United States of America v. Juan Carmen Padron Mendez and Juan Carlos

Date: 09-26-2025

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Court: The United States Court for the Southern District of Texas

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Houston

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Description: Houston, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendants charged with choking federal agent

Between Sept. 19-25, a total of 511 individuals have been charged in immigration and related matters as part of ongoing enforcement actions along the South Texas border, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Among those are 180 people charged with illegally reentering the country. The majority have prior felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, sexual offenses, prior immigration crimes and more. A total of 304 people are charged with illegal entry, while 16 others are alleged to have engaged in human smuggling. Other relevant cases include five individuals charged with other immigration-related matters, illegal fishing and assaults of officers.

Two of those are Mexican nationals Juan Carmen Padron Mendez and Juan Carlos Padron Barron for allegedly strangling a Border Patrol agent while en route to a Houston-area detention facility. Court documents allege Mendez wrapped his arm around the agent’s neck as Barron grabbed their belongings and fled on foot before authorities apprehended both men. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in federal prison.

Another assault of on officer allegedly occurred Sept. 23. The criminal complaint alleges an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer encountered Sindi Moreno-Flores and attempted to place her under arrest. She allegedly resisted and began scratching him and swinging her arm in order to strike him. The charges allege she was eventually placed into custody following a continued struggle that included a family member. The officer allegedly sustained deep scratches on his arm and hands.

“The Southern District of Texas has zero tolerance for those who assault law enforcement,” said Ganjei. “Let it be known: if you lay a hand on an officer, deputy, or federal agent, SDTX will do whatever it can to put you in federal prison for as long as the law will allow. You’ve been warned.”

Also charged this week are Brandon Lajohn Hargrove, Houston, and Jose Luis Castellanos-Hercules, an illegal alien from Honduras. They allegedly transported 55 illegal aliens in a hidden compartment in a produce trailer near San Ygnacio. According to the complaint, multiple heavy pallets blocked the access door and prevented them from being able to leave on their own. Once authorities discovered them, the aliens had to crawl through a small door to get out from behind the false wall. If convicted, Hargrove and Castellanos-Hercules could receive up to 10 years in federal prison. Several of the illegal aliens in the truck are also facing charges of illegal entry or reentry.

Others facing new criminal charges are four men discovered in the Rio Grande Valley. The complaints allege they attempted to unlawfully reenter the country within six months of their most recent removals. Mexican nationals Vicente Trejo-Rodriguez, David Flores-Garcia and Romeo Enrique Perez-Santacruz were previously removed Mar

Outcome: An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

If convicted, they face up to 20 years in federal prison.

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