Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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Armando Pena Pleads Guilty to a One Count Federal Indictment Charging Him with Aiding and Abetting Honest Services Wire Fraud in Violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 1346
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 9:55 AM July 27, 2011

The U.S. Attorneys Office Southern District of Texas on July 26, 2011 released the following: Probationer Allowed by Judge Limas to Report by Mail After Bribe Paid, Pleads Guilty BROWNSVILLE, Texas The probationer who left the state without authorization but was permitted to report by mail after a bribe was paid to former State District Judge Abel Limas has been convicted of aiding and abetting honest services wire fraud, United States Attorney Jos Angel Moreno announced today. Armando Pena, 30, of Corpus Christi, Texas, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald G. Morgan to a one-count criminal indictment charging him with aiding and abetting honest services wire fraud by former state judge Abel Corral Limas, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343, 1346, and 2. At todays hearing, Pena admitted to his role in arranging a $1,500 payment to Limas in April 2008, allegedly through middleman Jose Manuel Meme Longoria, in exchange for Limass order allowing him to report to the state

probation by mail rather than in person. Pena, who had left Texas without authorization to reside in Arkansas, was subject to arrest and revocation of his deferred adjudication probationary term for violating a condition of his eight-year probationary term imposed for aggravated robbery in March 2006. Per the pleadings filed in court today, Karina Pena, Armandos wife, contacted Longoria on April 22, 2008, seeking his assistance to arrange for her husband to be permitted to report by mail. Two days later, according to court documents, Karina Pena was told that Limas wanted $1500, Longoria sought $300 for himself for arranging the deal and Limas had already been paid $1,000. On April 24, 2008, Armando Pena finalized the arrangements with Longoria and wire transferred $1800 to Harlingen, Texas. FBI agents later reviewed the Armando Pena state court case file and located a progress report written by Penas probation officer indicating that, On April 23, 2008, the Honorable Court (Limas) contacted our office in reference to allowing the defendant to report by mail. Furthermore, on May 13, 2008, Judge Limas signed an order allowing Pena to report by mail. Pena faces a maximum prison term of 20

years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Sentencing is set before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen on Oct. 31, 2011. Pena was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Penas wife, Karina Pena, pleaded guilty to the same offense on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, and has been permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing. The charges against the Penas are the result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Brownsville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Wynne and Oscar Ponce are prosecuting the cases. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Attorney General Holder and DOJ Officials Host Intellectual Property Enforcement Meeting with Industry Representatives
Tracy Russo (USDOJ: Justice Blog)
Submitted at 12:44 PM July 27, 2011

Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Bedford County, Virginia, on Bailout Under the Voting Rights Act
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 12:41 PM July 27, 2011

Assistant Attorney General Varney Delivers Remarks at Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese Antitrust Agencies
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 11:52 AM July 27, 2011

On July 22, 2011, the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) of the Criminal Division hosted the fifth annual law enforcement and industry meeting on intellectual property (IP) enforcement at the Robert F. Kennedy Justice Building. Attorney General Holder delivered the opening remarks at the meeting along with Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer [...]

The Justice Department has reached an agreement with Bedford County, Va., that, if approved by the court, will allow for the countys bailout from its status as a covered jurisdiction under the special provisions of Voting Rights Act, and thereby exempt the county from the preclearance requirements of Section 5 of the act.

"By establishing a framework for enhanced cooperation among our agencies, the Memorandum of Understanding also allows us to move to the next chapter in our collaboration on competition law and policy matters," said Assistant Attorney General Varney.

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Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Houston Police Officer Leslie Aikens Indicted by a Houston Federal Grand Jury for Alleged Drug Trafficking and Corruption
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 2:20 PM July 27, 2011

HPD Sgt. Leslie Aikens The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on July 27, 2011 released the following: Sealed Indictment Charging an HPD Officer Unsealed Following His Arrest HOUSTONA Houston Police officer has been arrested following the return of an indictment by a Houston grand jury charging him with drug trafficking and corruption, United States Attorney Jos Angel Moreno announced today along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen L. Morris. A two-count indictment was returned under seal on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, charging Houston police officer Leslie Aikens, 46, of Houston, a 19-year veteran of the Houston Police Department (HPD). The indictment was unsealed today following Aikens arrest by officers with

Houston Police Department Internal Affairs, Texas Rangers, and agents of the FBI as he went off-duty at the HPD substation where he is assigned. Aikens appeared late this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy and has been ordered released on a $50,000 bond. Aikens is charged with aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine on or about March 10, 2011. He is also charged with extortion under color of official right or a Hobbs Act violation for allegedly accepting a $2,000 bribe to provide protection for a vehicle which he believe to be transporting seven kilograms of cocaine. The drug offense charged in count one of the indictment carries a statutory penalty of not less than 10 years or more than life imprisonment and a $10 million fine upon conviction. The Hobbs Act violation as alleged in the second count of the indictment count carries a statutory

penalty upon conviction of 20 years incarceration without parole and a $250,000 fine. The investigative effort resulting in the charges was conducted by the Houston office of the FBI, Texas Rangers, and HPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney James McAlister is prosecuting the case. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz of the Criminal Division Speaks Before the Senate Judiciary Committee
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 4:15 PM July 27, 2011

Federal Agencies Teach Leadership Skills, Hear from Students at 2011 Intertribal Youth Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 11:52 AM July 27, 2011

"As the Deputy Assistant Attorney General responsible for international affairs, I am grateful for this opportunity to express the Department of Justices strong support for the Consular Notification Compliance Act of 2011."

One hundred and seventy five young men and women from nearly 50 tribal communities across the country have convened at the week-long 2011 National Intertribal Youth Summit in Santa Fe, N.M., which runs from July 24-28, 2011.

Deputy Attorney General James Cole Appoints Stuart M. Goldberg as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and David A. ONeil as Chief of Staff
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 2:10 PM July 27, 2011

Deputy Attorney General James Cole today announced the appointment of Stuart M. Goldberg as the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and David A. ONeil as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General.