Former Federal Prosecutor, Dallas Attorney Plead Guilty to Deleting Texts Judge Ordered Them to Produce

Both Barrett Howell and Carlos Lopez pled guilty to disposing of government records and aiding and abetting Wednesday in the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division. Each has waived their right to appeal and face a maximum term of imprisonment of one year, a fine not to exceed $100,000 and a term of supervised release of up to one year. As of Wednesday, a sentencing date had not been set.

October 22, 2025 Alexa Shrake

Dykema’s New White Collar Group Sees First Criminal Defense Win in WDTX

Men who were federally indicted for an alleged healthcare fraud scheme involving urine drug tests won't have to face those charges after prosecutors asked a judge to toss the case. The dismissal is the first criminal defense win for Dykema’s new Texas white collar team, which launched in August. 

October 21, 2025 Alexa Shrake

Courts to Remain Open, Staff Sees Furloughs as Funding Halts During Shutdown

Despite the federal government shutdown, which took effect Oct. 1 due to congress’ failure to pass a spending bill, federal courts are still in operation. But after three weeks, and with no funding agreement in sight, the judiciary is beginning to feel the pressure as staff members are furloughed and funding dries up.

October 17, 2025 Alexa Shrake

‘Third Time Is a Charm’: After Two Hung Juries, Credit Card Execs Take Plea Deal

Two former executives of a Virginia-based credit card processing company received 36 months of probation after pleading guilty to defrauding the city of Sherman. As part of the plea agreement, Edward Walsh Vaughan, the former president of Electronic Transactions Systems Corp., and Hadi Akkad, the company’s former executive vice president, will forfeit $5.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

“This is a rare case, very unusual,” said Fort Worth criminal defense attorney Jeff Kearney, who negotiated the plea agreement with Houston trial lawyer David Gerger. “I never thought this case would get resolved. [Gerger's] persistence and ingenuity got this settled.”

October 6, 2025 Mark Smith

Federal Judiciary Has 2 Weeks Until Pressure From Shutdown Increases

The federal government has shut down for lack of funding for the first time in seven years. With lawmakers in a deadlock, it is uncertain when the shutdown will end. Federal workers will continue to be paid for two weeks.

October 1, 2025 Alexa Shrake

Chief Judge O’Connor Hears From 737 Max Victims’ Families, Mulls DOJ’s Dismissal Bid

Emotional testimony was heard Wednesday morning from the families of victims of two fatal plane crashes in 2018 and 2019. The families, some of whom traveled all the way from Kenya, Ireland and Toronto, stood in front of Chief Judge Reed O’Connor Wednesday to voice their opposition to the Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the criminal case it brought against Boeing for the two 737 Max plane crashes.

September 3, 2025 Alexa Shrake

An Overview of Tariffs and Trade Enforcement

Tariffs and trade obligations are quickly becoming a key area for government investigations and enforcement actions. In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced settlements totaling over $24 million for alleged customs fraud, including one in the Northern District of Texas. The DOJ’s heightened focus on tariff evasion and trade cases suggests that enforcement actions will reach broadly into the supply chain. Companies and executives should take heed of the various penalties.

September 3, 2025 Richard B. Roper & Richard J. Guiltinan

DOJ Environmental Lawyer Joins Phelps Dunbar in Austin

After more than a decade in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Phillip R. Dupré is joining Phelps Dunbar as counsel.

August 25, 2025 Brooks Igo