Federal Jury Convicts Texas Men In Drug Conspiracy
NEW ORLEANS - Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Keith Brown and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that a federal jury convicted Jorge Perralta, age 33, of Pasadena, Texas, and Paul Norris, age 57, of Houston, Texas, of a drug conspiracy charge, following a four-day trial.
Perralta and Norris were convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. According to the Indictment, beginning on a date unknown and continuing until on or about March 19, 2015, Perralta and Norris knowingly combined, conspired, confederated and agreed with persons known and unknown, to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride and one kilogram or more of heroin.
The convictions of Perralta and Norris followed an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (“OCDETF”) investigation by the DEA and Houston, Texas Police Department of a drug trafficking organization operating from Mexico into several U.S. states, including Louisiana.
Both Perralta and Norris face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000, a minimum of five years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. A U.S. District Judge set sentencing for May 19, 2016.
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
