Two Corpus Christi residents have been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jesse Martinez, 51, and Gabriel Galindo, 46, both long-time Texas Syndicate gang members, pleaded guilty on Jan. 2. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has ordered Martinez to serve 360 months, while Galindo was ordered to serve a 288-month-term of imprisonment.
Both men must also serve five years of supervised release following their sentences. The court held Martinez responsible for over two kilograms of heroin and almost eight kilograms of methamphetamine. Galindo was held responsible for almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and over a kilogram of heroin.
However, the court heard that throughout the investigation, authorities calculated that the Texas Syndicate drug trafficking organization was likely distributing approximately two kilograms of heroin and two kilograms of methamphetamine per month from September 2020 to May 2024.
The court also considered their criminal histories, including convictions for theft, burglary, weapons, and drug charges for Martinez. Galindo’s criminal history began at the age of 14 and includes burglary of a habitation, multiple cocaine convictions – with a federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute – and possessing a stabbing weapon while incarcerated.
Furthermore, the court heard Galindo was found with a shank, methamphetamine, and suboxone strips while incarcerated for this offense and that he was dealing suboxone to other inmates.
The investigation began in 2020 when law enforcement was looking into the drug trafficking activities of the Texas Syndicate. They discovered Martinez was receiving kilogram amounts of methamphetamine and heroin. Galindo was one of his top distributors in the Corpus Christi area.
On May 21, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Martinez’s residence and found he was in possession of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and synthetic marijuana as well as three unsecured firearms. Several children were also living in the home.
Galindo was also found in possession of almost a kilogram of methamphetamine, a kilogram of heroin, and four firearms at the time of his arrest.
Both men have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, and police departments in Corpus Christi and Robstown.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. De Pena and Brittany Jensen prosecuted the case.
Mandatory Facts:
• Defendant: Jesse Martinez
• Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin
• City and State: Corpus Christi, Texas
• Date: January 2, 2024
• Sentence: 360 months for Martinez, 288 months for Galindo
• Other: Both must serve five years of supervised release following their sentences
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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