Illegal Immigrant from the Dominican Republic Sentenced to More than Five Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Defendant was previously convicted for attempted re-entry by previously deported alien.
HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark.—Angel Lazala-Soto, who has a previous federal conviction for attempted re-entry by a previously deported alien, will spend the next 70 months in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down Thursday, March 5, 2026, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On March 6, 2025, Lazala-Soto, 60, of Bani, Dominican Republic, but residing in New York, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a one-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On October 23, 2025, Lazala-Soto pleaded guilty to Count One. Judge Miller also sentenced Lazala-Soto to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on August 29, 2024, troopers with the Arkansas State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was following too closely to the vehicle in front of it. The trooper made contact with the driver, identified as Lazala-Soto, and observed him behaving nervously and shaking. Because of language barrier issues, the trooper communicated with Lazala-Soto in Spanish with Lazala-Soto telling the trooper that he had driven from New Jersey the day before to see his son for lunch. However, through the use of investigative tools, the trooper was able to determine that Lazala-Soto had actually been in Austin, Texas, the prior day and had returned.
After Lazala-Soto gave consent to search his vehicle, the trooper located some large duffle bags in the rear of the vehicle. After removing the duffle bags, the trooper observed seven kilo-like bundles on top of the spare tire. During an interview at the police department, Lazala-Soto admitted he was transporting cocaine and had driven from New York to Austin and met someone at a gas station.
Lazala-Soto’s criminal history includes a February 5, 2009, federal conviction for attempted re-entry by a previously deported alien where he received a sentence of 30 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Lazala-Soto also has felony convictions for criminal mischief – second degree, grand larceny, possession to distribute cocaine, assault and beat with dangerous weapon, and two convictions for possession of stolen property.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Arkansas State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacy Williams.
