Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Mexican National Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations
A Mexican national was sentenced today by United States District Judge Beth Bloom to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for drug trafficking and firearms violations.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, Michael W. Meade, Acting Field Officer Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), Miami Field Office, Matthew A. Zetts, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, and Peter J. Forcelli, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
Felipe Benitez Aguilar, 44, of West Palm Beach, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm, and alien in possession of a firearm.
On September 19, 2017, a West Palm Beach Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment charging Aguilar with possession with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm, alien in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegal re-entry after deportation or removal. According to court documents, Aguilar was found in possession of over 30 kilogram-sized packages of cocaine, an UZI rifle, a revolver, and multiple rounds of ammunition. Aguilar had been previously removed from the United States in February 2004 and again in July 2012. Aguilar’s July 2012 removal followed his 37-month federal sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine.
Judge Bloom sentenced Aguilar to the mandatory-minimum term of 20 years in prison for the drug count, and concurrent terms of 10 years in prison on each firearms count.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the DEA, ICE-ERO, Border Patrol, and ATF. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rinku Tribuiani.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov/.
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