LUBBOCK — A federal indictment has charged six individuals, including Isaias Perez-Benito, with felony offenses related to their involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Perez-Benito, 31, of Amarillo, and five other defendants — Juan Rodriguez Galindo, Corina Villalpando, Dusty Lee Stowers, Mona Lesa Thomas, and one fugitive — have been accused of participating in a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to the indictment, Perez-Benito, an illegal alien, was also in possession of firearms at the time of the alleged offenses. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for this charge.
The nine-count indictment charges each defendant with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as additional substantive counts of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, the conspiracy count carries statutory penalties ranging from 5 years to life in federal prison and a $5 million to $10 million fine.
The investigation into the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Friona Police Department, and Plainview Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is in charge of the prosecution.
Five defendants have made their initial appearance in federal court in Lubbock before U.S. Magistrate D. Gordon Bryant, Jr. and will remain in custody pending trial. One defendant remains a fugitive.
A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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