTENCING – RAFAEL RUBI
On January 29, Rafael Rubi, 24, was sentenced to 17 years in federal custody for possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Rubi and his coconspirator were stoppedfor a traffic violation, and officers observed a firearm in plain view. Rubi is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. In the preceding week, Rubi had been involved in multiple drive-by shootings with the intention of extorting payment for damages in a car accident. A search warrant was executed at Rubi’s residence and officers recovered heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, alprazolam, marijuana, a drug ledger, and two pistols. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and was prosecuted by AUSA Rebekah Ricketts. Please click here to read more about this case.
SENTENCING – CIERA WASHINGTON
On January 27, Ciera Washington, 23, was sentenced to 5 years in federal custody for robbery. Washington waited in a vehicle as an escape driver, while her coconspirators stole 68 packs of cigarettes and $343 from a Valero gas station after striking the store clerk on the head with a firearm. The coconspirators were pursued by the police, and Washington led them on a high-speed chase, until she hit a curb. The coconspirators fled and escaped, however, Washington was apprehended as she was several months pregnant. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Mesquite Police Department, and the Dallas Police Department and is prosecuted by AUSA Cara Pierce.
SENTENCING – JESSE BELL
On January 30, Jesse Bell, 26, was sentenced to 17 years in federal custody for felon in possession of a firearm, interference with commerce by robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He and his coconspirator robbed a Valero gas station at gun point and struck the store clerk on the head with the pistol. He and his coconspirators then led police on a high-speed chase that eventually ended in Bell’s capture. It was revealed during trial that Bell had also sold firearms to an undercover agent, despite being a convicted felon. This is a Project Guardian case that was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Mesquite Police Department. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Cara Pierce. Click here to read more about this case.
GUILTY PLEA – ELLIS JAY JOHNSON
On January 30, Ellis Jay Johnson, 42, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. A cooperating individual working with the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department went to Johnson’s home and purchased methamphetamine. The individual was wearing a recording device, and the officers used that recording to obtain a warrant. When the warrant was executed, officers found three firearms and methamphetamine. He faces up to 20 years in federal custody for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office and is prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam.
SENTENCING – JUAN CARLOS FARIAS-LOYA
On January 29, Juan Carlos Farias-Loya, 34, was sentenced to 8 years in federal custody for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Through a confidential source, the Drug Enforcement Administration learned that Farias-Loya met the individual at both a Marshalls and a residence to sell methamphetamine. Later, Farias-Loya and his coconspirators used a money remitter business to wire proceeds to Mexico. Federal agents executed a search warrant at the residence and found a methamphetamine recrystallization laboratory, 6 kilograms of methamphetamine, receipts for money sent to Mexico, and $180,000 in proceeds. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam.
