Crime briefs from across the state
Houston resident sentenced for laundering
HOUSTON — A 44-yearold man has been sentenced for laundering proceeds from a large-scale bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Bun Khath pleaded guilty Feb. 11, 2025.
U.S. District Keith Ellison has now ordered Khath to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
As part of his plea, Khath admitted he opened and maintained shell companies and bank accounts to collect proceeds from the scheme. He also acknowledged laundering the funds by wiring them to accounts controlled by coconspirators.
Previously released on bond, Khath was taken into custody following sentencing and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Another Houston resident charged in the case, Hugo Villanueva, 71, was recently apprehended in Peru and is expected to be extradited soon.
McAllen man convicted of illegally purchasing .50 caliber weapon
A 24-year-old legal permanent resident has pleaded guilty to conspiring to straw purchase a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Javier Sebastian Vazquez-Ponce admitted he recruited another individual to purchase a .50-caliber semi-automatic rifle on his behalf, knowing the firearm was intended for trafficking and use by a drug trafficking organization in Mexico.
On Dec. 2, 2025, authorities identified a suspicious attempt to purchase a .50-caliber rifle using approximately $10,000 in cash.
They determined Vasquez-Ponce and others crossed into Mexico shortly after placing the order and returned approximately two days later to retrieve the firearm. Law enforcement immediately took them into custody at that time.
The investigation also recovered text messages detailing the scheme and referencing additional firearm trafficking activity.
As part of his plea, Vasquez-Ponce admitted the money for the purchase originated from the Gulf Cartel in Mexico.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos will impose sentencing May 13. At that time, Ramos faces up to 25 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Vazquez-Ponce remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing.