Texas Syndicate cocaine trafficker returns to prison for over 10 years

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 39-year-old Robstown gang member and convicted felon has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to traffic 17 kilograms of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Rudy Reyna pleaded guilty Jan. 7.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced him to serve a 121-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional statements that described Reyna's role during the cocaine-trafficking conspiracy and membership in the dangerous Texas Syndicate gang. In imposing the sentence, Judge Ramos noted Reyna's previous violent criminal conduct.

In July 2020, Reyna was involved in a conspiracy with others to possess with intent to distribute nearly 20 kilograms of cocaine. He helped protect or transport cocaine or currency with others. During the course of the conspiracy, authorities seized over $250,000.

Reyna was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from U.S. Marshals Service, Nueces County District Attorney’s Criminal Interdiction Unit, Texas Department of Public Safety and Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning prosecuted the case.