USAO NDTX Weekly Roundup - 9/13/18

SENTENCING – Nemelee Jiao, 48
On September 6, Nemelee Jiao of Irving, TX was sentenced to more than 8 years in federal prison for her role in operating a $3.4 million Ponzi-scheme investment fraud. In December 2017, Jiao pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after FBI agents identified 41 victims who invested in fake securities related to two schools in the Philippines.

SENTENCING – Mark Stein, 38
On September 10, Mark Demetri Stein, the 38-year-old final defendant in a high-profile north Texas “foreclosure rescue” case was sentenced for his role in the scheme, which swindled nearly a quarter of a million dollars from at least 70 homeowners facing foreclosure. Stein, of Carrollton, Texas – who pleaded guilty in April to one count of mail fraud – was sentenced to 6 years in prison and ordered to pay $215,138 in restitution to homeowner victims. Release here.

SENTENCING -- Sergio Gonzalez, 34
On September 10, Sergio Guadalupe Gonzalez was sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. In March, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, after the FBI initiated an investigation into several DFW subjects’ importation and distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.

SENTENCING – Shetoia Mitchell, 31
On September 10, Shetoia Mitchell was sentenced to nearly 3 years in federal prison for her role in an attempted bank robbery. In February, Mitchell pled guilty to an attempt to commit a bank robbery on July 11, 2017, but was believed to have actually committed four prior robberies in the summer of 2017, in which she wore a purple burka-style covering and red running shoes.  The FBI and the Dallas Police Department investigated.

INDICTMENT* – Richard Lein, 35 & Marcus Pierson, 47
On September 11, a federal grand jury indicted Richard Lein and Marcus Pierson on drug trafficking charges stemming from DEA’s seizure of almost three kilos of methamphetamine.  If convicted, Lein faces up to 20 years imprisonment, while Pierson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life for the drug charges and a minimum of 5 years and up to life for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

INDICTMENT* – Richard Blankenship, 32 
On September 11, a federal grand jury indicted Richard Blankenship of Lewisville on felon in possession of a firearm and drug trafficking charges. A formerly convicted felon, Blankenship allegedly possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, baggies and a scale, along with a .45 caliber pistol. If convicted, he faces 10 years to life in federal prison. The Drug Enforcement Agency-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (“HIDTA”) investigated the case.

INDICTMENT* – Chelsea Williams
On September 11, a federal grand jury indicted Chelsea Shanae Williams of Dallas for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.  If convicted, Williams faces up to almost 6 years in federal prison.  The ATF and Dallas Police Department investigated.

INDICTMENT* -- Zachery Leatch, 24 & Tara Jones, 37
On September 11, a federal grand jury indicted Leatch and Jones, of Dallas, for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm in a school zone. The defendants, both convicted of prior felonies, allegedly brought a .40 caliber pistol into the gym of the Thompson Elementary School in Mesquite during a youth basketball game.  If convicted, they face up to 120 months in federal prison. Mesquite PD and ATF investigated the case.

SENTENCING – Israel De la Cruz Sotelo, 42
On September 13, Israel De la Cruz Sotelo, also known as “Rale,” was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison for his role in a methamphetamine and marijuana conspiracy. After being extradited from Mexico, De la Cruz Soleto pled guilty in November and December to federal charges. De la Cruz Sotelo’s case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The DEA, Dallas Police Department, and Garland Police investigated; U.S. Marshals, CBP, ICE, and Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) assisted.

INDICTMENT* -- Demoushae & Tashonna Marsh
On Sept. 14, the straw purchasers of a gun used to murder an innocent man appeared in federal court, charged with making false statements during the acquisition of a firearm. Sisters Demoushae and Tashonna Marsh allegedly purchased two 9-millimeter Glock pistols from Academy Sports + Outdoors, each claiming on her application she was the “actual buyer” of the firearm, while knowing the guns were intended for someone else. Release here.

* An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.