The Mayor presented a proclamation designating February 14 - March 7, 2020, as The 2020 Great Texas Warrant Roundup in Baytown

The City of Baytown's Municipal Court, City Marshal's office and Police Department are among more than 300 law enforcement jurisdictions across the State of Texas to annually participate in The Great Texas Warrant Round-up.

This is not an amnesty program, rather an opportunity for those with outstanding traffic warrants to take advantage of the available options to settle active warrants. Notices will be mailed to persons who currently have an active warrant against them, inviting them to come to the Baytown Municipal Court on February 21,from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., March 6, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M, and March 14, 2020, from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. to discuss their warrants without fear of being arrested. 

NDTX Round-Up February 25

DALLAS, TEXAS

GUILTY PLEA – CHRISTOPHER JO STRINGER

On February 20, Christopher Jo Stringer, 41, pled guilty to convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession with the intent to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Stringer told to stop by police, who had been warned that a man was firing a gun at a vehicle. In response, Stringer raised his hands and pointed a pistol at his head for several seconds. He dropped the gun after being told to do so and was arrested without incident. The officers found methamphetamine on his person, and learned that Stringer had previously been convicted of felony burglary. He faces up to 16 years and 5 months in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Dallas Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by AUSA Danielle Jones.

SENTENCINGS – FELIX GIOVANNI RUIZ MENDOZA AND GUSTAVO RUIZ MENDOZA

On February 20, Felix Giovanni Ruiz Mendoza, 27, and Gustavo Ruiz Mendoza, 24, were sentenced to 18 and 19 years respectively for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Law enforcement officers searched two residences in Balch Springs. One of these homes were used as a methamphetamine lab to convert methamphetamine to a crystalline form. The brothers admitted to distributing the methamphetamine in the Dallas are for two months and sending proceeds to Mexico. Officers seized nearly $13,000 and three firearms from the residences. These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Dallas Police Department, Balch Springs Police Department, and IRS - Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by AUSA George Leal. To learn more about this case, click here.

SENTENCING – ROBERT LUCAS POTEET

On February 25, Robert Lucas Poteet, 30, was sentenced to a year and 6 months in federal custody for aiding in preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent return. Poteet received tax paperwork from a coconspirator. Poteet reported a business loss of over $15,000, despite the coconspirator never saying that he owned a business. Poteet knew this was fraudulent, but nevertheless he submitted this return. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by AUSA Douglas Allen.

Northern District of Texas Round-Up February 11

SENTENCING - JEAN LOUI VARGAS-MALAVE

On January 31, Jean Loui Vargas-Malave, 29, was sentenced 10 years in federal custody for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Vargas-Malave agreed to smuggle controlled substances onto commercial airlines at the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFWIA).  He, along with coconspirators, bypassed security at the DFWIA and loaded what they believed to be methamphetamine onto an American Airlines flight to Newark, New Jersey. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigations Division of the Internal Revenue Service, and the Dallas Police Department. This case was prosecuted by AUSA George Leal, AUSA John De La Garza, and AUSA John Kull.

GUILTY PLEA – HECTOR TORRES-GONZALEZ

On February 4, Hector Torres-Gonzalez, 44, pled guilty to aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute heroin. Torres-Gonzalez admitted to agreeing to distribute 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of heroin, and 91 grams of cocaine in April of 2019. Agents also found a pistol and $12,520 in Torres-Gonzalez’ possession. He faces up to 20 years in federal custody for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is prosecuted by AUSA Rachael Jones.

SENTENCING – AUSTIN DAVID REED

On February 3, Austin David Reed, 27, was sentenced to 15 years in federal custody for the crimes of carjacking and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Reed stole a 2006 Acura from a victim by threatening the victim at gunpoint. After stealing the car, Reed led the officers pursuing him on a dangerous chase. Please click here to hear more about this case. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Dallas Police Department and was prosecuted by AUSA Ryan Raybould.

SENTENCING – JOHNNATTAN RAMIREZ

On February 3, Johnnattan Ramirez, 37, was sentenced to 25 years in federal custody and $182,942.96 in restitution for 3 counts related to robbery and 2 counts related to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Ramirez was involved in three separate robberies of diamond and jewelry salesmen. Ramirez and his coconspirators would rent vehicles, conduct surveillance of the salesmen, and then apprehend their victims. The coconspirators would threaten the salesmen with guns and take their valuables, however on one occasion they also abducted a victim and took him to a nearby apartment complex. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and prosecuted by AUSA Ryan Raybould.  

SENTENCING – CRYSTAL DOUGLAS

On February 3, Chrystal Douglas, 35, was sentenced to 9 years in federal custody for maintaining a drug involved premises. Douglas allowed her coconspirator to conduct methamphetamine sales at her home in Arlington. In exchange, Douglas would receive personal use amounts of methamphetamine. Sometimes, Douglas was unaware of the amounts of methamphetamine being bought and sold in her house. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by AUSA Shawn Smith.