Two Illegal Aliens Sentenced to 120 months Imprisonment for Federal Drug Trafficking Charges and Illegal Reentry After Deportation

Jackson, TN – Christino Alcazar-Ortiz, 37 and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz, 40, of Union City were both sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and Illegal Reentry into the United States after having been previously deported. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentences today.

According to information presented in court, beginning in April, 2017, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Union City Police Department became aware of an ongoing drug trafficking organization in the West Tennessee area, specifically Obion County, Tennessee. The investigation, which lasted approximately one year, revealed that the organization was trafficking crystal methamphetamine (ice) from multiple residential locations within Union City and Jackson, Tennessee. As a result, law enforcement officers utilized confidential informants and electronic surveillance to include wiretaps on phones used by the defendants.

A total of six controlled drug purchases were made from Christino and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz. Christino Alcazar-Ortiz distributed actual methamphetamine from the Mi Tierra Caliente Restaurant in Union City, while Armando Alcazar-Ortiz distributed actual methamphetamine from his place of employment in Jackson, Tennessee. The methamphetamine (ice) recovered was tested at (DEA) laboratories and was determined to range from 95% to 99% pure crystal methamphetamine. The investigation determined that Christino Alcazar-Ortiz was responsible for the distribution of over 409 grams of ice and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz for the distribution of over 167 grams of ice during the conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This case combines two of the top priorities of the Department of Justice: illegal drug trafficking and criminal immigration enforcement. We work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate

and prosecute any and all suppliers that distribute illegal drugs in West Tennessee. At the same time, we work to identify, prosecute, and remove persons who violate our sovereign immigration laws, and our work focuses on criminal re-entry cases that will further deter and reduce illegality by criminal aliens. Clearly, these offenders posed a significant danger to public safety in Obion County and West Tennessee by their distribution of pure methamphetamine into the community, and will now serve long prison sentences as a result."

On August 20, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Christino Alcazar-Ortiz and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz charging each with conspiracy to distribute actual methamphetamine and Illegal Reentry after deportation.

On June 6, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced both defendants to 120 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Union City Police Department and Homeland Security (ICE).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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