Meth King Abelardo Gets 18+ Years

MARSHALL, TX – Apolinar Carbajal Abelardo, a 42-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Marshall, Texas, is headed to federal prison for over 18 years. Abelardo was sentenced on February 18, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap for his role in a sprawling methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking operation that plagued East Texas for nearly three years.

The sentence – 225 months – comes after Abelardo pleaded guilty on February 18, 2013, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. The investigation, which began in November 2009 and continued through October 2012, revealed a conspiracy involving the manufacture and distribution of hard drugs across the region. Abelardo admitted to moving over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and crucially, possessing a firearm during the commission of the crime.

Federal authorities didn’t just lock up Abelardo; they gutted his operation. As part of the sentence, Abelardo is forfeiting a truck, several firearms, $13,650 in U.S. currency, and a money judgment totaling $20,000. This isn’t just about punishment, it’s about dismantling the infrastructure that allowed him to poison East Texas communities.

A federal grand jury initially indicted Abelardo on November 7, 2012, leveling federal drug trafficking violations that carried significant penalties. The case was a collaborative effort, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation taking the lead alongside the Marshall Police Department and the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office. The combined resources were essential to building a case strong enough to secure the lengthy sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst prosecuted the case, meticulously presenting the evidence gathered over years of investigation. This conviction sends a clear message: bringing drugs into East Texas, especially while illegally residing in the United States and armed, will result in severe consequences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, under John M. Bales, has made it clear they will pursue these cases aggressively.

Abelardo, originally from Guerrero, Mexico, will now spend the next two decades behind bars, a stark reminder that the drug trade comes with a heavy price. While this conviction closes one chapter, the fight against drug trafficking in East Texas continues. Grimy Times will be there to report on every bust, every sentence, and every attempt to flood our communities with poison.