CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The grim saga of ‘Cocaine Pepe,’ alias Jose Francisco Arredondo, has reached its final chapter as the 33-year-old Alice resident was today sentenced to federal prison for a heinous crime. Arredondo, who terrorized the Alice and Jim Wells County community, pleaded guilty on August 19 to possession with intent to distribute 112 grams of meth.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos handed down a severe sentence of 151 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. The court heard that Arredondo’s criminal career was marked by 28 arrests and his role as a primary source for drugs including meth, cocaine, steroids, and more in Alice.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Ramos highlighted Arredondo’s repeated arrests with firearms and drugs, noting previous jail sentences had failed to deter him. The court’s decision came after law enforcement discovered over $11,000, four bags of narcotics, a digital scale, lottery tickets, and a defaced firearm in April during a disturbance call at a local hotel.
Arredondo was stopped by police while driving with the lights on and engine running, prompting a search that turned up the drugs and cash. His criminal history is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drug trafficking in our communities.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alice Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin prosecuted the case, ensuring justice was served for the victims affected by Arredondo’s actions.
Arredondo will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility as determined soon.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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