Amarillo Methamphetamine Traffickers Sentenced
AMARILLO, Texas - Three defendants in two separate cases were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater for various methamphetamine distribution offenses. Clyde E. Shelley, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of Dallas’ Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas made the announcement.
Judge Fitzwater sentenced Colleen Mossberger, 48, of Joliet, Illinois, to 120 months in federal prison following her guilty plea in February 2017 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Mossberger has been in custody since the time of her arrest in September 2016.
According to documents filed in Mossberger’s case, on September 13, 2016, two Potter County deputies were working routine patrol on Interstate 40, in Potter County, Texas. The deputies stopped a vehicle for driving in the left lane and not passing. The vehicle was occupied by Mossberger and a passenger. Mossberger and the passenger provided conflicting stories about their travels. A search of the vehicle revealed 1,316.7 grams of methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Potter County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Oscar Martin Cota, 25, of San Diego, California, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in February 2017 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Co-defendant Edgar Isaac Castaneda Cota, 25, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison following his guilty plea also in February 2017 to the same offense. Both defendants have been in custody since their arrests in December 2016. Castaneda will be deported after serving his sentence.
According to documents filed in the case, on December 10, 2016, a Texas Department of Public (DPS) trooper was working routine patrol on Interstate 40 in Carson County, Texas. The DPS trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding over the limit and the passenger not wearing a seatbelt. The vehicle was occupied by Cota and Castaneda. While speaking with Castaneda and Cota, the trooper noticed several indicators of possible criminal activity. A search of the vehicle revealed 6,698.9 grams of methamphetamine in the passenger side quarter panel. Cota and Castaneda were transporting the methamphetamine from California to Oklahoma in exchange for $1,500 each.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto prosecuted the cases.
