Breaking News - Houston Stringer

Temu to pay $2 million to settle allegations of violating INFORM Consumers Act

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Massachusetts

Temu to pay $2 million to settle allegations of violating INFORM Consumers Act

BOSTON, MA – The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission announced that Whaleco Inc., doing business as Temu, will pay $2 million in civil penalties under a stipulated order resolving allegations that it violated the INFORM Consumers Act. The law requires online marketplaces to clearly disclose identifying information about high-volume sellers and provide consumers with reporting mechanisms for suspicious activity. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the government alleged Temu failed to adequately disclose seller addresses and did not consistently provide electronic and telephonic reporting tools as required. In addition to the penalty, the order requires Temu to implement compliance measures to meet the standards of the INF...

DEA arrests 617 in nationwide surge targeting Sinaloa Cartel

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington D.C.

DEA arrests 617 in nationwide surge targeting Sinaloa Cartel

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration announced the results of a week-long enforcement surge aimed at dismantling the Sinaloa Cartel, designated in February as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. From August 25 through August 29, 2025, DEA agents conducted coordinated actions across 23 domestic field divisions and seven foreign regions. The operation resulted in 617 arrests and the seizure of: 480 kilograms of fentanyl powder 714,707 counterfeit pills 2,209 kilograms of methamphetamine 7,469 kilograms of cocaine 55 kilograms of heroin $11,111,483 in currency $1,697,313 in assets 420 firearms DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said the actions reflect the agency’s commitment to dismantling the cartel’s command and control networks, calling each seizur...

Jamaican national pleads guilty to wire fraud scheme targeting U.S. victim

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Dakota

Jamaican national pleads guilty to wire fraud scheme targeting U.S. victim

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Dwayne Anderson, 35, of Hannover, Jamaica, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota in connection with a long-running scheme to defraud a California woman. Anderson was arrested by Jamaican authorities on July 11, 2024, based on a U.S. indictment and extradited to the United States in August 2024. He has remained incarcerated since his arrest. According to court documents, Anderson admitted that from 2010 to September 2017, he posed under false names and repeatedly contacted the victim by phone, text, and email, claiming she had won millions in a sweepstakes. He persuaded her to send more than $181,000 in purported fees and taxes, promising that her winnings would be released after payment. The victim nev...

Driver arrested on firearm warrant during traffic stop in north Harris County

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Driver arrested on firearm warrant during traffic stop in north Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – According to Constable Mark Herman, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 23500 block of Aldine Westfield Road on September 6, 2025. The driver, identified as Ernesto Ramirez-Hervis, was found to have an open warrant for discharge of a firearm and two traffic offenses through Harris County. Ramirez-Hervis was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail. His bond was set at $3,007 by County Court 7.

Former Texas laboratory CEO and others to pay over $6 million to resolve kickback allegations

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Former Texas laboratory CEO and others to pay over $6 million to resolve kickback allegations

FRISCO, TX – Former True Health Diagnostics CEO Christopher Grottenthaler has agreed to pay $4.25 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that he arranged illegal kickbacks to physicians for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Two physicians, Dr. Hong Davis of Plano and Dr. Elizabeth Seymour of Denton, along with seven marketers, agreed to pay an additional $1,818,462 to resolve related allegations. With these settlements, the Department of Justice has secured more than $59 million in recoveries tied to managed service organization (MSO) kickback schemes involving over 50 physicians nationwide. Prosecutors alleged Grottenthaler facilitated payments disguised as MSO distributions, consulting fees, hand...

Ohio man pleads guilty to falsifying bankruptcy records in West Virginia case

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

West Virginia

Ohio man pleads guilty to falsifying bankruptcy records in West Virginia case

HUNTINGTON, WV – Wayne Robert Rummel, 40, of Crown City, Ohio, pleaded guilty to falsifying recorded information relating to the property or financial affairs of a debtor in bankruptcy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Court documents state that Rummel filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy on July 5, 2023. While the case was pending, he attempted to finance a 2022 Nissan Altima for $24,758.50. On February 26, 2025, he emailed the lender a fake Bankruptcy Court order that falsely authorized the loan. Rummel admitted he created the fake order and knew that neither the Bankruptcy Court nor the U.S. Trustee had approved the loan. Rummel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2026. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to...

Eight MS-13 members plead guilty in Houston racketeering case tied to multiple murders

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Eight MS-13 members plead guilty in Houston racketeering case tied to multiple murders

HOUSTON, TX – Eight members of the violent transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha, known as MS-13, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders and acts of witness tampering in the Houston area. According to plea agreements, Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia, 28, Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, 29, and Miguel Angel Aguilar-Ochoa, 40, will each be sentenced to 50 years in federal prison. Marlon Miranda-Moran, 26, will be sentenced to 35 years. All four are citizens of El Salvador who were unlawfully residing in Houston at the time of the offenses. On August 11, four additional MS-13 members also pleaded guilty. Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, 33, is expected to receive 40 to 45 years in prison, while Edgardo Martinez-Rodriguez, 35,...

Driver arrested on multiple warrants after traffic stop on FM 1960

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Driver arrested on multiple warrants after traffic stop on FM 1960

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – According to Constable Mark Herman, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 8400 block of FM 1960 West at approximately 7:32 p.m. on September 6, 2025. The driver, identified as Tyson Eleby, was found to have multiple active warrants, including one from Pardon & Parole for felon in possession of a firearm. Eleby was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on the outstanding warrants. Constable Herman stated that his bond and court information have not yet been set.

Clear Alert issued for missing 63-year-old man in Houston

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Clear Alert issued for missing 63-year-old man in Houston

HOUSTON, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a Clear Alert for 63-year-old Steven Dawson, who was last seen at 11:34 a.m. on September 8, 2025, in the 2800 block of South Sam Houston Parkway East. Dawson is described as a White male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, blue jean shorts, and tennis shoes. He may be driving a silver 2006 Ford F-150 with Texas license plate BK10149. The truck has an American flag decal covering the back window, an American flag bug guard, and a black tonneau cover. Anyone who sees Dawson or the vehicle is urged to call 911 immediately or contact the Pearland Police Department at 281-997-4100.

Silver Alert issued for missing 81-year-old woman in San Antonio

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Silver Alert issued for missing 81-year-old woman in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a Silver Alert for 81-year-old Maria Garza, who was last seen at 11 a.m. on September 8, 2025, in the 4800 block of Guadalajara Drive. Garza is described as a White female, 4 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown eyes and white hair. She was last seen wearing a knitted black cardigan and red slacks. Anyone who sees Garza is urged to call 911 immediately or contact the San Antonio Police Department at 210-207-7660.