Federal Grand Jury Returns Multiple Indictments in Tyler, Texas

TYLER, TX—A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes late Wednesday in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Patrick Edward Wornick, 53, of Gilmer, Texas, was indicted on charges of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Wornick is alleged to have possessed child pornography on Jan. 11, 2011. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Longview Police Department Cyber Crimes Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.

Ellich Williams, 65, of New Boston, Texas, was indicted on charges of theft of government property and Darryl Llewellyn Starks, 46, of Ogden Arkansas, was indicted on charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and aiding and abetting. If convicted, they each face up to five years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Aug. 6, 2011, Williams and Starks are alleged to have transported stolen Humvee Radiators, valued at more than $5,000, from the Red River Army Depot in Bowie County, Texas, to Ogden, Arkansas. This case is being investigated by the Red River Army Depot and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Olivia Hernandez, 41, of Texarkana, Texas, was indicted on charges of bribery of a public official. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, from Oct. 23, 2009 to Jan. 31, 2011, Hernandez, a former Texarkana FCI correctional officer, is alleged to have received something of value personally in return for being induced to do and act and omit to do an act in violation of her official duty by allowing contraband into the Texarkana FCI. This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Rolando Gamez-Silva, 30, a prisoner in the Texarkana FCI, was indicted on charges of possession of contraband in prison. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Dec. 16, 2010, Gamez-Silva is alleged to have been found in possession of marijuana while a prisoner in the Texarkana FCI. This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Jose Eleazar Gamaz, also known as Jose Eliazar Gamez, also known as Jose Gamaz-Gonzalez, 38, of Tyler, Texas, was indicted on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Gamaz was previously convicted of an offense requiring sex offender registration in Colorado and then moved to Athens, Texas, in August 2008, where it is alleged he failed to update his registration. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.

Manuel Baeza-Tafolla, 43, of Mexico, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Sep. 19, 2011, Baeza-Tafolla was arrested based on his immigration status. Further investigation revealed Baeza-Tafolla is alleged to have reentered the United States following deportation in 1999 and 2000 after a Western District of Texas conviction for alien smuggling. This case is being investigated by ICE/HSI and the Dallas District Enforcement and Removal Operations Unit, Violent Criminal Alien Section and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst.

Cirenio Medrano-Valencia, 34, of Mexico, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Sep. 18, 2011, Medrano-Valencia was arrested based on his immigration status. Further investigation revealed Medrano-Valencia is alleged to have reentered the United States following deportation in 2002 and 2006 after a Texas conviction for delivery of a controlled substance in Smith County, Texas. This case is being investigated by ICE/HSI and the Tyler Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst.

Luis Raul Munoz-Padron, 27, of Mexico, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Aug. 9, 2011, Munoz-Padron was arrested for making terroristic threats in Henderson County. Further investigation revealed Munoz-Padron is alleged to have reentered the United States following deportation in 2004 and 2009 after a Texas conviction for burglary of a habitation in Henderson County, Texas. This case is being investigated by ICE/HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.