Federal grand jury returns indictments on seven

United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced that a federal grand jury has returned indictments today charging seven individuals in separate cases of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

Tyren Devon Mathews, 32 and Naketta Veron Brooks, 35, both of Lufkin, were indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver cocaine. If convicted, they could each receive up to 40 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $2 million.

The indictment alleges that on April 2, DPS conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Mathews and Brooks for speeding on Highway 59 in Lufkin, Texas. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed more than 500 grams of cocaine.

Leslie Ray White, 57, of Texarkana, was indicted on charges of trafficking in counterfeited goods and trafficking in counterfeit labels. If convicted, White could receive up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $2 million for Count 1 and up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on Count 2.

The indictment alleges that the Defendant ise charged with trafficking in counterfeit Nike shoes and counterfeit labels affixed to copyrighted CDs.

Jose Corona Molina, 23 and Jose Luis Romero Morales, 26, both of Dallas, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. If convicted, each could receive up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $4 million.

According to information provided in court, several debriefings with defendants in other cases resulted in Molina and Morales being named as suppliers of methamphetamine to the Longview area and therefore a search warrant was executed in Dallas where suspected methamphetamine and guns were found in their possession. Both defendants are illegal aliens.

Melissa Roberson, aka Lisa Houston, 34, and Patrica Moreland, aka Patrina Shankle, 39, both of Lufkin, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. If convicted of the conspiracy count, each could receive up to 40 years in federal prison. On the possession counts, each could receive a sentence of up to 20 years.

According to the indictment, three deliveries of drugs to a Confidential Informant led to the execution of a search warrant with both defendants present during the search.

This case is being investigated by the Lufkin Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin.

It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.