STL.News

Houston: David Mearis gets life for trafficking girls for sex

11Jan

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Houston: David Mearis gets life for trafficking girls for sex

Houston man, David Mearis gets life for trafficking girls for sex HOUSTON (STL.News) A 45-year-old Houston man has been sent to prison and ordered to pay nearly $1 million following his convictions on five separate counts of sex trafficking involving adults and minors, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A Houston federal jury deliberated for less than three hours before convicting David Mearis Oct. 18, 2019, following three days of trial. Today, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt sentenced Mearis to life in federal prison on each count to run concurrently. He was further ordered to pay $921,680 in restitution to the victims. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including excerpts from victim impact statements two of the victims had prepared. “Many days I th...

Houston: Gloria Kirk Edmonson Arrested for Lottery Fraud Scheme

8Jan

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Houston: Gloria Kirk Edmonson Arrested for Lottery Fraud Scheme

Houston Woman, Gloria Kirk Edmonson Arrested for Lottery Fraud Scheme BIRMINGHAM, AL (STL.News) On Wednesday, January 6th, federal agents arrested a woman for her role in a lottery fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr., and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-In-Charge, Houston Division, Adrian Gonzalez. A five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Gloria Kirk Edmonson, 75, of Houston, Texas, with one count of conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the indictment, from January 2019 through December 2020, Edmonson was a part of a lottery fraud scheme that persuaded individuals, often vulnerable elderly indiv...

Houston: Marvellous Eghaghe Arrested for International Money Laundering

8Dec

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Houston: Marvellous Eghaghe Arrested for International Money Laundering

Houston Man, Marvellous Eghaghe Arrested for International Money Laundering Conspiracy Stretching From the U.S. Virgin Islands to Nigeria St. Thomas, USVI (STL.News) United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Marvellous Eghaghe was arrested in Houston, Texas in connection with international wire fraud and money laundering schemes. According to the indictment filed in the case, Eghaghe created a Texas company and an associated bank account that he used to funnel money fraudulently obtained from victims in the United States Virgin Islands, Alabama, Texas and Colombia. Part of the scheme involved “spoofing,” in which perpetrators intrude upon victims’ business email communications by setting up an email address similar to t...

Houston: Hitesh Madhubhai Patel sentenced for scamming U.S. victims

1Dec

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Houston: Hitesh Madhubhai Patel sentenced for scamming U.S. victims

Owner and operator of India-based call centers, Hitesh Madhubhai Patel aka Hitesh Hinglaj sentenced for scamming U.S. victims out of millions HOUSTON (STL.News) An Indian national was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in operating and funding India-based call centers that defrauded U.S. victims out of millions of dollars between 2013 and 2016. U.S. District Judge David Hittner sentenced Hitesh Madhubhai Patel aka Hitesh Hinglaj, 44, of Ahmedabad, India, for wire fraud conspiracy and general conspiracy to commit identification fraud, access device fraud, money laundering and impersonation of a federal officer or employee. Patel was also ordered to pay restitution of $8,970,396 to identified victims of his crimes. “The long arm of federal law enforcement was key to bringing...

LyondellBasell Announces Quarterly Dividend

20Nov

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Business

LyondellBasell Announces Quarterly Dividend

HOUSTON and LONDON (STL.News) LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world, today announced that it has declared a dividend of $1.05 per share, to be paid December 7, 2020 to shareholders of record November 30, 2020, with an ex-dividend date of November 27, 2020.

Phillips 66 News: Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Results Reported

30Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Business

Phillips 66 News: Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Results Reported

HOUSTON, TX (STL.News) Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX), a diversified energy production and logistics firm, announce that a third-quarter 2020 reduction of $799 million, compared with a loss of $141 million in the second quarter of 2020. Excluding special items of $798 million in the third quarter, primarily an impairment related to the projected conversion of the San Francisco Refinery to a renewable fuels plant that the company needed an adjusted loss of $1 million, in comparison to a second-quarter adjusted loss of $324 million. NOTE: this is NOT the complete release. https://investor.phillips66.com/financial-information/news-releases/news-release-details/2020/Phillips-66-Reports-Third-Quarter-2020-Financial-Results/default.aspx

Texas, Houston: Justice Department Settles Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit Securing $342,500

26Oct

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Texas, Houston: Justice Department Settles Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit Securing $342,500

Texas, Houston: Justice Department Settles Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit Securing $342,500 for Two Female Firefighters and Changes to the Houston Fire Department’s Training Practices (STL.News) – The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the City of Houston resolving allegations that personnel at Houston Fire Department (HFD) Station 54 discriminated and retaliated against former firefighter Jane Draycott in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex and religion. The department also announced the April 28, 2020 settlement of the Title VII claims brought in its lawsuit on behalf of Houston firefighter Paula K...

Houston: Marcus Ryan Howell sent to prison after posting child pornography

13Oct

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Houston: Marcus Ryan Howell sent to prison after posting child pornography

Houston: Marcus Ryan Howell sent to prison after posting child pornography via social media (STL.News) – A 30-year-old man who posted hundreds of images depicting child pornography on two separate public blogs in 2017 and 2018 has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Marcus Ryan Howell pleaded guilty March 12 to two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown ordered him to serve 151 months in federal prison. Following his prison term, Howell will serve 10 years on supervised release, during which time he will have to comply with numerous conditions that restrict his access to children and the internet. Howell will also be required to register as a sex offen...

Phillips 66 Announces Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

10Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Business

Phillips 66 Announces Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

HOUSTON, TX (STL.News) The board of directors of Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) has declared a quarterly dividend of 90 cents per share on Phillips 66 common stock. The dividend is payable on Dec. 1, 2020, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 17, 2020. CLICK to VIEW SOURCE Syndication: USBiz.Directory

Houston: Another Clan Del Golfo associate Jhony Fidel Cuello-Petro extradited to face charges

9Oct

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Houston: Another Clan Del Golfo associate Jhony Fidel Cuello-Petro extradited to face charges

Houston: Another Clan Del Golfo associate Jhony Fidel Cuello-Petro extradited to face charges for international cocaine distribution conspiracy (STL.News) – An alleged associate of one most serious transnational organized criminal organizations has landed in the United States on charges of distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Colombia, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jhony Fidel Cuello-Petro aka Mocho, 45, is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy at 2 p.m. in Houston today. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Cuello-Petro and others Aug. 16, 2018. Colombian authorities took him into custody in November 2018. He was extradited and landed in Houston yesterday. Cuello-Petro is an alleged close associate of Joaquin Guillermo David...

Houston: Walter Chicas-Garcia and Jimmy Villalobos-Gomez charged

9Oct

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Houston: Walter Chicas-Garcia and Jimmy Villalobos-Gomez charged

Houston: Walter Chicas-Garcia and Jimmy Villalobos-Gomez charged with MS-13 execution-style murder involving baseball bat and machete (STL.News) – Two alleged high ranking gang members are set to appear in federal court an allegations they committed murder in furtherance of the of the Mara Salvatrucha aka MS-13 international street gang, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Walter Chicas-Garcia, 23, and Jimmy Villalobos-Gomez, 23, are set to make their appearances via video conference today at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy. A federal grand jury returned an indictment Sept. 29 against the Salvadorian nationals who resided in Houston. They are charged with murder in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to do so. The two men allegedly murdered the victim July 3. ...

LyondellBasell Prices Public Offering of Guaranteed Notes

7Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Business

LyondellBasell Prices Public Offering of Guaranteed Notes

HOUSTON, TEXAS and LONDON (STL.News) LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB) ("LyondellBasell" or "we") announced today that LYB International Finance III, LLC ("LYB International Finance"), its wholly-owned subsidiary, priced a public offering (the "Offering") of $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Guaranteed Floating Rate Notes due 2023 (the "Floating Rate Notes"), $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes"), $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2030 (the "2030 Notes"), $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375% Guaranteed Notes due 2040 (the "2040 Notes"), $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.625% Guaranteed Notes due 2051 (the "2051 Notes"), and $500,000,000 aggregate princip...

LyondellBasell and Sasol form Integrated Polyethylene Joint Venture

2Oct

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Business

LyondellBasell and Sasol form Integrated Polyethylene Joint Venture

LyondellBasell to acquire 50 percent of certain Sasol assets in Louisiana Houston, TX and Johannesburg (STL.News) LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) and Sasol (JSE: SOL, NYSE: SSL) today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture (JV) through which LyondellBasell will acquire 50 percent of Sasol’s 1.5 MM ton ethane cracker, 0.9 MM ton low and linear-low density polyethylene plants and associated infrastructure for a total consideration of US$2 Billion. The agreement includes customary rights for each partner regarding the potential future sale of its ownership interest. The JV will operate under the name Louisiana Integrated PolyEthylene JV LLC. “This investment represents a unique opportunity to bring together the best of both companies and create dee...

Marathon Oil Reinstates Base Dividend and Reduces Debt

1Oct

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Business

Marathon Oil Reinstates Base Dividend and Reduces Debt

HOUSTON, TX (STL.News) Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) today reported an update highlighting the reinstatement of a base dividend, recent debt reduction initiatives, and a transparent framework for future capital allocation and uses of free cash flow intended to maximize long-term shareholder value. Highlights Reinstated quarterly base dividend at 3 cents per share Successfully tendered $500 million of 2022 notes, resulting in $100 million gross debt reduction Fourth quarter dividend and gross debt reduction more than fully funded by third quarter free cash flow generation Capital allocation framework provides free cash flow visibility and makes meaningful cash flow available for investor-friendly purposes In a $40/bbl to $45/bbl WTI price environment, intend to allocate at...

Marathon Oil Announces Early Tender Results Of Tender Offer For Up To $500,000,000 Of Its 2.800% Senior Notes Due 2022

30Sep

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Business

Marathon Oil Announces Early Tender Results Of Tender Offer For Up To $500,000,000 Of Its 2.800% Senior Notes Due 2022

HOUSTON, TX (STL.News) Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) announced today the early tender results for its previously announced cash tender offer (the "Offer") for up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 (the "Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount") of its outstanding $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "Notes"). The terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated September 16, 2020 (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the "Offer to Purchase"). The Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on October 14, 2020, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 29, 2020 (such time and date, the "Early Tender Time"), according to informa...

Houston; Former bank employee Claudia Wells Sept arrested in embezzlement scam

24Sep

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General

Houston; Former bank employee Claudia Wells Sept arrested in embezzlement scam

Houston; Former bank employee Claudia Wells Sept arrested in embezzlement scam involving over $40,000 | USAO-SDTX (STL.News) – A 38-year-old Houston woman has been taken into custody on allegations of embezzling thousands from her previous employer, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Claudia Wells Sept. 17, charging her with embezzlement from a federally-insured credit union. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan at 2 p.m. today. According to the indictment, from May 28, 2019 to June 6, 2019, Wells embezzled approximately $43,000 from an account at the credit union while she was employed there. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek ...

Houston; Former Postal employee Lovely Eliabe indicted for delay and destruction of Mail

24Sep

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Houston; Former Postal employee Lovely Eliabe indicted for delay and destruction of Mail

Houston; Former Postal employee Lovely Eliabe indicted for delay and destruction of Mail | USAO-SDTX (STL.News) – A 24-year-old Richmond resident has surrendered to federal authorities following the return of an indictment alleging she delayed and/or destroyed U.S. mail, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. A Houston federal grand jury returned the indictment Sept. 15 against Lovely Eliabe which was unsealed today. She is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Christina Bryan at 2 p.m. Eliabe was allegedly employed as a rural carrier associate at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The indictment alleges she destroyed and delayed mail matter intended to be delivered through the USPS on June 26. As a USPS employee, Eliabe allegedly violated her obligation to deliver...

Houston, Texas; SIX ELN Members and Associates Charged With Narco-Terrorism

21Sep

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Houston, Texas; SIX ELN Members and Associates Charged With Narco-Terrorism

Houston, Texas; SIX ELN Members and Associates Charged With Narco-Terrorism and International Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy | USAO-SDTX (STL.News) – A total of three Colombian nationals associated with the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional aka ELN), a paramilitary group designated as a foreign terrorist organization, have been taken into Colombian custody at the request of the United States on charges alleging a 20-year international drug conspiracy. “When my predecessor visited Colombia last year, he said to approximately 100 Colombian National police officers that he was directing all U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) components stationed at the U.S. Embassy, to include FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and our DOJ Attaches, to make cases against ELN a ...