Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

DALLAS — A Dallas man who pleaded guilty last year to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and using firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, has been sentenced, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Jesse Rodriguez, 35, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay to serve a total of 108 months in federal prison.  Rodriguez pleaded guilty in September 2014 to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. 

According to documents filed in the case, Rodriguez admitted that from approximately November 1, 2013, to February 21, 2014, he and co-defendant Felix Medina, 32, conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute, cocaine and heroin.  Rodriguez also admitted that during that time, he possessed numerous firearms.  Medina has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 17, 2015.

In furtherance of the conspiracy according to the factual resume, Rodriguez and Medina had two residences in Dallas, next door to the other, from which they would sell and store the drugs, store the proceeds from their illegal drug sales, and possess firearms to protect themselves, the controlled substances, and the proceeds.  When law enforcement executed a search warrant at the two residences on February 21, 2014, they found, among other things, approximately 223 grams of suspected cocaine, more than $18,000 in cash, baggies, more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition, video surveillance equipment, and approximately 40 firearms, including one Rodriguez had in his waistband.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.  Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Miller prosecuted.

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