Case News

Aug. 21 Shaikh Jafir, 35, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly failing to possess required permits, a Class A Misdemeanor.

An investigation found the defendant had expired permits that were not renewable because he owed thousands of dollars in delinquent sales tax. Enforcement personnel instructed the defendant not to sell cigarette and tobacco products until further notice. An undercover investigator entered the store and requested to purchase cigarettes. The defendant, without possessing a valid tobacco products permit, sold the investigator cigarettes.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Aug. 1 Luis Humberto Garcia, 30, of Odessa, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants unlawfully appropriated approximately 1,180 gallons of diesel fuel between March and April 2024. The defendant used a vehicle modified with totes, pumps, hoses and batteries to siphon fuel from the underground fuel tank at different gas stations.

The case is pending prosecution in Ector County.

Duviel Alfonso Aguilar, 35, of Odessa, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants unlawfully appropriated approximately 1,180 gallons of diesel fuel between March and April 2024. The defendant used a vehicle modified with totes, pumps, hoses and batteries to siphon fuel from the underground fuel tank at different gas stations.

The case is pending prosecution in Ector County.

Jeilier Sarria-Gutierrez, 36, of Austin, was convicted of evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

A Bastrop County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication; a $50 fine; $315 in court costs; $2,040 in restitution; and 100 hours’ community service.

An investigation found the defendant illegally obtained approximately 130 gallons of diesel fuel valued at about $400 by tampering with the fuel dispenser’s pulsar. The defendant delivered the illegally acquired fuel into a vehicle that had been modified with a large, concealed fuel tank.

Raidel Borrego-Cardoso, 39, of Austin, was convicted of evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

A Bastrop County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication; a $50 fine; $315 in court costs $2,040 in restitution; and 100 hours’ community service.

An investigation found the defendant illegally obtained approximately 130 gallons of diesel fuel valued at about $400 by tampering with the fuel dispenser’s pulsar. The defendant delivered the illegally acquired fuel into a vehicle that had been modified with a large, concealed fuel tank.

Salvador Becerra, 35, of Corsicana, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel from different job sites and then stored the illegally acquired fuel in an above-ground metal fuel tank on his property.

The case is pending prosecution in Navarro County.

Nemirah Davidson, 39, of Upland, Calif., was indicted for allegedly transporting unstamped cigarettes, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants failed to provide documentation to show proof of tax paid on over 900 cartons of cigarettes found in his vehicle, with a total tax due amount of more than $13,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Pecos County.

Garland Patrick James Jr., 39, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was indicted for allegedly transporting unstamped cigarettes, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants failed to provide documentation to show proof of tax paid on over 900 cartons of cigarettes found in his vehicle, with a total tax due amount of more than $13,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Pecos County.

James Soloman Blocker Jr., 38, of Fontana, Calif., was indicted for allegedly transporting unstamped cigarettes, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants failed to provide documentation to show proof of tax paid on over 900 cartons of cigarettes found in his vehicle, with a total tax due amount of more than $13,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Pecos County.

Jovan Paul Collins, 35, of San Bernardino, Calif., was indicted for allegedly transporting unstamped cigarettes, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants failed to provide documentation to show proof of tax paid on over 900 cartons of cigarettes found in his vehicle, with a total tax due amount of more than $13,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Pecos County.

Omer Malik, 43, of Missouri City, was indicted for allegedly failing to pay tax collected, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant failed to remit over $71,000 in sales and use tax from Jan.1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2023.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Juan F. Pasquel-Torres, 38, of Laredo, was convicted of false entry or failure to enter records, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

A Webb County district judge sentenced the defendant to four years’ probation contingent on him paying the Texas Comptroller’s office the full amount owed, including all fees and interest.

An investigation found the defendant supplied altered sales tax invoices, with the pre-tax amount increased compared to the original customer invoice.

Owen Timothy Omoregie, 32, of Allen, was convicted of providing a false name, false information and forgery, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

A Hunt County district judge sentenced the defendant to four years’ probation, a $500 fine, $568.75 in restitution and $290 in court costs.

An investigation found the defendant was providing false information on title applications for vehicles sold.

Jaime A. Sanchez, 41, of Weslaco, was arrested for violating the Texas Health and Safety Code, a Class A Misdemeanor.

An investigation revealed the suspect failed to obtain an e-cigarette permit for the e-cigarette products that he displayed for sale in his retail business.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Jose De Jesus Balcazar, 53, of Austin, was arrested for evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the suspect was traveling commercially between Texas and New Mexico with red-dyed diesel fuel. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

The case is pending prosecution in Winkler County.

Eduardo Figueredo Castro, 35, of Houston, was convicted of unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a state jail felony.

A Fort Bend County district judge sentenced Castro to 233 days’ confinement with 233 days’ jail time credit. Castro pled guilty to the lesser charge of a state jail felony in exchange for the dismissal of transporting motor fuel without a cargo manifest and fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly transported motor fuel without shipping documents; used re-encoded cards to illegally obtain the fuel; and used a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.

Mario Alarcon Garcia, 41, of Houston, was convicted of evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

A Crockett County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication, a $1,000 fine, $370 in court costs and 100 hours community service.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly transported red-dyed diesel fuel without the imposed back-up tax liability being paid. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

Yasel Valdivia Gonzalez, 36, of Addison, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants used vehicles modified for the purpose of acquiring, transporting, storing and offering for sale illegally acquired motor fuel. The fuel was obtained by tampering with the fuel dispenser and using stolen credit card information.

The case is pending prosecution in Atascosa County.

Hazem Mohammad Khorchid, 39, of Grand Prairie, was indicted for trademark counterfeiting $2,500 to $30,000, a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly possessed and displayed for sale counterfeit disposable vaping devices, known as Elf Bars. A total of 48 cases of counterfeit Elf Bars, with a retail value of over $4,000 were seized.

The case is pending prosecution in Dallas County.

Morales Asdiel Rodriguez, 34, of Odessa, was convicted of transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

A Midland County district judge sentenced Rodriguez to four years’ deferred adjudication, a fine of $1,000 and 100 hours of community service.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly transported approximately 260 gallons of dyed diesel without documents containing required information. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

Jose Tey-Lias, 35, of Converse, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully appropriated 361 gallons of diesel fuel worth over $1,000 using a stolen fuel card. The defendant delivered the illegally acquired diesel fuel into an aftermarket auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of his truck.

The case is pending prosecution in Live Oak County.

Israel Castillo, 33, of Converse, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully appropriated 361 gallons of diesel fuel worth over $1,000 using a stolen fuel card. The defendant delivered the illegally acquired diesel fuel into an aftermarket auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of his truck.

The case is pending prosecution in Live Oak County.

Omar Shalham, 48, of Houston, was indicted for alleged false entry and failing to enter tax records, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly presented a Texas sales and use tax permit pertaining to an unrelated third-party to a vendor with whom he conducted business to avoid a tax payment of over $600. By using a third-party permit, the taxes evaded could not be traced back to his business.

The case is pending prosecution in Galveston County.