Gilbert Joseph Carrasco, Methamphetamine Distribution, Texas 2022

Amarillo Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Methamphetamine Distribution

A violent drug dealer was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution ring, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Gilbert Joseph Carrasco, 44, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after just seven minutes of deliberation in August 2022.

Carrasco was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, who noted that the defendant’s violent past – including multiple physical assaults with his fists, a screwdriver, and even a brick – warranted the sentence.

According to evidence presented at trial, undercover agents arranged to purchase methamphetamine from 25-year-old Catrina Palmer on April 28, 2020. Carrasco drove Palmer to the undercover buy. Agents located a trap in the dashboard of his truck that contained methamphetamine. Investigation later revealed that Carrasco was Palmer’s methamphetamine supplier.

In an interview, Carrasco admitted to receiving and distributing methamphetamine. He also admitted to being a convicted felon and knowingly possessing a .22 bolt action rifle he said he obtained on the “streets.”

Palmer pled guilty in April 2021 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

The investigation was conducted by the Amarillo Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Tusing and Joshua Frausto prosecuted the case with the help of Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/amarillo-drug-dealer-sentenced-50-years