Gutierrez faces between five and 40 years upon conviction. Like a traditional mafia, the Zetas also are involved in public works fraud, creating fake companies or suborning legitimate businesses and bribing public officials in exchange for government contracts that are inflated or never completed. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. Lock Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our citizens. Also on the list were Villarreal, the former treasurer; Torres, the former interim governor; and Flores, the businessman who pleaded guilty in Corpus Christi. An official website of the United States government. SAN ANTONIO A man and a woman were arrested after deputies busted a drug distribution operation in West Bexar County on Friday, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Its radio and television stations have a reputation for supporting the Institutional Revolutionary Party, known by its Spanish acronym PRI, in general and the Moreiras in particular. Plus, Rooftop Cinema extends screenings until September. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Michael Barron, age 39 of San Antonio; ___ Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. Frank Anthony Hernandez aka Pancho, 36, of San Antonio; Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. It was during this search that deputies said they arrested Jose Ovalle, 66, who had an active warrant for a charge of possession of a controlled substance, and Francisco Menchaca, 45, who had 2 kilograms of meth and 138 grams of cocaine, according to the sheriffs office. U.S. authorities were ramping up their investigation after Gonzalez's arrest on drug charges. All of them were indicted on federal drug. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, METRO -- The father of Ashley Villarreal is led out of the Judge John H. Wood Federal Courthouse. Monday February 10, 2003. The nighttime stakeout targeted her father. Through more than 75 witnesses and nearly 800 pieces of evidence, jurors heard about betrayed friends and clients, Murdaughs failed attempt to stage his own death in an insurance fraud scheme, a fatal boat crash in which his son was implicated, the housekeeper who died in a fall in the Murdaugh home and the grisly scene of the killings. In 2011, a pair of Mexican senators called for an investigation into Chaires and his investment in real estate and in Coahuila radio and television stations. He's facing a federal charge of possession with an intent to distribute over 500 grams of a controlled substance, according to Salazar. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired since January 2020 to distribute cocaine. Those five defendants were already in custody. In October 2012, Jos Eduardo Moreira, Humberto's son, was found murdered outside the border city of Acua, and several police officials were arrested in connection with the slaying. Also charged are Francisco Garza, 52; Frank Zepeda, 51; Jose Tabares, 53; Matthew Villa, 51; Michelle Zamarripa, 59; Rodger Rocky Hernandez, 43; Jay Haggard, 34; Oscar Heredia, 37; Jason Big Mac Gutierrez, 37; and Jacob Sanchez, 21. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. They say those millions were looted from the Coahuila government and flooded Texas starting in 2007, during the term of former Gov. Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT. Zambrano was arrested in the kitchen without incident. Ed Rodriguez, a former IRS agent who is not involved in the case, said there could be perfectly legitimate reasons for businessmen to distance themselves from properties they own, including protection from lawsuits. His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering breaking news of the day, as well as producing Q&As and content for the "South Texas Pride" and "KSAT Money" series. Pictured is (left to right): Jeanette Gloria, 38; Crystal Coronado, 34; Kenneth Peterson, 28; Josh Delgado, 38. Prior to today, authorities seized approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine, 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, a firearm and approximately $124,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization. Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio; ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. And it might not have been you. What's known is this: the Gonzlezes control a media empire in Mexico and in recent years extended their influence across the border. They whisked him to San Antonio, where prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging him with another count of money laundering. The indictment accuses the defendants of conspiring to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Midwestern and Southern U.S. During a year-long investigation culminating in coordinated raids this week, law enforcement officers led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized 23 kilos of cocaine, more than 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, 100 kilos of methamphetamine, along with firearms and $359,000 in cash. Updated: 11:05 PM CST November 13, 2020 SAN ANTONIO Nearly $30 million worth of drugs are seized from a Bexar County home. The now-disbarred attorney admitted stealing millions of dollars from the family firm and clients, saying he needed the money to fund his drug habit. Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Terrell Hills Police Department, Seguin Police Department and San Antonio Police Department conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Alamo Fade. The Schertz Police Department stated in a social . Updated: 4:52 PM CST January 28, 2022. 2 at the DA's office, prosecutors believe at least some of the $6.5 million in a JP Morgan Chase and Co. bank account that his office is suing to forfeit came from kickbacks. An employee of a residential facility for immigrant families and the father of a girl shot dead by federal agents in San Antonio 18 years ago are among 14 alleged members of a drug ring charged in a new federal indictment. In a month or so, he will move to a maximum security state prison like all new inmates serving life sentences. Jason Buch, Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News. According to Eastland County Today, Tuesday at 1:30 am - Eastland County Deputy Sheriff Colby Jackson made a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on Interstate 20. Joe Angel Villarreal later was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for leading a large cocaine-trafficking group. Brian Victorino Chavarria, age 24 of San Antonio; UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . He has also covered immigration, minority affairs and legal affairs as part of the projects team here and for other print, TV and radio outlets. It also alleges that from June 2019 until April 7, 2021, Oscar Oviedo, Vasquez, Justin Guerrero, Moreno and Palafos conspired to distribute cocaine, and that Chavarria, Homero Garcia, Oswaldo Lopez and Oscar Lopez conspired to distribute heroin. Ricardo Gonzalez, age 24 of San Antonio; SAN ANTONIO - Six people are in custody, two of which are being held in a federal facility, following a drug bust on the North Side, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. SAN ANTONIO - A man and a woman were arrested after deputies busted a drug distribution operation in West Bexar County on Friday, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. That's what we're doing, he said. You have to have a federal and state license for that. Today, it has large office buildings in Saltillo and hangars at the city airport. The KSAT 12 News Team provides a look at local, regional, statewide and national news events and the latest information on local traffic and weather issues. According to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, deputies on Friday executed a search warrant at a home in the 6900 block of Martinique Drive, not far from Highway 90 and Military Drive. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Rene Palafos, age 37 of San Antonio; Sheriff's deputies there said they stopped Villarreal, his wife and brother-in-law Oswaldo Coronado traveling with $67,000. Deputies searched a home Tuesday in the 1200 block of Delmar when they arrested Edward Medrano, 35, for being in possession of 373.3 grams of methamphetamine, according to officials. Deputies detained her and found 5 THC vape pens on the front seat, authorities said. During this investigation, authorities have seized approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine, 35 firearms, two silencers, a grenade, body armor and approximately $265,000 in U.S. Currency along with other assets attributable to this organization. An indictment accused Ral Gonzlez Fernandez, a 42-year-old restaurateur who was born in Del Rio, of conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing more than 500 grams of the drug. Deputies seized four kilograms of heroin and two kilograms of cocaine in the home in addition to multiple firearms, thousands of dollars of cash and expensive clothing. Officials said this is the third incident involving a drug bust this week alone, according to the BCSO; however, this incident is separate from the previous two. According to authorities, the team has two simultaneous narcotic search warrants on two residences located near the 200 block of Zaragoza Street. The DEA said her father may have used her as a decoy. Rodger Hernandez aka Rocky, 43, of San Antonio If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Jesus Rodriguez aka Don Chuy, 62, of Rio Grande City; Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. The government is abusing its power, Canales wrote in one filing. All of the defendants except Albelardo Oviedo are also charged in substantive counts in the indictment related to specific instances of drug trafficking that occurred throughout the course of the conspiracy. Camouflaged among those escaping the more recent problems in the state are drug traffickers, unscrupulous businessmen and high-ranking Coahuila officials who laundered more than $35 million in kickbacks for state contracts, U.S. authorities say. Authorities call it the largest. Our position on behalf of Mr. Villarreal is to establish the facts and show that he is not guilty. The suspects were arrested for drug possession. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. When Humberto came into power, RCG was tiny, said Jorge Rosales Saade, an official with the opposition PAN party in Coahuila. Rubn Moreira, the current governor, told Mexican reporters that Gonzlez Trevio's position was unofficial and unpaid. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, our community is safer today, stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. Murdaugh didnt look at the sign as he was hustled into the courthouse with his head down. Haggard faces up to 10 years in federal prison upon conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Authorities call it the largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County. Meanwhile, the U.S. investigation sprawled. On one occasion, he said, a state contract went to a mineral extraction company controlled by the Zetas drug gang, former en- forcers for another cartel who spun off into their own criminal organization. Tracy Kinsinger came to the courthouse with a homemade sign reading Murderer that he made the night before. Among those charged are Villarreal, who is in a San Antonio jail awaiting trial, and Coahuila's former interim governor, Jorge Juan Torres Lpez, a fugitive. I saw his eyes. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office conducted the drug bust in the 500 block of Porter Street. A good liar. His lawyer, Roy Barrera Jr., said Flores wasn't involved in public corruption or organized crime. The Murdaugh case has attracted true crime fans from around the world with its threads of power, danger, money and privilege. On Tuesday, federal, state and local authorities arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Lumbreras, Ojeda and Flores. Oscar Jesus Lopez, age 23 of Laredo; The indictment alleges that defendants Arteaga, Rodriguez, Brown, Chavarria, Oscar Oviedo, Joseph Guerrero, Vasquez, Martinez, Justin Guerrero, Gonzalez, Robles, Moreno, Palafos, Barron, Lopez, Jose Garcia, Alvarado, Bartlett, and Albelardo Oviedo conspired from June 2019 until April 7, 2021, to distribute methamphetamine. Intellectuals and landholders from the state, which borders Texas, took refuge here during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. . He pleaded guilty to operating a money transmitting business without a license, Barrera said. Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. But they had a mountain of circumstantial evidence, including the video putting Murdaugh at the scene of the killings five minutes before his wife and son stopped using their cellphones forever. Instructions. Torres and Villarreal were the closest persons to Moreira, Salazar said. Coronado and Flores Valdez, the Moreiras' nephew, were in San Antonio responding to a request by Bexar County to depose representatives of the LLCs that Villarreal's family members manage. WALTERBORO, S.C. One of the last pieces of a legal dynasty that doled out justice in rural South Carolina for decades crumbled Friday as lawyer Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his wife and son at their sprawling estate. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) $400,000 worth of drugs were found in an east side home today. The head of south central Texas DEA shares new insight on the. Despite the tony digs, the raid looked like any other drug case. A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance: Matthew Noe Arteaga, age 35 of San Antonio; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Villarreal's attorney said the majority owners in the Texas LLCs are not Villarreal's family members, but a Panamanian company, and that the San Antonio property was purchased with money from lenders in Mexico, not kickbacks. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired in 2020 to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. Another $8,500 in cash was found at the home as well, according to officials. A locked padlock Then, starting in 2006, he and his brother, Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio, went on a spending spree. Nicolas Rodriguez, age 39 of San Antonio; This arrest operation also resulted in firearms, currency, and a large amount of methamphetamine being seized from these individuals. Boy, 11, shoots self in head with gun he found in apartment, Photos show a massive alligator on an Atascosa County road, Look inside historic $2.3 million King William home. On July 20, 2021, members of the BCSO and DEA TAG Unit executed a search warrant in the After additional surveillance of the area, investigators arrested Servando Yzaguirre after he was found to be in possession of 323.7 grams of meth, according to the sheriffs office. Thursday, March 18, 2021 Twelve Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area Twelve San Antonio residents face federal drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division. He has also covered immigration, minority affairs and legal affairs as part of the projects team here and for other print, TV and radio outlets. Before he was charged with murder, Murdaugh was in jail awaiting trial on about 100 other charges ranging from insurance fraud to tax evasion. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar says a drug operation at the home in the 100 block of Trudell was first broken up a few weeks ago when Deputies were delivering a warrant. They are steadfastly in his camp, defense attorney Jim Griffin said after the hearing. SAN ANTONIO A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison on Tuesday after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days Texas Vista owner has threatened hospital shutdown before, VIA adding 8 new buses to its fleet and theyre all electric, BCSO: 3 arrested after 6 smuggled people, 3 stash houses found, Bexar County deputy reunites African tortoise with owners, Gunmen blast 75 rounds at Northwest Side apartment. They asked a judge to give them three San Antonio houses, all appraised at more than $500,000; the Champions Ridge home owned by Gonzlez Fernandez, a house in the Vistas at Sonterra owned by his brother; and a house in Oakwell Farms, an exclusive inside-the-loop gated community, owned by their father, Ral Gonzlez Trevio. S.A.-area rancher catches the hearts of American Idol judges, USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days a week, Take a look inside this $3.5 million 'mystery' mansion, New food truck park opens at The CO-OP SA, 10 things to do this weekend in San Antonio. A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. These family members assisted Villarreal by, among other things, opening bank accounts at U.S. banks, establishing business entities and purchasing real estate in the names of these business entities.. In total, officials found seven kilos of heroin and 1.5 kilos of meth, according to the BCSO. These arrests send a strong and unified message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our communities and those who commit these offenses will be brought to justice, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Comeaux. A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine . Upon conviction of the drug conspiracy charge, Ojeda, Juan Estrada, Lus Estrada, Rodriguez, Hernandez, Acevedo, Villarreal and Flores face between 10 years and life in federal prison; Lumbreras, Casas, DeLuna and Pena face between five and 40 years in federal prison; and Cuellar faces up to 20 years in federal prison. All the billboards that the PRI used in its campaigns they would rent from Roberto, and they'd easily get the permits from the city governments.. According to police, during a traffic stop, officers found a loaded syringe containing heroin inside of a vehicle. In the quiet Lowcountry that Murdaughs family had dominated since the days of Jim Crow, a judge talked to Murdaugh in a way that few probably have not in his days playing college football, making millions as a high-powered attorney or gaining favor because of his name and reminded Murdaugh that he had to remove the portrait of the defendants grandfather from its place of honor in that same courtroom to ensure a fair trial. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. An official website of the United States government. All the defendants, excepting Gutierrez, face between 10 years and life in federal prison upon conviction of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Javier Garcia Lopez, age 29 of San Antonio; Over the next few months, Villarreal, Moreira who by that time had left Coahuila to become the national leader of the PRI as it was poised to retake Mexico's presidency and Torres, who had taken over the governorship, were forced to leave their respective jobs. The elder Villarreal was arrested in a DEA operation in which his daughter was shot and critically wounded by federal agents. In December, six Coahuila businessmen gathered at the Hotel Contessa in downtown San Antonio. Ashley. Jonathan Linares Lumbreras aka Coahuila, 30, of San Antonio; "No tears. Lus Claudio Estrada aka Luz, 42, of La Joya; ROBERT MCLEROY, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, S.A.-area rancher catches the hearts of American Idol judges, USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days a week, Take a look inside this $3.5 million 'mystery' mansion, New food truck park opens at The CO-OP SA, 10 things to do this weekend in San Antonio. Gonzlez Fernandez, the son, has pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. Prosecutors have said in court that they believe Flores helped a former governor of Tamaulipas, another state that borders Texas, launder bribe money from the Zetas. Deputies and Drug Enforcement Administration agents discovered the lab Thursday night after the arrest of 39-year-old Jose . The DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety, San Antonio Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, University of Texas San Antonio Police Department, Gonzales Police Department, Comal County Sheriffs Office and the Guadalupe County Sheriffs Office conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Brujas Blunder. Bexar County prosecutors say the treasurer, Hctor Javier Villarreal Hernndez, wired millions of dollars to Texas that he received from kickbacks. Drug dealing and violence go hand in hand. Prosecutor Creighton Waters noted that stare each day in court. "They take a pill which seems very simple, never done that in their life, and they simply dont wake up.". OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Adrin Rosales is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Both arrests were in connection with the drug bust, the sheriffs office said. Torres remains a fugitive in Mexico. The girl was shot when she drove her fathers car out of their house at San Joaquin and Motes streets. Lawyers for both men maintain they're innocent. Fridays hearing again took place in a packed courtroom. Guillermo Moyado, 38, and Joaquin Cardenas, 39, were arrested during the traffic stop after deputies seized five kilos of black tar heroin and five kilos of methamphetamine from their vehicle, according to the BCSO. I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Paul-Paul, Murdaugh responded. Further back, in the 1800s, Coahuila y Tejas was one state under Mexican rule. When there's two or three or four or five layers of individuals, that's called layering of ownership, he said. The press conference took place around 11:45 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of Porter. On an October morning last year, residents in . Border Patrol agents based in the San Diego Sector seized 232 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of about $3 million from a single vehicle, officials announced on Monday.. And that is why we want to ask questions as far as their involvement or knowledge.. Last year, Raul Gonzlez Trevio bought a one-acre piece of commercial property on U.S. 281 near TPC Parkway. According to court records, Haggard was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to four years imprisonment for aggravated robbery in Bexar County. At about 11 a.m., SLO Police. At sentencing, Murdaugh maintained his innocence, just as he did when he testified in his own defense during the six-week trial. Records show he was released in July 2019. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. Jay Haggard, 34, of San Antonio Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. The company also owns billboards around the state. Deputies detained Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, in a West Bexar County drug bust. SAN ANTONIO A massive drug bust took place at a northwest side hotel where 75,000 fentanyl pills were seized, the Bexar County Sherriff's Office said. The female driver was identified as Shauna Madrid, 36, from Roswell, New Mexico. As the investigation continued, several others were also arrested. Gonzlez Fernandez's girlfriend, Alejandra Ibarra, who lives at the Champions Ridge house with their 3-year-old daughter, said she doesn't believe he was involved in drug trafficking. All other crimes require an officer to make the scene. Over five years, they purchased a dozen houses in San Antonio, selling off a handful and renting out others. Man charged with murder cut off ankle monitor, captured after being spotted in San Antonio, 'Especially lush': Wildflower Center predicts above-average bluebonnet season, Spring-like weekend in store for San Antonio | FORECAST, 2 separate $10,000 rewards offered by law enforcement for the suspect involved in shooting two Corpus Christi officers, Police search for suspects who may be involved in robbery, Video shows possible suspect vehicle connected to Army soldier's murder on New Year's Day. Shes a recreation specialist for GEO, supervising children at play, he said. All he did was blow snot," Moyer said. A federal grand jury indictment returned in San Antonio charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine: On Wednesday, a joint task force including the DEA along with the sheriff's office arrested 41-year-old Francisco Ortiz. By then, Villarreal disappeared. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio's company, RCG Radio y Televisin, has come a long way since the family business started 30 years ago, when it launched as Cablevision, the first cable company in Mexico. SAN ANTONIO A massive drug bust took place at a northwest side hotel where 75,000 fentanyl pills were seized, the Bexar County Sherriff's Office said. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance: Francisco Garza aka Pancho, 52, of San Antonio During this investigation, authorities seized approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, six kilograms of heroin, three kilograms of cocaine, four firearms and approximately $100,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization.