Three Corpus Christi residents, Ignacio Pena, Raul Leal Martinez, and David Pete Dominguez, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Ignacio Pena, 44, aka ‘Nacho,’ was handed a 168-month prison term, while David Pete Dominguez, 30, aka ‘Buda,’ was ordered to serve 120 months. Raul Leal Martinez, 36, aka ‘Indio’ or ‘Wahoo,’ was sentenced to an 85-month term last week.
The indictment charged all three defendants with conspiring from June 1, 2008, to January 8, 2013, to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that Manuel Pena, a member of the Texas Syndicate prison gang, orchestrated various drug deals in the Corpus Christi area.
Evidence proved that in May 2011 Manuel Pena made deals to provide cocaine and methamphetamine to Rocky Bazaldua and Dominguez. He admitted he acquired cocaine and agreed to sell methamphetamine to Julieann Gutierrez. Pena also received methamphetamine from Martinez, a local home builder. Ignacio Pena helped receive and deliver various amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to various drug dealers in Corpus Christi.
Martinez and Gutierrez also pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder the proceeds of their drug sales through various financial transactions. Manuel Pena, Martinez, and Gutierrez agreed to forfeit their interests in various properties around Corpus Christi.
The case was investigated through a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Nueces and Kleberg County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass and Portland Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hess.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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