Federal Jury Convicts Two In Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Two men have been found guilty for their roles in a large-scale drug-trafficking conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Guillermo Herrera, 55, and Hector Alberto Burton aka Hector Alberto Camacho, 40, were convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana and aiding and abetting each other to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana on Jan. 22, 2013. The federal jury returned its verdicts late today following a three-day trial and less than two hours of deliberation.
Herrera, of Edinburg, and Burton, of Commiskey, Ind., were arrested in 2014 on charges relating to their participation in a South Texas drug-trafficking organization. The government presented evidence regarding the seize of more than 500 pounds of marijuana. Evidence presented showed that Burton orchestrated the transportation of the marijuana from another state and Herrera was hired to drive the load.
Senior U.S. Judge Hayden Head, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for April 29, 2015, at which time Herrera and Burton face a minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison.
Burton was permitted to remain on bond, while Herrera has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The investigation leading to the criminal charges was conducted in Corpus Christi lead by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Arkansas Pass Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and the Kingsville Specialized Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie K. Hampton is prosecuting the case.
