Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Friday, July 1, 2011

www.McNabbAssociates.com

Mexican Woman Convicted of Attempting to Smuggle Teddy Bears and Pillows Stuffed with Cash Into Mexico
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 7:46 AM July 1, 2011

U.S. Attorneys Office Southern District of Texas on June 30, 2011 released the following press release: McALLEN, Texas A 33-year-old Mexican national has been convicted of bulk cash smuggling in her attempt to smuggle more than $270,000 stuffed in teddy bears and pillows, United States Attorney Jos Angel Moreno announced today. Jeanette Barraza-Galindo, 33, of Monterrey, Mexico, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to attempting to smuggle into Mexico $277,556 in U.S. currency concealed in two teddy bears and two pillows. At todays hearing, Barraza admitted that on March 1, 2011, the date of her arrest, she, intending to evade a currency reporting requirement under the law, knowingly and intentionally concealed $277,556 in cash inside two teddy bears and two pillows and attempted to smuggle

the currency from the United States to Mexico. On March 1, 2011, Barraza was a passenger aboard a bus stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo, Texas, Port of Entry. The bus was heading outbound toward Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers explained the currency reporting requirements to Barraza. When asked if she had more than $10,000 in cash to declare, Barraza gave a negative declaration even though she knew that she was carrying more than $10,000 in cash. However, the CBP officers searched her teddy bears and pillows and found a total of $277,556 in cash in the items. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continued the investigation which subsequently lead to the charges against Barraza. As part of a plea agreement announced in court today, Barraza has agreed to forfeit the $277,556 in currency to the United States. A federal criminal complaint was filed

after Barrazas arrest and a federal grand jury in McAllen then indicted her for bulk cash smuggling. Barraza has been held with no bond since her arrest and will remain in custody pending her sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 8, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane. Barraza faces up to five years in federal prison without parole and a fine of up to $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sully is prosecuting the case. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Celebrate Americas Independence Safely on the Fourth of July

Tracy Russo (USDOJ: Justice Blog)
Submitted at 8:23 AM July 1, 2011

Departments of Justice and Education Reach Agreement with Tehachapi, California, Public Schools to Resolve Harassment Allegations
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 9:18 AM July 1, 2011

Federal Court Permanently Bars Detroit Woman from Preparing Federal Tax Returns
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 3:03 PM July 1, 2011

The Justice Department would like to wish you and your family a fun and safe Fourth of July holiday. To ensure this we encourage the safe and legal use of consumer fireworks to celebrate our nations independence this July 4th. Fireworks and the Fourth of July celebrations go hand-in-hand. However, the Department wants you to enjoy [...]

The Departments of Justice and Education reached a settlement agreement with the Tehachapi Unified School District in Tehachapi, Calif., to resolve an investigation into the harassment of a middle school student based on his nonconformity with gender stereotypes.

A federal court has permanently barred Tracey R. Randolph from preparing federal tax returns for others.

15 Most Wanted Manhunt Ends in Los Angeles

(U.S. Marshals Service News)
Submitted at 12:31 PM July 1, 2011

Justice Department Seeks FBIs Top Ten News to Shut Down Louisiana Stories for the Week Ending July 1, 2011 Tax Preparers
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 2:57 PM July 1, 2011

fbi (Current)

Submitted at 6:00 AM July 1, 2011

The United States has filed a lawsuit in federal court in New Orleans seeking to bar two women and their tax preparation companies from preparing federal tax returns for others.

Washington, D.C.

June 30, 2011 - 15 Most Wanted Capture - The U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested in Los Angeles Wednesday morning a suspected drug kingpin wanted on a 2005 open indictment from the New Mexico U.S. District Court for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, continuing criminal enterprise and 15 page 2

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

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conspiracy to launder money. Keith Hasson, who was added June 6 to the 15 Most Wanted fugitive list, was arrested without incident.