Cartel Ties: Two Family Members Charged with Smuggling, Money Laundering and Terrorist Organization Support

Strategic Insights -

Two family members, Maxwell Sterling Jensen and James Lael Jensen, have been charged with allegedly conspiring to support a Mexican cartel, previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The charges include conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling charges, following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the DEA, and the FBI, with assistance from other law enforcement agencies. The alleged conspiracy involved providing material support to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generaciòn in the form of U.S. currency.

Key Takeaways:

  • Maxwell Sterling Jensen and James Lael Jensen, family members, have been charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generaciòn, a Mexican cartel previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
  • The charges include conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling charges, in connection with an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the DEA, and the FBI.
  • The alleged conspiracy involved providing material support to the cartel in the form of U.S. currency, with an estimated $300 million money judgment upon conviction.
  • The Jensen's allegedly operated Arroyo Terminals, an enterprise based in Rio Hondo, Texas, and aided and abetted the fraudulent entry of approximately 2,881 shipments of crude oil in violation of the Tariff Act.
  • The conspiracies to provide material support and to commit money laundering carry a possible prison term of up to 20 years, while aiding and abetting the smuggling of goods into the United States carries a possible prison term of up to 10 and 5 years, respectively.
  • James Jensen also faces one count of money laundering, carrying an additional 10 years in prison upon conviction.
  • The operation involved the combined efforts of ICE HSI, DEA, FBI, IRS CI, and others, as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration and protect communities from violent crime.

Statistics:

  • $300 million: estimated money judgment upon conviction
  • 20 years: possible prison term for conspiracy to provide material support and conspiracy to commit money laundering
  • 10 years: possible prison term for aiding and abetting the smuggling of goods into the United States
  • 5 years: possible prison term for aiding and abetting the fraudulent entry of goods into the United States
  • 2,881: number of shipments of crude oil allegedly smuggled into the United States
  • $250,000: maximum potential fine for conspiracy to provide material support and related smuggling charges
  • $500,000: maximum potential fine for money laundering charge

Sources:

  • US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
  • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
  • IRS CI (Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation)
  • Customs and Border Protection
  • U.S. Marshals Service
  • Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Operation Take Back America
  • Operation Liquid Death
  • Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Sturgis and Laura Garcia from the Southern District of Texas
  • AUSAs Mary Ellen Smyth and Tyler Foster handling seizure and forfeiture matters.