Several Members Of South Laredo Trafficking Group Plead Guilty
LAREDO, Texas - A total of 10 Laredoans have entered guilty pleas related to a cocaine, crack and marijuana distribution conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
On July 8, 2014, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against 32 defendants in Laredo. All were allegedly responsible for locally distributing cocaine, crack and marijuana, maintaining drug premises and utilizing minors to distribute drugs.
Eight of those pleading guilty today were Alejandro Reyes aka “Keiko,” 31, Rene Gabriel Gonzalez, aka “Beast,” 46, Carlos Alberto Acosta aka “Pinni,” 36, Luis Francisco Gutierrez, 40, Jorge Armando Perez, 34, Hector Manuel Cavazos, 26, Jose Juan Sosa, 19, and Jesus Ramirez aka “Playboy,” 19. They are all residents of Laredo and pleaded to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Also pleading today was Robert Daniel Perez aka “Danny,” 36, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Another defendant - Manuel Hernandez aka “Lolo,” 19, previously entered a plea of guilty to drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, crack and marijuana on Nov, 14, 2014.
The drug conspiracy convictions carry a minimum of five and up to 40 years of federal imprisonment and a possible $5 million fine. Robert Perez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for his money laundering conspiracy conviction.
Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will be set a later date.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation was conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration, Laredo Police Department, Webb County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.
