NDTX Round-up September 5, 2019

SENTENCING - Samuel Colin

On August 26, Samuel Colin, 25, was sentenced to 78 months in the United States Bureau of Prisons for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.  Court records reveal that from October 18, 2016, to September 6, 2017, he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Investigation and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, and the Dallas Police Department. The case was prosecuted by AUSA George Leal.

SENTENCING - Jose Guadalupe Silva

On August 23, Jose Guadalupe Silva, 31, was sentenced to 17 years and 6 months in federal custody after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Silva admitted to working with others to distribute cocaine. The court authorized wiretapping and found that Silva and his co-conspirators used coded language to discuss the sale and dispersion of cocaine. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by AUSA George Leal.

GUILTY PLEA - Ronnie Rusk

On August 23, Ronnie Rusk, 44, pled guilty to using a communication facility to facilitate a drug felony. Rusk admitted to using a cell phone to discuss the distribution of a half-kilogram of cocaine. He coordinated with his co-defendant and a Drug Enforcement Administration cooperating defendant to deliver the cocaine to the cooperating defendant. Rusk faces a maximum sentence of up to four years. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by AUSA Suzanna Etessam.

GUILTY PLEA - Keon Dwayne Thompson

On August 27, Keon Dewayne Thompson, 35, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Thompson and his co-conspirators traveled to Bonham, Texas to kidnap the victim. Thompson threatened the victim at gunpoint to force compliance with his demands to withdraw funds from the victim’s bank account. Thompson faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in federal custody. The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dallas Police Department. The case is prosecuted by AUSA PJ Meitl.

GUILTY PLEA - James Earl Cude

On August 27, James Earl Cude, 54, pled guilty to receipt of child pornography. Cude received the pornography via his cell phone through the Kik application. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by Homeland Security and is prosecuted by AUSA Camille Sparks.

INDICTMENT – Jose Alanis

On August 28, Jose Alanis, 34, was charged with production of child pornography and possession of prepubescent child pornography. Alanis allegedly used his cell phone and laptop to document and view minors engaged in sexually explicit acts. This case was investigated by ­­­­the Dallas Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations and is prosecuted by AUSA Camille Sparks. If convicted, Alanis faces up to 80 years in federal custody.

SENTENCING - Donnie Arlondo Ferrell

On September 4, Donnie Arlondo Ferrell, 26, was sentenced to 30 years in federal custody for murder and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Ferrell murdered a postal worker during a road rage incident where he fired at the USPS vehicle. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Ferrell, he refused to exit his residence and surrender for several hours. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, Dallas Police Department, and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. AUSA P.J. Meitl prosecuted the case. To learn more about the case, click here.

GUILTY PLEA – Rafael Rubi

On September 3, Rafael Rubi, 24, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Federal agents were able to link shell casings from four separate drive-by shootings to Rubi’s firearms that were found in his home and car, along with heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Dallas Police Department. AUSA Rebekah Rickets and AUSA Gary Tromblay prosecuted this case. To learn more about the case, click here.