NDTX Round-Up October 29, 2019

GUILTY PLEA – Rasheeda Chester

On October 22, Rasheeda Chester, 20, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. Chester and her coconspirators transported 128 pounds of marijuana sealed in vacuum bags from San Francisco International Airport to Dallas Love Field Airport. Chester was also found to be in the possession of $5,280 that constituted the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. She faces up to 5 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Dallas Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is prosecuted by AUSA Rebekah Ricketts.

GUILTY PLEA – Alma Jean Gilbert

On October 22, Alma Jean Gilbert, 52, pled guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return.  Gilbert owned a tax preparation business, where she hired employees to prepare taxes and obtained Electronic Filer Identification Numbers from the Internal Revenue Service. For five years, Gilbert and her employees falsified credits and deductions on customers’ tax returns, on some occasions up to an $11,000 value. Gilbert faces up to 6 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and is prosecuted by AUSA Christopher Stokes.   

GUILTY PLEA – Ira Marsh

On October 22, Ira Marsh, 42, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dallas Police Department officers stopped Marsh’s car for temporary tags that belonged to another vehicle. Officers smelled marijuana and saw a green leafy substance in plain view. After searching the car, officers found more marijuana and a pistol, despite Marsh’s previous imprisonment for a sentence of over 1 year. Marsh faces up to 12 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Dallas Police Department and is prosecuted by AUSA Damien Diggs.

SENTENCING – Armando Avitia

On October 21, Armando Avitia, was sentenced to 9 years and 2 months in federal custody for possession of heroin with the intent to distribute. Grand Prairie Police Department Narcotics detectives pulled over a vehicle after smelling marijuana, which the passengers confirmed purchasing from Avitia’s residence. While executing a search warrant at the residence, officers seized heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and several firearms. This case was investigated by the Grand Prairie Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by AUSA Myria Boehm.

SENTENCING – Craig Demond Campbell

On October 21, Craig Demond Campbell was sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in federal custody for stealing firearms from a federal firearm licensee. Campbell and his coconspirators drove to Alvarado to rob Crazy Gun Dealer store. They cut a hole in the side of the store, stole 17 firearms, and transported them back to an apartment in Dallas. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and was prosecuted by AUSA Kenneth Coffin.

SENTENCING – Rodney Antwon Lewis

On October 23, Rodney Antwon Lewis, 34, was sentenced to 17 years in federal custody for the crimes of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Lewis committed a series of robberies over the years at Family Dollar Stores, a Jack in the Box, a Schlotzky’s, and a KFC. In most instances, Lewis would purchase a small item with cash. When the clerk opened the register, Lewis would threatened them with a revolver hidden in his pants. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by AUSA Shane Read.