Juan Carlos Lara-Ochoa, Methamphetamine Distribution, Texas 2016

LUBBOCK, Texas — In a major blow to the methamphetamine trade, Juan Carlos Lara-Ochoa, 24, pleaded guilty to his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Lara-Ochoa admitted that on June 1, 2016, he possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

He faces a statutory sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a $10 million fine. Judge Bryant ordered a presentence investigation report for each defendant with sentencing dates to be set after the completion of those reports.

Law enforcement observed Lara-Ochoa depart the parking lot and return to Littlefield, where they arrested him. They obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and located a hidden compartment under the front passenger’s seat that contained two separate packages of methamphetamine, weighing a total of 2,230 grams. One of those was packaged exactly the same as the methamphetamine Andrade had discarded. Officers also obtained a search warrant for Lara-Ochoa’s storage unit and found an additional 1,782 grams of methamphetamine and five firearms.

According to documents filed in court, on June 1, 2016, officers with the Lubbock Police Department learned that Lara-Ochoa would be delivering about two pounds of methamphetamine to Christopher Paul Andrade in Lubbock. Law enforcement set up surveillance and followed Lara-Ochoa from Littlefield, Texas to the La Michoacana grocery on Clovis Highway in Lubbock. Lara-Ochoa parked in the grocery store’s parking lot, and a short time later, Andrade arrived and parked next to him.

The case is being investigated by the Lubbock Police Department, the Littlefield Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is in charge of the prosecution.

Three additional defendants charged in the case, Jonathan Lovato, 33, Arleen Theres Keithley, 36, and Crystal Ann Alaniz, 32, are scheduled to enter guilty pleas on Monday, November 7, 2016.

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