Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments in the Eastern District of Texas

January 15, 2010 - U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced that a federal grand jury returned indictments today charging multiple individuals in separate cases of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

MICHAEL PIAZZA, 52, of Plano, Texas, has been indicted on a charge of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Plano Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy Griffith.

ALAN JAY MACINTOSH, 46, of Corinth, Texas, has been indicted for unlawfully wearing military medals or decorations. If convicted, he faces up to one year in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miriam E. Rea.

LAWRENCE ERIC BATES, 51, and KENNETH DEWAYNE DAVIS, 46, both of Garland, Texas, have been indicted for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and multiple counts of bank fraud and identity theft. If convicted, they each face up to 30 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miriam E. Rea.

NATHANIEL J. COUSER, JR., 47, of Frisco, Texas, has been indicted on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terri L. Hagan.

DENNIS RAY HIXSON, 36, of McKinney, Texas, has been indicted for mail fraud, and his wife, CYNTHIA RENEE HIXSON, 42, has been indicted for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. If convicted, Dennis Hixson faces up to 20 years in federal prison and Cynthia Hixson faces up to five years in federal prison.

Additionally, Dennis Hixson has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, and Cynthia Hixson has also been indicted and charged with making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Johnson.

TOMMIE QUINDALE BRASLY, 21, of Plano, Texas, has been indicted for bank robbery in connection with the Dec. 17, 2009, robbery of the Compass Bank on 14th Street in Plano. If convicted, Brasly faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Andrew Stover.

MICHAEL CLARK NEALON, 23, of Whitesboro, Texas, has been indicted for bank robbery in connection with the Oct. 28, 2009, robbery of the First Convenience Bank on University Drive in McKinney. If convicted, Nealon faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Andrew Stover.

WILLIE EDWARD JACKSON, JR., 53, of Sherman, Texas, has been indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jackson is alleged to have been in possession of a firearm on Apr. 13, 2009 in Sherman, Texas. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Roy.

ANTOINE EUGENE MATHENIA, 30, of Sherman, Texas, has been indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Mathenia is alleged to have been in possession of a firearm on June 12, 2009 in Sherman, Texas. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Roy.

JOSE ANTONIO BELTETON-MORALES, 38, of Greenville, Texas has been indicted for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Belteton-Morales is alleged to have been in possession of a firearm on Oct. 29, 2009 while being in the United States illegally. If convicted, the Defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Roy.

BENITO JUAREZ JAIMES, 41, a Mexican national, has been indicted for illegally reentering the United States after having been deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Johnson.

MARCELINO MARTINEZ-DON JUAN, 77, a Mexican national, has been indicted for illegally reentering the United States after having been deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Johnson.

STEPHEN LEWIS SMITH, 60, of Denton, Texas has been indicted for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Johnson.

It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.