A marijuana trafficking ring that operated out of Abilene, Texas, has been busted, with six defendants sentenced to prison time for their roles in the conspiracy.
The ring, led by Daniel Longoria, 49, of Abilene, was responsible for distributing large quantities of marijuana in the city since at least 2004.
Longoria, who was convicted at trial in February 2015, was sentenced on Tuesday to 360 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis. Perez, who pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy, received a 156-month sentence.
The other defendants, all from Abilene, received the following sentences: Jose Cavazos, 52, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison; Travis Kyndall Longoria, 23, to 120 months in federal prison; David Rodriguez, 26, to 30 months in federal prison; and Brandon Johnson, 36, of Sweetwater, Texas, to 90 months in federal prison.
The investigation into the Daniel Longoria Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) began when the Abilene Police Department learned that Longoria had been distributing marijuana from his business, Abilene Automotive and Performance.
Longoria concealed marijuana in speaker boxes and placed the speakers in vehicles to transport the marijuana throughout Abilene. He also used vehicles left at his business to conceal and transport large sums of bulk cash back to the DTO’s supply source in Mexico.
The Abilene Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Juanita Fielden and Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Williams prosecuted.
Related Federal Cases
- Daniel Elizondo, Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Texas 2016 · Texas
- Lakeva Shillette Hill, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and Crack Cocaine, Texas 2013 · Texas
- Serenko Stacie, Methamphetamine Distribution, Texas 2013 · Texas
- Paul Allen Wigington, Heroin Distribution, Texas 2013 · Texas
- Juan Dedias Herrera, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Texas 2011 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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