NDTX Round Up: June 4 - 10

SENTENCING – HENRY AGUSTIN MORENO

On June 7, Henry Agustin Moreno, 21, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for transporting or shipping child pornography. HSI received a tip from Kik that a user in the Dallas area was utilizing the messenger application to distribute child pornography. Agents obtained a search warrant of Moreno’s residence in Irving. Moreno admitted to agents that he downloaded several pornographic files depicting child pornography. He further admitted that he uploaded child pornography in exchange for other videos. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Magliolo prosecuted the case.

SENTENCING – ESLEVY VARGAS-AVILA

On June 7, Eslevy Vargas-Avila, 31, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of using or brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  In June 2016, Vargas-Avila and other co-conspirators conducted surveillance of jewelry stores to identify traveling jewelry salesmen.  Vargas-Avila and the co-conspirators violently robbed two traveling salesmen at gunpoint in Tarrant County.  This case was investigated by the FBI, Dallas Police Department, Garland Police Department, Arlington Police Department, and DFW Airport Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson prosecuted the case.

SENTENCING – CHRISTOPHER JOEL RAMIREZ

On June 8, Christopher Joel Ramirez, 24, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.  On September 9, 2019, Ramirez possessed approximately 43 kilograms of heroin to distribute to another individual.  The case was investigated by the DEA.  Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl prosecuted the case.

SENTENCING – SALVADOR GOMEZ

On June 4, Salvador Gomez, 24, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  In October 2020, Gomez negotiated the transaction of methamphetamine with another individual.  Gomez indicated that a co-defendant delivering the methamphetamine would be pretending to perform maintenance on a red truck.  Investigators observed and identified a co-defendant appearing as if he was performing maintenance on the vehicle as Gomez had instructed. Officers searched the vehicle and seized 5.2 kilograms of methamphetamine from the co-conspirator. This case was investigated by the DEA HIDTA.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes prosecuted the case.