Laredo Co-Conspirators Receive Significant Sentences For Selling Drugs And Guns In A School Zone
LAREDO, Texas - Luis Macias-Molinas, 32, Ricardo Rosas Jr., 27, and Manuel Aguilar, aka Chino, 25, all of Laredo, have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions for drug trafficking and gun related charges, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Macias and Rosas pleaded guilty Oct. 17, 2013, while Aguilar was convicted Sept. 10, 2013.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Macias to serve 156 months for conspiracy to sell methamphetamine within a school zone as well as felon in possession of firearm charges. Rosas was also convicted of the school zone methamphetamine charges and will serve a 151-sentence. Both were further ordered to serve five years of supervised release following completion of their sentences. Aguilar received a 40-month sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm to be followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing today, Macias and Rosas admitted to organizing a methamphetamine trafficking organization within Laredo. In handing down this sentence, Judge Marmolejo stated she was doing taxpayers a favor by imposing lengthy prison terms and keeping the community safe.
These individuals were involved in a large drug and firearm trafficking Investigation in Laredo and San Antonio. Between May 24, 2013, and June 28, 2013, Macias and Rosas sold more than 600 grams of methamphetamine to undercover federal agents, including multiple sales within a school zone. On June 28, 2013, Macias attempted to sell 118.5 grams of methamphetamine for six semi-automatic firearms. He purchased the firearms from federal agents and intended to sell the weapons to Aguilar. Macias and Rosas were arrested before Aguilar received the weapons. Subsequently, agents searched their respective residences and discovered a variety of drugs and guns within the premises.
Rosas admitted to employing Macias, who then distributed the narcotics throughout the community.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sanjeev Bhasker and Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
