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Press Release
Sixth Sentencing in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Case Sends Del Rio Man to Federal Prison for 9 Years
Press Release
In San Antonio today, seven New Braunfels Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) members, prospects and associates were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking and extortion scheme announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and New Braunfels Police Chief Tom Wibert.
This morning, Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced the following TMM defendants:
Two co-defendants were sentenced last year for their role in the drug trafficking and extortion scheme. On May 23, 2014, 36-year-old Julian Morales (aka “Oso”) was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. On October 31, 2014, 30-year-old TMM Lieutenant Abraham Ramirez (aka “Puppet”) was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Morales and Ramirez each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of interference with commerce by threat or violence.
According to court records, from May 2011 to July 2013, the defendants conspired to extort money from New Braunfels area drug traffickers so that the money could be distributed to members of the TMM. The defendants required persons who sold narcotics to pay the defendants a “tax” on the proceeds of drug distribution. This requirement that drug dealers pay the drug tax was enforced by the defendants through threats of force and physical violence, and actual force and violence. The defendants were also responsible for distributing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of ICE methamphetamine in the New Braunfels area from May 2012 until July 2013.
In a separate, but related, matter, Chief Judge Biery sentenced 37–year-old Rocky Esquivel (aka “Rock”) this morning to ten years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after Esquivel pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. On May 1, 2013, Esquivel was the subject of a traffic stop in New Braunfels. At the time, authorities discovered that he was in possession of 108 grams of methamphetamine, three firearms, body armor and $4,085.00 in U.S. Currency.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and the New Braunfels Police Department.