The Police News
October 21, 2009

During the past four months the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force which is a Houston HIDTA Initiative (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), completed a narcotic investigation targeting a money laundering operation being operated in east Fort Bend County.

The investigation culminated in Fresno, Texas, after obtaining information regarding the illegal transportation and smuggling of U.S. currency.  Through months of surveillance Drug Agents identified specially designed vehicles that were being utilized to transport illegal currency to Mexico.   

Sheriff's spokesperson Terriann Carlson said on October 14, 2009, while Drug Agents were conducting surveillance on one of the suspects identified as Jamie A. Reyes. A stop of the vehicle was conducted near the 400 block of Dallas Street, Fresno, Texas.  The investigation lead to Drug agents discovering $272,391.00 of U.S. currency in a specially designed compartment used to transport U.S. currency without being detected by Law Enforcement.  Jamie A. Reyes w/m Dob: 6-22-68, of 1100 Ann Street, Pasadena Texas was arrested on money laundering charges.  

The investigation continued into the County of Refugio, Texas where a second vehicle identified in this operation was located.  A roadside search of the vehicle revealed an additional $213,900.00 in a specially designed compartment of the vehicle.  Two suspects identified as Leslie Ann Garza w/f 12-31-88 of Rio Grande City and Barbara Juanita Villegas w/f 12-31-87 of Houston, Texas were also arrested on money laundering charges, said Carlson 

Jamie A. Reyes is presently being incarcerated at the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Detention Center under a no bond status. 

The Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force seized the U.S. Currency under the Chapter 59 statue through the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office.