On February 18, 2026, a former DOJ Trial Attorney, previously assigned to the Criminal Division – Health Care Fraud Unit, Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $25 special assessment fee for one count of unauthorized disposal of government records. Additionally, an attorney licensed to practice in the state of Texas was sentenced to six months’ probation and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and $25 special assessment fee for one count of aiding and abetting the unauthorized disposal of government records. Carlos Lopez and Barrett Howell were sentenced in the Northern District of Texas. According to the factual resume, on or about April 11, 2023, Lopez knowingly disposed of text message communications from his government-issued cellphone with Howell, and on or about April 20, 2023, Howell knowingly aided and abetted Lopez by also deleting his text message communications with Lopez, to conceal Lopez’s deletion of his text messages. The investigation was conducted by the OIG’s Dallas Office with assistance from the OIG’s Cyber Investigations Office.
Date Issued
Case Action
Sentencing