DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Abe Martinez
, United States Attorney
Contact: Angela Dodge

Massive Sentence for Laredo Drug Trafficker

LAREDO, Texas – A 41-year-old man from Laredo, has been ordered to prison following his conviction of the conspiracy possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Esequiel Villarreal pleaded guilty Dec. 15, 2016.
 
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Villarreal to serve a 210-month-term of imprisonment. Villarreal committed the instant offense while on supervised release from a federal drug trafficking conviction in 2000 where he was sentenced to 188 months. Due to the revocation of his supervised release, he will also serve an additional consecutive six months of imprisonment in addition to the other term imposed.
 
Villarreal came to the attention of law enforcement after learning he was in possession of a large amount of drugs and a possible firearm.  
 
On Oct. 21, 2016, authorities conducted a search of Villarreal’s apartment. At that time, they discovered 9.5 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in a black plastic bag within his kitchen as well as a .22 caliber pistol in a cabinet above the refrigerator. He was also found to have 3.2 grams of cocaine on his body. 
 
Villarreal has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
 
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher dos Santos is prosecuting the case.
 
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Houston Field Division