Category Archives: Federal Government Watch

Illegal Reentry into Texas: Crimes Under Federal Statute and Texas Law

There are lots of names for people crossing the border into Texas without authority, including migrants, immigrants, illegals, undocumented noncitizens, illegal entrants.  See, “Illegal Alien” Is One of Many Correct Legal Terms for “Illegal Immigrant,” written by Alex Nowrasteh and published by Cato on October 14, 2019. However, the legal terminology pursuant to federal statute…


SCOTUS, USSC, and Proposed USSG Amendment Addressing Acquitted Conduct

The scenario:  someone is charged with a serious crime in federal court.  There is no plea deal; the case goes to trial.  Both sides rest, and the case goes to the jury.  The jury deliberates and returns with a “not guilty” verdict. This is great for the accused, right?  Sure.  But that verdict is not…


Xylazine or Tranq: Zombie Drug is New Focus for Drug Arrests in Texas

Drug arrests in Texas that may include other serious charges (like conspiracy or homicide) are known to be fixed upon fentanyl these days; both Texas and federal law enforcement are blatantly targeting fentanyl use as well as its manufacture and distribution.  For more, read our earlier discussions in Fentanyl Charges Under Federal Law: Felonies and…


Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering: Digital Money Felony Arrests

Operation Crypto Runner here in Texas is one example of federal focus on crypto crime. Money mules here in Texas can face very serious felony charges, even if they were unwilling or clueless participants in an illegal scheme that usually involves money laundering.  Marks can still get arrested: that is where an experienced criminal defense…


Policy Changes in Charges, Pleas, and Sentencing for Federal Drug Crime Prosecutions: New AG Garland DOJ Directive

An internal memorandum from the Attorney General of the United States (“AG”) addressed to “all federal prosecutors” may not seem that powerful to some.  After all, it isn’t a new federal statute passed by Congress and it isn’t an Executive Order signed by the President.  Still, a single memo from the AG can cause major…


New University of Chicago Study’s Shocking Revelations of Federal Bail Injustice: Systemic Errors and the “Culture of Detention”

Arrests are always serious. After all, individual freedom is taken away.  A permanent and public criminal record is created (or grows).  Careers can be lost, and relationships can end — just because of an arrest. Experienced criminal defense lawyers have seen all too often how “innocent until proven guilty” may not matter to supervisors, deans,…


Elder Crimes: Federal Prosecutions and the Elder Justice Initiative

According to federal and state statute, anyone age 60 years or older is legally considered to be elderly. See, 42 U.S.C. § 1397j(5) and Texas Human Resources Code §102.001(5).  In some Texas criminal laws, elderly is defined as anyone who is age 65 or older. It is easy to imagine an elder as a grey-haired…


Illegal Drug Trafficking Business Operations in Texas: Federal Investigations into the Texas Mexican Mafia aka La Eme or Mexikanemi

The Texas Mexican Mafia once again made national news coverage recently with the flagrant prison escape by convicted capital murderer Gonzalo Lopez from a Texas prison bus in Centerville on May 12, 2022.  Lopez, recognized for his affiliation with the Mexican Mafia, was placed on the State of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List where…


PPP Fraud: Government Loans and Federal Arrests Based on COVID-19 Relief

Last year, in response to the economic harm suffered in Texas and across the country due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), authorizing over Two Trillion Dollars ($2,000,000,000,000.00) in relief with $377 Billion of that sum dedicated to help small business owners. The Paycheck Protection…


Racketeering in Texas: Criminal Defense Against RICO Charges

Today, everyone recognizes organized crime known as the “Mafia” or the “Cosa Nostra,” but it wasn’t until the middle of the 20th Century that these criminal enterprises were confirmed to exist.  A man named Joseph Valachi is credited with being the first organization member to authenticate its existence, and he did so during public testimony…