People accused of trafficking drugs in Texas are usually dealt with in the federal courts and receive long prison sentences. Earlier this year, a drug trafficker was sentenced to 360 months in Lubbock.
Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings sentenced Rudolfo Ledesma Castaneda, Jr. to 360 months in federal prison. Castaneda pleaded guilty last October to a single count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The U.S. Department of Justice convicted 12 people from San Angelo in Texas following a major drug investigation. Federal investigators said they were part of a drug trafficking organization.
Castaneda and 11 other defendants, most of them from the San Angelo area, were arrested in July 2016. Their arrests were as part of a joint Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Typically, federal and local agencies join forces in big drug enforcement operations. In this case, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) carried out the operation with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the San Angelo Police Department.
Drug Trafficker and Others Arrested After Joint Operation
The investigators were assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office.
Another drug trafficker, Richard Jasso, 39, of San Angelo, Texas, was sentenced to life in federal prison after a federal jury convicted him on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of more of methamphetamine as well as aiding and abetting. John Parker, U.S. attorney of the Northern District of Texas said:
“Targeting drug traffickers who have taken root in the San Angelo area and jeopardize the safety and security of our communities is a top priority for my office. But one agency can’t do it alone.”
He said when agencies join forces, nothing stands in their way. He described drugs as a poison in the community.
Castaneda was described as the ringleader of the drug organization. Of 12 defendants who were indicted, 11 were convicted. The charges were later dismissed against one of the defendants.
If you have been charged with drug trafficking, you can expect a long stretch in a federal prison on conviction. Find out more about drug crimes here on our website.
Call us today for experienced criminal representation in Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, San Antonio or elsewhere in Texas at (512) 399-2311.