Local man sentenced for meth conspiracy and firearm offense
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 40-year old Corpus Christi man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced DEA Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Thaddeus Leo Raymond pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2018.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey sentenced Raymond to 120 months for the methamphetamine offense as well as a 60-month consecutive term for carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The total 180-month prison term will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On July 23, 2018, authorities conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 4700 block of Alameda Street in Corpus Christi. When officers approached, they could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked the driver, Allen Sturtz, and the passenger, Raymond, to step out. At that time, Raymond informed the officers that he was carrying a handgun in his waistband. The officers then recovered the loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
During a search of the vehicle, the officers discovered a backpack on the passenger side floorboard that contained a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine. Laboratory analysis confirmed the substance was 99 percent pure methamphetamine and weighted approximately 414 grams with an estimated street value of $5,000.
On Dec. 17, 2018, Judge Rainey sentenced Sturtz, 27, of Corpus Christi, to a total of 140 months followed by five years of supervised release.
Both have been and remain in custody.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.
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