Methamphetamine Trafficker That Led Law Enforcement on a High-Speed Pursuit Sentenced to 230 Months in Federal Prison

 

Man caught with over 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Glock pistol after leading multiple West Texas law enforcement agencies on a lengthy high-speed chase was sentenced to just over 19 years in federal prison on Oct. 8.

Erik Louis Almaguer, 32, was indicted in February and pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix imposed a 170‑month sentence for the drug offense, followed by a consecutive 60‑month sentence for the firearm offense, for a total of 230 months. 

“Drug traffickers who put innocent lives at risk by fleeing from law enforcement demonstrate a reckless disregard for the safety of our communities,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “This defendant chose to endanger the public rather than face the consequences of his criminal activity.  Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, he will now be held accountable for his actions.”

“This defendant put countless motorists and officers at risk in an effort to avoid accountability,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This sentence reflects both the seriousness of his conduct and the strength of the partnerships that make West Texas safer. Because of the swift coordination among our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, a dangerous trafficker was stopped, and significant quantities of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm were removed from our communities.”

According to court documents, on Oct. 9, 2025, narcotics agents in Lubbock were surveilling Erik Almaguer under suspicion that he was engaged in drug trafficking. A Lubbock Police Department patrol unit attempted to stop his vehicle after he committed a traffic violation, but Almaguer immediately accelerated his vehicle and led officers on a high-speed chase. Almaguer left the Lubbock city limits, traveling towards Brownfield. Multiple law enforcement agencies were called in to assist in stopping Almaguer. Almaguer evaded law enforcement all of the way from Lubbock to Brownfield, at times traveling over 100 miles per hour.

When Almaguer reached Brownfield, officers successfully flattened two of Almaguer’s tires using spike strips. However, Almaguer continued to evade, forcing officers to use their patrol units to disable Almaguer’s vehicle. Almaguer exited his vehicle and attempted to run on foot but was quickly captured.

Officers located a torn plastic baggie containing suspected methamphetamine near where Almaguer was taken into custody. Officers searched Almaguer’s vehicle and located over 300 grams of suspected methamphetamine and more than 12 grams of suspected fentanyl powder. A loaded Glock 17 pistol with an extended magazine was found between the driver’s seat and center console. Officers also located a baggie of suspected fentanyl pills in Almaguer’s sock.

In plea papers, Almaguer admitted to possessing over 300 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others. He also admitted to possessing a loaded Glock pistol in relation to his drug trafficking. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration Lubbock Resident Office, Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Hockley County Sheriff’s Office, Terry County Sheriff’s Office, and Brownfield Police Department conducted the investigation. Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners collaborated on this investigation under the Caprock Texas High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative.

Governor Hochul Announces Solstice Advanced Materials to Expand in Buffalo

$49 Million Expansion Project Will Establish the Facility as Solstice’s Premier Global R&D Hub

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc. is expanding in Buffalo. Solstice, a global leader in high-performance specialty materials, will construct, renovate and equip its Peabody Street research and development facility to enhance and expand the company’s R&D capabilities in advanced materials and chemical processes. The $49 million investment will establish the Buffalo site as Solstice’s premier global R&D hub, reinforcing Western New York’s role at the cutting edge of advanced chemical manufacturing. The project will create 12 new jobs, building on the company’s existing 180-person Buffalo workforce.

“New York continues to be a magnet for the industries of tomorrow, and Solstice’s decision to anchor its premier R&D facility right here in Buffalo proves that our economic strategy is working,” Governor Hochul said. “This $49 million investment will create good-paying jobs, foster cutting-edge research and keep New York at the forefront of the green technology revolution.”

WORST OF THE WORST: ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Rapists

Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin’s leadership, America will never become a sanctuary for illegal aliens

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more worst of the worst illegal aliens, convicted of heinous crimes such as murder, child sexual abuse, and rape.

“The brave patriots of ICE arrested murderers, pedophiles, rapists, and other illegal aliens who should have never been in our country at all,” said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Under President Trump, we are laser-focused on arresting and removing illegal aliens from our communities to make America safe again. DHS will never apologize for putting the safety of the American people first.”

Arrests include:

Ricardo Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for murder in the Bronx, New York. 

Maykel Ramos-De La Torre, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for vehicular homicide in Key West, Florida.

 

Amador Rodriguez-Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 13 in Cook County, Illinois.

Angel Paguada-Banegas, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for statutory rape/sex offense in Wake County, North Carolina.

Jose Lemus, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run with injury in Long Beach, California.

Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

Attorney General James Releases Statement on ICE-Involved Shooting in Marble Hill

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting in Marble Hill:

“Late yesterday afternoon, an ICE officer shot a New Yorker in his car while a five-year-old child sat in the backseat. I am praying for the victim and his loved ones, and I am praying for the continued safety of the young child who, only by the grace of God, was not physically harmed.

“Today, New Yorkers are grappling with horror and outrage. They deserve nothing less than a full and transparent investigation conducted without fear or favor. I have full faith in District Attorney Darcel Clark.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

New York Attorney General James needs to understand county lines. Marble Hill while it may have a Bronx post office, Bronx police covering the area, and Bronx community board, Marble Hill is part of Manhattan, with Manhattan elected officials, and its residents serve on Manhattan juries. So, New York State Attorney General James Marble Hill is not a part of the Bronx and not represented by Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. We suggest you check with the New York City Board of Elections Attorney General James to see who does represent Marble Hill.

Mayor Mamdani Launches NYC Mental Health Connect, Helping New Yorkers Find and Access Local Mental Health Services

 

NYC Mental Health Connect allows New Yorkers to explore hundreds of local programs and providers and access care that fit their needs    

In advance of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Health Department launched NYC Mental Health Connect, a new website to help New Yorkers find mental health and substance use services that meet their needs. Funded through the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), Mental Health Connect allows New Yorkers to explore behavioral health services from over 600 providers based on type of service, appointment availability, ages served, languages spoken, and insurance types accepted — all through a brief questionnaire.

“Finding an accessible, affordable mental health provider should be simple, but for too many, the difficulty of finding care can prevent them from seeking the help they need,” said Mayor Mamdani. “With NYC Mental Health Connect, our administration is providing New Yorkers with the tools to find local or virtual services quickly, and we are removing unnecessary obstacles that have prevented so many in need from accessing critical, and often lifesaving, mental health care.”

“Access to affordable, high-quality mental health care should only be a few clicks away – and with NYC Mental Health Connect, now it is,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “This incredible resource allows users to easily locate care in their communities, their living rooms, or online and makes sure that anyone seeking vital, life-changing mental healthcare will find it without difficulty.”

“Too many of our neighbors don’t use mental health support because they don’t know where to go,” said New York City Health Commissioner Alister F. Martin. “With the launch of Mental Health Connect, we’re making it easier than ever to find and access mental health services that meet the needs of all New Yorkers.”

“With countless services and hundreds of providers, New York City hosts a complete continuum of care that is available anyone in need of behavioral health support,” said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “Mental Health Connect offers and easy-to-use website that will help city residents navigate these services and find the ones best suited for their needs. With support from Governor Hochul, OMH is a proud partner in funding and developing this new website, which will help New Yorkers find the services they need when they need them.”

A 2024 report found that 24% of New York City teens surveyed said they needed or wanted mental health care but did not know where to get it. Nearly half of adults who said they struggled to function due to their mental health reported an unmet need for mental health treatment, and more than 40% of those adults reported not knowing who to contact or where to go as a barrier to treatment.

By completing a brief questionnaire, NYC Mental Health Connect helps anyone seeking services in New York City explore and learn about options for care, how soon they can access that care, and how to connect with a provider. Providers can also use NYC Mental Health Connect to identify additional services to support their clients.

NYC Mental Health Connect includes State-licensed programs and City-contracted services that New Yorker can access at home or virtually and the website features a number of affordable service options across the behavioral health system, including:

• Outpatient clinics serving adults, youth, and families
• Rehabilitation services
• Support services including peer support, employment, education, and care coordination
• Social programs for housing, food security, and legal assistance
• Crisis services
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities services

OMH provided $5 million in one-time funding to support the development and launch of NYC Mental Health Connect. The city will maintain the website into the future, ensuring that it is updated regularly to include the latest information on providers accepting referrals.

For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7 by dialing 988.

Long Island Tax Preparer Convicted of Defrauding The Internal Revenue Service

 

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Frantzson Saintilien was convicted on all 18 counts of an indictment charging him with preparing false tax returns containing fictious fuel expenses, fictitious business expenses and losses, and fraudulent tax credits which reduced his clients’ tax liability.  The verdict was returned after a one-week trial before United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan.  When sentenced, Saintilien faces up to 54 years in prison and financial penalties. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office (IRS-CI New York), announced the verdict. 

“The defendant is a serial fraudster who was masquerading as a tax preparer, but instead of performing an important service, he victimized clients who trusted him and willfully stole government funds from the IRS,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “With today’s verdict, Saintilien has been held accountable for his conduct and will face the consequences.” 

“Today’s verdict reaffirms IRS-CI’s commitment to protecting the U.S. Treasury and holding dishonest tax return preparers accountable for their conduct.  The message is unmistakable: those who undermine the integrity of the tax system by facilitating the filing of false tax returns with egregiously fraudulent credits will be held responsible for their actions,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

The charges in the indictment arise from Saintilien’s role as a tax preparer at his multi-service business located at One Elmont Road in Elmont, New York.  As proved at trial, in and between 2019 and 2023, for the tax years 2018 through 2022, Saintilien prepared false and fraudulent Forms 1040 and associated schedules and forms for clients that contained a variety of false claims, including that his clients (a) paid federal taxes on nontaxable uses of fuel on Forms 4136; (b) had incurred losses from the sale of assets on Forms 4797; and (c) incurred business expenses on Schedule C. As a result of these false and fraudulent claims, the IRS issued larger refunds to Saintilien’s clients than they were in fact owed.  In many cases, Santilien diverted funds from those improper refunds to himself without his clients’ knowledge.

Based on the fraudulent returns charged in the Indictment alone, the defendant’s conduct resulted in a loss of more than $100,000 to the IRS.  In total, the government estimates that the defendant’s scheme cost the government well in excess of one million dollars.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. 

NEW YORKERS PAY A "FRAUD TAX" OF ABOUT $2,300 A YEAR

 

New model estimates $25.3 billion a year in fraud and improper payments across New York government, including $11.1 billion in likely fraud, and could be as high as $30.6 billion

Joseph Hernandez, candidate for New York State Comptroller, today released an estimate that New York government loses about $25.3 billion a year to fraud and improper payments. That is about $2,300 for every New York taxpayer, a hidden “fraud tax” paid every year. It could be as high as $30.6 billion, or $2,800 per taxpayer.

 

About $11.1 billion of that total, roughly $1,000 per taxpayer, is estimated to be outright fraud. The rest is improper payments: money sent to the wrong people, in the wrong amounts, or for services that were never delivered. These are the model’s midpoint estimates. Fraud alone could be as high as $13.5 billion a year.

 

Medicaid accounts for the largest share, with an estimated $13.3 billion a year in fraud and improper payments, including $4.6 billion in likely fraud, and as much as $18.6 billion at the high end. The Medicaid figures are based on audited error rates.

 

Other state programs account for an estimated $3.2 billion a year, including $2.1 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $3.7 billion. Managed care plan billing accounts for $2.8 billion, including $1.1 billion in likely fraud, and could reach $4.1 billion. Local governments and school districts account for $1.5 billion, including $1.0 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $2.4 billion. Each of these figures is estimated.

 

SNAP accounts for $0.9 billion a year, including $0.2 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $1.0 billion, based on an audited error rate. Unemployment insurance accounts for $0.8 billion, including $0.5 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $0.9 billion, based on audited U.S. Department of Labor figures.

 

The MTA accounts for an estimated $0.8 billion a year, including $0.6 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $1.0 billion. The Essential Plan accounts for $0.8 billion, including $0.3 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $1.1 billion. The NYC Department of Education accounts for $0.7 billion, including $0.4 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $0.8 billion. NYCHA accounts for $0.2 billion, including $0.1 billion in likely fraud, with a high end of $0.3 billion. Each of these figures is estimated.

 

Each category is estimated separately, so the categories do not add exactly to the totals. The totals exclude one-time pandemic unemployment fraud, estimated at $4 billion to $11 billion in 2020–21.

 

“How much fraud do you think there is in New York? Would it surprise you that it’s an estimated $11 billion a year?” said Hernandez. “Add in the money sent to the wrong people, in the wrong amounts, or for services never delivered, and it’s about $25 billion, and it could be as high as $30 billion. That’s about $2,300 for every taxpayer in this state. It’s a fraud tax, and New Yorkers are paying it every year.”

 

“The current comptroller has done very little to recover your money. I will. I’ll be the most aggressive comptroller this office has seen in 20 years. I’ll get your money back and hold those who steal from you accountable.”

As Comptroller, Hernandez will create a Fraud Strike Team inside the Comptroller’s office to find fraud and improper payments, recover the money, and refer cases for prosecution.

 

The campaign built the estimate from public budget data and federal audit error rates. The spending base starts with the $277 billion FY2027 enacted state budget, including $114.4 billion in Medicaid and 11 billion for the Essential Plan, per the State Comptroller’s enacted budget report. Added to that are the NYC Department of Education (37.9 billion), the MTA ($21.3 billion operating and a 68.4 billion five-year capital plan), NYCHA (5.6 billion operating), and local governments and school districts outside New York City ($97.2 billion in FY2023).

Where audited error rates exist, the model uses them. Medicaid uses the federal improper payment range of 6% to 20%, with the low end reflecting CMS’s national rate and the high end reflecting years when full eligibility reviews were done. SNAP uses New York’s 13.18% federal error rate. Unemployment insurance uses the U.S. Department of Labor’s figures of $750 million improper and $507 million fraud in 2025. Where no audit exists, other programs use rates of 0.5% to 5%, anchored to the Government Accountability Office’s estimate that 3% to 7% of federal spending is lost to fraud.

 

To separate fraud from error, 20% to 50% of Medicaid improper payments are treated as fraud, and about two-thirds elsewhere. The model then ran 400,000 simulations, drawing randomly across every range. The midpoint is the typical result; the high end is the 90th percentile, meaning nine in ten runs came out lower.

 

To avoid double counting, state aid already counted in the state budget was removed from the NYC DOE, MTA and local government totals. Per-taxpayer figures divide by the 10.93 million New York income tax returns filed for 2024. About $4 billion of the midpoint total rests on estimated rather than audited rates, chiefly managed care plan billing and local governments. The model does not include revenue lost to tax evasion or cigarette smuggling.

 

Sources: NYS Comptroller, FY2027 enacted budget and financial plan report. NYS Comptroller, local government finances, FY2023. GAO-24-105833, federal fraud estimate. Medicaid improper payment rates and eligibility reviews. New York SNAP error rate, FY2025. U.S. Department of Labor unemployment fraud figures. NYC Council, Department of Education budget. NYC Council, MTA budget. NYC Council, NYCHA budget. NYS Comptroller, managed care plan audit (2016). Pandemic unemployment fraud audit. NYS Tax Department, tax year 2024 returns.

DEA Assists ATF With Operation 11th Hour Which Nets 42 Defendants in Eastern Washington

ATF Initiated the Operation After a 14-Year-Old Was Killed in a Gang-Style Shooting in Moses Lake

ATF and the Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other law enforcement partners, arrested six suspects and executed eight simultaneous search warrants between Moses Lake and Spokane, Washington. Floyd Young, Eutimio De Padua Contreras, Wilmer Garcia-Marquez, Juan Preciado, Juvenal Herrera-Mata, and Cristobal Rios Sostenes were arrested for various offenses, including unlawful firearm possession, distribution of methamphetamine, and distribution of cocaine. These individuals were the final six arrests stemming from ATF Operation 11th Hour, a 15-month collaborative effort to reduce violent crime in the Grant County area.

ATF Operation 11th Hour was initiated after a gang-style shooting in Moses Lake tragically claimed the life a 14-year-old and put several others in the hospital with gunshot wounds. This operation specifically targeted individuals with a high propensity of violence, gang members, those who traffic in the tools of violence, and armed drug traffickers and their organizations.

“Keeping our communities safe requires more than individual agencies working in isolation: it requires a unified commitment to confronting those who commit violent crimes and threaten the safety of our residents,” said Jonthan Blais, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Seattle Field Division. “This operation is a clear demonstration of the strength of our partnerships and our collective resolve. By targeting violent offenders and removing unlawful firearms and dangerous drugs and from our streets, we are disrupting the criminal activity that fuels violence and puts our residents at risk. ATF will continue to leverage every available resource and partnership to hold violent offenders accountable and reduce the threat they pose to the public.”

“Drug trafficking and violence go hand in hand, putting innocent lives and entire communities at risk,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This operation demonstrates what we can accomplish when law enforcement partners unite to take dangerous drugs, firearms, and violent offenders off our streets. Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA will continue working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain, reduce its availability, and save American lives.”

Image

Over the course of the operation, several local, state, and federal agencies joined forces to execute 54 federal search warrants and 37 state search warrants, netting 42 total defendants. Additionally, the following items have been seized: 25 firearms, 9 vehicles, approximately 42lbs of meth, more than 1,000 fentanyl pills, almost 2lbs of fentanyl powder, and more than 2lbs of cocaine.

“This case is an excellent example of the impact that can be made when federal and local law enforcement work together to target issues in our communities,” said City of Moses Lake Police Department Chief David Sands. “I am grateful for all the work done at every level of this operation to take illegal weapons and drugs off our streets.”

Of the 42 defendants identified during this operation, 24 have been federally indicted and 6 are facing state charges.

Operation 11th Hour was initiated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Border Patrol, IRS-CI, FBI, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service – Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF), and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET).

Those individuals who have been federally indicted are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Those facing state charges are being prosecuted by the Grant County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.