Gang Member and Convicted Felon Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 37-year-old local Corpus Christi resident and member of the Texas Syndicate gang has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Adan Rivera pleaded guilty Jan. 7.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered him to serve a 135-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional statements that described Rivera's role during the cocaine trafficking conspiracy and membership in the dangerous Texas Syndicate gang. Before handing down the sentence, Judge Ramos considered Rivera's previous criminal conduct which included felony convictions for aggravated robbery, aggravated assault as well as possession of heroin and cocaine. His continued criminal conduct included an arrest in March for possession with intent to distribute heroin while on bond.
The investigation revealed that in in July 2020, Rivera was involved in a conspiracy with others to possess with intent to distribute nearly 20 kilograms of cocaine. He helped coordinate or protect cocaine or currency with other co-conspirators.
Law enforcement ultimately seized over $250,000 during the course of the investigation.
Previously released on bond, Rivera was taken into custody in March following the heroin trafficking arrest. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Nueces County District Attorney's Criminal Interdiction Unit, Texas Department of Public Safety and Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning prosecuted the case.
