Meth Trafficker Handed Significant Sentence
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 44-year-old Richardson man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Michael Cipriano pleaded guilty Dec. 18, 2017.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John Rainey sentenced Cipriano to 210 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.
On July 26, 2017, law enforcement officers had received information that a vehicle would be travelling from Dallas to deliver methamphetamine to a location in Corpus Christi. As agents were conducting surveillance, Cipriano arrived at the location, at which time officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. He then quickly fled the location, but Cipriano was quickly apprehended a short distance away without incident.
When officers searched the vehicle, they discovered a large plastic bag that contained a white crystal substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine. Laboratory analysis confirmed the substance had a purity of 97% and contained 967 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Cipriano has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.
