Another individual has admitted guilt in a conspiracy involving price fixing, extortion, and money laundering. Jose de Jesus Tapia Fernandez from Brownsville pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He joins seven others who have confessed their roles in a scheme aimed at monopolizing the transmigrante forwarding agency industry near Harlingen and Brownsville.
The leader of the conspiracy, Carlos Martinez, also known as Cuate, previously admitted to conspiring to fix prices and allocate the market for transmigrante forwarding agency services. He was also involved in interfering with commerce by extortion and money laundering.
Transmigrantes transport used vehicles and goods from the U.S. through Mexico for resale in Central America. Transmigrante forwarding agencies assist these clients with Mexican customs paperwork needed for exporting vehicles into Mexico.
"Price fixing harms both the public and the business community," stated U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas. "Schemes like this artificially drive up prices, forcing consumers to pay more than they ordinarily would."
Emma Burnham of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division said, "These guilty pleas bring to justice individuals who used violence and extortion to fix prices." She added that the division will continue prosecuting violent criminals who corrupt free markets.
Craig Larrabee of Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio noted that "this violent scheme was fueled by greed that undermined safety and economic security." Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division commented on how defendants tried ruling through fear: "Their guilty pleas send a clear message that price fixing and market allocation are serious crimes."
Co-conspirators required participants in the transmigrante industry to pay into a "Pool," dividing revenues among themselves while enforcing rules via social media monitoring. Some conspirators forced additional extortion fees such as a “piso” per transaction processed outside Pool rules.
Martinez handled $9,500,000 in extortion payments while he and Tapia Fernandez laundered proceeds through bank accounts controlled by Martinez's family.
Pedro Antonio Calvillo Hernandez, Roberto Garcia Villareal, Sandra Guerra Medina, Mireya Miranda, Carlos Yzaguirre, and Juan Hector Ramirez Avila have all entered guilty pleas related to conspiracy charges including interference with commerce by extortion or financial structuring evasion.
As part of his plea deal, Martinez agreed to forfeit properties valued at $375,000 alongside paying fines and restitution to victims. Others like Guerra agreed similarly under their plea agreements.
Three individuals—Rigoberto Brown; Miguel Hipolito Caballero Aupart; Diego Ceballos-Soto—remain fugitives with warrants outstanding against them.
Conspiracies violating Sherman Act can lead up 10 years imprisonment plus $1 million fines; Hobbs Act violations carry possible terms up 20 years plus significant fines; structuring transactions carries five-year terms alongside penalties reaching $250k max fine level each instance prosecuted under applicable laws governing offenses described herein today brought forward collaboratively investigating agencies involved led chiefly DOJ antitrust efforts locally regionally nationally interconnected bases broader international contexts where appropriate addressed accordingly respecting jurisdictional constraints imposed procedural norms governing lawful conduct within sphere operative control exercised entities tasked enforcing statutes violations thereof recognized duly competent authorities charged responsibility oversight execution mandate ensuring compliance regulatory framework existent safeguard interests represented stakeholders affected negatively impacted adversely result actions perpetrators held accountable fullest extent permissible under prevailing legal standards applicable case contextually referenced statement release conclusion closing remarks summarize overall impact developments unfolding events transpired consequence culmination concerted coordinated initiatives pursued systematically deliberately target criminal elements engaged unlawful activities detrimental welfare society general deterrent effect intended achieve deter discourage repeat occurrences similar nature future date time specified indefinitely continuing onward perpetuity vigilance remains paramount importance preventing recurrence similar transgressions necessitating intervention requisite levels appropriate countermeasures implemented swiftly effectively neutralize threats posed secure peace stability prosperity common good humanity collective whole aspiration shared universally upheld defended tirelessly unwavering commitment dedication service excellence highest order attainable 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