United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

TEXAS SYNDICATE GANG MEMBER
SENTENCED TO NEARLY 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
ON DRUG CHARGE

Prosecution Part of Project Safe Neighborhood and Anti-Gang Initiative

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Roberto Rodriguez, a/k/a “Crazy Rob,” was sentenced to 235 months imprisonment this morning by the Honorable Sam R. Cummings, United States District Judge. Rodriguez, age 35, of Abilene, Texas, pled guilty in March 2006 to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine.

On October 14, 2005, a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety (“DPS”) observed a green Mitsubishi Galant speeding along Interstate 20 in Palo Pinto County, Texas. The trooper stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Roberto Rodriguez, Jr., a/k/a “Crazy Rob,” and the passenger as Victor Lopez. While speaking with Rodriguez, the trooper noticed that Rodriguez exhibited several signs of nervousness, such as failing to make eye contact and continuously talking.

Rodriguez told the trooper that he owned the Galant and gave the trooper permission to search it. During the search, the trooper discovered a burnt orange organizer with a University of Texas logo on it. Inside the organizer, was a clear plastic bag with a white crystalline substance inside that subsequently field-tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. In addition, a cellular telephone bill with Rodriguez’s name on it, and writings consistent with a drug ledger were discovered in the organizer. A further search of Rodriguez’s car revealed a substance that subsequently field-tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine inside of a 44-ounce soft drink cup in the front passenger seat area. The trooper then arrested Rodriguez and Lopez and transported them to the Palo Pinto county jail. During the transport, Rodriguez stated that the drugs in the organizer and soft drink cup were his. The amount of methamphetamine present, as well as the other indicators of narcotics trafficking, indicate that the methamphetamine was intended for distribution.

On November 23, 2005, detectives with the Abilene Police Department arrested Rodriguez for an outstanding arrest warrant. During a search of Rodriguez’s vehicle incident to arrest, the detectives discovered Rodriguez in possession of 1.237 kilograms of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Roper commended the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Abilene Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Abilene Resident Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Haag of the Lubbock, Texas, United States Attorney’s Office.

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