Verdict with Ted Cruz - BONUS POD： Worst of the Worst： ICE Targets Convicted Child Predators in Houston Sweep

00:00:00.000 This is an iHeart Podcast.

00:00:02.580 Guaranteed human.

00:00:05.840 Well, I haven't been overly interested in it.

00:00:08.440 You know, it's something, it's a hoax that's been built up way beyond proportion. 0.99

00:00:12.040 I can say this, those files were run by the worst scum on earth. 0.99

00:00:16.220 They were run by Comey. 1.00

00:00:18.300 They were run by Garland.

00:00:19.960 They were run by Biden and all of the people that actually ran the government,

00:00:24.060 including the autopen.

00:00:25.780 Those files were run for four years by those people.

00:00:29.020 If they had anything, I assume they would have released it.

00:00:31.580 The whole thing is a hoax.

00:00:33.000 You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

00:00:36.740 Good Tuesday morning.

00:00:37.780 Nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update.

00:00:40.140 And we've got two major stories we're covering this morning.

00:00:42.940 You want to know just how bad the number of sex offenders are where you live?

00:00:49.480 Well, this is exactly what President Trump talked about. 0.97

00:00:52.860 Getting rid of the worst among us that are illegal immigrants. 1.00

00:00:55.940 ICE has arrested over 200 illegal alien child sex offenders in one city alone over the past six months. 0.97

00:01:05.360 Not the country, but in one city alone.

00:01:09.120 I'm going to tell you that story coming up in just a moment.

00:01:12.260 I also want to talk about Donald Trump's promise to clean up waste, fraud, and abuse.

00:01:18.140 Well, you may remember back in 2012, there was a scam.

00:01:22.060 It was called the Obamaphone scam.

00:01:24.040 You may remember a woman saying she's going to vote for Obama because he gives her a free phone.

00:01:29.300 Well, now a CEO is headed to prison and must pay a $128 million fine after defrauding the government.

00:01:37.360 And it deals with exactly that.

00:01:39.460 Those Obamaphones are still around. 0.96

00:01:42.080 But first, I've got to ask you a question.

00:01:44.180 Are you one of those that is just so tired of giving your money to radical left, woke companies

00:01:49.080 that actually are fighting against your values every day?

00:01:52.200 Well, there are certain bills that you pay every month that if you can go with a conservative company,

00:01:58.760 why not do it?

00:01:59.800 In fact, why not go with a conservative company that actually takes part of your bill every month

00:02:04.460 that you're going to pay to somebody?

00:02:06.060 And they give it back to organizations that support your First and your Second Amendment rights,

00:02:11.120 that support the rights of unborn children,

00:02:13.480 that stand with our military,

00:02:16.260 our first responders,

00:02:17.600 and so many wounded warriors that need help.

00:02:21.720 Well, that bill I'm talking about is your cell phone bill.

00:02:25.740 And I've been telling you for a long time about Patriot Mobile,

00:02:28.880 but there's no better time to switch than right now.

00:02:31.980 Not only does Patriot Mobile operate on all three major networks in this country.

00:02:36.780 Yeah, all three.

00:02:37.520 That means you get the same great coverage you're used to right now.

00:02:40.440 But you also make a difference with every call you make and every text you make.

00:02:44.700 And why would you want to give your money to Big Mobile?

00:02:47.280 Big Mobile has been giving big donations to democratic causes,

00:02:51.520 democratic candidates,

00:02:53.100 and radical left organizations.

00:02:54.740 I'm talking about organizations that actually support abortion.

00:02:59.660 That is why I want you to switch right now to Patriot Mobile.

00:03:04.260 Go ahead and make the switch,

00:03:06.340 and it's so easy.

00:03:07.460 All you have to do is simply call Patriot Mobile's 100% U.S.-based team

00:03:12.760 from the comfort of your home or your office,

00:03:15.040 and they'll have you activated in minutes.

00:03:17.500 And if you're still locked in a contract, not a problem.

00:03:20.400 Patriot's Mobile contract buyout program covers up to $500 per device.

00:03:25.620 Keep your same number, keep your phone, or upgrade to a new one.

00:03:28.840 So back to my point.

00:03:30.040 What are you waiting for?

00:03:31.380 Call Patriot Mobile today and make a difference every single day

00:03:35.180 with every call you make.

00:03:36.240 PatriotMobile.com slash Ferguson.

00:03:39.960 That's PatriotMobile.com slash Ferguson.

00:03:43.660 Or 972Patriot.

00:03:46.080 And if you use the promo code FERGUSON,

00:03:48.160 you're going to get a free month of service on top of that.

00:03:51.380 PatriotMobile.com slash Ferguson.

00:03:53.540 Or 972Patriot.

00:03:56.000 That's PatriotMobile.com slash Ferguson.

00:03:58.420 Or 972Patriot.

00:04:00.300 It's the 47 Morning Update, and it starts right now.

00:04:04.240 Story number one.

00:04:05.360 I want to talk about some new news and data that is coming out

00:04:09.240 that is going to shock or should shock every American.

00:04:12.900 Unfortunately, the media is refusing to cover it.

00:04:15.360 ICE arrests are happening at record pace, and it's not just random people.

00:04:20.540 ICE has now arrested over 200 illegal alien child sex offenders

00:04:26.840 in the Houston, Texas area alone.

00:04:30.000 I want to say that again.

00:04:31.440 ICE has arrested over 200 illegal alien child sex offenders in Houston alone.

00:04:37.940 Not the country.

00:04:39.400 Not the state of Texas.

00:04:40.920 In one city.

00:04:42.480 This coming from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

00:04:46.220 Saying it this way.

00:04:47.500 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 214 illegal aliens

00:04:52.780 for immigration offenses in the Houston area who have been charged or convicted

00:04:56.940 of a sex offense involving a minor.

00:05:00.160 The 214 arrests were more than the Houston field office arrested

00:05:05.020 during the entire 2024 fiscal year,

00:05:09.200 when officers there arrested 211 illegal aliens charged or convicted of child sex offenses.

00:05:15.380 The surge in arrests over the last six months of illegal aliens charged with or convicted

00:05:20.780 of child sex offenses is a direct result of a whole-of-government approach

00:05:25.980 implemented under the Trump administration

00:05:29.000 that has now led to the establishment of multi-agency targeting teams

00:05:34.040 in each area of responsibility.

00:05:36.940 Now, these teams conduct daily enhanced immigration enforcement operations

00:05:42.060 targeting the worst-of-the-worst criminal aliens, 0.91

00:05:46.100 something that the president promised when he was running for president

00:05:49.260 and, yes, making good on that promise.

00:05:51.920 They are targeting the worst-of-the-worst criminal aliens for one reason, 0.94

00:05:56.160 arrest, and then the second reason is removal.

00:05:59.160 In Southeast Texas, those efforts have resulted in an increase in arrests

00:06:03.480 of all, quote, dangerous criminal aliens,

00:06:06.580 leading to safer communities, stronger national security,

00:06:09.840 and enhanced border security as well, saying this,

00:06:13.780 bringing together the resources and expertise

00:06:16.520 of the entire federal law enforcement community

00:06:19.100 to confront the overwhelming surge of illegal immigration

00:06:21.800 that we saw over the past four years

00:06:24.260 has resulted in the arrest and removal of historic numbers of violent criminal aliens,

00:06:30.460 transnational gang members, and child sex offenders.

00:06:34.700 That is what ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations

00:06:38.100 Houston Acting Field Director Paul McBride said in a statement.

00:06:41.760 He continued by saying this,

00:06:43.520 While we still have a long way to go to truly get this crisis under control,

00:06:48.140 the strides we have made in just the last six months

00:06:50.360 to make our local communities safer are substantial,

00:06:53.280 and our officers continue to work tirelessly every day

00:06:56.240 to get the worst-of-the-worst criminal aliens out of Southeast Texas 0.97

00:06:59.800 to return our communities to places we can all enjoy.

00:07:03.380 Now, among the illegal aliens that were charged or convicted of a child sex offense 0.52

00:07:08.480 who were arrested by the ICE Houston Field Office in the past six months,

00:07:12.860 here are some of the worst.

00:07:14.260 A man by the name of Jesus Gutierrez.

00:07:16.780 He was a 67-year-old, three-time deported criminal alien from Mexico.

00:07:22.100 He was arrested March the 28th

00:07:23.720 and has been convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

00:07:27.300 He's also been convicted of driving while intoxicated.

00:07:30.380 ICE removed the man to Mexico April the 4th.

00:07:34.060 George Zebra, a 48-year-old criminal alien from Mexico,

00:07:37.920 was arrested March the 21st.

00:07:39.920 He's now been convicted of not one,

00:07:41.620 but two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor

00:07:44.900 and sexual indecency with a minor.

00:07:47.240 ICE has removed him to Mexico March the 24th as well.

00:07:50.940 Manuel Antonio Castro, a 37-year-old,

00:07:54.400 has also a rap sheet,

00:07:56.100 twice deported criminal alien, this time from El Salvador.

00:07:59.100 He was arrested July the 18th

00:08:01.440 and has been convicted of sexual assault of a minor

00:08:04.480 and twice for illegal re-entry.

00:08:06.620 He remains in ICE custody pending his third removal to El Salvador.

00:08:10.740 Jose Meza is a 40-year-old,

00:08:13.420 four-time deported criminal alien from Mexico,

00:08:16.260 who was yet again arrested June the 24th.

00:08:18.980 He's been convicted of theft and sexual assault of a child.

00:08:22.780 ICE removed the man to Mexico June the 25th.

00:08:25.100 Sergio Rolando, a 45-year-old,

00:08:28.680 three-time deported criminal alien from Mexico,

00:08:31.300 who was arrested June the 12th,

00:08:33.100 has been convicted of DWI

00:08:34.900 and aggravated sexual assault of a child.

00:08:38.160 He's been removed to Mexico July the 14th.

00:08:40.660 Now, you look at the difference now

00:08:42.540 between what's happening and over the last four years.

00:08:46.080 Federal law enforcement agencies have been contributed

00:08:49.120 to the multi-agency targeting teams,

00:08:52.240 including the Houston Office of the FBI,

00:08:54.640 the Houston Office of the ATF,

00:08:56.400 the Houston Office of the DEA,

00:08:57.940 and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

00:09:00.100 as well as the Diplomatic Security Services

00:09:01.940 and the U.S. Marshal Service.

00:09:03.780 You add in state and local law enforcement agencies

00:09:06.420 that have also assisted ICE.

00:09:08.420 You look at this,

00:09:09.520 and this, I go back to what I said,

00:09:11.400 is just in one city.

00:09:14.040 214 illegal aliens have been arrested

00:09:16.440 for immigration offenses in the Houston area

00:09:18.280 in the past six months,

00:09:19.420 and they've been charged or convicted

00:09:21.080 of sex offenses involving minors.

00:09:24.100 Now, story number two.

00:09:25.340 I want to take you back in history for just a moment.

00:09:28.320 You may remember when President Donald Trump

00:09:30.080 ran for office.

00:09:31.040 One of the things he promised

00:09:32.480 was he was going to clean up waste, fraud, and abuse.

00:09:37.400 Now, when did our government get really big

00:09:39.920 into waste, fraud, and abuse?

00:09:42.160 A lot of it actually happened

00:09:43.720 when President Barack Obama was in office

00:09:46.500 because he understood that it's easier to buy votes

00:09:49.620 than to convince people to vote for you

00:09:52.200 for actual policy reasons.

00:09:54.540 You may remember the perfect example of buying votes.

00:09:58.100 A woman that became famous

00:09:59.880 for her reason for voting for Barack Obama

00:10:02.580 over a guy by the name of Mitt Romney.

00:10:05.100 Now, let me be clear.

00:10:06.020 I'm not advocating for voting for Mitt Romney for anything.

00:10:09.000 We now know what a disaster he was.

00:10:11.260 But at the time, he obviously was going to do

00:10:13.980 a lot better job for this country than Barack Obama.

00:10:16.820 Insert September the 26th of 2012.

00:10:21.640 And the famous woman who loved her Obama phone.

00:10:25.320 Obama.

00:10:25.900 You got Obama phone?

00:10:27.040 Yes.

00:10:27.480 Everybody in Cleveland, low minority, 0.99

00:10:29.600 got Obama phone.

00:10:30.860 Keep Obama in president, you know?

00:10:33.160 He gave us a phone.

00:10:34.300 He gave you a phone.

00:10:34.760 We're going to do more.

00:10:35.400 How do you give you a phone?

00:10:36.140 You sign up if you're on full stamps,

00:10:39.100 you're on social security,

00:10:40.300 you got low income, you disability.

00:10:43.100 Hey, I have a question.

00:10:44.140 Okay, what's wrong with Romney again?

00:10:45.660 Romney? 1.00

00:10:46.440 He sucks. 1.00

00:10:47.520 He behaves. 1.00

00:10:49.800 There it is.

00:10:51.020 The woman made it clear.

00:10:52.520 You can buy my vote.

00:10:53.700 The Obama phone was real.

00:10:55.320 And it was a way to buy votes.

00:10:57.180 And the Democratic Party was giving out those Obama phones

00:11:00.440 and free cell service each and every month.

00:11:02.960 Well, fast forward to where we are today.

00:11:06.100 And we know a lot more about how corrupt the program actually was.

00:11:10.400 The Obama phones?

00:11:11.760 It was also a big scam.

00:11:13.840 And a Florida CEO is now headed to prison

00:11:16.860 and has been ordered to pay $128 million in fines

00:11:22.380 after, quote, defrauding the government.

00:11:26.200 And we're also being told this may be the tip of the iceberg.

00:11:29.680 The owner of a Florida telecommunications company

00:11:32.840 will spend the next five years in prison.

00:11:36.240 That's it.

00:11:37.020 Only five years.

00:11:38.580 And his firm must pay a hefty fine regarding the Obama phone scam.

00:11:43.200 Q-Link Wireless LLC and its owner,

00:11:46.700 identified as his CEO, Issa Assad,

00:11:49.560 previously pled guilty to conspiring to commit wired fraud

00:11:53.640 and steal federal funds from the Lifeline program

00:11:57.560 that originally began in the 1980s

00:12:00.080 to offer home phone service to those that were in need

00:12:04.200 so they could call 911.

00:12:06.160 Well, the program offered subsidized cell phone service

00:12:09.440 then to lower-income people.

00:12:11.180 And then free phones.

00:12:13.020 And in that 2012 video,

00:12:14.520 you had that protester emerging outside a Mitt Romney event

00:12:17.940 who claimed her neighborhood received an Obama phone.

00:12:21.200 Everybody's got one.

00:12:22.120 Every minority.

00:12:23.000 When asked why she supported Obama,

00:12:25.380 the woman said everybody in Cleveland, low minority.

00:12:29.140 Got Obama phones.

00:12:30.260 Keep Obama up in president.

00:12:31.960 You know, he gave us a phone.

00:12:33.160 He's going to do more.

00:12:34.300 Now, this clip was really the first time

00:12:36.400 many Americans ever heard about the abuse in this program.

00:12:40.720 And the name Obama phone caught on after the video went viral.

00:12:44.400 Some telecommunications companies with Lifeline contracts

00:12:47.960 embraced the term as a marketing ploy.

00:12:51.280 The government, by the way, did not.

00:12:53.520 Go back to 2013.

00:12:55.400 Breitbart News reported the opposition to the Lifeline program was growing.

00:13:00.200 As track phone wireless,

00:13:01.880 the company that most benefited from the government subsidy,

00:13:05.500 is now advertising on the inside the Beltway News websites

00:13:09.500 in an effort to, quote-unquote, save it.

00:13:12.020 You go to the Fox article,

00:13:13.860 and it now says that Assad was sentenced to prison,

00:13:16.760 and he, along with his company,

00:13:18.100 must pay $128 million in fines.

00:13:21.880 In a press release on Friday,

00:13:23.780 the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida

00:13:26.220 shared more details about the case

00:13:28.560 and just how bad the fraud may be.

00:13:31.480 Assad defrauded another federal government program,

00:13:34.120 it states the Paycheck Protection Program,

00:13:36.720 also known as PPP,

00:13:39.000 by making false statements about Q-Link's business.

00:13:42.700 Congress, you may remember,

00:13:44.240 created PPP,

00:13:45.480 and it was filled with waste, fraud, and abuse

00:13:47.780 during the COVID-19 pandemic

00:13:49.420 to authorize forgivable loans to small businesses

00:13:52.220 for job retention,

00:13:53.800 as well as, quote, other expenses.

00:13:56.100 Assad, the Q-Link's name, 0.95

00:13:58.120 executed a fraudulent scheme

00:14:00.040 to obtain and keep PPP proceeds.

00:14:03.280 To further the scheme,

00:14:04.400 Assad made false statements

00:14:05.700 about Q-Link's business,

00:14:07.700 including a false claim

00:14:08.800 that Q-Link's lifeline reimbursements

00:14:11.360 substantially decreased

00:14:12.720 because of the pandemic.

00:14:14.940 Assad then, in 2021,

00:14:17.280 engaged in an unlawful financial transaction

00:14:20.440 involving approximately $389,000 of those proceeds.

00:14:24.600 Assad spent PPP loan proceeds

00:14:26.620 on a Land Rover payment.

00:14:28.520 His personal Amex card,

00:14:30.960 jewelry,

00:14:31.800 and personal property taxes.

00:14:34.220 Assad was reportedly charged with murder

00:14:36.560 several years ago

00:14:37.560 in connection with driving over a groundskeeper

00:14:40.960 at his business,

00:14:42.360 per another Fox article.

00:14:44.180 He later pleaded no contest

00:14:45.840 to misdemeanor culpable negligence

00:14:48.060 and was slapped with one year probation

00:14:50.220 in order to pay just a $125 fine,

00:14:55.260 the outlet said.

00:14:56.420 Proof, if you've got really good lawyers,

00:14:58.660 you can get away with a hell of a lot.

00:15:00.300 As for the Obama phone scam,

00:15:02.480 Ford's CEO at least is headed to prison

00:15:04.480 and will pay, in theory,

00:15:06.420 $128 million in fines

00:15:08.720 for defrauding the American taxpayer.

00:15:11.400 But is this program still going?

00:15:14.040 Yes. 0.85

00:15:14.860 Is the program still corrupt as hell? 0.58

00:15:17.660 Yes.

00:15:18.540 And is it time that the Trump administration

00:15:20.560 look into it?

00:15:21.720 You better believe it.

00:15:22.840 And there's a very good chance

00:15:24.280 that's exactly what's happening right now.

00:15:26.960 Thank you for listening

00:15:27.740 to the 47 Morning Update

00:15:29.460 with Ben Ferguson.

00:15:31.160 Please make sure you hit subscribe

00:15:32.940 wherever you're listening

00:15:34.400 to this podcast right now.

00:15:36.240 And for more in-depth news,

00:15:38.160 also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson podcast,

00:15:40.880 and we will see you back here tomorrow.

00:15:42.660 This is an iHeart Podcast.

00:15:47.400 Guaranteed human.

Verdict with Ted Cruz - July 29, 2025

BONUS POD： Worst of the Worst： ICE Targets Convicted Child Predators in Houston Sweep

Episode Stats

Summary

Transcript