Cruz Perez, Methamphetamine Distribution, Texas 2017

Drug Trafficking Ring Busted in West Texas

LUBBOCK, Texas – A member of the Texas Syndicate has been sentenced to 327 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Cruz Perez, a/k/a ‘Travieso,’ 41, pleaded guilty in February 2017 to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine. Perez has been in custody since his arrest in June 2016.

According to plea documents filed in Perez’s case, on October 3, 2015, Perez distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that late that morning, Perez called Christopher Lee Gonzales and discussed Gonzales obtaining a quantity of methamphetamine from Perez. Perez advised that he’d have his nephew, Jose Gutierrez, III, bring it to Gonzales.

Special agents with the DEA who were conducting surveillance in Lamesa observed a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, known to be driven by Gutierrez, traveling toward Lubbock. Agents maintained surveillance until approximately 8:35 p.m. when a Texas Highway Patrol trooper stopped Gutierrez in Lubbock and found he was transporting approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Perez and twelve other west Texas residents, including three other members of the Texas Syndicate, were arrested in early June 2016 by special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Texas Department of Public Safety, with assistance from the Big Spring, Sundown and Levelland Police Departments, the Howard County and Lubbock County Sheriff’s Offices, the U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Of the twelve defendants, eleven have been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy to the following:

• Christopher Lee Gonzalez, aka ‘Gonzo,’ 44, 327 months
• Christopher David Gonzales, aka ‘Chris,’ 42, 121 months
• Evan Cruz Parson, aka ‘Evan,’ 22, 168 months
• Alexander Alfonzo Mendoza, aka ‘Alex,’ 21, 48 months
• Jose Gutierrez, III, aka ‘Baby Joey,’ 22, 151 months
• Jasmine Pillar Hernandez, aka ‘Crazy,’ 33, 120 months
• Crystal Dimas, aka ‘Babe,’ 29, 33 months
• Robert Diaz, Jr., aka ‘Bobby,’ 34, 48 months
• Adrian Rodriguez, 38, 48 months
• Johnny Trevino, Jr., aka ‘Baby John,’ 27, 48 months
• Victor Manuel Castillo, aka ‘Victor Manuel Garza,’ 44, will be sentenced later this month

“Those who choose drug dealing as an occupation take notice,” said U.S. Attorney John Parker. “The cost to you of making that choice will be high. Do something else.”

Cruz Perez, a 41-year-old member of the Texas Syndicate, was sentenced to 327 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Texas in 2017. Perez was arrested in June 2016 and has been in custody since then. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine in February 2017.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Perez was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in West Texas. The investigation revealed that Perez was the leader of the conspiracy and was responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine to other members of the Texas Syndicate.

The U.S. Attorney’s office praised the efforts of the DEA and other law enforcement agencies for their role in the investigation and prosecution of Perez and his co-conspirators.

Cruz Perez will serve 327 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Texas in 2017. Perez was a member of the Texas Syndicate and was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in West Texas.

In related cases, eleven other defendants have been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy to the following:

• Christopher Lee Gonzalez, aka ‘Gonzo,’ 44, 327 months
• Christopher David Gonzales, aka ‘Chris,’ 42, 121 months
• Evan Cruz Parson, aka ‘Evan,’ 22, 168 months
• Alexander Alfonzo Mendoza, aka ‘Alex,’ 21, 48 months
• Jose Gutierrez, III, aka ‘Baby Joey,’ 22, 151 months
• Jasmine Pillar Hernandez, aka ‘Crazy,’ 33, 120 months
• Crystal Dimas, aka ‘Babe,’ 29, 33 months
• Robert Diaz, Jr., aka ‘Bobby,’ 34, 48 months
• Adrian Rodriguez, 38, 48 months
• Johnny Trevino, Jr., aka ‘Baby John,’ 27, 48 months
• Victor Manuel Castillo, aka ‘Victor Manuel Garza,’ 44, will be sentenced later this month

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