Department of Justice
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Final Defendant Sentenced in Federal Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 30-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a major drug trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Samuel Pineda-Pineda pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2011, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 245 months in federal prison on Jan. 11, 2012, by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.
According to information presented in court, in August 2008, an investigation began into a Houston-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine throughout Houston and the Beaumont, Texas area. In June 2009, agents began utilizing court-ordered telephone intercepts in an effort to determine those involved in the conspiracy, the amount of drugs being distributed and the source of the drugs. Law enforcement officers and agents also participated in undercover purchases of methamphetamine and revealed at least 40 persons were involved in the conspiracy and that no less that 113 pounds of methamphetamine and 31 kilograms of cocaine were distributed. At least 20 kilograms of cocaine was seized through undercover buys and during the execution of search warrants and arrests. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 3, 2010, charging 35 defendants with various drug trafficking charges. An additional five defendants were named in a superseding indictment on Nov. 3, 2010. All defendants have since been convicted and Pineda-Pineda is the final defendant to be sentenced.
This case was investigated by the DEA, ICE, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the Chambers County Sheriff's Office, the Beaumont Police Department, U.S. Marshal's Service, Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, Galveston County Sheriff's Office, Galveston Police Department, Houston Police Department and the Texas Rangers. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Englade.
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