Federal Prison Terms Handed Down For Austin-Based Heroin Distribution Operation

Thirteen defendants have received lengthy federal prison terms for their roles in an Austin-based heroin distribution operation announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven C. McCraw. 

On Friday, United States District Judge Sam Sparks handed down the following prison sentences:  69-year-old Jose Pardo of Austin and 67-year-old Michael Martinez of Austin – 360 months; 45-year-old Jorge Carrillo of Lockhart, TX – 188 months; 63-year-old Dionicio Sanchez of Austin – 135 months; 43-year-old David Sosa of Austin – 130 months; 46-year-old Amanda Pardo of Austin and 65-year-old Terry Ayers of Austin – 120 months; 63-year-old Alfredo Alvarez of Austin – 110 months; 32-year-old Chris Mier of Austin – 51 months; 26-year-old Tatiana Huang of Austin – 48 months; 46-year-old Kilpatrick Williams of Austin – 41 months; 25-year-old Leah Day of Austin and 36-year-old Jeffrey Finn of Shenandoah, TX – 12 months.  In addition to the prison terms, Judge Sparks ordered that the following defendants pay fines:  Amanda Pardo, $15,000; Jorge Carrillo, Tatiana Huang and Chris Meir, $6,000 each; and, Kilpatrick Williams, Leach Day and Jeffrey Finn, $3,600.  Judge Sparks also ordered that all of the defendants be placed under supervised release for a period of five years after completing their respective prison terms.

Lucy Estrada, age 33, is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.  The alleged ringleader, Amado Pardo, passed away prior to trial. 

Evidence presented in court revealed the defendants conspired from May 2011 until their arrests in June of 2012 to distribute more than 17 kilograms of heroin.  Testimony also revealed that at least on one occasion, heroin was processed after business hours at the Pardo family-owned restaurant, Jovita’s, and that numerous drug transactions occurred right behind Jovita’s in co-defendant Amado Pardo’s house. 

“The sentencing of these traffickers is especially rewarding when you consider the longevity of the leaders participation in drug trafficking in the Austin area.  These sentences ensure that the leadership of this trafficking group has been effectively dismantled,” stated FBI SAC Fernandez.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Austin Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of the Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.  This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Guess and Elizabeth Cottingham.