Month: November 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon man with a prior drug trafficking conviction was sentenced to federal prison today after he was found driving on Interstate 5 in Southern Oregon with more than ten pounds of methamphetamine, nearly three pounds of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, and two firearms.

Jonathan James Lawson, 29, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on March 6, 2021, law enforcement learned Lawson was traveling from Southern California to Josephine County, Oregon with a large quantity of drugs. The next day, law enforcement spotted Lawson driving northbound on Interstate 5 near Grants Pass, Oregon and conducted a traffic stop. Inside Lawson’s vehicle, officers located a large tool case containing approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine, 700 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, body armor, and a revolver. Officers located an additional 480 grams of fentanyl pills, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and a second firearm elsewhere in the vehicle.

On May 4, 2021, Lawson was charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Later, on March 15, 2022, Lawson was charged by criminal information with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On May 9, 2022, he pleaded guilty to the single charge.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) task force, Grants Pass Police Department, and Oregon State Police. It was prosecuted by Marco Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

The Justice Department announced today that Kendall Morgan, 44, the former undersheriff of the Le Flore County Sheriff’s Department (LCSO) in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to a criminal civil rights violation for using unlawful force on an arrestee.

According to court documents, on Jan. 25, 2017, while acting in his official capacity as LCSO’s undersheriff, Morgan willfully assaulted an individual identified as D.P. by repeatedly striking D.P. while D.P. was in handcuffs and not resisting arrest. The assault deprived D.P. of his right to be free from unreasonable force, did not further a legitimate law enforcement purpose, and resulted in bodily injury to D.P.

“This defendant, an experienced law enforcement officer, is being held accountable for unlawfully injuring a handcuffed man who was not resisting arrest and unable to defend himself,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting any officer who violates their position and authority by using excessive force without cause.”

“Every citizen is entitled to be treated fairly and law enforcement officers should be models of this very important principle,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “The defendant’s actions in this case were illegal, immoral and unethical, and justice demands he face the consequences for his acts.”

“Mr. Morgan’s actions not only violated the civil rights of his victim, but compromised the public’s trust in the law enforcement system,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “The FBI is committed to holding those who abuse their authority accountable and safeguarding the civil liberties of all Americans.”

Morgan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.   

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Wilson and Special Agent in Charge Gray made the announcement.

The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarrod Leaman for the Eastern District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Avner Shapiro of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has returned a guilty verdict against a 44-year-old man for conspiring to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The Jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before convicting Ernest Mario Gutierrez following a two-day trial.

On Aug. 5, 2020, law enforcement learned of a vehicle in which people were being loaded on Highway 281. Shortly thereafter, they found and began following a suspicious white pickup truck believed to be involved to a Stripes gas station.

There, they discovered two undocumented individuals in the bed of the truck and one in the cab.

At trial, the jury heard from law enforcement that Gutierrez has been a passenger of the vehicle and attempted to avoid detection by entering the gas station.

The defense attempted to convince the jury Gutierrez did not know that the driver of the truck was going to pick up aliens. The jury was not convinced and found him guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Feb. 1, 2023. At that time, Gutierrez faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Gutierrez was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Gould is prosecuting the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

LAREDO, Texas – Two men illegally residing in Laredo have pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Angel Garcia-Garcia, 27, Veracruz, Mexico, and Selvin Antonio Gomez-Garranza, 22, Choluteca, Honduras, pleaded guilty to their roles in conspiring to conceal, harbor or shield 31 non-U.S. citizens.

As part of their pleas, Garcia-Garcia and Gomez-Garranza admitted on April 8, they transported undocumented individuals to a stash house. Gomez-Garranza also admitted to being a caretaker.

Authorities executed a search warrant and discovered 31 people inside the house. They additionally found three ledgers with approximately 350 names listed.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will impose sentencing at a future date. At that time, both face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Not U.S. citizens, both are expected to also face removal proceedings.

Garcia-Garcia and Gomez-Garranza have been and remain in custody pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac is prosecuting the case.