Federal Grand Jury Returns Multiple Indictments in Tyler

TYLER, TX—A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments on May 2, 2012, charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

David Anthony, 51, of Texarkana, Arkansas, was indicted on charges of theft of government property. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on March 18, 2012, Anthony is alleged to have stolen brass, which belonged to the Department of the Army, from the Red River Army Depot. The resulting loss to the government was more than $1,000. This case is being investigated by the Red River Army Depot and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Thomas Rochelle, III, 34, of Texarkana, Texas, was indicted on charges of theft of personal property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. If convicted, he faces up to one year in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Mar. 19, 2012, Rochelle is alleged to have stolen an iPhone which belonged to another person while he was in the jurisdiction of the United States at the Red River Army Depot. This case is being investigated by the Red River Army Depot and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Santos Silva-Hernandez, 43, an inmate at the Texarkana Federal Correctional Institution, was charged with possession of contraband in a prison. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Nov. 26, 2011, Silva-Hernandez is alleged to have been in possession of marijuana while incarcerated in a federal correctional facility. This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Texarkana FCI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.