United States Drug Enforcement Administration

AUSTIN, Texas - In Austin today, a judge sentenced to federal prison eight members of a drug trafficking cell associated with the LaFamilia cartel operating primarily in Austin and San Antonio announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - During sentencing hearings that occurred over the course of the last two days, several members of the Texas “Mexikan” (TMM) have been ordered to significant terms in prison for their roles in a Racketeer Influence Corrupt (RICO) conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. The hearings...

LAREDO, Texas - A 35-year-old San Antonio man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Carlos Pena pleaded guilty May 1, 2017. Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña sentenced Pena to serve 110...

HOUSTON - With a final plea today three Houston men have now been convicted for their roles in a $1 million narcotics trafficking conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Today, Robert Ashleigh Whitten, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Lalo Buddy Perez, 26...

HOUSTON - In San Antonio this afternoon, a federal jury convicted 45-year-old Reymundo Villarreal-(aka “Mundo”) of Mission, TX, for his role in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy occurring in South Texas, Central Texas and Oklahoma announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Western District of Texas; DEA...

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 43-year-old federal prison chaplain has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today. Eric S. Patrick, of Nederland, Texas pled guilty on January 19, 2017, to bribery of a public official and was sentenced to one...

LAREDO, Texas - A 46-year-old woman has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction for importing methamphetamine into the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Sherie Lyn De Sylvia, a U.S. citizen who resided in Tijuana, Mexico, pled guilty February 22, 2017. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina...

LAREDO, Texas - A 41-year-old man from Laredo, has been ordered to prison following his conviction of the conspiracy possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Esequiel Villarreal pleaded guilty Dec. 15, 2016. Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Villarreal to serve a 210-month-term...

LAREDO, Texas - The head of a marijuana trafficking cell, Mexican National Armando Javier Picazo Jimenez, 42, has pled guilty for his role in a conspiracy to traffic drugs from Laredo to the Dallas area via the use of tractor trailers, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. In August 2013...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - An indictment charging the former Tabasco, Mexico, Secretary of Finance has been unsealed following the arrest of his wife in the Houston area, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Jose Manuel Saiz-Pineda, 49, served as the Secretary of Finance of the Mexican State of Tabasco from...