DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of Texas

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Ryan K. Patrick
, United States Attorney
Contact: Angela Dodge

Career Criminal Sentenced to Federal Prison For Firearms and Drugs

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old Robstown resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Isaiah Ryan Cantu pleaded guilty Feb. 14, 2018.

 

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos sentenced Cantu to a total of 168 months imprisonment – 80 and 88 months, respectively, for the possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession. He was further ordered to serve five years of supervised release. Cantu had previously been convicted in state court for numerous felonies and was determined to be career offender by the court.

 

In October 2016, narcotics officers with the Robstown Police Department executed a search warrant at Cantu’s residence. During the search, the officers recovered a backpack that contained multiple small baggies of cocaine, 25 packages of synthetic cannabinoids, several packages of crack cocaine and a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun. As a previously convicted felon, Cantu is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition per federal law.

 

Cantu will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

 

The Robstown Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.

 

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Houston Field Division