LUBBOCK — Two defendants were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings for their role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Saul Blanco-Gallegos, 37, of Grand Prairie, and Juan Rodriguez Galindo, aka “Johnny,” 43, of Amarillo, both pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and were sentenced to 108 months and 130 months in federal prison, respectively.

Last week, Judge Cummings sentenced the following defendants, who all pleaded guilty in April 2017 to their roles in the conspiracy, to the following:

Isaias Perez-Benito, 32, of Amarillo, 210 months

Corina Villalpando, 51, of Plainview, 188 months

Dusty Lee Stowers, 30, of Friona, 108

Mona Lesa Thomas, aka “Lisa,” 52, of Lubbock, 46 months

 

According to plea documents filed in the case, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted an investigation into a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy involving suspects in Amarillo, Plainview, Lubbock, and several other cities in the Texas Panhandle.

 

Through the use of various investigative techniques – including multiple undercover purchases and residential search warrants – agents were ultimately able to seize a total of approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, nine firearms, and nearly $20,000 in cash.

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Friona Police Department, and Plainview Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long prosecuted.

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LUBBOCK — Six defendants have been charged in a federal indictment, unsealed this week, with felony offenses stemming from their role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Five defendants have made their initial appearance in federal court in Lubbock before U.S. Magistrate D. Gordon Bryant, Jr. and will remain in custody pending trial. One defendant remains a fugitive.

The nine-count indictment charges each of the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine:

Isaias Perez-Benito, 31, of Amarillo

Juan Rodriguez Galindo, aka “Johnny,” 42, of Amarillo

Corina Villalpando, 50, of Plainview

Dusty Lee Stowers, 29, of Friona

Mona Lesa Thomas, aka “Lisa,” 52, of Lubbock

 

In addition, each defendant is charged with additional substantive counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Perez-Benito was an illegal alien and unlawfully in the United States at the time of the offenses charged and is charged with an additional count of illegal alien in possession of firearms.

A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, the conspiracy count carries statutory penalties ranging from 5 years to life in federal prison and a $5 million to $10 million fine. The other substantive drug offenses carry similar penalties. If convicted of the firearm charge, Perez-Benito also faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Friona Police Department, and Plainview Police Department are in charge of the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is in charge of the prosecution.

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DALLAS, Texas — Jose Luis Martinez-Martinez, 41, of Desoto, Texas, made his initial appearance last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney on a complaint, unsealed today, charging possession with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

 

Judge Stickney ordered that Martinez remain in federal custody. A preliminary hearing will be set at a later date.

 

According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, the investigation began when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Martinez-Martinez was involved in the distribution of kilogram quantities of heroin in the Dallas metroplex. An undercover officer contacted Martinez-Martinez by cellular phone and placed an order for three kilograms of heroin. Martinez-Martinez agreed to supply the officer with the three kilograms of heroin and they agreed to meet at Flying J Truck stop located at 7425 Bonnie View Road, Dallas, Texas. Dallas County Sherriff’s officers performed a traffic stop on Martinez-Martinez as he arrived at the Flying J Truck stop. During the traffic stop officers observed a small gift style bag with an open top sitting in the front right passenger seat. Also observed in plain view was a black tar like substance inside the bag believed to be heroin. Martinez-Martinez was then placed under arrest. During an interview, Martinez-Martinez stated that he had an additional 2.5 kilograms of heroin concealed at his residence located at Desoto, Texas. During a search of the residence investigators recovered an additional 3,042.3 grams of heroin.

 

A federal criminal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The U.S. Attorney’s office has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment. The penalty for the charged offense is not less than 10 years or up to life in federal prison and a $10 million fine.

 

The matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael Jones is in charge of the prosecution.

 

 

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