Former Texas Department of Criminal Justice Guard Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Heroin

HOUSTON—A former Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Institution Division guard has been convicted of possessing with intent to distribute heroin, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

Alejandro Smith, 21, pleaded guilty on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, to the federal felony offense admitting that on June 1, 2011, while employed as a TDCJ guard he received a purple duffle bag containing one pound of heroin which he intended to distribute. The investigation leading to Smith’s arrest began on May 31, 2011, when the FBI learned from a confidential source of information that Smith, a TDCJ guard at the Eastham Unit, was providing contraband to prisoners. The following day, while in the presence of a undercover officer, Smith arrived at the parking lot of a Huntsville area discount store driving a green Buick and parked next to an undercover vehicle. Smith got out of his vehicle, entered the passenger side of the undercover vehicle and was given a purple duffle bag containing heroin. After Smith retrieved the bag, he returned to the green Buick and placed the purple duffle bag containing the heroin in his front passenger seat. Immediately following the delivery, Smith was arrested.

Judge Lynn N. Hughes, who presided over yesterday afternoon’s hearing, accepted Smith’s guilty plea, convicted him of the offense and set sentencing for Nov. 21, 2011. Smith has been permitted to remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing. Smith faces no less than five years and up to 40 years in federal prison and a $5 million fine.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI and Texas Rangers with the assistance of TDCJ-Office of Inspector General, Huntsville and Katy Police Departments, and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James McAlister prosecuted the case.

Several Arrested for Drug Trafficking Following Discovery of Marijuana Plants

HOUSTON—Brothers Bernard Harry Theriot, 37, and Bryan Andrew Theriot, aka Tow Down, 33, both of Houston, and six others were arrested yesterday after search warrants executed at several locations resulted in the discovery of grow operations of marijuana plants, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today along with Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Thomas E. Hinojosa and Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright. Also arrested were Warrick Earl Washington, aka Triple, 40, Kevin Patrick Manecke, 27, Flabio Alberto Rodriguez, 30, and Clyde Bazile, 44, all of Houston; Timothy Allen Maness, 20, of Daisetta, Texas; and Kurt Wilson Fregia, 23, of Raywood, Texas.

The criminal complaint filed on May 26, 2011, charges Bernard and Bryan Theriot, Washington, Maness, Fregia, Rodriguez, and Bazile with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance involving more than 100 marijuana plants. The complaint alleges the houses located at 1015 Cherry Spring Drive and 12331 Wrenthorpe Drive were utilized as grow houses for marijuana. The search of the Wrenthorpe house resulted in the recovery of approximately 253 marijuana plants, while the search at 1015 Cherry Spring Drive resulted in the recovery of approximately 230 marijuana plants. In addition, Manecke was charged in a separate complaint for the approximately 117 marijuana plants found at 10501 Jody Court.

All defendants are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Jr. this afternoon. At that time, the court will determine whether the defendants will be released on bond or remain in custody pending preliminary and detention hearings at the request of the United States.

If convicted of the conspiracy offense, the defendants each face a mandatory minimum punishment of five years to a maximum of 40 years without parole and a $5 million fine.

The charges are the result of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including the DEA, sheriff’s offices in Fort Bend and Harris Counties, the Katy Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the FBI.

A complaint is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

“Courteous Criminal” Robs Katy Bank

The Houston FBI Bank Robbery Task Force and Katy Police Department need the public’s help to identify the “Courteous Criminal” who robbed the J.P. Morgan Chase bank, located at

905 Katy Fort Bend Road

in Katy, Texas, this morning. A bank surveillance photograph is attached to the end of this press release.

At approximately 11:00 a.m., the man entered the bank and approached a teller. Although he pulled out and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at the teller, the robber politely demanded cash. After the teller turned over some cash, the “Courteous Criminal” politely said “Thank you!” He exited the bank and was seen leaving the area in a dark colored Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), possibly a black Dodge Durango. No one was physically hurt during the robbery.

The robber is described as a black male, 35-40, approximately 5’8” – 6” tall, and 200-220 pounds. He wore a blue shirt and kangol-style hat.

Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and arrest of this robber, or any felony suspect. If you have information about this crime, please call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 713-222-TIPS (8477).